In this day and age, a good shooter is always welcome, especially if it’s different from other shooters. Developer Timegate is best known for their work on the hit Kohan strategy series, the Axis & Allies translation from board to videogame, and recently the F.E.A.R. expansion Extraction Point. Timegate Studios was always into strategy, but it seems that they have recently developed a taste for first-person shooters as well, which would explain the category of their latest effort; Section 8.
“Section 8” is in reference to the story’s government-run 8th Armored Infantry military division, whose purpose is to put a stop to an interstellar threat. The 8th are an extremely tough group of soldiers who also happen to be incredibly equipped. The battlesuits they wear are somewhat prophetic of the mobile, powered exoskeletons are currently testing, and allow them to run fast, jump far, and accurately pinpoint and neutralize their enemies.
If you have checked out the trailers, you know that Section 8 is looking to be a very intelligent and story-driven game. But what you don’t get to know in the trailers is exactly what the gameplay itself is like, though there are hints; such as some intense action, including the main character and his squad performing a routine plummet from a ship orbiting the earth, spinning through the air, and landing neatly on the planet’s surface. This is called “burning in”. How this works into the actual game is that at the beginning of certain levels the player designates his landing spot on the battlefield before making the 15,000 feet jump. The player also has an extent of control in what manner their character falls through the air and lands. However, you will have to choose your landing spot strategically, as some areas contain anti-air guns that will literally take you apart should you come within range.
Section 8 features, as I mentioned previously, a very story-driven singleplayer campaign. But, according to Timegate, the main draw is going to be the online multiplayer mode, which appears to be something of a mixture of Battlefield 2142 and Renegade. There are player classes, experience points and money to earn, and control points. Both sides will be burning in at specific points on the map to try and capture these points, while others will be ordering in vehicles to launch assaults, while still others will be using sniper rifles and missile launchers to pick people off from a distance and defend the base. Being able to burn in at any point on the map adds a whole new strategical depth to a proven category of gaming.
Section 8 is scheduled for release this Fall on the PC and Xbox 360.
