Survival horror is an outdated notion. It once existed, like graphic adventures before it, because it allowed consoles with limited power to display haunting, detailed backgrounds that could remain static. But as games that move and explode become all the rage, the mass market will not likely again allow that spirit-crushing set back into their lives.
It’s for the better, really. Look at RE4, Condemned, STALKER and a dozen other games that took what they wanted — brutality, dank catacombs, a penchant for shadow and scares — and left the worst — controls, key fetching, save systems.
But some don’t want to see that era die. Enter Get a Life, an unfortunately named Half Life 2 mod. Instead of taking the survival horror experience to the shooter, it brought the shooter to the survival horror experience.
There’s also a ton backtracking, which often plays with a light-dark dichotomy ala Silent Hill. And, the ammo’s so tight, you’re usually left with just one bullet left in the clip after a firefight. That is, until you’re not. I’m all for limiting mags, but this is (re-skinned) Half Life 2. I fled for 20 minutes the other night trying to bash fools with my blunt melee weapon. Not so fun, really.
Plus, it has a body-sector-based health system. For instance, if you make a big leap, your legs will require a health pack before you’ll stop limping; if your arms get shot up, your gun will shake. It’s all there to wear on your nerves so the peek-a-boos cut to the bone.
That’s not all bad. This little design studio is surprisingly adept at heart-pounding if derivitive gotchya moments, and it sprinkles them with surprsing forethought throughout. Plus, every once and a while, the shootouts are just tough enough to feel like satisfying little puzzles. And, if nothing else, it’s a few new levels that feel like Half Life 2.
The whole thing reminds me of last year’s “Penumbra,” a similarly turgid and nerve-testing affair. But where that game’s intentions were simmered with care into a potent 3 hours, Get a Life seems to drag on lifelessly, long after it has nothing to say.
(This is the second part in a series of impressions of free full-product PC games)
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