I�"ll just start this review by saying that Sanctuary is a generic, all-round, good action game. It has a compelling story (something mainstream titles scarcely deliver) and tons of different weapons and items: From grenades, dual-wielding pistols, cloaking devices, hover boards, orbs to increase fighting techniques or reflect bullets, and my favorite...the bow and arrow.

It�"s not just a standard overhead shooter, though. Sanctuary takes on an actual story that evolves and transforms along with the characters. It�"s not a static storytelling mechanic, nor is it a simple one page outline that leaves players to several hours of hacking and slashing. Instead, the story progresses in Sanctuary through cut-scenes and FMV (rather WMV) sequences. Basically, it�"s about an operative named Etan who is set on killing Valgar, a secret arms manufacturer who wants to overthrow society with his personal army. Because of the arms ban, no one...absolutely no one, is allowed to carry a firearm. But with Valgar running experiments and creating an army, it�"s up to Etan and his friends to stop Valgar.

The story is pretty good and offers gamers a slightly engaging take on the average shooter-game standard. Character depth and storyline progression help keep Sanctuary moving at a steady pace. The beginning, however, offers more cinematics and story videos. But the rest of the game carries through with enough interest to keep it afloat. The actual gameplay, though, consists of shooting, dodging, jumping and melee combat. It�"s a lot like Bungie�"s Halo-overshadowed action shooter Oni, only it�"s an overhead game. There�"s tons of weapons, from pistols, machine guns and shotguns, to swords, batons and even a psychic glove that allows players to throw small objects around. The action stays very fast at all times, and players must use their wits as much as their weapons to out-maneuver enemies and also lay a beating on them as well.

And just when you think you�"ve already played a game like this, it throws in something you won�"t see coming. –Sort of like the mini-games that appropriately give the game some much needed variety. The hacking mini-game is difficult to describe, but it plays out like a digital cat and mouse game. The driving mini-game has players moving around, shooting and dodging enemies, and is fairly fun at times. Both also prove to be just enough of a side-track to get gamers back in the mood for some more hack-and-slash action.


Sanctuary also provides gamers with a series of unlockable goodies which includes extra cinematics and bloopers. Unlocking the content basically gives gamers an extra reason to replay the game, and it also provides gamers with a bit of an inside look at the development of Sanctuary. It may not be the best shooter game to ever step onto the computer gaming scene, but it does manage to deliver a gratifying sense of action and adventure.

Graphics:
Visuals aren�"t everything. However, they can depict how seriously you take the story and interactive atmosphere. When it comes to the cinematics, Sanctuary delivers the goods. But when it comes to the gameplay, the overhead view can set off some gamers who may be expecting something a bit flashier. Still, Sanctuary isn�"t a terrible looking game, and it does what it needs to convey the appropriate ideas.

Sound:
Guns, dying enemies and effects come off with a pleasing flair in Sanctuary. The music, on the other hand, is a bit dated. The music does match the game�"s flamboyant mannerisms, but it�"s only going to be appealing to gamers with a midi output that doesn�"t sound like...well...midi.

Gameplay:
Controlling the rotation of Etan with the mouse and using the keyboard to strafe works rather well. You have to have quick fingers, though. The action is intense and fast-paced, and gamers not quick enough to reload their weapons, switch to secondary items, or melee attack while trying to retrieve a new gun, may end up having to reload their saved game several times over. Jumping over obstacles and flipping out of the way of projectiles is also a nice touch to the general gameplay. It gives players an extra incentive to experiment with an alternative playing style. Kudos to Mr. Bradley for at least giving gamers an option to dodge enemy attacks.

Concept:
The story execution was superb, the cinematics were interesting and the gameplay snazzy. The only thing is, it�"s an over-head shooter and no multiplayer. That doesn�"t mean it isn�"t a good game, it just means that it falls into a conceptual category of many other shooters. Still, the game�"s melee weapons and story make-up for anything else it lacks in.

Value:
For its price, its content, its replayability and its story, I can�"t help but say that Sanctuary lives up to its value. For casual action gamers looking for an off-beat game to play with a decent computer, you should find some rather entertaining qualities in Sanctuary.

Recommendation:
It may have missed the “Buy it” mark by several centimeters of a hair strand, but Sanctuary managed to deliver the goods. And “Try it” certainly gratifies this game as being above the standard over-head shooter. The 17mb demo is available at the main website and any gamer reluctant of taking the $9.95 plunge can get a taste of this little (yet big) game with the demo.