Pariah (computer game)
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| Studio |
 Digital extremes
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| Publisher |
 Deep Silver
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| Erstveröffent- lichung |
All platforms May 3, 2005 May 6, 2005  |
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| platform | Windows , Xbox | ||
| Game engine | Unreal Engine 2.5 , Havok Physics | ||
| genre | First person shooter | ||
| Game mode | Single player , multiplayer | ||
| control | Keyboard , mouse (PC), controller (Xbox) | ||
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| medium | CD-ROM (PC), 1 DVD-ROM (Xbox) | ||
| language | German | ||
| Age rating |
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Pariah is a first-person shooter from the development studio Digital Extremes , which was released for Xbox and Windows .
Storyline and game design
The player controls the doctor Jack Mason through linear and seamless levels . The level design was described by well-known game magazines as being too straightforward and challenging, as the artificial intelligence of the opponents leaves something to be desired. In addition, Pariah is a very short first-person shooter and the story about an ominous virus and its effects falls by the wayside, as the action in the cutscenes is usually only told in fragments. As usual with first-person shooters, you have various weapons at your disposal in Pariah. These can be upgraded in the course of the game, making up to three additional functions available for each weapon. The healing process of the character is special: Mason has a rechargeable med-kit, which can be made ready for use by first-aid kits hidden in the levels. After the application, the view is very blurred and only clears up after a few seconds.
Game modes
The game also has a multiplayer mode in which different game variants, alone or in teams, can be played against human or artificial opponents. Pariah has four game modes:
- Deathmatch
- Team deathmatch
- Capture the flag
- Front Line Assault
technology
A heavily modified version of the Unreal Engine 2.5 is used for the graphical representation . This was already used by Digital Extremes earlier for well-known titles such as Unreal Tournament 2004 and its strengths are particularly evident in outdoor areas, which makes them particularly pleasant at Pariah. The interior levels, on the other hand, were criticized for their difficult to understand design and rather poorly detailed textures . The game physics is calculated by the Havok engine used - it enables optical effects such as mirages and distortions in explosions, particle effects such as flying sparks with open fire and also ragdoll animations for the characters. In addition, care was taken to ensure that destructive influences in the virtual environment are implemented in great detail, which, in addition to additional realism, also introduces tactical elements. As with many games in the Unreal series , Pariah also uses the UnrealEd editor (only included in the PC version). The newly developed MAP (Make and Play) editor is included with the game for creating your own maps . This is characterized by a significantly easier handling (compared to the classic UnrealEd ), since the cards can be designed using simple drag-and-drop . The cards created with it only require up to 56 kB of storage space, which is ideal for exchanging via the Internet or memory card, especially since the cards for the Xbox and PC are compatible with one another.
Development and publication
The development of Pariah was announced for the first time in March 2004. Accordingly, work began two years earlier - after the completion of Unreal Tournament 2004 . The publication will take place in the USA on May 3, 2005 by the publisher Groove Games and in Germany on May 9, 2005 by Deep Silver . The German (censored) version of the game was given the No Youth Approval by the USK .
At the time of publication the development of a sequel part was announced (with the planned title Pariah: Shroud Wars ), but the project was prematurely converted due to insufficient sales and the game Warpath was created instead .
reception
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- PC PowerPlay 06/2005 68%
- GameStar (online) 07/2005 69%
- PC Games (online) June 1, 2005 74%
- PC Action (online) June 16, 2005 80%
- metacritic (online) PC version 69/100
- metacritic (online) XBOX version 70/110
Web links
- Pariah (computer game) at MobyGames (English)
- Game test at GAMER-network.com ( Memento from September 28, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
Individual evidence
- ↑ Release dates . mobygames.com, accessed March 29, 2014 .
- ↑ http://www.groovegames.com/pariah/index.html ( Memento from June 2, 2009 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ uk.pc.ign.com
- ↑ gamershell.com
- ↑ gamezone.de
- ↑ pcaction.de
- ↑ mobygames.com
- ^ Meta evaluation Pariah (Windows). In: Metacritic . CBS Corporation , accessed April 27, 2015 .
- ^ Meta ranking Pariah (Xbox). In: Metacritic . CBS Corporation , accessed April 27, 2015 .