A new Area 51: BlackSite demo hits Xbox Live

by Justin McElroy { Nov 21st 2007 at 8:50AM }

Back when BlackSite: Area 51 was originally slated to be released in the same time frame as Halo 3, it was hard not to pull for it. It was like Rocky going up against Apollo Creed in the first movie, except if Rocky had crutches and was blind. But after it (wisely, we guess) relocated, it kind of just shuffled off into the pack, and the lackluster demo of the game certainly didn't help it build any buzz.

Now, the game is vying for your intention once again with a brand-new demo on Xbox Live where you'll "battle against a strange insurgency through the streets and backyards of a small American town." We're still too swamped with this month's releases to give it a whirl. What about you?

Tags: area51, blacksite, demos, halo3, midway

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

baby sea tuna @ Nov 21st 2007 8:57AM

*cue tumbleweed*

Sokkratez @ Nov 21st 2007 9:05AM

I'm sure the game is perfectly fine. I will play it on PC when I upgrade, because I'm sure it will be cheaper by then, but still be $40+ on 360. I doubt it'll be much of a success seeing how 360 owners don't seem to see it fit to purchase a game after more than a week and a half have gone by. They're already on to the new thing, judging by my friends list and the lists of my friends. Sad, really.

baby sea tuna @ Nov 21st 2007 10:21AM

Yeah, having a spate of great games, each one better than the last, sure sucks! I'd much rather just play Starcraft and Counterstrike over and over and over and over and...

onetrueping @ Nov 21st 2007 9:06AM

"vying for your intention?" I HOPE that's supposed to be some horrible, poorly-thought-out pun.

Silent Xenocide @ Nov 21st 2007 9:07AM

Wow this game looks so amazing.

megaStryke @ Nov 21st 2007 9:14AM

CARL: "No, the real point is... I don't give a damn."

FrankTheCrank @ Nov 21st 2007 9:17AM

Another shooter? But...but...but...

Cyro @ Nov 21st 2007 9:26AM

But didn't we play a demo already??

*Confused*

fester @ Nov 21st 2007 9:38AM

I bought this on 360 and played it for a coupla hours...ye gods! It was a graphical mess! Everything-I mean EVERYTHING [including principals] is ocre and brown with poor detail. Even the nearby mountains in Nevada looked like unearthly blobs of shite! I took it back to EB post haste. However, as I had been waiting eons for this game [the first Area 51 was gorgeous] I'm going to try it on PS3 and see how it is. I think I might have got a reject or something? [ doo-doo-DOO-doo!] Other than that, it's a cool concept.

Anonim @ Nov 21st 2007 9:59AM

Unreal Engine 3.
So PS3 version will have even more problems.
(look for example for Stranglehold - as allways worse framerate on PS3)

deaftly @ Nov 21st 2007 9:42AM

I can tell from the comments that people are really excited to play this game.

Vidikron (FU) @ Nov 21st 2007 9:58AM

Well, I currently have the game via Gamefly and I can safely say that you should all save your money. Tne entire game just feels incomplete. For example, when getting into a vehicle they didn't even bother to put any animations of your character getting in. Instead you just automagically appear in the driver's seat... and your teammates, even if they were a half mile away, also automagically appear in the car.

Also, the AI is simply horrendous. The enemies don't seem to use any sort of coordination in their attacks and often just run out in the open. But the worst part is your teammates. First off, they are almost enitrely ineffective. Second, they will often run straight into the middle of a group enemies and stand there trading shots with an emeny standing an arm's length away... which, of course, leads to their demise. Then sometimes the exact opposite happens. If you're inside a building sometimes your allies will stay in the previous hall or room and not enter the next area to help you fight. You'll hear them commenting on the fight, but they will just be standing in the previous room.

I'll likely play a bit further to see if anything improves later in the game, but I'm not counting on it. I wasn't expecting much, but this is worse than I thought it would be.

GRANTED @ Nov 21st 2007 10:32AM

DO NOT WANT

doomcloud @ Nov 21st 2007 11:36AM

i didnt care the first time

mikeshea @ Nov 21st 2007 2:18PM

you and me both.

...and the rest of the world.

rikimaru @ Nov 21st 2007 12:05PM

At this point I just ignore any mediocre shooters that come by, too many of them. Besides, I have been kidnapped by the Orange Box. I beat Portal then HL2, then Episode 1, and I'm finishing up Episode 2 now. Some of the most fun I've ever had with a FPS.

navstar @ Nov 21st 2007 12:27PM

Meh -- too many aW3SoM3 other games to play. Maybe when its in the bargain bin for $20, I'll pick it up.

Sean Newton @ Nov 21st 2007 3:16PM

Personally, I always used to wait about six months and buy games for $15 or so, used. Of course, my cabinets got pretty full doing that, so now I just do gamefly and play new stuff. I still buy a few games, but now only if I actually like them.

Sean Newton @ Nov 21st 2007 3:19PM

Well, I do know one person who'll be buying a copy, no matter how badly it sucks. A certain friend of mine doesn't own a PS3 yet, but wanted to support the in-game anti-Bush sentiments of the ... director, was it? The guy who was interviewed a while back.