This isn't your father's Star Wars video game

Mercenaries is a unique offering from LucasArts of San Rafael, Calif. This is first time the company has released a video game that is not a derivative of its Star Wars universe which existed "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away ..." but takes place here on 21st-century Earth.

North Korea's communist government has been toppled in a coup by a group of 52 radical hardliners led by Gen. Song, who threatens the planet with Armageddon using nuclear missiles now in his control. The world's only hope for deliverance is a trio of mercenaries who have been dispatched to neutralize the threat.

Gameplayers assume the role of one of the three main characters--a Swedish bounty hunter, British secret agent, or former U.S. soldier who is fond of saying, "I don't clean up a mess; I make a mess" Each operative has his or her own individual strengths and weaknesses that directly affect the gameplay. They also have the ability to learn and improve their skill levels as the plot advances.

Our mercenaries can forge an alliance with feuding fractions--deposed North Koreans, Communist Chinese, or the Russian mafia. Although doing business with them is tricky, to say the least, it nevertheless adds a high level of intrigue to an already exciting guerrilla war game scenario.

The team builds resources from cash earned by tracking down, capturing, and collecting bounty on the rogue "deck of 52" and chew their way up the terrorist food chain to snare the top banana himself.

At your fingertips is a large array of weaponry and explosives as well as a variety of vehicles, including tanks and helicopters that can be commandeered to wreak havoc on enemy troops and fortifications. Then, when the going gets too tough, the tough get going--to the radio, to call in an air strike.

Video game production levels rapidly are approaching those of Hollywood movies. This one has a musical score by Michael Giacchino ("The Incredibles" and "Alias") and thunderous audio effects by Skywalker Sound.

Mercenaries ($49.95), developed for PlayStation and Xbox, is rated T for Teens (violence) and available at mass merchandisers.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Society for the Advancement of Education
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group