Extermination (video game)
| Extermination | |
|---|---|
| File:Extermination.jpg | |
| Developer(s) | Deep Space |
| Publisher(s) | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 |
| Release |  March 8, 2001 July 23, 2001 |
| Genre(s) | Survival horror |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Extermination is a video game for PlayStation 2. As it 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. [1]
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 situation. Dennis, along with teammate Roger Grigman, quickly find themselves in an unexpected situation: The installation has been overtaken by a strange virus that has the ability to infect and manipulate both living and nonliving material that has killed off most of the area's human population. Dennis, with the aid of old acquaintance Cindy Chen, work together to escape becoming another casualty in the virus's wake.
Gameplay
Extermination belongs to the "Survival Horror" genere of video games, and as such players are encouraged to run whenever they can. This idea is reenforced by the fact that ammunition is limited for the main character's weapons, and enemies typically take a lot of damage before being defeated.
The game also features an Infection System. Along with a conventional health bar, there is also an "Infection Gauge". Whenever Dennis takes damage from certain enemies, his Infection Gauge rises a certain percent. When it reaches 100%, Dennis becomes infected by the virus taking over the facility, and his maximum health is not only reduced by half, but also constantly lowers. This can be fought back using a special machine located in certain areas of the game which cures the infection and restores his health to full.
In the beginning, Dennis is equipped with an "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 various scopes, grips, and parts which convert it to different types of weapons such as a flame thrower or a shotgun. Another unique factor in Extermination's gameplay is the "Battery". Found near the beginning, Dennis uses this rechargable battery to activate various machinery, solve puzzles, and even functions common to most video games such as saving the game.
Trivia
- The look of the various small arms in Extermination were done with the supervision of Ichiro Nagata, a weapon expert working for Combat Magazine.