Singularity is simply a great game.

Raven's last real try at producing a stand alone title, Singularity is also one of their few IP-owned properties and it shows. Unlike 2009's Wolfenstein, which was bland, drab and uninspired, Singularity is a vibrant game that shows love/thought in every facet of its construction. Possessed of a *great* story that gives you several plot twists and a beautifully unique theme/aesthetic, Singularity beats most other FPS story elements hands down, creating a living, breathing and interesting universe.

Gameplay isn't to be outdone by Singularity's story, however, as the game runs on modest stystems, looks good, has genuine ambiance and great set piece design. The game has a unique aesthetic and much like other games, including Deus Ex or Bioshock, creates a unique visual identity for itself. Scary moments abound, of both the jump scare and creepy varieties and the game has excellent weapon variety with good punch/heft/feel.

The show-stopper, however, is the TMD (time manipulation device) which is a glove that allows you to do a variety of things. Shove enemies back with a forceful pulse, age/de-age objects so that they change shape, age enemies to either kill or mutate them into monstrosities that fight by your side, open portals, levitate/hurl a variety of objects and other powers, all allow you to manipulate a physical world to solve a variety of problems. Upgrade weapons, your TMD, and even yourself to customize your playthrough in the way that best fits your style.

The game has a staggering attention to detail in the campaign but the title is quite short, with most players finishing it in under 10 hours. That said, the game has multiplayer! While the community is dead, the multiplayer is pure gold and that's a shame. Deathmatch or team deatchmatch seem like simplistic options but team deathmatch offers a Left 4 Dead 1/2 asymmetrical gameplay style that pits powered humans against Katorga 12 creatures. Humans can wield a variety of weapons and employ a small handful of skills/perks but may also choose of one of four classes that confer either teleporational capabilities, healing skills, improved durability/melee or the ability to turn invisible.

The monsters are even better! Played in third person, your options include a phase-shifting brawler, a crafty spiderling(phase tick) which can climb over almost any obstacle in the map(yes, he can run on the ceilings!) and detonates himself kamikaze style(or takes control of enemies) and a giant arachnid tank that fires grenades. Perhaps the best monstrous class, though, is the Revert which is a slow but tough mutant that burps up mines and vomits a putridly hilarious and voluminous torrent of toxic sludge.

From every possible facet, this game is a pure winner. Its lack of success is mostly attributable to Raven's lack of a reputation and its publisher's failure to advertise the game on release. While it may not be worth 30 or 40 dollars, if you can get this game for half that, it's a worthwhile FPS classic that I would place on the shelf next to the best examples of the genre.

Highly recommended.

9/10.

Singularity is simply a great game. Raven's last real try at producing a stand alone title, Singularity is also one of their few IP-owned properties and it shows. Unlike 2009's Wolfenstein, which was bland, drab and uninspired, Singularity is a vibrant game that shows love/thought in every facet of its construction. Possessed of a *great* story that gives you several plot twists and a beautifully unique theme/aesthetic, Singularity beats most other FPS story elements hands down, creating a living, breathing and interesting universe. Gameplay isn't to be outdone by Singularity's story, however, as the game runs on modest stystems, looks good, has genuine ambiance and great set piece design. The game has a unique aesthetic and much like other games, including Deus Ex or Bioshock, creates a unique visual identity for itself. Scary moments abound, of both the jump scare and creepy varieties and the game has excellent weapon variety with good punch/heft/feel. The show-stopper, however, is the TMD (time manipulation device) which is a glove that allows you to do a variety of things. Shove enemies back with a forceful pulse, age/de-age objects so that they change shape, age enemies to either kill or mutate them into monstrosities that fight by your side, open portals, levitate/hurl a variety of objects and other powers, all allow you to manipulate a physical world to solve a variety of problems. Upgrade weapons, your TMD, and even yourself to customize your playthrough in the way that best fits your style. The game has a staggering attention to detail in the campaign but the title is quite short, with most players finishing it in under 10 hours. That said, the game has multiplayer! While the community is dead, the multiplayer is pure gold and that's a shame. Deathmatch or team deatchmatch seem like simplistic options but team deathmatch offers a Left 4 Dead 1/2 asymmetrical gameplay style that pits powered humans against Katorga 12 creatures. Humans can wield a variety of weapons and employ a small handful of skills/perks but may also choose of one of four classes that confer either teleporational capabilities, healing skills, improved durability/melee or the ability to turn invisible. The monsters are even better! Played in third person, your options include a phase-shifting brawler, a crafty spiderling(phase tick) which can climb over almost any obstacle in the map(yes, he can run on the ceilings!) and detonates himself kamikaze style(or takes control of enemies) and a giant arachnid tank that fires grenades. Perhaps the best monstrous class, though, is the Revert which is a slow but tough mutant that burps up mines and vomits a putridly hilarious and voluminous torrent of toxic sludge. From every possible facet, this game is a pure winner. Its lack of success is mostly attributable to Raven's lack of a reputation and its publisher's failure to advertise the game on release. While it may not be worth 30 or 40 dollars, if you can get this game for half that, it's a worthwhile FPS classic that I would place on the shelf next to the best examples of the genre. Highly recommended. 9/10.