Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Alias Underground Episode 4: The Circumference builds on its stealth/action foundations by giving players a robust mix of silent infiltration and all-out combat. Switching seamlessly between third-person exploration and a scoped first-person view when firing a weapon keeps the pacing fresh: you’ll vault over lab benches in third person, side-step past guards in a crouch, then zoom in for precise headshots through a rifle scope. The dual perspective feels intuitive, offering both cinematic flair and the tight aim you need when the pressure is on.

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Sydney’s acrobatic toolkit—running, jumping, ducking, and climbing—shines in the Taipei lab’s vertical layout. You’ll shimmy up drainage pipes to reach vent shafts, shimmy along support beams to bypass security cameras, and nimbly descend stairwells to flank unsuspecting enemies. Interaction with objects is equally satisfying: hacking keypads, picking up crucial intel, and repositioning crates to create new vantage points provide variety between firefights, and a sense that every object in the environment can become part of your spycraft.

Combat and stealth are balanced so you can tailor your approach. Brawls unfold convincingly with punch and kick combos that feel weighty in third person, while finding a sidearm opens up satisfying cover-based shooting. The disguises mechanic is particularly clever: slipping into a lab coat or maintenance uniform lets you stroll past certain guards, but a moment of suspicion can blow your cover—prompting you to improvise with distractions or swift takedowns. This dynamic interplay between stealth and action ensures that no two encounters feel quite the same.

Graphics

The game’s graphics engine, though designed for a promotional episodic release, punches above its weight with crisp textures and realistic lighting. The Taipei lab is bathed in the cold glow of fluorescent lamps, casting long, ominous shadows that accentuate the tension of each infiltration. Reflections on polished floors and the soft gleam of metal surfaces add depth to every frame, making even mundane corridors feel foreboding.

Character models, especially Sydney Bristow herself, are impressively detailed. Her trademark leather jacket, tied-back hair, and determined expression are faithfully rendered, lending authenticity for fans of the TV series. Enemy guards display enough variation in uniforms and gear that they never blend into the environment, while the Rambaldi device “The Circumference” boasts intricate mechanical parts that glint with a mysterious energy—underscoring its importance as the episode’s MacGuffin.

While animations occasionally stutter during rapid climbing sequences, most movement flows smoothly. Environmental variety—laboratory clean rooms, dimly lit maintenance tunnels, and sterile testing chambers—kept me visually engaged throughout. Pop-in is minimal, and the occasional lens flare when transitioning between areas enhances the cinematic vibe without feeling overdone. Overall, the graphical presentation holds its own among promotional tie-in titles.

Story

As Episode 4 in the Alias Underground series, The Circumference picks up the narrative thread with Sydney racing to dismantle a Rambaldi device hidden deep within a Taipei research facility. The stakes feel genuinely high: official CIA channels have vanished, leaving you on your own to neutralize a threat that could destabilize global power balances. This direct continuation of the TV show’s intrigue rewards returning players by weaving in references to past betrayals and hidden agendas.

Dialogue scenes bookend each mission segment, giving just enough exposition to remind you why The Circumference matters. Jennifer Garner’s likeness drives home Sydney’s personal investment—her steely resolve, quick wit, and moments of vulnerability feel true to the character. While the in-game audio acting can sometimes feel clipped compared to the show’s cinematic standard, the writing captures the spirit of Alias’s blend of espionage and emotional stakes.

Episode 4 doesn’t reinvent the wheel story-wise, but it refines the series’ ongoing arc. Twists involving double agents and secret Rambaldi prophecies keep the pace brisk, and discovering hidden dossiers in side rooms reveals layers of conspiracy that reward thorough exploration. For fans eager to see Sydney thwart another world-shattering device, the narrative delivers both closure and tantalizing hints of what’s to come.

Overall Experience

Alias Underground Episode 4: The Circumference offers a compact but satisfying stealth/action experience. With roughly two to three hours of focused gameplay, it’s perfectly suited as a promotional tie-in: just long enough to feel meaty, yet concise enough to maintain tension from start to finish. Replay value comes from experimenting with different disguises, alternate routes through the lab, and varying your stealth-combat balance to see how each approach unfolds.

Learning the lab’s layout and guard patrol patterns becomes a rewarding puzzle in itself; mastering that knowledge can lead to smooth, nearly silent runs where you bypass every enemy without a single shot. Conversely, if you prefer high-intensity firefights, the game’s cover system and melee animations deliver a credible, hands-on spy-thriller vibe. Either path highlights the game’s adaptability to different play styles.

Ultimately, The Circumference stands out as one of the stronger entries in the promotional episodic genre. It captures the essence of Alias, from its adrenaline-pumping stealth sequences to its globe-trotting intrigue. Whether you’re a die-hard Jennifer Garner fan or a stealth/adventure enthusiast looking for a bite-sized thrill, this episode offers an engaging, action-packed outing that leaves you eager for the next installment.

Retro Replay Score

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