Ethan Cole is having one of those days. You know the ones that start off pretty bad and then get worse as the situation goes from dangerous to kill-everything-that-moves-if-you-want-to-survive. Area 51, Midway’s first-person shooter based on the arcade light-gun classic, places you in the mysterious military installation as you fight for your survival. This is also one of the most entertaining first-person shooters since the release of Half-Life on the PS2.

As Ethan Cole, a member of a specialized HAZMAT team, you are sent to the famous New Mexico military facility known to be an extraterrestrial research lab after the first HAZMAT team was massacred by an alien life form released from its captivity. Taking strict orders from your commanding officer, Major Bridges, you and a team of three fellow officers investigate the unusual viral outbreak that’s turning humans into mutated monsters. Cole soon discovers that all the conspiracies surrounding Area 51 were all true and the investigation quickly becomes a fight for survival. 

All around you the installation is in shambles and as you progress through the halls, labs and restricted areas you’ll encounter infected Area 51 personal including armed security teams that will turn their rage on you. To make matters worse, there are a number of other dangerous alien life forms that go beyond the psychic “Grays.” Tossed into the mix are a few convoluted plotlines that involve secret religious organizations as well as cyborgs that just serve to confuse and distract from the game’s main survival theme.  

You start the game armed with a pistol and a high-tech scanner used to get more information on a mutation, documents or substance in the Datebank and Secrets menu. You’ll quickly find other weapons such as shotguns, assault rifles, sniper rifles and even experimental weapons. You can even wield dual weapons or use a melee attack for when you can’t reload. While the beginning of the game has you working alongside your untouchable friends (they can’t be harmed in action ... until a scripted moment in the game kills them off), you’ll find yourself going solo. Early in the game Cole is even infected with the virus and thus breaks away from the routine by introducing mutated alien abilities. These abilities transform Cole into a mutant with heightened strength and the ability to shoot parasites.

Part of the reason Area 51 is so entertaining is the fact that the controls are simplistic, focusing more on the situations that arises and the action. The control scheme feels best on the PlayStation since the L and the R buttons offer the best placement for useful actions (e.g. crouch, jump, primary and secondary fire). This simple pick-up-and-play appeal makes online multiplayer the perfect training tool for the Campaign mode. Using a Broadband connection, up to 16 players can take each another on in deathmatch games using various maps.

Graphically speaking, Area 51 looks really good on the PS2. The game showcases plenty of dazzling effects that add to the chaotic atmosphere of each area within the facility and the alien weaponry does not fail to impress. Even the environments themselves look excellent, especially the areas that are falling apart or in flames. The level of detail is actually quite astonishing, really. What doesn’t really work visually is the exaggerated rag-doll effects. For example, fire into an alien up close and he’ll fly back as if a grenade had just blown right from under it. Other than that, you’re looking at a game that took advantage of the system’s graphics capabilities.  

Sound-wise, the game’s soundtrack does a great job of setting the mood and it picks up when enemies start pouring out of their hiding place. There are some great sound effects that are as nicely detailed as the graphics (e.g. scraping metal or the crackle of a roaring fire). As for the voice work, actors Powers Booth, David Duchovny and singer Marilyn Manson are the main attraction. Manson is surprisingly good as an alien that communicates with Cole and Powers Booth is excellent as well. It’s Duchovny that just isn’t good and that’s a result of his dull monotone that drags out his dialogue.

While it might appear to be your basic first-person shooter fare, Area 51 manages to deliver an entertaining game filled with plenty of action and sci-fi thrills. If you own a PS2, the game plays a bit better thanks to the control scheme and it looks just as good as the Xbox version. You might want to buy this one if you’re looking for a first-person shooter that’s loads of fun.

Gameplay: 8.2
Compared to the Xbox version, Area 51 feels right at home on the PS2. The control scheme and weapon handling is stuff we’ve experienced before with other first-person shooters but the scenarios, scripted moments and tons of action are really entertaining.  

Graphics: 8.9
This is quite an impressive-looking game on the PS2 with plenty of visual effects, great lighting and nicely designed environments and aliens. While the framerate does drop a bit in the thick of battle, it’s not enough to spoil the amazing firefights that light up a room during massive alien attacks. 

Sound: 8.5
The score is nicely creepy at all the right moments and intense when the going gets tough. There are some truly excellent sound effects that are nicely detailed. The voice acting from Marilyn Manson and Powers Booth are top-notch . . . it’s David Duchovny’s dry delivery that isn’t very convincing. 

Difficulty: Medium
There are plenty of moments when hordes of aliens or mutated Area 51 staff savagely run towards you ready to rip you apart. While scripted these moments make for some challenging shooting fun. 

Concept: 7.5
There’s no real reason to play again ... except to replay favorite levels. There are some collectibles scattered throughout the game that can be accessed in the main menu such a videos and info you scanned through the game. 

Multiplayer: 7.5
There are plenty of maps where you and friend can go at each other Deathmatch-style but thankfully the game supports online multiplayer fun for up to 16 players using a Broadband connection.

Overall: 8.5
Area 51 will not change how we look at the first-person shooter genre but it is still an excellent shoot ’em up that should not be missed. It’s a surprisingly well-done FPS that not only looks good but also feels good on the PS2. You can’t go wrong with a rental if you’re a casual admirer of the genre so do yourself a favor and check this one out.