Living

<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) "Space Siege"   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, September 1, 2008 Big Game Hunter: "Space Siege" Space case: It's said that in space, no one can hear you scream. Which is fortunate, seeing as how "Space Siege" provokes that very reaction. "Space Siege," an action role-playing game cast in the same vein as Gas Powered Games flagship "Dungeon Siege," comes off as an innovative twist on a tried-and-true genre but falls apart as a formulaic title that should have stayed in the oven just a little bit longer. "Space Siege" is set on the massive transport spaceship, the "Armstrong," taking flight from Earth just as vicious aliens known as the Kerak annihilate our planet. As one of the survivors fleeing from Earth's destruction, you play Seth Walker, a ship security officer who sadly has little more depth than a kiddy pool. As this ship appears to have escaped the destruction of Earth, a Kerak pod is discovered clinging to the hull, and it is your job to repel the alien boarding party. What happens next is a bit of a spoiler, but it comes with a yawn. As far as an RPG goes, this game has very few RPG elements at all. You are only able to assign skill points here and there, and upgrade cybernetic devices. Level designs are repetitive, which left me feeling as if I were playing the same level over and over, just with a new can of paint. Graphically it never felt as if I was in a spaceship -- I felt I was fighting hordes of aggressive minions in a Costco. Ironically, this actually has happened from time to time. If you don't rent this game before you buy it, you'll regret it. For: PC Price: $50 Rated: T for Teen Justin Arnold jarnold@heraldnet.com

1. Boeing warns of job cuts during 2009 2. 160 Snohomish County jobs are on the chopping block 3. Steve & Barry's store to shut down at Everett Mall 4. 'Twilight' brings out crowds after dark 5. Stillaguamish ex-leaders plead guilty to cigarette trafficking 6. Chicken pox outbreak keeps 300 Monroe students at home 7. The Wii teaches P.E. at Arlington high school 8. From a tragedy comes a promise 9. Wilson's play finally catching up to his running mouth 10. Marysville police seek robber 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Seattle Prep ends Shorecrest's title hopes • Deja vu: Seattle Christian thwarts King's title shot • Shoreline Christian's boys soccer title hopes dashed • Edmonds' Pink House staying put • King's wins first state volleyball title • RV in plain sight? City says 'That's illegal' • Timberwolves take Class 4A title • Mavs can't hang on against Capital • TV success shares life as artist, geek • Building energy independence from the ground up