Extermination (video game)

Infobox VG
title = Extermination


caption = North American box art
developer = Deep Space
publisher = Sony Computer Entertainment
distributor =
designer =
engine =
version =
released = vgrelease|JP=March 8, 2001vgrelease|PAL=June 8, 2001 vgrelease|NA=July 23, 2001
genre = Survival horror
modes = Single player
ratings = vgratings|ESRB=Mature|ELSPA=15+
platforms = PlayStation 2
media =
requirements =
input=DualShock 2
picture format=480i (SDTV)

"Extermination" is a survival horror video game for PlayStation 2. Since the title was a first-party game and came out very early in the system's life cycle, it was used as a showcase for the system at trade shows before its release. [ [http://ps2.ign.com/articles/164/164249p1.html IGN Extermination Review] ] The game was considered the first true "survival horror" release on the PS2 and generated some hype amongst critics, but "Extermination" only received lukewarm reception.

Story

The plot of Extermination focuses upon U.S. Marines Special Forces soldier Dennis Riley. Part of "Team Red Light", his squad receives a distress call from Fort Stewart, a top secret facility in Antarctica. In response, Team Red Light is sent in via parachute to investigate the facility. Dennis, along with teammate Roger Grigman, quickly find themselves in an unexpected situation: The fort has been overtaken by a strange bacteria named HO-213 that has the ability to wipe out both living and nonliving material that has sprayed off most of the area's population. Dennis, with the aid of old acquaintance Cindy Chen and the few survivors of his team, work together to escape becoming another casualty in the bacteria's wake.

Gameplay

Extermination belongs to the "Survival Horror" genre of video games, and as such players are encouraged to run whenever they can. This idea is reinforced by the fact that ammunition is limited for the main character's weapons (unlimited ammo refills are located in very few places), and enemies typically take a lot of damage before being defeated. Another element of survival horror that stays true is that special ammo for special weapons (such as the shotgun, flamethrower, grenade launcher, and the rocket launcher) is limited from the get-go. The game only has so much ammo. Once the player finds them all and uses them all up, they are gone for good. It is recommended that you use the primary weapon and knife for all enemies and most bosses until you go up to Infected Roger, Falken Walker, and HO213 Dennis.

The game also features an Infection System. Along with a conventional health bar, there is also an "Infection Rate". Enemies in the game have the potential to both deal damage to Dennis' health and raise his Infection Rate. When the rate reaches 100%, Dennis becomes completely infected by the virus, and his maximum health is not only reduced to 60%, but also constantly depletes. Additionally, things that would usually not harm Dennis (i.e. infected puddles) or would only infect him now take damage. This can be fought back using a special machine called the MTS Bed located in certain areas of the game which cures the infection and restores his health to full, but this also requires an MTS vaccine, a limited item. If Dennis' health reaches zero when infected, he will mutate into a creature and die, resulting in a game over.

In the beginning, Dennis is equipped with a Special Purpose Rifle, or "SPR-4" assault rifle, a weapon traditionally given to the armed forces in the game's setting. This weapon is highly customizable and can be fitted with gadgets such as a zoom scope, flashlight grip, radar, and parts which convert it to different types of weapons such as a flame thrower, shotgun, or rocket launcher. Dennis also has a Combat Knife and can do either a single strong slash or multiple weak slashes. Another unique factor in Extermination's gameplay is the "Battery Pack". Found near the beginning of the game, Dennis uses this rechargeable battery to activate various machinery, and execute functions common to most video games such as saving the game. The battery pack can be upgraded to hold more power by collecting cells found in various locations around the Fort.

Reception

"Extermination" received generally lukewarm reception from critics. Reviewers from both GameSpot and IGN praised the game for offering some originality to the genre, making some minor improvements over similar gameplay found in "Resident Evil", the soundtrack and suitable graphics. However, they criticized the sometimes awkward, straightforward gameplay and voice acting, and how the game didn't really offer anything that could top other survival horror releases. Both publications rated the game 7.1 and 6.9 out of 10 respectively. [http://ps2.ign.com/articles/164/164249p1.html IGN: Extermination Review. Created July 27, 2001. Retrieved December 21, 2007.] http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/extermination/review.html GameSpot: Extermination Review. Created July 26, 2001. Retrieved December 21, 2007.] The game has also developed a slight cult following in the gaming community who feel that it's often underrated by fans of the genre. [http://www.justinruff.com/reviews/video-game-extermination Extermination Gamer Review. Created May 29, 2008. Retrieved May 29, 2008.]

The ratings accumulated by Game Rankings and GameStats averaged to 73% and 6.7 out of 10. [http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages4/197258.asp Game Rankings: Extermination - Average Ratio. Retrieved December 21, 2007.] [http://www.gamestats.com/objects/014/014249/ GameStats: Extermination. Retrieved December 21, 2007.]

Influences and design

The game seems to take heavy inspiration from the 1982 sci-fi horror film John Carpenter's "The Thing". Reviewers noted the reminiscent storyline and setting, while some noted resemblances between Ennio Morricone's soundtrack for the film and the music present in "Extermination". Other comparisons included "Carrier", "Resident Evil", and the water SFX similar to those from the film "The Abyss".

The look of the various small arms in Extermination were done with the supervision of Ichiro Nagata, a weapon expert working for Combat Magazine. The Special Purpose Rifle, or "SPR-4" assault rifle in the game is based on the Special Operations Peculiar Modification M4 Carbine (SOPMOD M4).

Many of the scientists names found in the documents scattered in the game are taken directly from famous American wrestlers from pro wrestling. Examples include Dwayne Johnson and Kurt Angle.

Region Differences

# The UK, Japanese and US versions all have different voice casts.
# In the US version, Red Light's uniforms are all white. In the UK and Japanese versions they are black.
# In the US version, Dennis Riley has a different hair style than the UK and Japanese versions.
# In the US version, Red Light's commanding officer's name is Mike Madigan. In the UK version his name is Mike Mattigan.

Notes & references