Geist (GameCube) Preview

Nintendo have not really dabbled into the FPS genre, but this one seems to show a change in direction from the Japanese giants. The plot seems to be decent enough with a very spooky and mysterious feel to affairs. You play a ghostly Spectral Operative in the hallways of labs and chambers in search of a physical body that is somehow being kept alive. Whilst going through the game will encounter various 'energies' and spirits to help you on your way. In collecting spirits you will unravel many mysteries and gain new powers.

So, seems nice enough, but it really says very little about how the game will play. Being from Nintendo this can't just follow the norm, and it doesn't. This is more of an FPS then Metroid Prime but the fact is Geist is trying to be a more regimented title. The main innovation in this title is that fact that you don't just play as one character.

You are able to posses many unique beings [being a ghost] and use their individual skills and weapons to progress. Interestingly you will be able to access the memories of the being you posses, adding an extra dimension to the title. You can posses anything from a soldier with a gun to a dog or even a mouse like creature that is able to use the environment in totally different ways.

You are able to stay in your ghostly form and go about the game in numerous different ways thanks to your ability to posses others. In your spectral form you can slip through small cracks and holes, interfere with electronics and even move objects without others seeing. The challenges vary depending on who you play, so we can be sure of quite a bit of game to be had here.

Finally we have the multiplayer mode. Nintendo have promised four-player death matches combining first person combat with numerous environments and weapons.