Without Warning

Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Xbox
Genre: Action
Publisher: Capcom

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'Without Warning' (PS2/Xbox) Infiltrates Retail

by Rainier on Nov. 1, 2005 @ 10:05 a.m. PST

In Without Warning, a radical terrorist group has targeted and seized the Peterson-Daniels Chemical Facility, a vulnerable location that jeopardizes millions of people from the devastating ecological hazard it imposes if destroyed. Pleas are useless and any direct military assault would be too great a risk. As terrified hostages fear for their lives, their only hope lies with a covert operations team, whose goal is to infiltrate the plant and eliminate the merciless enemy.

In Without Warning, a radical terrorist group has targeted and seized the Peterson-Daniels Chemical Facility, a vulnerable location that jeopardizes millions of people from the devastating ecological hazard it imposes if destroyed. Pleas are useless and any direct military assault would be too great a risk. As terrified hostages fear for their lives, their only hope lies with a covert operations team, whose goal is to infiltrate the plant and eliminate the merciless enemy.

The title features a unique Timeline element and takes place over a 12 hour period, during which players will experience the events from the vantage point of six characters that are caught up in the crisis situation. The Timeline is a distinctive feature that allows the six central characters to experience events across the same period but from their own unique viewpoints. Characters are controlled individually, with the gameplay automatically shifting to the next, often at critical moments. Cinematic cut scenes unfold the plot and by switching between characters, their individual tales are gradually woven together to create an overall picture of the events that happened during the crisis. The player may also retrospectively view events through the eyes of another character and is therefore not only a participant in the events, but a spectator as well. Furthermore, actions performed as one character could affect the progress of others and players must successfully utilize the strengths of each in order to advance.

Without Warning includes the following features:

  • Unique Timeline element
  • Play as six different characters and experience the game from each of their perspectives:
    • Three members of the covert operations team:
      • Kyle Rivers – the leader of the squad with an experienced combat background
      • Jack Hooper – the youngest and most inexperienced member of the team for whom this is the first combat mission
      • Ed Reagan – the squad’s bomb disposalspecialist
    • Three civilians with distinct agendas and views on the events:
      • Tanya Shaw – a terrified secretary whose only desire is to escape safely
      • Dave Wilson – a security guard who was overlooked by the terrorists; his fierce determination drives him as he fights to rescue his co-workers
      • Ben Harrison – a news cameraman who is grounded when his helicopter is shot down by the terrorists; his quest is to obtain breaking news coverage, however dangerous it may be
  • Diverse gameplay – exploration, puzzle-solving and a variety of mini games including bomb diffusion, lock picking and hostage rescue
  • Pick up and play control system – accessible and immediate participation in action-intense, volatile environments
  • Objective based gameplay progression
  • Advanced physics and lighting effects heighten the dynamic environmental interaction
  • Full Motion Video and cinematic cut scenes link storylines together
  • Modern environments – a sprawling chemical plant with numerous interior and exteriorlocations such as treatment plants, loading and storage areas, offices, docks, train terminals and more

“We are delighted to be working with Capcom on the release of such a significant title,” commented Jeremy Heath-Smith, managing director of CiRCLE Studio. “Without Warning is CiRCLE Studio’s flagship product and partnering with such a respected publisher will be invaluable toward its success.”

CiRCLE Studio Ltd is an independent UK games developer that was founded in 2003 by Jeremy Heath-Smith and Adrian Smith. The Smith brothers share more than 39 years of collective experience in the gaming industry. They are the original founders of Core Design and responsible for numerous software hits, including the Tomb Raider series and one of the world’s most successful video game icons, Lara Croft. The development studio is largely comprised of former Core Design staff.

The game is now available at retailers across North America and carries an “M” rating for mature audiences by the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board).


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