Jericho has quite a few features that are very new to games in general, which at first seems daunting, but plays very nicely. The first is that the Jericho team, the secret government operation that holds seven members, is huge. This isn’t just one or two people, it’s seven. Sure, the PS3 can use that many controllers, but who’s got a TV screen big enough for that?
Regardless, no word has been given whether cooperative or online play will even be featured in the full title. The seven characters, one of whom is eliminated at the beginning of the story but still manages to lead the team using his Casper the friendly ghost powers, are all playable. As that dead leader, you inherit whoever’s body you choose and are able to use their weapons and abilities at will.
This also means that everyone gets one weapon (generally speaking) as one would expect in real life. Each of those weapons are no joke, since they are packing heat to take out supernatural beings. While there isn’t enough of the plot to understand how bullets kill the undead/dead/resurrected, it works wonders.
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On top of the standard weaponry are two abilities that each team member has. One can trace a bullet through multiple targets, another shoots fire from his arms, and yet another can resurrect fallen comrades. Twelve powers in all, as well as the leader’s unorthodox method of healing from a distance gives us the lucky number 13.
From the short time I played, I wasn’t so much frightened by anything going on as much as freaked out at what could be seen. There are the occasional dark spots and expected enemies crawling out of small holes, the ground, and everywhere you wouldn’t normally look.
What’s really amazing is how easy it is to switch between characters. Playing with 5 other teammates, all AI controlled, doesn’t seem like fun with the current age of AI friendlies. However, with a few squad commands done through the D-pad and the instant ability to change between ‘hosts’ just by holding a button and choosing a teammate, that task of always having the right gun at the right time disappears. Just switch to the right character and poof.
The story is too convoluted to explain here, at least in the form that we received it as, so there isn’t any point to try explaining it. What is important is that the Jericho team will fight during different historical periods, with only World War 2 known as one of those times.
Though at first many were skeptical about Jericho, it has plenty of potential and may well be a big success, regardless of its age rating and issues with Germany. Set for release later this month, those with an ample PC, 360 or PS3 will get a taste of Clive Barker’s twisted mind and some original gameplay.
