Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Alias: Underground Episode 3: Mission – Raid on SD-6 continues the series’ blend of third-person stealth and action with a focus on variety and player choice. Offering both over-the-shoulder and first-person perspectives, the game lets you tailor your playstyle: sneaking through shadows as Sydney Bristow or diving in guns blazing. The dual-view system makes each approach feel distinct, and the seamless switch adds depth to encounters, rewarding players who adapt their tactics on the fly.

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The controls remain responsive, letting Sydney run, jump, duck, and climb with ease. Object interaction is intuitive—whether you’re hacking a keypad, moving crates to reach higher ledges or picking locks to slip through a maintenance shaft. Combat is equally versatile: you can deliver quick punches or kicks in close quarters, or reach for a sidearm to engage distant guards. The zoom-in function in first-person mode gives firefights a sharper edge, though you’ll need to conserve ammunition and reload tactically to maintain stealth.

Disguise mechanics play a central role, forcing you to think like a spy. You’ll don SD-6 guard uniforms, scientist lab coats or even civilian clothing, each granting different levels of access. Maintaining cover requires observing guard patrol patterns, strategically neutralizing threats, and avoiding security cameras. These stealth segments are well-paced, building tension as you inch closer to the main objective: defusing the hostage crisis at SD-6 headquarters.

Graphics

Visually, Episode 3 delivers environments that capture the cold, clinical aesthetic of SD-6’s secretive installation. Hallways are bathed in muted fluorescent lights that cast long shadows, perfect for ducking out of sight. Texture resolution on walls and machinery is solid for its era, and occasional reflective surfaces—glass doors, polished floors—add realism to the stealth gameplay. Draw distances are generous enough to spot patrolling guards in advance, helping you plan each move.

Character models preserve Jennifer Garner’s likeness admirably, with Sydney’s trademark dark hair and sharp facial features rendered in crisp detail. Animations for climbing, sliding behind cover, and hand-to-hand combat feel fluid, enhancing immersion. Enemy guards exhibit recognizable behaviors—armed patrols, idle conversations, radio checks—all of which underscore the need to time your actions carefully.

Cutscenes utilize a slightly higher graphical fidelity, with dynamic camera angles showcasing close-ups of Sydney’s determined expression. While not blockbuster-level CGI, these sequences blend seamlessly into gameplay and help reinforce the narrative stakes. From flickering security monitors to the distant hum of ventilation ducts, the audio-visual atmosphere keeps you on edge throughout the mission.

Story

Drawing inspiration from the TV series’ first season episode “The Box,” Mission – Raid on SD-6 drops you into a high-stakes hostage situation. Sydney Bristow learns that SD-6’s own self-destruct protocols threaten innocent lives, forcing her to infiltrate the base, locate hostages, and disable explosives before time runs out. The premise is classic Alias—undercover espionage layered with ticking-clock intensity.

The narrative unfolds through a mix of in-engine briefings, terse radio communications with Michael Vaughn, and silent, suspenseful infiltration sequences. Dialogue captures the snappy, determined tone of the show, and brief flashbacks to prior missions deepen Sydney’s characterization, reminding fans of her unwavering dedication to CIA objectives. Although the storyline covers familiar ground for series devotees, newcomers will find it accessible and thrilling.

Mission objectives escalate logically: initial reconnaissance, hostage extraction, explosive device defusal, and final escape. Each stage adds complexity, introducing new obstacles like laser tripwires or biometric locks. While the overall plot follows a linear path, optional side tasks—rescuing extra hostages or recovering intelligence data—add replay value and expand the story’s scope.

Overall Experience

Alias: Underground Episode 3 delivers a satisfying blend of stealth, action, and narrative flair. Stealth purists will appreciate the emphasis on disguises and environmental traversal, while action-oriented players can dive into close-quarters combat with confidence. The dual perspective system ensures that both approaches feel equally rewarding and keeps mission flow dynamic.

Graphically, the game hits its stride in portraying a believable SD-6 compound, backed by solid character work and atmospheric lighting. Minor texture pop-ins or motion blur during cutscene transitions are rare and don’t detract from the core experience. Performance on standard hardware remains stable, offering a smooth frame rate that supports both tense stealth crawls and sudden firefights.

Whether you’re a die-hard Alias fan or a stealth-action enthusiast looking for a compact, engaging adventure, Episode 3 stands out as a strong entry in the promotional series. The balance of narrative depth, versatile gameplay mechanics, and faithful adaptation of the TV show’s tone makes Raid on SD-6 a must-play for those seeking a taste of espionage wrapped in high-stakes action.

Retro Replay Score

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