(continued from previous page) ...time into the control scheme and the way the mapping is laid out. Through perfect button arrangement, they’ve allowed the user to control Tenno without any awkward finger movements. Your triggers on the right side will control not only your gun fire, but will also launch your glaive; while the triggers on the left side will be responsible for aiming and throwing out grenades. The directional pad is used for switching between your primary weapon (handgun/glaive combo) and your secondary weapon (shotgun/assault rifle). You can also use the directional pad to click on your flashlight as well as a way to find out your ammo information.

The face buttons on your controller will give you the opportunity to use glaive powers with the triangle button; circle takes point for finishers and your action button, X, is key for rolling away and taking cover, while square is your primary reload function. Analogue control is used for both movement and aiming, which is starting to become the standard for most shooters nowadays. The responsiveness of the controls is very tight and Tenno will react smoothly with each decision you make. There will never be a time where you’ll feel there is a delay between actions as everything comes together fluidly, one after the other.

Through combat, you’ll be given a plethora of ways to perform a kill. For instance, you can choose to shoot a Howler from a distance, wait for him to drop to the ground, run up to him and perform a finisher that involves you slamming your glaive through the top of its skull or you can perform a well placed headshot from a safe distance and move on. The options are varied and you’ll spend some time trying to find new ways to create kills. The finisher aspect has a lot of great qualities and can result in a lot of, “Jesus,” moments. Digital Extremes made it so that each finisher is presented in a cinematic experience. This means the camera angle will change and it will give you the best view possible on the decapitation, limb severance, or any of the other finisher options possible.

Between a finisher and your next maneuver there is a slight second delay so the camera can readjust to the standard over-the-shoulder view, but you won’t take any damage during this period and the gameplay resumes just as fluidly as before. On top of the close combat finishers, you’ll be given a decent arsenal of weapons to choose from as well.

The most anticipated weapon for this title is the Glaive that has been showcased in every trailer shown. The glaive is a masterpiece of a weapon and we’ve grown to love it as one of the better weapons in gaming. The glaive is the result of the infection spreading throughout Tenno’s body, and acts as an extension of him, if you will. The glaive is capable of many things and only grows in use as it evolves with the virus within you. As you take down stronger enemies, your glaive will slowly adopt new abilities.

One of the cooler evolutions of the Glaive is the EnergyPulse. This will allow you to take an element onto the glaive such as fire, ice, or electricity and use it in an entirely different way. You’ll be able to throw the glaive into a pack of enemies, click your R3 button and the element will explode off the blade like a shockwave. This can set enemies on fire, electrocute them, etc. It definitely adds into the entire way you can take down a bad guy. Along with the EnergyPulse, you’ll see the abilities to Shift, AfterTouch, ShieldPower, PowerThrow, Steal, and EnergyTrap. Each one will bring new depth to the glaive itself and make it even more useful in combat.

Weapons will range from handguns to assault rifles to shotguns. There are twelve weapons in total but certain armaments can only be bought via the Black Market; the rest of the weapons you’ll have to pick up from the bodies of dead soldiers. If you’re choosing to gain the weaponry from slain soldiers, remember that these weapons are not permanent. They only remain ... (continued on next page)