3DO, relatively unknown for FPS games, recently released Requiem: Avenging Angel, an FPS that could make even Quake 3: Arena blush. Set in the mid-21st century, humankind stands poised on the brink of intergalactic exploration and travel. An interstellar ship, Leviathan, nears completion. With its launch, humanity will spread itself among the stars, and the heavens themselves will be within the grasp of this "misguided" race. Without the Lord's consent, certain angels among the host have have taken it upon themselves to bring about the end of human life. In the process of executing this goal they have become dark, sadistic and power-mad. They have become...The Fallen. But the fallen are not without opposition. You are Malachi, one of the Lord's chosen. You must travel to Earth to stop the Fallen from succeeding in their destructive quest, and it's pulled off with everything an FPS fan could want...and more.

The beginning of each game pits you off in a "starting point" (similar to those in the Quake series), which, interestingly enough, are reminiscent of the inside of an intestine (perfect way to get that appetite going, eh?). Instead of the usual "one level after another" theme used in the likes of Quake and Unreal, the quest is set in the Purgatory, Heaven, or Hell. Each world has its own set of specialized minions, ranging from the usual "future soldier"-esque to creatures of your worst nightmares. The baddies all look delightfully scary and demented, not to mention beautifully designed and rendered. The bosses are amazingly detailed and truly convincing, and are actually CHALLENGING. The in-game levels, on the otherhand, aren't exactly "ugly", but you have to admit; a little more tweaking wouldn't have hurt. Look forward to walking the drab, post-apocalyptic city streets A LOT, and don't be surprised if you spend an entire level in the streets. While that can be a tedious problem, it doesn't take much away from the actual gameplay. Oh, and the framerate speeds along quickly too, which is perfect for those late night frag fests (or multiplayer sessions).

Prepare to blast through Requiem with joy by using some of the most interesting weapons to come along since the invention of the laser gun. Sure, you have your basic pistol, shotgun, missile launcher, etcetera, but after you get done with the average weapons, prepare to be intrigued by the amazing spells. That's right; spells (and no, Malachi did NOT go to the Harry Potter magic school). You start the game with a small number of spells including excorcist and lightning (two of the basic spells), but you eventually build up to painfully satisfying spells such as the Blood Boil spell and Locus Swarm spell. There's even an Apocalypse spell somewhere in the game...

There are more than just defensive spells; you can miraculously heal yourself and others too, by using a nifty healing spell. The healing spells don't neccessarily make you "invincible", though...you have to build up your magic power each and every time you perform a healing spell. While some may prefer to use good ol' guns, you do have to credit Cyclone and 3DO for actually trying something different.

Requiem is accompanied by a moody, dark soundtrack that'll have you turning on your nightlight (Oh, you don't use one anymore? Looks like I need to catch up with the times...). The shrill battle cries of your soon-to-be-dead enemies are convincing enough, as well as the crisp sound of the blasting guns. Apparently, 3DO and Cyclone had taken note of the bad voice acting used in most PC games and hired an "actor" (as opposed to pulling someone off the street) to do the voice acting, which is enthusiasticly pulled off and a considerable step above much of the "card-board cut-out" acting performed in most games today.

Requiem distinctly proves that, sometimes, something good can come out of trying something different. Although some may not appreciate the "semi-religious" approach to the game, most FPS fans will be able to look past that and play Requiem for what it's really worth: the fun. -Henry Hutcheson