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Great concept and delivery with only a few lows

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 10, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Considering how long this game has been out, I won't waste time with an introduction. This was a real satisfying setup, especially given I got it out of the bargain bin at Wal-mart. The portals and gravity manipulation gave the game a wonderful feel and a sense of vertigo that was almost constant, and kept me looking in every nook and cranny on walls and ceiling, given you had no idea where the next batch of opponents would come from. The portaling system was gorgeous, and despite being a little underexplained (if the Sphere needs energy, stop making portals which probably require the power of medium-sized cities) introduced a visual element that literally took my breath away when I first saw it. Not to mention the gorgeous scenes of the interior of the sphere.

The visceral atmosphere was also well developed and mantained, from the initial "juicer" you first encounter to the catatonic humans you periodically run into. The enemies have a great balance between being monstrous and just simple animals, rather than acting like you have a homing becaon attached to you like so many shooters are wont to do.

The only problem I have is some of the stereotypical anecdotes and flaws of the character. The grandfather of the main character is so overly done it seems like he'd have been better placed in "Dances With Wolves." At one point he comments on how Tommy needs to learn to fight like his people, rather than "with white mans weapons." I don't know about you, but I'd rather have a SAW or a flamethrower myself, heritage or no heritage.

The only other problem is the protagonist himself. Granted, one can easily understand his disillusionment with growing up on a reservation and wanting to leave, and his dislike of his culture, which reminds him of the res, but when your grandfathers spirit walks up to you in a spiritual world, I'd think you're well past the point of everything you grew up learning being, in the characters words, "superstitous s#!t"

Aside from those slight problems, which would really only stick in the craw of someone like me, who overanalyzes movies, this game is fantastic. The other audio is great, the radio messages you intercept are hysterical, and the flow of the game is fantastic. Given that you can easily pick this up now for around $20, go buy it!

Before Portal, there was PREY: An FPS time almost forgot.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: April 08, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I remember picking up a PCXL (PC Accelerator) mag many years back as a kid and remembered a certain article of a particular game idea that was in the words by the infamous 3d Realms company. The title had a simple, single named franchise called "Prey." ... the idea never came to being till many MANY years later as if it came out of the woodwork as something 'new' but with the aspirations of something being very old. With those not into the history about Prey, it was 'supposed' to be the groundbreaking game that was going to change the FPS phenomena and it probably could have... almost a decade ago. There's been so much inbetween as far as graphics, the kind of FPS titles that have come out that we ourselves should be to blame of just how jaded we are about being a gamer.

Yet here, we have a reinvention of the genre. The problem, as said before is that many games have come before it then as well as after that Prey has most likely become a unsettling mystery to some, as well as a jaded front for many... I say we should blame Halo for taking all the FPS ego, because a 'good story' or a 'good game' shouldn't take 3 titles just to get it right, but enough about my ranting, on with the review.

Story - The story is that fine line between Sci-Fi and fantasy, with sci-fi being through the aliens and fantasy through the Cherokee mysticism; not that either of them are essentially bad, in fact, Prey did a GREAT job at merging the two. You start off feeling the 'reality' of just reality... until the aliens come, then you're just blown away by sudden impact of survival; and the title holds way too true. The experience is best lived, just play the game.

Graphics - It's mentioned this is an improved use of the Doom 3 engine... and while I've played Doom 3, there are only slight suggestions it feels like Doom 3 if anyone wants to bring that distinction, but this REALLY feels like a unique world in itself. If you have the computer to do it, pump this game with all the graphic mayhem you can unleash and you'll be in for one hell of a ride. 2 years is a long ways away as far as graphics and graphics cards are concerned, but this game really holds up well on what might be considered 'dated', Crysis, take note.

Sound - Unbelievably executed. Every noise and quirky sound you hear fits the environment perfectly and adds even more the depth that this game's setting pulls you into.

Gameplay - Addictively fun. The AI is sometimes a little predictable, but at least it reacts. That's not saying the AI is completely incompetent, in fact, it's mostly the grunt forces you run into that are kind of secondary. As for the other opponents, they'll definitely give you a good shake about your wits, tough and merciless opponents. It's probably more that the enemy is amazingly relentless; and as you are fighting an alien force pent on human eradication, it fits, tough and engaging. The 'portal' technology in this game (overshadowed by Valve's PORTAL franchise) is a huge coincidence that something like this would end up becoming something you would ultimately control... not in this game, but you do have to work your head around some of the different levels of planes you have to walk on. Up is down, down is up... just some wild, surreal stuff happens and you get accustomed to it, but it's a little dizzying at first, until you get the hang of it, and you realize just how much fun it really is. This is also the first game I've played in a long time where I've actually took it outs of its case, installed, played... and actually beat in one sitting. I did so because the game is just THAT fun! You'll die, you go through this 'spirit world' where you take out spirit wraiths to revive spirit and health and then you're brought back into the world you were once fighting in. To me, this is a good calm down session and keeps you in check; keeping the player busy and engaged with the game rather than having to wait for a load time from a previous save because you died. The ONLY time I saved was once, only because I thought I needed to, and that was the ONLY save I ever used and I needn't ever go back to that save-- the game will keep you going and going and going... and finally you get to that ending and you'll want more. I did... and the ending gives you so much more open promise, you just can't go wrong with this game.

Packaging - Because this is the limited collector's edition, it's worth mentioning what's inside. The case comes in an awesome tin case with a cool little booklet with the concept art of the game; as an art student with gaming besides, this was an awesome addition. The little pewter figures are neat as well, the official soundtrack also offered to you, not on disc sadly enough, but as a download... which is great if you have broadband, but if it were an actual physical CD at hand, that would have just been fantastic, and it all comes loaded neatly in the tin's velvet interior! I figure, if you're gonna get a game and there's a collector's edition of it out... spare the extra dollars for it unless you're not into that kind of thing, but speaking from a collector's stand point, I couldn't be happier.

Overall Synopsis - Prey is a great game that time almost forgot and there's more proof in its history than when it actually came out. I guess if you're a gamer you're not into that kind of thing just exactly where every game comes from and where it's going... they're just in it for the performance to stress their system, to gloat about some kind of feeling they get from beating something faster than anyone else or who can beat who the most notoriously, but for what it's worth, Prey stands out as a game worthy by storytelling, design and execution. You wonder if game developers even care about stuff like this anymore but I'm glad 3D Realms still does and that they didn't have an idea die out from its original pitch over a decade ago.

Just 2 years after Prey's release, several more FPS's would come and overshadow Prey, Call of Duty 4 being a very good reprisal to that but for everything else inbetween from then to that... couldn't really tell you.

If you like a good story, got some frag to gib, want to hear some god awfully good music that scores with your gaming and just want to feel like a 1990's super action hero... you couldn't go anywhere else but with Prey. Seriously, what're you still doing reading this all? BUY THIS GAME! You won't regret it.

They finally released prey.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: August 17, 2006
Author: Amazon User

After 12 years of being back-shelfed prey was finally released and it seems to have taken everybody by suprised. Its a good game but yet its way to short to be truley fullfilling.

but the game does feature new things but ill let you find it out for yourselfs. i havent finished yet because of the whole "going back to school" thing but after about a week of getting use to highschool agian (junior year for me, 2 years of boring school left for me) ill be back to finish.

Lets hope they dont make dnf (duke nukem forever taking, lol) to short or it will be a bummer.

Great game... really enjoyed it.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: December 07, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I really enjoyed Prey. The game was fun and with some very unique gameplay... graphics were great and it wasn't too long as some games are these days. It's inexpensive and a great shooter. What's not to like about that?

Awsome game!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 11
Date: July 17, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I just beat this game a little bit ago. The gravity changing takes a litte bit of getting use to, but you learn to adjust. The weapon effects are some of the best I have seen. JennyX was really tough to fight. What really makes me laugh though is what Monty Python said about the LCE not working on DVD burners. I have the LCE and it worked just fine on my Plextor PX-716SA.

Super Sweet!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 3
Date: January 22, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Great Game! lots of cool features! like walking on walls, and portels, The guns are pretty sweet too! everything on the ship is alive! even the guns! One of those storys where in the begining you die. then u get trasported to the "Land of the Ancents" where you come back with super powers! [...] great Sci-fi! i highly reccomend buying the limited edition. only 1 cd compared to 3! and much more!!!

Great new shooter

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: August 28, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This was a wild new experience . I have read where some say the weapons are "normal" or nothing special". Well its a shooter...First Person Shooters have weapons that shoot. This game is much more than that. There are gravity walkways and portals that take you to another place instantly. The enemy is a scary bunch of monsters.There are a few surprises along the way. Even the ending has a neat twist...just keep watching past all the credits.Buy this game, you will be glad you did.

Its good but gets old

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: November 04, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I play the game once and finish but I dont have the need to go back to it. Its one of those games that are good but you dont feel like playing it again after you finish the first time.

Simply breathtaking!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 5
Date: July 14, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I can't even begin to explain the amazing qualities this game possesses. There are some very unique elements in this game that set it apart from most other FPS's. Like the other reviewer says, its kind of a cross between Half Life 2, Doom 3, and FEAR all kinda mashed together. There were definitely many moments in the game where I jumped, laughed, and even moments I was just in awe at the visuals this game has, enough to make my jaw drop. I will tell you though, I have experienced this game on several different graphics cards, but expect to get the best experience if you have an nVidia 6800+ or an ATI x800+. This game by far has, in my opinion, THE best graphics to date. I think I was most impressed with the stunning glossy-like look to much of the organic materials in the game and the partical effects were just amazing (dust, smoke, debris, etc.). Overall, I had one of the greatest experiences with this game. The Collectors Edition is worth the extra $10 too, you get a free download of the soundtrack Vol. 1, and 2 of 3 collectors figurines. I'm an aspiring graphic artist and the concept art book was very interesting to look at. The only thing missing that I thought would've been included is some kind of "Making of Prey" dvd, considering they spent well over 6 years developing this game, but other than that, what I nice collectors item. Also, be sure not to use the LCE version with any sort of DVD burner to play it becuase it will not work due to anti-piracy software.

Short But Sweet

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: August 19, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Not just another "run of the mill" "Been there done that to death" First Person Shooter (aka. FPS), Prey adds a little bit to the FPS game.

The portals and gravity switching are cool and different and the story is a bit above the avrage FPS. It's nice how they handled your characters death and did not just spaw you back at the start of the level but insted let you fight ghosts to respawn at your body. The spirt walk is cool too but is missing something as it is mostly used to just "walk through force field push button to turn off said forcefield".

The graphics are a bit better than DOOM 3, the game Prey gets it's graphics engine from, and can still be played on modest hardware with some "eye candy" and playable framerates.

My system, once long ago very powerful, can play it with most settings on low at 1024x768 with no AA or AF. My system is as follows: CPU: XP 2700+ (2.1GHz), Memory: 2Gb PC3200, Video: ATI RADEON 9700 Pro (128Mb), and Sound: Soundblaster X-fi.

Prey brings a few nice changes but it's much the same as all other PFS at it's core. It is too short and could have been longer. I installed it and played it allmost nonstop and beat it in about 9 hours. Now that I've been through the game I could shave and hour or so off that time.

The limited Collector's Edition has some nice items and I really like the metal box it comes in. The small figurine is not very good though.

PS. I love the Coast To Coast AM with Art Bell raido show that they pop up from time to time during the game, thanks for adding that to the game.

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