Chrome: SpecForce review

Yep, that’ a big ol’ seven out of ten down at the bottom there. And while it may not seem surprising to you, it certainly was to us.

Because to all intents and purposes we never thought a game like Chrome: SpecForce – budget-priced and prequel to last years utterly average Chrome – would outshine its precursor and prove one of the years better FPS offerings. The important thing is that is has.

And we were very surprised.

Chrome: ScatForce

SpecForce (and the original Chrome, for that matter) are easy games to poke fun at. On the one hand we have giant, luscious vistas for the gamer to play through – with no loading times mid-level. On the other hand, it’s a far cry from FarCry’s absolutely jaw-dropping locations.

And while FarCry’s story proved more of an afterthought, at least there was an attempt to infuse one into the narrative. SpecForce on the other hand relays its plot with no cutscenes at all, at the start of each level (or Episode, as the game calls them) on the loading screens.

And while we’re on the subject of SpecForce vs. FarCry (because there really isn’t a more apt title to compare it to), the former can’t even dream of matching the latter in terms of vehicular madness. FarCry allowed you to drive all over the place, while SpecForce always has you taking a linear route.

In other words, Chrome: SpecForce is a poor man’s FarCry. But that doesn’t stop it being so bloody good.

Spec to the Force

It seems the developer has kept a keen eye on the action genre these past couple years and has finally gone the way of the obvious: bullet time. Though your special armour suit features four superhuman abilities (invisible cloak, shield, speed increase and slow down) it’s the Neural Boost option you’ll spend most of your time with.

And why not? It allows for greater aiming ability and the opportunity to pull off more precise headshots. However, what it also does is allow your standard automatic rifle (and handgun, for that matter) to become the weapon of choice throughout the entire 11 Episodes.

You see, SpecForce operates with a Deus Ex-like item management system. You only have so much space to hold your health packs, armour recharges, bullets and guns.

Spoilt for Choice

Some of the more high-powered weapons – like sniper rifles or shotguns – also take up too much room. But once you’ve got to grips with the Neural Boost there really isn’t much alternative to your weaponry. By right-clicking your mouse you can zoom in on enemies, and pull off headshots even from a far distance.

This doesn’t mean the other weapons become redundant – because they don’t. But it depends entirely on the way you play.

We barely used the other abilities beyond slow down, but gamers may choose otherwise. And that in part is why Chrome: SpecForce is such a good game. With these massive vistas, you’re free to operate with carte blanche.

Immersion vs. Illusion

And that isn’t something many games can pull off. Whether it’s intentional or not, Techland has managed that with the game. And it’s a joy to just stop progressing sometimes and go have a muck about. Because one thing Chrome: SpecForce offers is a rich futuristic setting.

The game takes place exclusively on the planet of Estrella (rather than multiple planets, as per the original Chrome). And being set so far in the future means Techland has creative control over everything. And what a creation Estrella is.

In terms of immersion, Estrella grabs you by the balls and doesn’t let go until the end. Rain-socked jungle’s, mountainous trails, research laboratories, giant lakes, alien foliage, walking robots, sky-high buildings… it’s utterly, utterly gorgeous despite being eclipsed by FarCry at every turn.

Unfortunately, the sense of illusion counters the immersion in quite a few areas. For once, not knowing what the hell is going on because Techland has skimped on the story proves troublesome at best.

However, problems also arise in several set-pieces that in theory should be great. They’re not. The first is a Return of the Jedi-like chase through a jungle as enemies shoot you and two others fleeing from a enemy bunker.

At first it’s glorious. A giant gunship descends from above, chasing you while shooting. Snipers try to pick you off from strategic points, and you plough through enemy camps.

BugForce

You also jump the off ravine, too. The first time you experience this is fantastic. The thirteenth time not so much. Techland stretches what could have been a fun minute and a half chase sequence into nearer to five minutes of laborious left-right, left-right manoeuvring as you try to keep up with the other two speeders.

Another set-piece sees you driving an armoured vehicle through a Jurassic Park-like forest as snipers shoot down from above. The problem here is the fact that while the game offers a level of freedom when driving vehicles, the armoured truck is set on rails.

All you can do is press forward on the keyboard and watch as the truck leafs itself. There are a couple more, but we’re running out of space, But suffice it to say, while many of these set-pieces never reach the heights they should – the fact they are in here in some form is commendable.

What isn’t commendable is the number of bugs that have slipped. This goes beyond getting stuck in the scenery too. We’re talking the kind that freezes your entire PC and could cause critical problems. The game crashed a record-breaking eight times for this particular handsome journalist. That’s a record I never want to see beat.

It speaks volumes for the game in general however when despite these crashes, you feel the urge to continue playing. Because at the end of the day the experience, despite how crooked it can appear in parts, is absolutely entertaining. From a budget game, that’s about the best you can ask. In this case, it’s also the best we have.

Chrome: SpecForce is lovely. Go buy it even if you haven’t played Chrome. It’s not like it matters to the story, and you may just love it as much as we do.