Game Statistics

• 12 missions for each character (24 total)
• Multiple game pak required for link play.
• 6 multiplayer maps.
• 3 mulitplayer modes.
• 32 megabit cartridge.

Game Design
Lacking a 3D accelerator, crawfish set out to make a first person shooter for the GBA. It uses the doom engine to do this. I am a bug fan of FPS games and had been waiting for a good one (with multiplayer compatibility) to be released for the GBA. I can safely say that this is that game. The game has a mission-based setup with story and plot developments in-between. Some people dislike reading the story because it takes place in the form of court transcripts. There are no videos, just scrolling text. If you don't mind reading them, they make a very cool addition to the single player mode.

Graphics
The graphics are excellent considering there is no 3D accelerator in the GBA. Some pixelation occurs when being close to enemies. However, the textures are very good. The textures create a cool atmosphere to the game. The game does lack floor and ceiling textures. However this is hardly noticeable, because if you are walking on concrete the ground is grey, when I play FPS games, I usually am looking ahead in the centre not at the ground or the ceiling. Also to make up for the lack of ceiling textures, the game incorporates ceiling fans and other objects hanging from the roof. Ecks vs. Sever can even boast impressive 30 frames per second. Even during linked play, the 30 frame per second. Overall I was very impressed with what they did with the graphics.

Sound
The menu music is quite good accompanied by good sound effects. During gameplay there is no music. This can be good or bad, some people enjoy cool music while they blast their foes, other find music irritating and distracting. In this case, you don't have a choice; there is no music to listen to. The sound effects for the weapons are very cool, and they are very important to the game play. My advice to multipliers, bring a set of headphones, because you need to hear enemy fire, so you know when you are being shot at. This game uses sound with some effectiveness, but lacks the option of game play music. However, the reason I found out, that there is no music during play is to optimize the frame rate.

Control
Considering the limited number of buttons on the GBA, the controls have been incorporated very effectively. Most FPS games require two D-pads to control turning and looking respectively. Since the GBA has only the one D-pad, the game needed to find a way of looking and turning. To prevent the need for looking up and down, as long as you have your crosshairs over or below the target, the shot will be directed at the enemy. This way, Up, is used as forward, Down, is used as backwards, Right, is used to turn right, and Left, is used to turn left. The shoulder buttons then take care of strafing, and when both shoulder buttons are pressed, you crouch. A is shoot, B is action, and the select button is used to change weapons. The only downfall of this control scheme is the change weapons feature using select. While being difficult to press under pressure, you also end up hitting the start button, which pauses your game. This is extremely annoying in the multiplayer mode. Other than the select button, this control scheme is top notch.

Satisfaction
As this game did not have any brand name quality surrounding it, I took a chance on purchasing it. I hoped that the game would have an entertaining one player mode, that is unlike DOOM, where you just kill, kill, kill. Ecks vs. Sever requires both stealth and skill to navigate the levels effectively. If you run out guns blazing, you will be slaughtered by the enemies. You must slowly, and skillfully pick-off targets with sniper rifles, and then use your automatic weapons to finish the job. Most satisfying was the multiplayer. This multiplayer is by and far the most fun multiplayer-FPS game I have played. I will tell you some reasons why. Sure, it does lack the detail that N64 and GameCube's are capable of, however, two things stand out to me that make this game really fun. First is the level design. The levels are extremely well laid out. There are virtually no places where a player can sit and camp, because most places are accessible from at least two directions. This removes really cheap playing. The second reason is split screen. As you are playing on several GameBoy Advance systems, no one can simply look at your screen at determine your location. That is one thing I dislike about normal console multiplayer FPS games, and Ecks Vs. Sever can avoid this thanks the link-ability of the GBA. Certainly this can be said of games like Counter Strike, but they lack the social interaction of playing with people that are right beside you. While the single player is fun on its own, there is nothing quite like playing four-player linked Ecks vs. Sever.

Replay Value/Game Length
If you can find some friends to pick this game up at the same time you do, the multiplayer will not disappoint you. Two-player linked-play is fun, but with three players is even better. So if you can get at least two other friends to get this game with you, then your multiplayer joy will last for a long time. At once some of your other friends see you playing a FPS game on a handheld, they too, may buy it. Three-player games are great, but four-player play is the best. If you get four players with this game this game will last forever.

Overall
I was very satisfied with my purchase. I was skeptical at first because there is no 3D engine in the GBA, but this game has truly out done itself. Sure there are some things that could be improved, less story-text, game music and bots for multiplayer, yet these dreams may come true with the release of Ecks Vs. Sever 2, which has now been announced. The multiplayer is the highlight of this game, and the normal game is great too.

Game Design	9.8
Mechanics	10
Innovation	10
Originality	9.0
Extras	10
Depth	10
Graphics	9.5
Character/Animation	10
Environment	10
Framerate	8.5
Sound	10
Music	10
Sound FX/Voice	10
Control	8.2
During Play	7.5
Menus	8.0
Functionality	9.0
Satisfaction	9.0
Challenge	8.0
Fun-Factor	10
Replay Value/Game Length	8.0
Multiplayer	10
FINAL SCORE	9.3

Review by Xander

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