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Restricted Area

Platform(s): PC
Genre: RPG/Strategy
Publisher: Whiptail
Developer: Master Creating

About Judy

As WP's managing editor, I edit review and preview articles, attempt to keep up with the frantic pace of Rainier's news posts, and keep our reviewers on deadline, which is akin to herding cats. When I have a moment to myself and don't have my nose in a book, I like to play action/RPG, adventure and platforming games.

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'Restricted Area' Goes Gold

by Judy on Sept. 14, 2004 @ 3:11 p.m. PDT

The player slips into the role of one of four totally different characters: The former task force agent John Johnson, who is familiar with all kinds of fire weapons, a beautiful PSI sorceress, an Asian material arts master or a female computer expert which is guarded by a flying drone. As a mercenary without own interests at first you struggle into an epic story full of surprising changes and unpredictable idioms.

Where once-powerful nations dominated the globe, threatening each other with sudden nuclear annihilation, one global government now rules the world. This global government is weak, and megacorporations have become a law unto themselves. People who accepted their sovereignty were protected, but the outcast, dissidents, and rebels were exploited and abused, continuing a condition that has existed between the weak and the powerful since the time began.

On the other hand, if the megacorps want a job done but they don't want to dirty their hands, they need outcasts. Through an outlaw's existence is not listed in any government or corporate database, the demand for outlaw services is high. Some are computer experts, sliding like a whisper through the visualized databases of the giant corps, stealing the only thing of real value: information. Others are ex-soldiers, armed with weapons and synthetic reflexes.

To protect their secrets from these criminal freelancers who steal them for other companies, the megacorps build large subterrestrial fortresses far out in the wastelands. As only company law counts there, that's what's known as "restricted area."

Technology is now far more advanced---cyber implants and genetically enhanced organs replace most external equipment and can be bought to increase your abilities, going far beyond the possibilities of a normal human.

Game Features:

  • Four totally different characters with unique skills, each with a detailed back-story, progress independently through the same narrative; the story is revealed from various angles
  • Each character has access to misc skills and to unique skills related to its characterization: 75 skills with 10 levels (750 skill levels in total)
  • Uncountable number of weapons, Cyberware and Bioware to boost your abilities
  • Dynamic dialogues adapted to the situation and the player's actions
  • Exclusive soundtrack by popular international science fiction composers
  • Unique second world: The Cyberspace
  • Environment effects combat. Imagine light, shadow, distance, height level, weather and movement of the target affect the chance to hit
  • Advanced combat system for fast-paced action with shooter elements
  • Advanced AI with group tactics that reacts on your “visible strength” – the perceived strength and condition of your character, like the weapon in his hand
  • Unlimited computer generated subquests and levels

Technical Features:

  • Takes advantage of IRIS, the fastest and most powerful engine ever written for an isometric game, which took over two years to create and which has been created especially for Restricted Area
  • Innumerable visual effects, for example dynamical lights and shadows, rain, fog, smoke, dust, fire, water, explosions and reflections
  • 3D Soundeffects, produced by an Academy Award winning company
  • Animations based on motion capturing by House of Moves, the "widely recognizied leader in their field" (David Perkinson, Sega of America)
  • Cooperative Multiplayer mode


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