Video Game Vintage Title: MindJack

MindJack

MindJack is a third-person shooter video game developed by feelplus and published by Square Enix. The game was released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on January 18, 2011 in North America, January 21, 2011 in Europe, January 27, 2011 in Japan and February 10, 2011 in Australia. The game was originally planned to be released in October 2010 for North America and Europe but it was pushed back to January 2011. MindJack takes place in 2031, when the world�s governments are in decline and new corrupt organizations are arising. The player can �hack� into and control enemies, vehicles, or civilians. In the campaign story mode, the game is single-player but �transitions seamlessly� into co-op.

MindJack Gameplay

MindJack is a third-person shooter incorporating a cover system. The player character can carry two weapons and grenades. The player can mind hack civilians and weakened enemies, controlling them as the player character while the main character is controlled by artificial intelligence. Weakened enemies can also be turned to the player's side, becoming allies. Online players can "hack" into a person's single-player campaign and take control of the AI enemies while Player 1 plays the game's story campaign. The online players may help the solo player by attacking other enemies or they can attack Player 1 themselves.

Reception
MindJack was critically panned with critics complimenting its concepts but criticising it for its weak story, enemy AI, aesthetics and gameplay. Aggregating review websites GameRankings and Metacritic gave the PlayStation 3 version 46.44% and 44/100 and the Xbox 360 version 45.65% and 43/100.

1UP.com found nothing to like about the game, calling it a "lazy, corporate-mandated cash-in." Eurogamer called it "a strange blend of Resident Evil 5, Uncharted and Minority Report," stating "If you can look past the lack of polish and horrible graphics, there's a compelling and unique take on cover-based shooters here, along with an interesting lesson on how games deal with plot. It's a rewarding little game, if you can hack it." GameSpot praised MindJack's concept and online multiplayer, but concluded "Mindjack does have a few bright spots, but they are smothered beneath the weight of the awkward controls and squandered potential." IGN summed up their review with "Mindjack is ultimately a frustrating and forgettable shooter with horrible presentation, clumsy controls and a plodding campaign. It serves up a next-gen idea with its unique multiplayer design yet delivers it in a horribly last-gen package." Official Xbox Magazine UK's verdict was that "Nobody in their right mind should buy this".