Damnation

Damnation aims to take HD-generation shooter fans to new heights, combining third-person perspective gunplay with 3D platforming in vertically expansive levels. Players have access to an array of almost superhuman acrobatic abilities, as well as to an arsenal of powerful, steampunk-themed rifles, revolvers, shotguns, and machine guns. The game is geared for fast-paced, frantic action, and has no "sticky cover" system, as in many contemporary shooters. However, Damnation's hero can climb ladders, ropes, and pipes, and can leap, shimmy, and flip his way up towering structures and across abysmal drops with the press of a button or two. He can take a shot from nearly any position, even hanging upside-down from one hand. Damnation does not use health bars or gauges in the display, but players do have access to another useful mode of special sight. The game's heroes can use a "Spirit Vision" ability to see all the other combatants on the map, even through walls and other cover. This wall-hack view looks similar to a hazy, infrared display, in which enemies show up with red auras and allies with blue. Damnation is set in an alternate reality history in which the United States' Civil War has waged on for decades. In the main campaign, players take the role of Hamilton Rourke, a heroic outlaw trying to save both the Union and the Confederacy from evil designs of a warmongering industrialist. Often, the player can see a large mission objective, such as a bridge or monument, from the starting point of the level, and part of the challenge is the adventure of finding the way there. Multiple paths exist, but players have no mini-map or directional arrows to guide them. Co-op play is supported throughout the campaign, with the second player taking the role of one of the allies that accompanies Rourke through the scripted levels. The game also offers multiplayer competition, in which the ability to move well vertically as well as horizontally is paramount, and no one can hide from Spirit Vision. Damnation began as an award-winning mod for Unreal Tournament 2004, and the retail version is built on built on a later edition of the Unreal game engine. It is the first game by the concept creation company Blue Omega Entertainment and was developed with the original mod's creators.

GAME CONTROLS

ADVENTURE MODE/COMBAT MODE

L3 Button = reload weapon in combat mode
D-Pad Left or Right = select left or right slot rifle weapon
D-Pad Down = select pistol weapon
Left Analog Stick = walk, run, strafe
Right Analog Stick = control camera
R3 Button = zoom weapon in combat mode
X Button = jump, dive roll, select (in menus)
Circle Button = crouch, release hold (while hanging), back, cancel (in menus)
Triangle Button = throw, detonate trip mine
Triangle Button (Hold) = plant trip mine
L1 Button (Hold) = enter spirit vision
R1 Button = prepare to jump (while hanging), sprint (in adventure mode), aid fallen comrade, use object
R2 Button = fire weapons (in combat mode), melee attack (in adventure mode)
L2 Button = draw weapon, enter combat mode
Start Button = open pause menu
Select Button = scoreboard (multiplayer only)

VEHICLE MODE

Left Analog Stick Left or Right = turn vehicle left or Right
X or L1 Button = boost
R2 Button = accelerate, fire pistol (co-op player)
L2 Button = reverse, draw pistol (co-op player)
R1 Button = mount or dismount (while stationary)