Introduction

I'll let you in on a little secret: launching a video game on the heels of a vastly popular console such as the PlayStation can be a dicey endeavor. Enter 'Kileak: The DNA Imperative,' a title that wanted to ride the PS1 wave but ended up more like a small dinghy lost at sea, desperately trying to outrun the tide.

Gameplay

Imagine being strapped into a shiny armored SJ 107 assault suit while floating through a post-apocalyptic South Pole. That's your character, Matt Coda, in 'Kileak.' Throughout your monotonous journey, you're on a quest to thwart evil scientists while battling enemies that hardly inspire fear. Sure, you can move and rotate your camera, but what's that to a player craving innovation? Controls are basic, and unlocking doors feels more tedious than an adult trying to remember where they parked at the mall. More keycards and elevators than any sane person could count, each level drags on with an apparatus that's about as exciting as porridge.

Graphics

Let's talk visuals - or should we say the one shiny star that tries really hard to shine in this dark, drab landscape. The graphical design is passable for early '90s standards, featuring some decent 3D models and pre-rendered cutscenes that allow you to distract yourself momentarily. But those graphics can't hold a candle to the nonstop barrage of browns and greens that make those South Pole corridors less than welcoming. All in all, the key takeaway? New tech doesn't shine through if the artistic direction is as uninspired as a soggy cereal commercial.

Conclusion

'Kileak: The DNA Imperative' is the video game equivalent of a decent but forgettable diner meal. You consume it, feel vaguely satisfied, and promptly forget it the next day. Perhaps if the developers had injected it with a little more creativity rather than the cheesy plot of a bad sci-fi movie, we'd be singing a different tune. It's not dastardly, but it sure feels like a missed opportunity. So if you're inclined to try it, do so at your own peril - but remember, there are far better first-person shooters out there, so it's best to keep this one in your memory bank as more of a cautionary tale than a recommendation.

See Prices for Kileak: The DNA Imperative on PlayStation on Ebay