Roll Call E3 2005 Preshow Report

If the upcoming console first-person shooter Roll Call is any predictor of the future, gang violence is poised to get a lot worse. In the game, currently scheduled for release in early- to mid-2006, you'll play as ex-Marine Nick Mason, a member of Unit T-Zero--a specialized force of elite police specifically organized by the mayor to take on the rising gang problem in the game's urban setting.

You'll guide Nick through increasingly hairy situations as he seeks to protect his beloved cities from the vicious gangs that seek either to destroy it, take it over, or both. Judging by the screenshots, the baddies in Roll Call look to be of the hockey mask-wearing variety, which never bodes well for their sanity. Even worse, the artificial intelligence is specifically designed to adapt to your ability; the harder you fight, the tougher the competition gets. As you battle your way through burning buildings and backstreet alleys, you'll do your best to avoid these hatchet-wielding thugs or you'll blow them away with an arsenal of fully customizable weaponry, including grenades, shotguns, pistols, and riot shields, among others.

Lucky for you, Nick Mason is no island. He'll be able to enlist the help of his brothers in the public service to fight against the never-ending horde of thugs. In some cases, fellow police will keep up a wave of cover fire for you, and in others, firemen will break down doors in order for you to progress through the level. During all of this chaos, you'll be feeling the heat not only from the gun- and knife-wielding maniacs, but also from the impressive fire effects found in the game. Watch out for the backdrafts and Molotov cocktails if you want to get Nick home in one piece.

Both the Xbox and PS2 versions of Roll Call will feature split-screen support for up to four players and online skirmishes for up to eight. The multiplayer maps are designed for team-based battles, which should make for some interesting networked matchups. Look for more information on Roll Call in the near future.