Section 8 Review

SouthPeak Games has dabbled in the FPS trade before. While its previous work was mainly in the development of FEAR expansions, this time the developer has turned to science fiction, hoping to deliver a lasting FPS experience for 360 owners. 

At first glance, Section 8 has a lot going for it. Its familiar yet innovative foray into sci-fi territory is undermined only by a couple of seemingly half-baked elements. The first of these is Section 8’s single-player campaign which feels likes an afterthought. While a lot of thought obviously went into creating a memorable multiplayer experience, offline solo players will feel short-changed by missions that feel like nothing more than a mish-mash of re-purposed multiplayer modes. It wouldn’t be so bad if these missions were remotely fun to play but the truth is, they're simply devoid of interest. Which brings us to another point.



Section 8’s plot is far from groundbreaking or award-worthy. Ripped straight from the book of science fiction clichés, it does nothing to engage or entertain so if you're looking for provocative narrative, go somewhere else. Then again, maybe we should just accept from the get-go that this game isn't about solo play or compelling narrative. Section 8 is all about the multiplayer and that's where the game really shines.

For starters, upon dying, players don't spawn in at an allied starting point. In Section 8, players are dropped from a ship hovering above the battlefield and "burn in" like human meteorites. This feature allows you to select where you land on the map and adds a new layer of strategy to the typical multiplayer session. It also allows you to one-shot kill opponents by burning in right on top of them. As you can imagine, this may prove to be quite a distraction as enemies ignore their objectives in favor of plotting petty "death from above" revenge upon one another.



In addition to being able to unexpectedly drop like a stone and flattening your opponents,  drop-in play also allows players to change their weapons at will. Not too happy with that assault rifle you selected when you first entered the match? How about turning things around then by exchanging it for a shotgun or a sniper rifle? Finally, generous map sizes add to the fun by maximizing jet-pack usage and giving players room to use a unique ability that allows them to travel at lightning fast speeds. It's mechanics like these that show how much thought was put into the game's multiplayer modes. 

Across the board, the game's controls are good but players have the option of changing up key sensitivities. There's also a handy lock-on feature that kicks in once you've targeted an opponent for long enough, that effortlessly keeps the reticule in place. Ah, the wonders of technology. Speaking of technology, the thrust of Section 8's tech is not the graphics. Most players will find it lacking in comparison to titles like Call of Duty or Halo 3 and ODST but most multiplayer gamers will appreciate more that the game runs smoothly and rarely lags.



Despite the problems of a mediocre single-player campaign and so-so graphics, the main thing working against Section 8 is that it's in competition with the Halo franchise, most specifically, Halo:ODST. Its perceived inferiority to Bungie's behemoth is made painfully obvious the minute you log in and find Section 8’s online multiplayer nearly devoid of players. It's a sad circumstance since SouthPeak Games has crafted a title that definitely deserves multiplayer fan recognition.

Section 8 is a worthy addition to the 360’s library. However, it's fighting an uphill battle against its most damaging drawback; that without enough players willing to try it, its carefully-planned multiplayer is doomed to failure. So come on Halo fans; Section 8 is fast, fun and has more than enough excellent multiplayer action for those of you willing give it a chance.  Don’t let this one slip under your radar.


Fun Factor:  Multiplayer is a blast if you can find a solid group of people to keep the good times rolling.

Difficulty:  With health that recharges, an arsenal of weapons, and a lock-on feature, Section 8’s single-player campaign is far from difficult. In fact, it's just about the easiest FPS you'll ever play.

Length:  Single-player mode can be finished within 2-4 hours.

On the Negative Side:  With a weak plotline, single-player feels like a predictable hodge-podge of overly-familiar multiplayer maps.

Bang for your Buck:  If you’ve played Halo 3 to death and need a fresh FPS to dive into, Section 8 is for you. FPS fans should give the game a shot as its clever innovations and take on the science fiction shooter are worthy of at least a rental.