The Brink FPS Saga Begins…

Brink is a new FPS that seems to have team-based play as part of its core selling point. This was a problem for the console versions of the game, as I’ve seen reports that its in need of a patch and so not really there as yet – an issue compounded by the problems with the Playstation Network. However since then I’ve seen 2 reviews of the working game that seem to give it a big thumbs up:

Brink deserves to be ranked among the finest co-op games available. As a multiplayer experience, it is exquisite. But as mentioned earlier, it falters if played solo. While all the modes can be played in single-player, the bots that act as stand-ins for other players are a poor replacement. It certainly isn’t the case that gamers who buy Brink will feel ripped off if they don’t have access to their console’s (or PC’s) online network. But until you’ve fought both with and against living opponents in Brink, you have yet to sample the best of what it has to offer.

That review was for the Xbox version –there is another review here looking at PC. I am now interested… and another thing of note to me is the narrative to the game. They have given it a post-apocalyptic, post-Global Warming vibe:

The game’s story is set in a future world where rising sea-levels have forced mankind to retreat to a giant floating metropolis called The Ark. Over time, divisions have emerged in society with The Ark’s poorer folk becoming increasingly unsettled with their lot, and desiring to leave in search of something better. As this would mean The Ark would lose large chunks of its workforce, the powers-that-be have taken a dim view of these plans, and have had their security forces clamp down hard on troublemakers. This, in turn, has sparked a full scale rebellion with those wishing to leave The Ark arming themselves and waging a guerilla war against the city’s security forces.

The story itself is quite lightweight and exists mainly to complement the level design in the campaign. However, the writers have pulled off a neat trick by deliberately muddying the moral waters in Brink. The authorities maybe dictatorial but they believe they’re safeguarding humanity. The rebels are demanding liberty or death, but there’s no guarantee their freedom will lead them to a better place. Neither side comes across as overtly in the right (or in the wrong), and so the player’s choice at the beginning of the game doesn’t necessarily put them on the side of good or evil.

Brink and the rising tide...