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Yager Review - Xbox

The one thing Xbox has been starved and deprived of is a decent flight-combat game; up until now. Yager is in a league of it's own. Astonishing graphics, fantastic dogfights and one of the best stories in any flight-related game to date, this little beauty just falls short of being a new addition to the Xbox's list of 'AAA' games. Let down by only a few things, Yager still belongs in any action fans library.

GamePlay

Yager sees us at the end of the 21st century. Mega Corporations and weak national governments have guided many changes in the world, as country borders are now replaced with zones of corporate influence. In this world, your chances to live a normal life are few and far between - for those not employed by these corporations either have two options. One, that they become a Freelancer Pilot and carry out missions for Mega Corporations such as Proteus, or two, join the vicious pirate gangs who run amok throughout the skies.

After being screwed by Corporation Proteus, Freelancer pilot extraordinaire Magnus Tide is working hard to get his life back in order. Then comes the big call - Proteus is in trouble. It seems as though pirate attacks are causing Proteus communication satellites to end up in sabotage as ships are also coming under constant attack. Now under new management, Proteus is in need of Freelancer pilots to help stop these conflicts; hence the need for Magnus to return to the scene. Seeing this as a great opportunity to start up a new career, Magnus bitterly accepts the offer and indulges himself into a new adventure so great that not even he can prepare himself for what is about to be revealed.

As can be seen the story itself is fantastic. Even if it doesn't seem to appeal right now, the way it is presented to you can change anyone's mind. Through slick cut-scenes and fantastic animations; Yager actually feels like you're watching and playing a high-class movie. It's just that that high in quality.

We pick up the game just as Magnus re-joins Proteus with his trusty new ship, the Sagittarius. At first we are taken through some routine practicing. Soon enough however, the real action starts. After the first couple of levels we are pretty much thrown right into the thick of things. You'll experience you're first dogfight, and your first real taste of kicking arse.

An important element in the way the Sagittarius functions is that of both the Jet and Hover modes. Each are utilized in certain situations, and both add strategic aspects to the game. Jet mode enables us to progress forward at a steady pace and is most commonly used in situations were you are either surrounded by pirates or storming an enemy base. Hover mode on the other hand allows a player to hover over ground and strafe in all directions, whilst at the same time giving ... (continued next page)