Kill Switch (video game): Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|2003 third-person shooter game by Namco USA}}
{{Short description|2003 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}{{Infobox video game
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}{{Infobox video game
| title = Kill Switch
| title = Kill Switch
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| platforms = [[PlayStation 2]]<br />[[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]<br />[[Microsoft Windows]]<br />[[Game Boy Advance]]
| platforms = [[PlayStation 2]]<br />[[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]<br />[[Microsoft Windows]]<br />[[Game Boy Advance]]
}}
}}
'''''Kill Switch''''' (stylized as '''''kill.switch''''') is a [[third-person shooter]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[Namco|Namco Hometek]] for the [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]. A port for [[Microsoft Windows]] was released in 2004 while an abridged [[Game Boy Advance]] port developed by Visual Impact was released the same year.<ref name="ign">{{cite web|author=Craig Harris|date=October 1, 2004|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/01/killswitch-2|title=kill.switch (GBA)|website=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905152318/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/01/killswitch-2|archivedate=September 5, 2023|url-status=live|accessdate=November 8, 2024}}</ref> The [[PAL region|PAL]] release of the PS2 port came with a demo of ''[[SOCOM II U.S. Navy SEALs]]'' on a separate disc, as [[Sony Computer Entertainment]] released the game in Europe.
'''''Kill Switch''''' (stylized as '''''kill.switch''''') is a [[third-person shooter]] video game developed and published by [[Namco|Namco Hometek]] for the [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]. A port for [[Microsoft Windows]] was released in 2004 while an abridged [[Game Boy Advance]] port developed by Visual Impact was released the same year.<ref name="ign">{{cite web|author=Craig Harris|date=October 1, 2004|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/01/killswitch-2|title=kill.switch (GBA)|website=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905152318/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/01/killswitch-2|archivedate=September 5, 2023|url-status=live|accessdate=November 8, 2024}}</ref>  


The most distinguishing characteristic of ''Kill Switch'' is its [[cover system]], a mechanic that has the player character taking cover behind objects and around corners in a manner similar to Namco's own ''[[Time Crisis (series)|Time Crisis]]'' series of [[light gun shooter]]s as well as [[Koei]]'s third-person shooter ''[[WinBack]]''<ref name=Ashcraft>{{cite web|author=Brian Ashcraft|date=January 20, 2010|url=https://kotaku.com/how-cover-shaped-gamings-last-decade-5452654|title=How Cover Shaped Gaming's Last Decade|website=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[G/O Media]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119052834/https://kotaku.com/how-cover-shaped-gamings-last-decade-5452654|archivedate=November 19, 2023|url-status=live|accessdate=November 8, 2024}}</ref> and [[Hideo Kojima]]'s [[stealth game]] ''[[Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty]]''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Stuart Lindsay|date=February 12, 2009|url=http://www.planetxbox360.com/article_5757/Did_Gears_of_War_Innovate_the_Cover_System|title=Did Gears of War Innovate the Cover System|website=Planet Xbox 360|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216030903/http://www.planetxbox360.com/article_5757/Did_Gears_of_War_Innovate_the_Cover_System|archivedate=February 16, 2009|accessdate=December 12, 2009}}</ref>
The most distinguishing characteristic of ''Kill Switch'' is its [[cover system]], a mechanic that has the player character taking cover behind objects and around corners in a manner similar to Namco's own ''[[Time Crisis (series)|Time Crisis]]'' series of [[light-gun shooter]]s as well as [[Koei]]'s third-person shooter ''[[WinBack]]''<ref name=Ashcraft>{{cite web|author=Brian Ashcraft|date=January 20, 2010|url=https://kotaku.com/how-cover-shaped-gamings-last-decade-5452654|title=How Cover Shaped Gaming's Last Decade|website=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[G/O Media]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119052834/https://kotaku.com/how-cover-shaped-gamings-last-decade-5452654|archivedate=November 19, 2023|url-status=live|accessdate=November 8, 2024}}</ref> and [[Hideo Kojima]]'s stealth game ''[[Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty]]''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Stuart Lindsay|date=February 12, 2009|url=http://www.planetxbox360.com/article_5757/Did_Gears_of_War_Innovate_the_Cover_System|title=Did Gears of War Innovate the Cover System|website=Planet Xbox 360|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216030903/http://www.planetxbox360.com/article_5757/Did_Gears_of_War_Innovate_the_Cover_System|archivedate=February 16, 2009|accessdate=December 12, 2009}}</ref>


==Story==
==Plot==
Protagonist Nick Bishop (voiced by Marcus McCollum) is a super-soldier remotely controlled via direct neural connection by a man known only as "Controller" (voiced by Chuck McQuary) in a series of combat missions designed to bring "the North" and "the West" to war. Profiteer Archer (voiced by [[Adam Baldwin]]) plans to benefit by selling the technology used to control Bishop, who gives Controller headaches on recollection of suppressed memories featuring a woman and the phrase "Say my name". Moments before launching a biological warhead, Controller is killed by a surge triggered when a woman known as "Duchess" (voiced by [[Adrienne Wilkinson]]) seizes control of Bishop. Sent to attack Controller's base, Bishop's memories are eventually restored: the woman from his memories was his new wife, who Archer killed when he captured Bishop to sell the technology inside him. Freed, Bishop kills Archer in a final assault and walks away.
Protagonist Nick Bishop (voiced by Marcus McCollum) is a super soldier remotely controlled via direct neural connection by a man known only as "Controller" (voiced by Chuck McQuary) in a series of combat missions designed to bring "the North" and "the West" to war. Profiteer Archer (voiced by [[Adam Baldwin]]) plans to benefit by selling the technology used to control Bishop, who gives Controller headaches on recollection of suppressed memories featuring a woman and the phrase "Say my name". Moments before launching a biological warhead, Controller is killed by a surge triggered when a woman known as "Duchess" (voiced by [[Adrienne Wilkinson]]) seizes control of Bishop. Sent to attack Controller's base, Bishop's memories are eventually restored: the woman from his memories was his new wife, who Archer killed when he captured Bishop to sell the technology inside him. Freed, Bishop kills Archer in a final assault and walks away.


==Reception==
==Reception==
Line 69: Line 69:
==Legacy==
==Legacy==
[[File:Kill.Switch Cover System Gameplay.jpg|thumb|The 'Offensive Cover System' (OCS) in the game was one of the foundations for modern cover systems in third-person shooter video games.]]
[[File:Kill.Switch Cover System Gameplay.jpg|thumb|The 'Offensive Cover System' (OCS) in the game was one of the foundations for modern cover systems in third-person shooter video games.]]
''Kill Switch'' is best remembered for its [[cover system]] as a core game mechanic,{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} and for introducing the blind fire mechanic to the cover system.<ref>{{cite web|author=Andrew Burnes|date=October 6, 2003|url=http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/20195/Kill-Switch-Gladius-Go-Gold|title=Kill.Switch & Gladius Go Gold|website=Voodoo Extreme|publisher=IGN Entertainment|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705005744/http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/20195/Kill-Switch-Gladius-Go-Gold|archivedate=July 5, 2011}}</ref> Several shooters took inspiration from ''Kill Switch'' and implemented similar cover systems. In the design of ''[[Gears of War]]'', lead developer [[Cliff Bleszinski]] of [[Epic Games]] credits ''Kill Switch''{{'}}s cover system as one of the influences they put into the game's design,<ref>{{cite web|author=Tor Thorsen|date=March 10, 2007|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gdc-07-cliffy-b-disassembles-gears-mentions-sequel/1100-6167213/|title=GDC 07: Cliffy B disassembles Gears, mentions sequel|website=GameSpot|publisher=Fandom|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321235519/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gdc-07-cliffy-b-disassembles-gears-mentions-sequel/1100-6167213/|archivedate=March 21, 2014|url-status=live|accessdate=November 8, 2024}}</ref> as its lead designer Chris Esaki was employed by Epic Games and was involved in the development of ''Gears of War''.<ref name="teamxbox_gears">{{cite web|author=César A. Berardini|date=September 29, 2006|url=http://features.teamxbox.com/xbox/1747/Gears-of-War-Five-Things-You-Didnt-Know/p1/Gears|title=Gears of War: Five Things You Didn't Know|website=[[TeamXbox]]|publisher=IGN Entertainment|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928051131/http://features.teamxbox.com/xbox/1747/Gears-of-War-Five-Things-You-Didnt-Know/p1/Gears|archivedate=September 28, 2011|accessdate=June 30, 2018}}</ref>
''Kill Switch'' is best remembered for its [[cover system]] as a core game mechanic, and for introducing the blind fire mechanic to the cover system.<ref>{{cite web|author=Andrew Burnes|date=October 6, 2003|url=http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/20195/Kill-Switch-Gladius-Go-Gold|title=Kill.Switch & Gladius Go Gold|website=Voodoo Extreme|publisher=IGN Entertainment|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705005744/http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/20195/Kill-Switch-Gladius-Go-Gold|archivedate=July 5, 2011}}</ref> Several shooters took inspiration from ''Kill Switch'' and implemented similar cover systems. In the design of ''[[Gears of War]]'', lead developer [[Cliff Bleszinski]] of [[Epic Games]] credits ''Kill Switch''{{'}}s cover system as one of the influences they put into the game's design,<ref>{{cite web|author=Tor Thorsen|date=March 10, 2007|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gdc-07-cliffy-b-disassembles-gears-mentions-sequel/1100-6167213/|title=GDC 07: Cliffy B disassembles Gears, mentions sequel|website=GameSpot|publisher=Fandom|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321235519/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gdc-07-cliffy-b-disassembles-gears-mentions-sequel/1100-6167213/|archivedate=March 21, 2014|url-status=live|accessdate=November 8, 2024}}</ref> as its lead designer Chris Esaki was employed by Epic Games and was involved in the development of ''Gears of War''.<ref name="teamxbox_gears">{{cite web|author=César A. Berardini|date=September 29, 2006|url=http://features.teamxbox.com/xbox/1747/Gears-of-War-Five-Things-You-Didnt-Know/p1/Gears|title=Gears of War: Five Things You Didn't Know|website=[[TeamXbox]]|publisher=IGN Entertainment|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928051131/http://features.teamxbox.com/xbox/1747/Gears-of-War-Five-Things-You-Didnt-Know/p1/Gears|archivedate=September 28, 2011|accessdate=June 30, 2018}}</ref>


[[Naughty Dog]]'s ''[[Uncharted: Drake's Fortune]]'', which began development in 2005 and was released in 2007,<ref>{{cite web|author=Randolph Ramsay|date=October 25, 2007|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/qanda-naughty-dog-on-uncharted/1100-6181783/|title=Q&A: Naughty Dog on Uncharted|website=GameSpot|publisher=Fandom|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028121932/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6181783.html|archivedate=October 28, 2007|url-status=live|accessdate=November 8, 2024}}</ref> also took inspiration from ''Kill Switch'', which ''Uncharted's'' lead designers Evan Wells and Amy Hennig credited as inspiration for the game's cover system.<ref>{{cite web|author=EGM staff|date=January 10, 2008|url=http://www.1up.com/features/uncharted-afterthoughts|title=Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Afterthoughts|website=1Up.com|publisher=Ziff Davis|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121223026/http://www.1up.com/features/uncharted-afterthoughts|archivedate=January 21, 2012|accessdate=June 30, 2018}}</ref> Other examples of shooters that featured ''Kill Switch''-inspired cover systems include the 2005 third-person shooter ''[[Nemesis Strike|CT Special Forces: Fire for Effect]]'',<ref>{{cite web|author=Tom Orry|date=April 24, 2005|url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/ct-special-forces-fire-for-effect-review/|title=CT Special Forces Fire For Effect Review|website=VideoGamer.com|publisher=Resero Network|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927065014/https://www.videogamer.com/xbox/ct_special_forces_fire_for_effect/review.html|archivedate=September 27, 2012|url-status=live|accessdate=November 8, 2024}}</ref> and the 2006 games ''[[Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas]]'',<ref>{{cite web|author=Daniel Weissenberger|date=July 17, 2008|url=https://gamecritics.com/daniel-weissenberger/rainbow-six-vegas-2-review/|title=Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 – Review|website=GameCritics|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121134741/http://www.gamecritics.com/rainbow-six-vegas-2-review|archivedate=November 21, 2008|url-status=live|accessdate=November 8, 2024}}</ref> a [[first-person shooter]] released in the same month as ''Gears of War'',<ref>{{cite web|author=Joe Dodson|date=March 19, 2008|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tom-clancys-rainbow-six-vegas-2-review/1900-6188101/|title=Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas Review (X360)|website=GameSpot|publisher=Fandom|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602113501/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tom-clancys-rainbow-six-vegas-2-review/1900-6188101/|archivedate=June 2, 2023|url-status=live|accessdate=November 8, 2024}}</ref> and ''[[Killzone: Liberation]]'', a third-person shooter released a month before ''Gears of War''.<ref name=Ashcraft/>
[[Naughty Dog]]'s ''[[Uncharted: Drake's Fortune]]'', which began development in 2005 and was released in 2007,<ref>{{cite web|author=Randolph Ramsay|date=October 25, 2007|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/qanda-naughty-dog-on-uncharted/1100-6181783/|title=Q&A: Naughty Dog on Uncharted|website=GameSpot|publisher=Fandom|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028121932/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6181783.html|archivedate=October 28, 2007|url-status=live|accessdate=November 8, 2024}}</ref> also took inspiration from ''Kill Switch'', which ''Uncharted's'' lead designers [[Evan Wells]] and [[Amy Hennig]] credited as inspiration for the game's cover system.<ref>{{cite web|author=EGM staff|date=January 10, 2008|url=http://www.1up.com/features/uncharted-afterthoughts|title=Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Afterthoughts|website=1Up.com|publisher=Ziff Davis|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121223026/http://www.1up.com/features/uncharted-afterthoughts|archivedate=January 21, 2012|accessdate=June 30, 2018}}</ref> Other examples of shooters that featured ''Kill Switch''-inspired cover systems include the 2005 third-person shooter ''[[Nemesis Strike|CT Special Forces: Fire for Effect]]'',<ref>{{cite web|author=Tom Orry|date=April 24, 2005|url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/ct-special-forces-fire-for-effect-review/|title=CT Special Forces Fire For Effect Review|website=VideoGamer.com|publisher=Resero Network|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927065014/https://www.videogamer.com/xbox/ct_special_forces_fire_for_effect/review.html|archivedate=September 27, 2012|url-status=live|accessdate=November 8, 2024}}</ref> and the 2006 games ''[[Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas]]'',<ref>{{cite web|author=Daniel Weissenberger|date=July 17, 2008|url=https://gamecritics.com/daniel-weissenberger/rainbow-six-vegas-2-review/|title=Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 – Review|website=GameCritics|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121134741/http://www.gamecritics.com/rainbow-six-vegas-2-review|archivedate=November 21, 2008|url-status=live|accessdate=November 8, 2024}}</ref> a [[first-person shooter]] released in the same month as ''Gears of War'',<ref>{{cite web|author=Joe Dodson|date=March 19, 2008|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tom-clancys-rainbow-six-vegas-2-review/1900-6188101/|title=Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas Review (X360)|website=GameSpot|publisher=Fandom|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602113501/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tom-clancys-rainbow-six-vegas-2-review/1900-6188101/|archivedate=June 2, 2023|url-status=live|accessdate=November 8, 2024}}</ref> and ''[[Killzone: Liberation]]'', an [[Isometric video game graphics|isometric]] shooter released a month before ''Gears of War''.<ref name=Ashcraft/>


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Latest revision as of 15:52, 23 June 2025

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy datesTemplate:Main otherScript error: No such module "infobox".Template:Main otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Template:Main other Kill Switch (stylized as kill.switch) is a third-person shooter video game developed and published by Namco Hometek for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. A port for Microsoft Windows was released in 2004 while an abridged Game Boy Advance port developed by Visual Impact was released the same year.[1]

The most distinguishing characteristic of Kill Switch is its cover system, a mechanic that has the player character taking cover behind objects and around corners in a manner similar to Namco's own Time Crisis series of light-gun shooters as well as Koei's third-person shooter WinBack[2] and Hideo Kojima's stealth game Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.[3]

Plot

Protagonist Nick Bishop (voiced by Marcus McCollum) is a super soldier remotely controlled via direct neural connection by a man known only as "Controller" (voiced by Chuck McQuary) in a series of combat missions designed to bring "the North" and "the West" to war. Profiteer Archer (voiced by Adam Baldwin) plans to benefit by selling the technology used to control Bishop, who gives Controller headaches on recollection of suppressed memories featuring a woman and the phrase "Say my name". Moments before launching a biological warhead, Controller is killed by a surge triggered when a woman known as "Duchess" (voiced by Adrienne Wilkinson) seizes control of Bishop. Sent to attack Controller's base, Bishop's memories are eventually restored: the woman from his memories was his new wife, who Archer killed when he captured Bishop to sell the technology inside him. Freed, Bishop kills Archer in a final assault and walks away.

Reception

Template:Video game reviews Kill Switch received "average" reviews on all platforms except the Xbox version, which received "generally favorable reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[4][5][6][7] Criticism was directed towards its thin plot and simplistic level design, while the gameplay mechanics, especially the cover system, were lauded and considered engaging. It was compared to the Time Crisis series. The Xbox version was said to possess enhanced graphics over the PS2 version. GamePro said of the former console version, "Barring some stiff animation and occasional collision-detection fumbles, kill.switchTemplate:'s textures and character models are the stuff. The controls take a while to master, but once you do, they are super slick. Some of the voice acting is pretty haggard, but overall the sound is muscular. A mega effort."[8]Template:Efn 1Up.com gave the Xbox version a B, praising the game's simple but fun game, and said, "Cover is everything here—you enter a room, hide behind a television, shoot two or three enemies who have comical accents, enter the next room, and repeat several dozen times. It's hardly original (not to mention short and sometimes ugly), but Namco's got both the control and the difficulty level just right."[9]

Legacy

File:Kill.Switch Cover System Gameplay.jpg
The 'Offensive Cover System' (OCS) in the game was one of the foundations for modern cover systems in third-person shooter video games.

Kill Switch is best remembered for its cover system as a core game mechanic, and for introducing the blind fire mechanic to the cover system.[10] Several shooters took inspiration from Kill Switch and implemented similar cover systems. In the design of Gears of War, lead developer Cliff Bleszinski of Epic Games credits Kill SwitchTemplate:'s cover system as one of the influences they put into the game's design,[11] as its lead designer Chris Esaki was employed by Epic Games and was involved in the development of Gears of War.[12]

Naughty Dog's Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, which began development in 2005 and was released in 2007,[13] also took inspiration from Kill Switch, which Uncharted's lead designers Evan Wells and Amy Hennig credited as inspiration for the game's cover system.[14] Other examples of shooters that featured Kill Switch-inspired cover systems include the 2005 third-person shooter CT Special Forces: Fire for Effect,[15] and the 2006 games Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas,[16] a first-person shooter released in the same month as Gears of War,[17] and Killzone: Liberation, an isometric shooter released a month before Gears of War.[2]

Notes

Template:Notelist

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Portal bar

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named mcpc
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named mcps2
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named mcxb
  8. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named 1UP
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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