Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Advent Rising casts you as rookie space pilot Gideon Wyeth, freshly married in spirit if not yet in name. You’ll guide him through an alien greeting ceremony that descends into chaos the moment the vicious Seeker fleet arrives. From the outset, the game blends third-person shooting with a suite of psychic superpowers, giving battles a fresh rhythm: one moment you’re peppering foes with firepower, the next you’re lifting them skyward or erecting an energy shield around yourself.

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The hallmark “flick-targeting” system reshapes how you engage enemies. On consoles, you tap the thumbsticks to cycle between targets, while on PC you scroll through adversaries or opt for direct mouse aim—each method has its quirks. Early levels lean on conventional shooting, but as Gideon unlocks upgrade tiers, combat evolves. You’ll invest in firefights that let you dodge in slow motion, deliver ground-shattering melee blows, or temporarily halt time to thin out oncoming Seeker hordes.

Powers and weapons share an equip slot mechanic: you choose what goes in each hand, then swap on the fly. The power meter management adds strategic tension—overextend your psychic abilities and you must pause to recover. Meanwhile, health regeneration kicks in once you earn your first mastery over Nano Aid, removing the need to hunt for healing stations and keeping the action flowing. From ATV chases to turret sieges and piloting alien craft, Advent Rising throws varied engagements at you, though checkpoint-only saves can sometimes force repeat sequences.

The four difficulty tiers—from Easy up to Ultra—cater to casual explorers and adrenaline junkies alike. Each ramp in difficulty not only hardens enemy AI but also demands more disciplined use of powers and cover. If the core shooting loop ever feels repetitive, branching side areas and hidden power-up caches reward thorough exploration, injecting moments of discovery into a fairly linear progression.

Graphics

For its time, Advent Rising’s visual presentation was ambitious. Character models sport distinct facial animations during cutscenes, giving Gideon’s personal stakes genuine weight—his worry, relief, and anger read clearly in his features. Alien designs range from sleek, crystalline constructs to hulking armored brutes, diversifying your combat palette and ensuring each new encounter feels novel.

Battlefields unfold across visually striking backdrops: neon-tinted cityscapes on the brink of Seeker assault, windswept desert plains, and the claustrophobic corridors of alien starships. Particle effects for explosive powers—electromagnetic pulses, telekinetic waves, and energy shields—add cinematic flair. However, distant pop-in and texture streaming hiccups can intrude, reminding players that Advent Rising pushes hardware limits.

Lighting stands out as a strength, emphasizing high-contrast silhouettes during firefights and bathing pivotal story moments in dramatic hues. Shadows can be harsh at times, occasionally obscuring smaller foes. Environmental detail varies: major set-piece arenas feel fleshed out, but transitional corridors and side passages sometimes lack polish, offering repetitive wall and floor textures.

Overall, the art direction remains consistent, creating a cohesive sci-fi universe with memorable vistas and alien architecture. On modern PCs, community patches and higher resolutions can revive the game’s visual splendor, smoothing edges and boosting draw distances. Even with its minor flaws, the presentation largely holds up, pulling you into Gideon’s galaxy-spanning adventure.

Story

Advent Rising unfolds a tightly woven narrative centered on Gideon Wyeth, his courageous brother, and the enigmatic alien visitors. The early pace is deliberate: you experience a celebratory first contact event that quickly shifts to survival horror when you realize these “friendly” aliens have grim news—a relentless race called the Seekers is on a genocidal mission.

What follows marries personal drama with interstellar stakes. Gideon’s relationship with his fiancée and his brother’s hero status serve as emotional anchors, creating stakes beyond simple planetary defense. Cutscene direction and voice acting contribute to immersion, though a few delivery stumbles can momentarily pull you out of the moment. Still, key plot twists—shocking losses, revelations about human-alien ties, and moral choices—keep the story engaging.

Narrative structure alternates between intimate conversations and large-scale confrontations. The game doesn’t overstay its welcome in exposition, choosing instead to feed you lore through mission briefings and environmental storytelling. While some side exchanges feel underdeveloped, the core arc builds to a satisfying crescendo, leaving threads open for potential sequels.

One drawback is pacing: action-heavy segments can rush past important revelations, while exploratory detours may stall momentum. Nevertheless, Advent Rising’s storyline remains one of its most compelling assets, blending emotional resonance with sci-fi world-building that still sparks curiosity years later.

Overall Experience

Advent Rising is a distinct offering in the third-person shooter genre, renowned for its integration of supernatural abilities and novel targeting mechanics. Combat feels fluid once you master the interplay of weapons and psychic powers, and leveling up your skills provides a tangible sense of growth. While checkpoint saves can frustrate during tougher fights, the varied mission types—on-foot, in vehicles, or aboard alien ships—keep gameplay fresh.

The game’s visual flair and dramatic soundtrack enhance both high-intensity battles and quieter story beats. Though some environmental textures show their age, the overall aesthetic remains captivating, augmented by striking lighting and creature design. Voice performances and cutscenes bolster narrative engagement, even if a handful of lines fall flat.

Advent Rising excels in crafting a heroic journey with genuine emotional stakes, anchored by Gideon’s evolution from rookie pilot to humanity’s potential savior. Difficulty options ensure accessibility for all skill levels, and hidden upgrades reward exploration. Minor technical flaws—pop-ins, pacing hiccups, and the absence of mid-mission saves—don’t overshadow the game’s strengths.

For players seeking a shooter that mixes classic gunplay with telekinetic thrills and a heartfelt story, Advent Rising remains a memorable experience. Its ambition shines through in every aspect, making it a worthy addition to any sci-fi fan’s collection.

Retro Replay Score

7/10