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'''''Kill Switch''''' is a [[video game]] developed by [[Namco]] in 2003 for the [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox]], and [[IBM PC clone|PC]]. A [[Game Boy Advance]] adaptation was released in [[2004 in video gaming|2004]]. The GBA game was created independently of Namco, due to a licensing deal with [[Destination Software]].<ref name="ign">[http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/552/552995p1.html IGN kill.switch Review]</ref> As a relatively straightforward [[third-person shooter]], the most distinguishing characteristic of ''Kill Switch'' is a mechanic that has the player character taking cover behind objects and around corners in a manner similar to ''[[Time Crisis]]'' and ''[[Winback]]''.
'''''Kill Switch''''' is a [[third-person shooter]] [[video game]] developed by [[Namco]] in 2003 for the [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox]], and [[IBM PC clone|PC]]. A [[Game Boy Advance]] adaptation was released in [[2004 in video gaming|2004]]. The GBA game was created independently of Namco, due to a licensing deal with [[Destination Software]].<ref name="ign">[http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/552/552995p1.html IGN kill.switch Review]</ref>

As a relatively straightforward third-person shooter, the most distinguishing characteristic of ''Kill Switch'' is its [[cover system]], a mechanic that has the player character taking cover behind objects and around corners in a manner similar to Namco's own [[light gun shooter]] ''[[Time Crisis]]'' as well as [[Koei]]'s ''[[WinBack]]''. However, ''Kill Switch'' was the first to feature the cover system as its core game mechanic,<ref name=Play>[http://www.play-mag.co.uk/opinion/why-vanquish-will-make-gears-of-war-obsolete/ Why Vanquish will make Gears Of War obsolete], ''[[Play (UK magazine)|Play]]''</ref> and introduced the blind fire mechanic to the cover system.<ref>[http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/20195/Kill-Switch-Gladius-Go-Gold Kill.Switch & Gladius Go Gold], Voodoo Extreme, [[IGN]]</ref>


==Story==
==Story==
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|rev5Score = A-<ref name=GR/>
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''Kill Switch'' was regarded as having a thin plot and simplistic level design, but the gameplay mechanics such as the cover system were considered engaging. It was compared to the ''[[Time Crisis]]'' series. The Xbox version of the game was said to contain enhanced graphics over the PS2 version. GameSpot awarded the Xbox version a 6.9 out of 10.<ref>http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/killswitch/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review</ref>
''Kill Switch'' was regarded as having a thin plot and simplistic level design, but the gameplay mechanics such as the [[cover system]] were considered engaging. It was compared to the ''[[Time Crisis]]'' series. The Xbox version of the game was said to contain enhanced graphics over the PS2 version. GameSpot awarded the Xbox version a 6.9 out of 10.<ref>http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/killswitch/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review</ref>


The GBA version of the game was similarly received, with IGN calling it a "solid portable action title" and awarding it a 7.5 out of 10.<ref name="ign"/>
The GBA version of the game was similarly received, with IGN calling it a "solid portable action title" and awarding it a 7.5 out of 10.<ref name="ign"/>


===Legacy===
In the design of ''[[Gears of War]]'', lead developer [[Cliff Bleszinski]] of [[Epic Games]] credits ''Kill Switch'''s cover system as one of the influences he put into the game's design.<ref>{{cite web
''Kill Switch'' is best remembered for being the first video game to feature the [[cover system]] as its core game mechanic,<ref name=Play/> and for introducing the blind fire mechanic to the cover system.<ref>[http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/20195/Kill-Switch-Gladius-Go-Gold Kill.Switch & Gladius Go Gold], Voodoo Extreme, [[IGN]]</ref> In the following years, several shooters would take inspiration from ''Kill Switch'' and implement similar cover systems. In the design of ''[[Gears of War]]'', lead developer [[Cliff Bleszinski]] of [[Epic Games]] credits ''Kill Switch'''s cover system as one of the influences they put into the game's design.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.gamespot.com/news/6167213.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;0
| url = http://www.gamespot.com/news/6167213.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;0
| title = GameSpot - GDC 07: Cliffy B disassembles Gears, mentions sequel
| title = GameSpot - GDC 07: Cliffy B disassembles Gears, mentions sequel
| accessdate = 2007-07-05
| accessdate = 2007-07-05
}}</ref>
}}</ref>

[[Naughty Dog]]'s ''[[Uncharted: Drake's Fortune]]'', which began development in 2005 and was released in 2007,<ref name="gamespotinterview">{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6181783.html?sid=6181783&part=rss&subj=6181783|title=Q&A: Naughty Dog on Uncharted|accessdate=2008-08-11|date=2007-10-26|author=Randolph Ramsay|publisher=GameSpot AU}}</ref> also took inspiration from ''Kill Switch'', which ''Uncharted's'' lead designers Evan Wells and Amy Hennig credited as inspiration for the game's cover system.<ref>[http://www.1up.com/features/uncharted-afterthoughts Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Afterthoughts], [[1UP]]</ref> Other examples of shooters that featured ''Kill Switch''-inspired cover systems include the 2005 third-person shooter ''[[Nemesis Strike|CT Special Forces: Fire for Effect]]'',<ref>[http://www.videogamer.com/xbox/ct_special_forces_fire_for_effect/review.html CT Special Forces Fire For Effect Review], [[VideoGamer.com]]</ref> and the 2006 games ''[[Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas]]'',<ref>[http://www.gamecritics.com/rainbow-six-vegas-2-review Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 – Review], Game Critics</ref> a [[first person shooter]] released in the same month as ''Gears of War'',<ref name=GSpot-Vegas>[http://au.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/rainbowsixvegas/review.html Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas Review], [[GameSpot]]</ref> and ''[[Killzone: Liberation]]'', a third-person action game released a month before ''Gears of War''.<ref name=Ashcraft>Brian Ashcraft, [http://kotaku.com/5452654/how-cover-shaped-gamings-last-decade How Cover Shaped Gaming's Last Decade], [[Kotaku]]</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 23:21, 4 February 2011

Kill Switch
Developer(s)Namco
Visual Impact (GBA)
Publisher(s)Namco
Destination Software (GBA)
EngineRenderWare
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC, GBA
ReleasePlayStation 2, Xbox
Windows
2004-03-30
Game Boy Advance
Genre(s)Third-person shooter
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer

Kill Switch is a third-person shooter video game developed by Namco in 2003 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and PC. A Game Boy Advance adaptation was released in 2004. The GBA game was created independently of Namco, due to a licensing deal with Destination Software.[1]

As a relatively straightforward third-person shooter, the most distinguishing characteristic of Kill Switch is its cover system, a mechanic that has the player character taking cover behind objects and around corners in a manner similar to Namco's own light gun shooter Time Crisis as well as Koei's WinBack. However, Kill Switch was the first to feature the cover system as its core game mechanic,[2] and introduced the blind fire mechanic to the cover system.[3]

Story

The main character in the game is a remotely controlled super-soldier, Nick Bishop. For most of the game the soldier is remotely controlled by a man known only as "Controller." Controller is apparently using a direct neural connection to Bishop. Bishop's suppressed memories occasionally break through, causing Controller headaches. The memories feature a woman and the phrase, "Say my name." Controller, under orders from a man named Archer, uses Bishop in a series of combat missions designed to convince two nations or groups known as the North and the West to go to war. Archer plans on war profiteering in the resulting war, in part by selling copies of the technology that controls Bishop. Moments before Bishop launches a warhead equipped with a biological agent, a woman known as "Duchess" takes over Bishop, in the process causing a surge that kills Controller. Duchess uses Bishop to attack the base Controller is operating from and eventually restore Bishop's memories. It is revealed that the woman from Bishop's memories was his new wife. She was killed by Archer when Archer captured Bishop. Archer wanted the technology in Bishop for resale. Freed, Bishop makes a final assault on Archer. Afterwords, Archer is killed and Bishop walks away.

Reception

Kill Switch was regarded as having a thin plot and simplistic level design, but the gameplay mechanics such as the cover system were considered engaging. It was compared to the Time Crisis series. The Xbox version of the game was said to contain enhanced graphics over the PS2 version. GameSpot awarded the Xbox version a 6.9 out of 10.[12]

The GBA version of the game was similarly received, with IGN calling it a "solid portable action title" and awarding it a 7.5 out of 10.[1]

Legacy

Kill Switch is best remembered for being the first video game to feature the cover system as its core game mechanic,[2] and for introducing the blind fire mechanic to the cover system.[13] In the following years, several shooters would take inspiration from Kill Switch and implement similar cover systems. In the design of Gears of War, lead developer Cliff Bleszinski of Epic Games credits Kill Switch's cover system as one of the influences they put into the game's design.[14]

Naughty Dog's Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, which began development in 2005 and was released in 2007,[15] also took inspiration from Kill Switch, which Uncharted's lead designers Evan Wells and Amy Hennig credited as inspiration for the game's cover system.[16] Other examples of shooters that featured Kill Switch-inspired cover systems include the 2005 third-person shooter CT Special Forces: Fire for Effect,[17] and the 2006 games Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas,[18] a first person shooter released in the same month as Gears of War,[19] and Killzone: Liberation, a third-person action game released a month before Gears of War.[20]

References

  1. ^ a b IGN kill.switch Review
  2. ^ a b Why Vanquish will make Gears Of War obsolete, Play
  3. ^ Kill.Switch & Gladius Go Gold, Voodoo Extreme, IGN
  4. ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/914862-killswitch/index.html
  5. ^ http://www.gamestats.com/objects/566/566213/
  6. ^ a b c d e f http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/914862-killswitch/articles.html
  7. ^ http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/killswitch/review.html
  8. ^ http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r22242.htm
  9. ^ http://ps2.ign.com/articles/456/456606p1.html
  10. ^ http://www.gamestats.com/objects/566/566213/articles.html
  11. ^ http://www.gamershell.com/reviews_KillSwitchPS2Review.shtml
  12. ^ http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/killswitch/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review
  13. ^ Kill.Switch & Gladius Go Gold, Voodoo Extreme, IGN
  14. ^ "GameSpot - GDC 07: Cliffy B disassembles Gears, mentions sequel". Retrieved 2007-07-05.
  15. ^ Randolph Ramsay (2007-10-26). "Q&A: Naughty Dog on Uncharted". GameSpot AU. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
  16. ^ Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Afterthoughts, 1UP
  17. ^ CT Special Forces Fire For Effect Review, VideoGamer.com
  18. ^ Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 – Review, Game Critics
  19. ^ Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas Review, GameSpot
  20. ^ Brian Ashcraft, How Cover Shaped Gaming's Last Decade, Kotaku

External links

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