Clive Barker's Jericho
Preview
The horror of Clive Barker returns to the PC.
by William Thompson
previewed on PC
Horror Movies
When I was really young, horror movies scared the pants off me. Even movies with ‘scary bits’ forced me to turn away or peek through the fingers that were covering my eyes at those particular moments. Then, as I got older, the ‘scary bits’ weren’t so scary anymore and I gradually found them non-terrifying. I could sit and watch any of the Nightmare on Elm Street movies, without batting an eye. Horror movies have become more about blood and gore, and once you’re used to that, you can sit through any of them. Thrillers on the other hand still get me to jump with fright, even though I know something is about to happen. The suspense kills me more than anything.
Games based on horror themes are the same. Once you get used to the gruesome creatures, the blood splattering the walls, or the heads rolling on the floor, you can continue on your path without a care. One such game is the forthcoming Clive Barker’s Jericho. The game starts by informing you that the mysterious biblical city of Al-Khali has reappeared in the world of men and that strange things are happening at the site. The game is primarily a squad based shooter. You are given a group of specially trained soldiers with which you are to complete the missions of hunting down and destroying the evil in the city before it can destroy mankind.
Codename Jericho
Your Special Forces squad (codenamed Jericho) is made up of two teams, Alpha and Omega. They begin the game together, but then need to separate in order to further their reconnaissance. Each of the seven characters has their own special abilities, and each carries their own brand of dual ‘punishment’. Sgt. Delgado carries a high powered mini-gun, a semi-automatic pistol and has the ability to summon a ‘fire barrier’ to protect him. Whilst the lovely Sgt. Church uses a sub-machine pistol and Japanese sword and has the special trait of ‘Blood Ward’ which immobilizes nearby enemies. The two most important members of the squad are Father Rawlings and the squad leader Captain Ross. These two men have the ability to heal fallen comrades, so it is imperative that this couple be protected somewhat. Your squad members will heal by themselves if kept away from fighting, but once they’re incapacitated, only Ross and Rawlings can return life to them.
As mentioned previous, each member of Jericho squad has special abilities that will be called upon during the journey through the biblical city. It is not just a matter of shooting anything in sight to make it through to the other end alive. The gamer must use each of the characters talents to traverse certain areas of the map. For instance, Lieutenant Black can use her telekinetic powers to remove obstacles from the squad’s path and Corporal Cole can use her ‘Infinite Loop’ skill to slow time around the squad.
