sci-fi

Life Line is the first game played entirely by speaking to the character via usb headsets. Does that mean you don't need a controller to play? Nope--you need a controller to know WHAT you can say.

The graphics are pretty good. Nothing flashy, but quite good. Pretty realistic backgrounds. Objects are detailed.

There is almost no sound going through the game. No music during walking around, and some minimal music during a battle. The music is unimportant--it's good sometimes to have it quiet to hear what the main character (Rio) is saying.

The voice recognition technology is the part we're most interested in, and at the same time, is the worst part of the game. Simply put--the recognition doesn't work!!!!!

About 8 out of 10 times, your voice WILL be heard incorrectly in the game. I said "Look at the papers on the table," and the girl responds, "Leave the room? Ok." Now, what I want to know is, WHERE DID SHE HEAR ME SAY THE WORD "ROOM?"

The game is a constant struggle. Luckily, your controller can help you say certain phrases by listing what she can understand. Oh, while talking, you must hold down the circle button. Quite lame.

Navigating through rooms is hard because of the constant misunderstandings. You say "Go to Room A." She understands it as "Go to the locker." You say "Go to the locker." She heard "Leave the room." I'm not making this up, people--this game has a serious flaw!

If you think my review is false, rent the game and find out. If you think you have the most clear voice and precise pronunciation ever, try the game. You'll be surprised by how much the character CAN'T understand you.

Thank god I only paid 29.99 for the game instead of the 39.99 MSRP. That's the only good thing I can say about the game.

One of the first things you'll notice is the complaint that Rio will not listen to you very well. Sadly, voice technology is not perfect. I've also noticed that how well she understands you deteriorates the longer you run the game. I've had trouble telling her to do things, turned off the game, ate lunch, then went back to have her understanding me again. I don't know what causes this, but the game may eat up a large amount of RAM.

The extra bits in the game are interesting, like asking her to do... "things" with you. "Let's get out of here first, Casanova." Or you can tell her to bark like a dog, and she'll do it. This comes from the movie Coming to America. We all got a kick out of that. She'll also eat candy when you find it, sometimes.

Your commands also have to be precise, as the little words in between will often harm gameplay as the game goes on. While you can say "Go to the savepoint," she seems to understand better if you just say "savepoint."

Besides all this, the game is rather interesting. You'll want to find a FAQ or walkthrough to help you out, though, because it will get very frustrating when you don't know what something is. These are good for the minigames too. Keywords are important to find, which are on bits of paper throughout the game, because they allow you to do new things. This includes new commands in combat.

All in all, you need to be able to keep a level head, and know how to turn off the game and walk away when you get frustrated. Anyone who owns a phone with voice tags knows that if you've been saying things one way, then say it differently one time, then it won't respond.

Game gets a 2 for controllability, 5 for graphics, 5 for motion, 4 for music (what little there is) and 5 for plot.

People with the Japanese game may find it easier, btw, because many Japanese words are easier to distinguish for the computer.

I thought long and hard before I picked up "Lifeline." I had read both good and bad reviews, but ultimately, my gluttony for new technology won out, and I bought the game and a PS2 headset.

The main character, Rio, understands basic commands easily enough. That is, she will go to the save point, certain rooms, run and walk with no problems. The main problems emerge when she has to look at an object or interact with an object. For example:
"Pick up the paper."
"I can't pick up the chair."
"Pick up the document."
"You mean this? This fire extinguisher does me no good."

Unless you know the proper key word, you and Rio can argue for twenty minutes over an object. The game's most frustrating point comes when Rio must investigate objects in a line.
"Check the third stall."
(Walks to garbage can.)
"Check the second to last stall."
(Checks first stall.)
"Check the third stall down!"
(Informs you to stop yelling at her.)
"(String of obscenities.)"

The battle system is also hit-or-miss. Most of the time, I died when I first encountered enemies, and then got lucky the second time through. Trying to heal yourself in the middle of battle is impossible, as Rio will do everything from reload her weapon to running into the enemy before she uses a heal capsule.

The bottom line: "Lifeline" is unique for its attempt at new technology, and actually tells a good story while it does it. But only pick it up if you're the patient type.