Rush'n Attack: Ex-Patriot

Rush'n Attack: Ex-Patriot

Official game logo
Developer(s) Vatra Games[1]
Publisher(s) Konami
Engine Unreal Engine 3
Platform(s) PlayStation 3 (PSN), Xbox 360 (XBLA)
Release date(s) March 29, 2011 (PSN)
March 30, 2011 (XBLA)
Genre(s) Platformer, Sidescroller, stealth, action
Mode(s) Single-player
Media/distribution Download

Rush'n Attack: Ex-Patriot is the sequel to the 1985 platforming video game Rush'n Attack. It was developed by Vatra Games and published by Konami. The game follows Sargent Sid Morrow, an American special agent sent with his team to recover a prisoner of war abandoned at a secret Russian military base. It was released March 29, 2011 on the PlayStation 3 via PlayStation Network and March 30, 2011 for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade.

Contents

Gameplay

Rush'n Attack: Ex-Patriot is inspired by many of the action gameplay elements from the original Rush'n Attack. The game is played from a 2.5D perspective, with players being able to move horizontally and vertically. The game has several new features such as non-linear levels, stealth-based combat, combos and usable equipment such as gas masks and night vision goggles.[1][2][3]

Players are armed primarily with a knife, but can pick up other temporary-use weaponry such as grenades, rifles and rocket launchers.[1] The game sometimes requires the player to use stealth to avoid enemy units or security cameras. Triggering any alarm will result in enemies rushing the player character. In a departure from Rush'n Attack, the player character is given a health bar instead of the original one hit death.[4]

Players will be able to perform shank combos in addition to the stealth kills.[5] As the character progresses new combos can be unlocked.[4] Chaining combos together will result in the player gaining more points earned.[6] The character can also dispatch enemies using stealth tactics. Generally stealth kills reward the player with a higher score.[6] Players can also perform stealth kills by hiding in dark areas or by entering dark doorways, then exiting for the kill as an enemy passes.[5][7] The combat system is based on systema, a Russian martial art.[5]

Plot

Rush'n Attack: Ex-Patriot takes place a fifteen years after the Cold War struggle between Russia and the United States. The CIA learns that the Russians have discovered a previously unknown material called Ulyssium that could be used to create the world's most powerful nuclear missiles.[5] To combat the threat they form "Harvest" a secret CIA task force designed to investigate and infiltrate the Soviet weapons program. The Cold War ends without confrontation, and the team is extracted from Russia. Fifteen years later a new Harvest operative, Sargent Sid Morrow, call sign Wolf Spider, is sent with a team on Operation: Angel Tear to retrieve original Harvest team member Rory Gibson,[8] abandoned in Russia during the extraction fifteen years ago. Having received intelligence that the missile program may have been re-initiated the CIA also tasks Wolf Spider with re-evaluating the missile threat, sabotaging it if necessary.[1]

Development

Rush'n Attack: Ex-Patriot was revealed by Konami on April 12, 2010 at Konami Gamers Night.[1][9] It is being developed by Vatra Games and published by Konami. It was released March 30, 2011.[1] It is powered by Epic Games' Unreal Engine 3.[1]

Reception

Prior to its release, Rush'n Attack: Ex-Patriot drew comparisons to Shadow Complex and Bionic Commando Rearmed by the media.[6][10] Upon release it was received to lukewarm reception from critics. It currently averages 51.25% on the PlayStation 3 53.86% on the Xbox 360 at the aggregate site GameRankings.[11][12]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Konami Announces Rush'N Attack Ex-Patriot For PSN and XBLA". IGN. 2010-04-12. http://ps3.ign.com/articles/108/1083119p1.html. Retrieved 2010-10-20. 
  2. ^ "Rush 'N Attack Ex-Patriot - Gas Mask". IGN. 2010-09-29. http://www.ign.com/videos/2010/09/29/rush-n-attack-ex-patriot-gas-mask-gameplay?objectid=69218. Retrieved 2010-10-20. 
  3. ^ Wittmershaus, Eric (2010-04-13). "Rush’N Attack: Ex-Patriot Preview: The 80s Strikes Back". Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/5516047/rushn-attack-ex+patriot-preview-the-80s-strikes-back. Retrieved 2010-10-20. 
  4. ^ a b Keast, Matthew (2010-08-31). "Rush'N Attack Ex-patriot hands-on". Games Radar. http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/rushn-attack-ex-patriot/preview/rushn-attack-ex-patriot-hands-on/a-2010083114599986047/g-2010040994340379062. Retrieved 2010-10-14. 
  5. ^ a b c d "Rush 'n Attack: Ex-Patriot". GameTrailers. 2010-08-31. http://www.gametrailers.com/video/you-a-rush-n/703819?type=flv. Retrieved 2010-10-14. 
  6. ^ a b c North, Dale (2010-07-24). "SDCC: Rush'N Attack is coming back". Destructoid. http://www.destructoid.com/sdcc-rush-n-attack-is-coming-back-179699.phtml. Retrieved 2010-10-31. 
  7. ^ Haas, Pete (2010-07-28). "Comic Con Preview: Rush'N Attack: Ex-Patriot". Cinema Blend. http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Comic-Con-Preview-Rush-N-Attack-Ex-Patriot-26030.html. Retrieved 2010-10-14. 
  8. ^ "Rush'N Attack: Ex-Patriot Full Intro Cinematic". 1UP.com. 2010-09-30. http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/31620. Retrieved 2010-10-14. 
  9. ^ Nelson, Randy (2010-04-09). "Rush'N Attack: Ex-Patriot Reignites Cold War Tensions". Joystiq. http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/09/rush-n-attack-ex-patriot-for-xbla-and-psn/. Retrieved 2010-10-14. 
  10. ^ "Classic Game Room: RUSH'N ATTACK EX-PATRIOT producer interview and preview". Classic Game Room. 2010-06-16. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOgA_3nsTBs. Retrieved 2010-10-31. 
  11. ^ "Rush'N Attack Ex-Patriot Reviews and Articles for PlayStation 3". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/995070-rushn-attack-ex-patriot/index.html. Retrieved 2011-04-07. 
  12. ^ "Rush'N Attack Ex-Patriot Reviews and Articles for Xbox 360". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/995069-rushn-attack-ex-patriot/index.html. Retrieved 2011-04-07.