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Just shy of fulfilling its potential

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: May 05, 2005
Author: Amazon User

SECOND SIGHT is somewhat difficult to categorize, due to the unique way in which the main character, John Vattic, is forced to deal with his surroundings. On one level, it's a 3rd person shooter with some obvious Star Wars influences, but on another level it's a clever stealth / mystery game where violence isn't always the best answer, and sometimes is the worst. John's psychic powers allow him to walk right past enemies or hammer them with telekinesis. Yet in many ways, the ideas and the world of the game seem underdeveloped, and in this respect Second Sight ultimately falls short.

GAMEPLAY: Excellent
I played SECOND SIGHT on the Gamecube, YMMV on other platforms.

Gameplay in SECOND SIGHT involves using weapons or psychic powers to defeat enemies and progress through several levels. The emphasis is on stealth, really, and there are very few places where it's advisable to reach for that gun when you have another option. Weapons and psychic powers cannot be used simultaneously, which makes good sense in some cases but not so much in others (why not use Charm while you're holding a tranquilizer gun?). Most powers (TK, Psi Attack, Projection) utilize telekinesis, though the Charm and Possession powers are more telepathic in nature. Unfortunately, the targets of telekinetic powers are a little limited, and oddly so. For instance, although you can use the TK power to lift a guard and bash him into a wall, you cannot use it to close a door. A little more thought could have made things work a lot better.

Aiming guns and powers is fairly intuitive, although fine-tuning the aim can be a bit of a problem because you'll occasionally switch targets instead of moving the reticule. Movement is also pretty simple; climbing up and down small obstacles is automatic, and passing through vents and tunnels is simple. Stealth moves allow you to plaster yourself against a wall, though if you're not careful with your controller you might accidentally edge around the corner instead of leaning past it. Additionally, there are 2-3 (depending on the situation) different camera views available. However, the fixed 3rd person camera is often poorly placed, and the free-rotation camera sometimes simply will not go where you want it to. The 1st person camera is sometimes entirely unavailable, and cannot be used while you are moving. As a consequence, you are occasionally forced to rely on very awkward camera angles which make it hard to aim.

The moveable props could have been handled better -- throughout the game John runs into carts, boxes, and similar items. Regardless of their size or apparent weight, they all tumble around as if they were made of paperboard, while making noise as if they were drums. None of them give any impression of weight at all, which I'm inclined to regard as the product of an absent or simply atrocious physics engine. Since this is a stealth game, and any collision is likely to give you away, you're best off avoiding these suckers entirely. Immobile props such as computers are handled very well, though... and the interaction with doors is top-notch, with a very useful "peek" feature.

The level design is also a little disappointing. The first two levels are understandably straightforward, but the third is fantastic, with two main alternate routes through a facility and a number of other minor choices that can be made along the way. This promising level is never again matched, however -- all subsequent levels are depressingly linear. Additionally, the levels in many cases feel very much like you're in a game: completely unrealistic. The Madness level is the best example of this, particularly with regard to the library. The asylum library has three doors: one of them leads to a basement area with a bunch of boarded-over doors, and the other two lead into a room that doesn't have any other exit except for a vent. Unless one believes that the doctors in the library got their by climbing through windows or crawling through the ductwork, it's difficult to accept that it's a real library in a real building. This is only one example, but there's a lot of this sort of thing throughout the game. That third level, though...

There are two levels where you have to lead someone who's totally helpless, and several levels where you have useful allies. Both work pretty well, but Jane's AI can occasionally be pretty deficient in the levels where you're rescuing her. You'd best position her carefully if you open any grates, is all I can say.

Overall, the game is very easy and natural to play, with just a few hiccups. The levels are not as developed as they could be, and are pretty linear, which is a sin in a game this short, but they are a lot of fun to play and master. The psychic powers are a lot of fun, though, and also allow for some unique problem-solving.

STORY: Excellent
The story of SECOND SIGHT is set up as a mystery of an unusual sort. John Vattic seems to waver backwards in forwards through time, rapidly establishing where he came from (a secret op with the WinterICE team) and where he ended up, but concealing exactly how it was he got from one to the other. The mystery deepens as his past continues to unfold, because each time he has a flashback, things in the present seem to change. The weirdness and paranoia build to a very nice (and frankly unforeseen) twist near the end of the game. Here again, however, some possibilities are not realized. Some aspects of the Madness mission suggest a red herring that John is insane, but this never really gets played out fully. The chief antagonist of the story doesn't get a solid introduction until far too late, and in the best traditions of video game villains doesn't really seem to have any motivation for his behavior. Other characters are much better developed, and John in particular works out very well. Grienko, in his brief appearance, also strikes an excellent balance between ghoul and grandpa with a really wonderful bit of dialogue.

AUDIO: Good
The music can grate on you after a while, but has some nice aspects and is overall fairly good. The voice acting is not stellar, but it is competent. Some accents don't work -- JC seems almost insulting to Hispanics, and Jane's on-again, off-again English accent is a mess. The voice actors for the children sound like they're trying just a little too hard for that Russian accent. But none of it really made me cringe, and in a couple of places the voice acting really added to the game.

VISUALS: Good
The graphics were pretty nice overall, and I don't recall encountering even one glitch. Some of the props had really great designs, and there were one or two environments that were simply wonderful to look at (a rickety-looking scaffold in the final level comes to mind). At the same time, everything looked a little too clean and artificial; there wasn't enough dirt on the walls, so to speak. Lots of areas had a monotonous appearance, even the ones that weren't supposed to be military installations.

The characters were a little too blocky, for the most part, and in some cases fell victim to odd exaggerations that seemed out of place. In one cutscene, Jane's eyes looked absolutely huge, to the point where they went past anime-style cuteness to outright creepiness. In another, Colonel Starke looked like some kind of bizarre frog-man, his mouth stretching almost halfway around his head. Also, the enemies were very uniform in their appearance. To some extent this is excusable because all of them are in uniform, but it bears mentioning that each member of the WinterICE team has a unique appearance despite the same handicap. A little more could have been done with the enemies.

REPLAYABILITY: Average
Second Sight is too short, from a pure gameplay perspective. The levels as currently designed do all they need to from a story standpoint, and indeed, with respect to the plot development, additional levels might be detrimental. However, as a game it does not last long enough. While an additional difficulty level can be played once a level is completed, only one new sublevel appears, and since you aren't notified of it you might never notice it. There is some entertainment value in trying to work through levels using different methods (perhaps focusing on stealth instead of force), but since only the third level allows a true alternate route, there's really not much to do in this regard. Unless the sheer fun of using the psychic powers gives you a kick (and they are a lot of fun), then subsequent plays aren't going to do it for you.

The game includes a pretty comprehensive (though occasionally obscure) statistics record for each level. However, it's not possible to prevent yourself from going on to the next level in-game, and if you quit a level it will get registered as a mission failure, even if you exit it at the very first moment. Without the option of replaying a single level, the statistics can quickly become skewed.

OVERALL: Accomplished (81%)
Second Sight is a very good game that could have been better. One or two more levels, and an added cutscene or two to develop the antagonist would have done wonders for the experience. A little tweaking of the camera, some expansions in the level design, and a bit more care with the props would also have improved the game measurably. Nonetheless, the story and the strong gameplay make this a worthy purchase.

Great concept but falls just short of the mark.

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: July 06, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Second Sight has a brilliant story and a great idea behind the gameplay. You take on the role of John Vattic, who wakes up in a secure hospital/research facility with a battered, scarred body and a killer headache. He has no idea how he got there or what these people want with him. But he soon learns that he has extraordinary psychic powers such as telekinesis, self-healing, astral projection and the ability to possess baddies.

So begins your quest to find out the whos and whys. Obviously there's a huge government conspiracy behind everything but the game has a unique storytelling twist as you play one level in the present and the next in the past, at the beginning of the story. It's a unique way of developing interest and involving you more in the mystery.

It's very cool being able to sneak up on the baddies and tossing them around like ragdolls with your telekinesis. Chucking them through windows, off high ledges, slamming them into walls and ceilings is loads of fun. But I think this could have been taken further as it was a great opportunity for some cool, gory deaths and the simple blood splatters weren't really enough.

The levels vary between hospitals, Siberian outposts, apartments, more hospitals, offices, sewers, labs and even more hospitals. For the most part they are pretty generic and ludicrously over-sized to make the game longer. It can get a bit boring wandering around for ages, avoiding torrents of gunfire, anxiously awaiting a quiet moment to pull yourself together.

The music also walks a thin line of being atmospheric or generic. Sometimes it can get on your nerves and sometimes it can add to the tension of a scene. The voice acting is a cut above most games however and John Vattic's accent kinda grows on you. There's also a twist, which I won't spoil for you, that makes the game's complicated plot perfect for a theatrical film.

It's fun, but it's long and there are a few annoying bits. And if Second Sight was more developed and detailed it would be a classic. As it is, it's merely fast food.

Graphics B
Sound B
Gameplay B
Lasting Appeal B-

Good game, a little short.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: May 23, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This is a good game with a very interesting premise. The game play is good and the graphics are great. John is constantly talking to himself, which gets really annoying really fast; and the game is too short; I am not that good a player, and I beat it in just over 9 hours. But overall, this is a fun game.

Overlooked and largely underrated

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: October 29, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I bought this game on a whim at JC Penny of all places. Not having any clue what to expect except psycic powers and guns, I was pleasantly surprised to find it to be a fun and engaging stealth/action game. Even as I laughed at the voice acting and animation of the cut-scenes I found it somewhat endearing (similar to the way Metal Gear Solid's cinematics were immensly entertaining despite their cheesyness).

The story is interesting and unfolds well, the game rewards stealth well, even on easy difficulty, and, most of all, tossing people around with your mind is alot of fun.

There are some glitches in the camera movement which can sometimes get in the way or simply give you a headache, but overall it's pretty easy to play. In under 20 minutes you'll beable to target that pesky guard shooting you, lift him up, and, if you're outdoors, send him sailing over the horizon. And yes, it's as satisfying as you would expect. Every time.

But even after you gain all of your psycic powers the levels are challenging. You will need to come up with a clever, efficient plan of attack in order to overcome forces who, though none to bright, are numerous and can kill you quicker will all their machine guns trained on you than you can pick them off with simple 'chucking' methods. You can sneak past, if there isn't a computer terminal you need to use in their room. You can possess one of them and use their own firepower against them, which usually sets of one or two alarms. You can send simpleton guards in earlier levels cowering by making cupboard doors swing about or clocks spin wildly. In the maximum security, criminally insane level of the asylum you can even sneak around releasing the deranged prisoners from their cells.

What really makes Second Sight stand out, however, are the little details. It's possible to avoid killing two of the guards in the first level by luring them into the cell you just escaped from, then locking them inside. They'll get into an argument which turns violent and then you can swipe their keys afterward. Later in the game, after you kill a guard in a cutscene when discovering the Psy-Blast ability, try opening the IM program on his computer, where he is still logged into a conversation with his wife.

Replay value is fairly low, but maybe it's just me. At any rate, it is definitley worth the lowered price due to obscurity.

Highly recommended if you enjoy games, overall!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 3
Date: February 06, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I liked this game a lot and that's saying something. I rented it on the PS2 and although I usually prefer the GameCube the controls for it on the PS2 are really nice to adapt to. <br /><br />This is one of those games that once you get bored with the main mission, you can run around just abusing your powers on things. It was one of the few to actually hold my attention for quite some time. <br /><br />The main character Vattic, is rather likeable and the story is somewhat intense.<br /><br />Downfalls were: <br /><br />Although I got stuck on a level, it seemed as if it were ending soon. <br /><br />Also, for some that have played FPS games plenty of time, you might be wishing for something more...<br />However, this isn't really a FPS, it just has some life of one. It is basically adventure.

Soon to be a classic

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 12
Date: September 09, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Already looks promising. This could be are next best game ever with all the guns awsome story mode and twisted design. Second Sight is going to be a true classic in the end.

The full potential of the brain

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: November 26, 2004
Author: Amazon User

When I first played The Second Sight I didn`t know the controls
and I thought the game was lame,but I learnt the controls and I
gave it another try.This time I really enjoyed it.I especially
enjoyed using the telekinesis[making objects fly].
I think almost every gamer that likes action games would like this game.

Second Sight ROCKS!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: June 28, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I love the game it is cool! You get to grab people, take hostages. The AI is awesome, guards actually have personalities like, sometimes two guards talk about their girlfreinds and lunch breaks and much MORE! And when you shoot someone and they die, a guard might notice, dip his fingers in the wound and say,"Hmmm, still wet, he didn't die too long ago, must be that psico Vattic guy" And you can levitate people(wheter they are dead or not) it is cool. I love the Madness level, when you are in a library, I beat the 3 next levels with NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN-cutscenes using my method. In Madnes, when you are in the library, find the doctor in the far right corner, he wil be a secretive and nervous, as he is the only one who MIGHT know you. So grab him hostage and the doctors will freak out. Press X, and tell them to stand in a single file line they will, about 8 doctors in the room. Shoot all of them or meet your fate. While the doctor is in your arms use POSSETION and posses his body, then, if you are using ACTION REPLAY, press L+R and A and your body will be freed from him, but......he will be in boxers and you will have his clothes. Just shoot him, and drop your gun on him to make it look like he shot himself. Then the next levels will be easy. The guards will think you are really a doctor, so they will let you everwhere you want.You even get to operate on people. This is ALL true, but you must have action replay.

Cool Game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: November 05, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Second Sight is the ideal stealth/action game. The drama elements are amazing, the controls are great, and the action is very intense.

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