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The Conduit is the story of Agent Ford and the organization he is employed with, known as the Trust. With an alien invasion imminent, Ford is tasked with putting a stop to his xeno-foes and kicking their alien butts to the farthest reaches of space.
While The Conduit's story doesn't stray from the basic building blocks of science fiction, there are times where the conspiracy-laden twists will raise a few eyebrows as Ford comes to question certain things about his mission. Again, its nothing we all haven't seen before, but it is entertaining nonetheless. Voice talent, such as Kevin Sorbo of Andromeda and Mark Sheppard of Battlestar Galactica, helps to add a bit more to the atmospheric world.
Speaking of atmosphere, this game has tons of it. Dramatic conversations between Agent Ford and company are part of a remarkably tense environment, which is only heightened by the game's upbeat soundtrack and gorgeous graphics. The Nintendo Wii is capable of some really powerful stuff and The Conduit pushes its hardware to some astounding new heights.
The Conduit's controls are quite possibly the best thing to happen to the FPS genre in a long time. The game's default set-up is nearly perfect without any tinkering. Everything from weapons management to tossing grenades is nothing short of genius. You can even customize your configuration, right down to assigning specific actions to your Wii's preset waggle commands.
The Conduit's solo missions are simple run-and-gun fare; mowing down enemies as they spawn. Gameplay is strictly linear, leaving little room in terms of exploration and open environments. But the shooting aspect is so good that it will hardly make a difference. Enemies come at you with guns blazing and little remorse, and with such tight and customizable controls, you can line up headshot after headshot and make quick work of both your human and alien adversaries. Just don't expect much else in terms of substance. There are hidden achievements to stumble across during any of the game's nine missions, as well as data discs to collect, but aside from that, The Conduit is pretty straightforward.
One interesting gameplay mechanic, which mixes up the action, is the ASE or All-Seeing Eye. This gadget is a key point of interest in the game's plot. It allows Agent Ford to see beyond reality. The ASE is quite the multifunctional orb, aiding Ford in locating hidden mechanisms, which unlock doors, and scanning environmental objects, such as discs to gather data. The device can also plot a path to a checkpoint and can even be used to detect and defuse unseen hazards such as Ghost Mines (invisible explosives). It is a well-implemented tool and it is surprising just how often its functions for guidance and support come in handy. Plus, there is nothing cooler than wielding a device that floats in your hand.
The Conduit is swimming with some pretty big fish. And while I don't imagine the hardcore FPS gamers abandoning titles like Call of Duty to exchange Friend Codes by the millions, that doesn't mean The Conduit's multiplayer experience should be completely dismissed.
Aside from the standard Capture the Flag and Deathmatch scenarios, players can compete in unique multiplayer modes such as Bounty Hunter and ASE Football. Bounty Hunter has players scour the map for a specific target. If trigger-happy gamers take out their aggression on the unintended, they will be penalized. ASE Football, on the other hand, makes players search for The Conduit's favored toy and try to hold on to it without getting their head blown off. These modes, along with the others, have a subtle way of drawing the player in and keeping them there throughout all hours of the night. Maybe it's the fact that The Conduit's arsenal is varied and fun to play around with. Maybe it's the fact that The Conduit allows 12 players to compete at once. Or maybe it's because all the online mayhem supports Wii Speak and players can actually communicate with one another. It could be all of the above.
The game does run a tad on the short side, with my overall time for completion clocking in at about seven hours. Things ended a bit too quickly but judging by the game's finale, a sequel should, hopefully, not be too far behind.
The Conduit is a game I can't recommend enough for FPS enthusiasts and Wii owners alike. The controls lend to its approachability, creating a gaming experience that is truly open to any gamer, casual or hardcore. I have to tip my hat to Sega for filling a long-noticeable void in the Wii's library. With its intense single-player campaign and robust multiplayer modes, The Conduit has definitely been worth the wait.
Fun Factor: Precision controls make for easy kills and constant enjoyment.
Difficulty: Enemies may overwhelm you as they spawn without end, but all you have to remember is point and shoot – doesn't get much easier than that.
Length: Expect to gobble up six to eight hours of game time on The Conduit's single-player missions.
On the Negative Side: With the main missions being such a feel-good experience, it's a shame to see it end so quickly. Aside from the abrupt end, the gameplay is a tad on the linear side.
Bang for Your Buck: When the single-player has come to pass (all too quickly), multiplayer will devour your free time. That is of course, if you allow it.
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