Written by Chris Reiter  on November 20, 2003

First Impressions: The only way to be a computer geek and lip synch with a hottie is to get attacked by aliens. Who knew?

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It is strange how Sony operates. Sometimes they'll create a game of their own over seas, and will only end up releasing the same title here under a different publisher's brand name (i.e., Ubi Soft's Ape Escape 2 and Atlus' SkyGunner). Despite the company's odd behavior though, what is made of the final product is all that matters -- right? And at the most of times, the games in which Sony brings us under someone else's heading have uniqueness and greatness all rolled into one sealed deal. Sony, yet again, is at work now on bringing the same kind of experience onto the PlayStation 2 early next year, in the most unparalleled type of horror game imaginable: one that has you in control of a character through voice recognition alone -- in Konami's upcoming Lifeline.

 

Earth has been expanding rapidly over many generations. What the future does hold is a mystery to many. But in Rio's own universe, it's certain to get ugly. Following a devastating alien attack upon a space station that doubles as the hotel in which the story will unfold upon, you and a young woman named Rio are suspected to be the only two remaining survivors left alive. Rio doesn't know you, nor do you know her...yet. While you're trapped in the safety of the plantation's control room, Rio is elsewhere, alone and afraid. The only contact you have with this attractive young blonde lady now is between a microphone communication link. If you want Rio's help to find out what was behind this obscure alien invasion, then you and Rio need to form a bond of trust. Or else, find another sucker.

 

Games controlled through a mat, a glove, and even a toy gun have all already become just your everyday hunky junk. Getting through an alien-infested space hotel by just your voice is something else. The really unique matter here though is that you can't exactly give out whatever orders you want; that controllable human, being Rio, will have just as every bit a mind of her own like you. Just think: a game character that doesn't want to do things because she needs to know you will get her through the adventure just fine. That's the way Rio will work -- scared, but stingy. To truly evaluate an equal balance of gameplay on both parts, you'll need to learn correctly how to speak to a woman without the phrases, "Yo baby!" and, "Dial G-O-D -- I just found his missing angel!"

 

Rio is a character that will be packing. Not luggage, but heat. You know, as in a gun. Through your smarts, you'll help Rio to walk the tightropes of fending off any nasty deformities of another world coming her way, as well as to solve puzzles and to investigate the hotel's interiors for any remaining survivors. Using a USB headset, be it Logitech's version that came with SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs last year or with a newer model sold separately (prices varying from $29.99-$49.99), the voice technology in Lifeline is being prepped to feature more than 5,000 singular words and 100,000 phrases' Rio will be able to familiarize from your mouth, ranging from, "Shoot!" to, "Run!" and, "Dodge and reload!" Each enemy will be numbered, as you'll be able to select each one by choice. Not only that, but different body parts of the infesters can be selected so that when you tell Rio to fire at the alien head, she'll do it. Exploring the paths to guide Rio into combating alien enemies with a pistol won't appear on the screen either -- although, the manner in which players figure out the many "talk options" in speaking correctly to Rio is still be ironed out.

 

On the screen, Lifeline will take its toll as a verifiable quality any eye can agree on. Not coming along as a grandeur in the same likeness of Resident Evil on the GameCube, but in its own right pretty enough to strut its stuff against some of the harsher titles in the horror lineup, Lifeline is developing nicely so far. The sets in which the game will evolve upon will see a hotel where differentiating elements of distress have already been implemented, leaving you to push Rio through them further and further. Character models will also be ready each with a bevy of detailed animation effects, with both human and alien figurines showcasing precise abilities to how the human or otherworldly body wraps itself around the action involved in this alien-based creeper.

 

Famous Hollywood stars and video game characters alike have been one in the same as of late. Now it's going to be television's turn to become the basis for the voices you'll hear in your head, with Kristen Miller from NBC's hit series She Spies as the actress performing the part for Rio. Even if you're not a native to the American shores, Lifeline will support multiple language functions for just about any country's accent, including French, Spanish, Japanese, and others, so that whatever flavor your tongue is most accurate in, Rio is going to respond right back at ya.