El Matador

Breaking into the first-person shooter genre, or even the third-person genre can be a tough thing to do. Yes, you have to have terrific physics and great overall graphics, but there should also be solid AI (artificial intelligence) and a dynamic storyline that draws you through the game.

Cenega and Plastic Reality are hoping to put those ingredients together in the third-person shooter called El Matador. The game’s story revolves around a shipment of South American cocaine handled by a ‘brotherhood’ known as La Hermandad. Players take on the persona of El Matador, a specialist whose job it is to take out the bad guys (the Latin Nacromafia as well as those within the policia ranks that are working the wrong side of the fence) with extreme prejudice.

GameZone.com received some demo levels (the three levels clocked in at an impressive 1.27 gigs of hard-drive space) of the third-person shooter and jumped into the fray. Although there were only three levels available, they were all substantial in size, with a nice amount of action, stealth areas and many arcade-like features.

In regards to the latter, you can pick up med kits, ammo, armor, new weapons, and the like as you move through the labyrinth-like mission maps. A false move, like in Green Hell (a jungle setting) may result in falling to your death and a level restart.  

The other levels were The City of Eternal Spring (city street action) and Fire On Water (a battle on the docks with policia support) – each are early chapters in the game. Game modes include only a tutorial and the ability to load up chapters in the story. There is no multiplayer.

The levels themselves were fairly straightforward and action-based. There were voice-overs and the AI will likely have undergone some improvements before the game is released. Why? Because you can have support with you who will move with you and actually crouch right next to a bad guy who is shooting you and not fire a shot at him. If fragging were possible, a headshot to the bad guy and one to the hired help would have been in order.

The game also gave an option of three graphics settings at launch – low, medium and high. Using the Systemax Wildcat PC meant high graphics settings and El Matador was a real visual treat. The lighting and shadows were remarkable, as were many of the animations. Some effects, like first, was a bit pixilated, but the rag-doll physics appeared to be, overall, well done.

In the graphics department, the accents seem a little forced, but the dialogue is more or less what one would expect from a title like this. The musical score fits the theme and mood of the missions.

The levels seem rather linear though players will find that they can shoot through chain-link fences to take out opposition and environmental elements can be used in tactics. Still, the levels presented were not that difficult to work through, and the interface was intuitive.

El Matador likely will not be the third-person shooter that resets the bar, but from the three chapters seen, this is a title that will pack in the entertainment value. There were things that did need to be addressed, but this was a preview of the title and, as stated on the screen, a ‘work in progress.’

The game is slated for release in mid-August.