Better than expected
The story isnt new. Earth is invaded, Man flees to the stars pursued by a relentless enemy. You'll find it hard not to make comparisons w/ the System Shock series. There two major decisions to make in the game that provide two branches to the game experience - but I wont mention them here. Lets just say that you will have to choose who your friends really are.
You must take control of a human soldier and fight off an unending force of aliens and humans on a space transport setting. Battle across a linear campaign visiting around 30 beautifully depicted levels. The graphics really are lush.
The game itself plays very much like its fantasy cousin - Dungeon Siege or any other Action-RPG such as Diablo or Sacred. So if you have enjoyed those - you'll like this, esp. if you are into SF.
At the heart of the action is the combat. If you dont like point-and-click systems, then this game wont be for you. I found the combat too basic to be honest. There is no facility for tactical play beyond choosing which weapon combinations to use to defeat your foes and ordering who to target for your robot companion. You just point and shoot. Repetitively.
Tthe combat experience is enhanced with the implementation of a skill system, and the selection of weapons and equipment. There are around 8 or so weapons, plus around 10 grenade and weapon systems to choose how to kill your foes. This is really what keeps the combat interesting. Weapon selection, augmentation and requipping occurs in special rooms that act as savepoints as well. There are placed around about every level. Here you can also decide what aspects of your robot companion to upgrade. Its this customisation of items and skills that give this game some replayability. Especially as you find components that will allow your character to become a cyborg or stay human. Choosing the former opens up additional skills abilities, armour and weapons that will make your game that much easier. But at what cost?
Upgrading your equipment costs a certain amount of resources, which are dropped by dead enemies and can be picked up from ship containers littered across the ship. Together with the story, its this collecting that keeps you moving forwards and wanting to engage the enemy. The story is well told, yet nothing amazing - though the way its recited to the player, through discarded data-pads and survivors you meet, mean it isnt dumped on you in one go.
The mission log works well with the mission map, so you want get lost on the way to your objective. Something that irks me in other games when its not done right.
You're probably thinking that the games repetitive nature will get boring over time, and to some degree you are right. However, overall its nicely balanced and provides a decent challenge. The constantly changing enviroment, baddies and equipment mean that you wont get bored for the most-part. While end of level bosses at key points, make you work to get to the next level.
Given the score above, you'd think it was a really poor game - but it isnt. Sure its northing ground-breaking. It was never going to be that. Better games may now be out there, but it definitely IS worth playing.