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72%
PROS
Tons of maps, easy to learn, interesting RPG mode, tons of different weapons.
LOWS
Outdated graphics, somewhat boring, maps very similar, artifact concept a bit stupid.
OVERALL
If you have gotten bored of UT (?) then you might like FireStarter for its basic FPS play and small RPG aspects.
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Unreal Tournament is one of the most favored games when it comes to LAN parties and multiplayer gaming. It's packed with action, excitement, huge maps, great graphics, tons of weapons, and even better game modes. So why try to make a game that does everything like UT? Good question… FireStarter is one of the games out there that mimics Unreal Tournament. Unfortunately, it does not surpass Unreal's awesomeness… instead it falls short under its shadow.
FireStarter's concept, (surprisingly) is very much like Unreal Tournament. The player chooses a character to play with throughout the single player game, and fights at different maps in order to move onto the next match. There are six different characters to choose from… a mere number compared to Unreal Tournament. Each character has different skills and abilities. You can stick with a balanced Marine or Policeman, or try to get a character strong in one area; like an Agent for agility, Mutant for strength, etc. As you beat more and more maps, you will be able to get abilities that further increase the skills of your character. This is the one part of FireStarter that is most different from UT. There is a small RPG aspect involved with trying to improve your character's skills. You can get new skills, like super jump, critical damage, and blind resistance. Each character can have a maximum of seven skills, all of which can be upgraded from basic to expert. Though this does not grow to be too in depth, anybody who likes a little bit of RPG style gameplay might appreciate this part of FireStarter.
FireStarter has tons of different single player maps.... 16 levels in total. You will start off in an Industrial Zone featuring connecting chambers, and then onto Empire, which is like a city, then Space Station (my favorite), and lastly Arena, which is similar to the Coliseum. The only problem is that they are very repetitive and boring. This is mostly due to the outdated graphics of the game. Unlike UT, FS does not shine in its graphical beauty. Graphics aren't bad... They just aren't good. Think Serious Sam. Not bad, but not the best you have seen.
There are a few little things that make the game interesting. Spread throughout most of the maps are jump pads. Very similar to UT, these catapult you in the air to a plateau or the other side of a room. When I first tried, I somersaulted forward, and lost all of my orientation. Once I caught on, I realized I had just done a flip and landed right where I started. Oops. There are tons of doors, bridges, higher ground spots, trenches, and many other tactical features. Since all of your enemies will be randomly spawning all over the map, you will not have a lot of time to plan all of your strategy out. Every time a new enemy spawns, the camera changes to a full view of the new monster with the camera circling around him. This lets you know exactly where he is, what type of monster he is, and also gives you a good guess of what weapon to use against him.
Gameplay is like any typical FPS. There will be a few thrills when you start to fight hordes of enemies. Other than that, get ready for some repetitive gameplay. Besides killing any enemies that magically spawn onto the map as red holograms, you will have to be on the lookout for artifacts. If you ask me, artifacts are rather pointless and stupid. Once an artifact spawns onto the map, a timer will start. Your objective is to get that artifact before the timer runs out. If you fail to do this, you lose. The game ends... Just like that. On some occasions, I could not find the artifact, or I would have too many enemies to deal with. On these occasions, I would have to forfeit all of my hard work. By getting an artifact, your game autosaves. Ahh… autosave. Something UT doesn't have. Artifacts also give you paranormal powers when activated. Each artifact has an F# hotkey, and when pressed, will activate the powers. Sometimes the powers will begin once the artifact is picked up. Example powers include time jumper, teleporter, and vampire.
Fortunately, there is a multiplayer mode in FireStarter. If you like the concept of the game and have a lot of friends, multiplayer can be interesting. Firestarter runs for about $20. If you do not have the money to buy the new Unreal Tournament, you may be able to find some temporary satisfaction. In short, get UT. If all else fails, pick up FireStarter from your local bargain bin.
