Reviewed: April 27, 2010
Reviewed by: Jason Flick

Publisher
Beatnik Games

Developer
Beatnik Games

Released: April 5, 2010
Genre: Action
Players: 1-20

9
9
9
9
9.0

System Requirements:

Plain Sight is brought to us by Beatnik Games based out of central London. The main basis of Plain Sight is to engage your enemies using your own body and katana to steal their precious energy. The more and more enemies your take down the bigger and stronger you become. But with a bigger status comes an even bigger glowing target on your metallic forehead. Plain Sight is not just another action title involving a hapless killing spree.

Plain Sight requires you to sacrifice yourself and convert your energy into points. These points are used in certain modes to strengthen your metallic warriors in any of the 30 different upgrades. If you happen to take out everyone else in the process even better as that will multiple you’re possible points earned. These upgrades vary from you ability to jump higher, dash and detonate faster and even get Mega Perks if you manage to complete all 9 previous upgrades.

Controls are really easy and require nothing more than a keyboard and mouse. Players each have their own play style tactics but I found that I enjoyed launching myself into space and taking out as many people as possible before hitting the ground. In true ninja fashion, you can attach yourself to any wall surface, which is really cool. There are 13 different maps that you will easily find your self sucked into time after time. Some of the maps are easier to navigate right off than others. I like all the maps but “Get Over Yourself” is my absolute favorite. The level design on this map is just awesome.

Plain Sight features 5 highly destructive modes of highly addicting play for up to 20 players to enjoy. Players can engage in classic multiplayer modes like Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch/Weakest Clink and Capture the Flag. They can also participate in the modes Lighten Up and Ninja! Ninja! Ninja! Robozilla! The latter of those last two being my absolute favorite. The traditional modes are fun, addicting and all around prime multiplayer fair. Lighten Up is all about creating the biggest detonation blast possible on the lit up areas.

Ninja! Ninja! Ninja! Robozilla! is an all out team effort to take down the player acting as the big scaly metallic monster. The way this mode works is that with each successful attack on Robozilla it gets smaller in size until it’s destroyed. The player that takes out Robozilla, becomes the target and things repeat until time runs out.

The graphics in Plain Sight are simple and elegant. All the maps are suspended out in space and feature a simple grey-scale color scheme. The backdrop features colorful views as your jumping around the maps. Each player’s ninja robot is assigned a color that can change as you play. That color is seen prominently on the robot as well as the light trail that follows him or her around. That same color is seen when you land on any surface.

The menu music of Plain Sight can only described as Jazz noire in nature. From the get go I instantly loved the music. The sound effects are also well done and actually rather simple. The metallic ninjas all have the same little voices and metallic pitter-patter as you run across the ground. One of the things that I like about the sound department deals with the Dash-Charge sound effect. While there is no doubt that you will here this sound a lot it can actually save your metallic hide from time to time.

Plain Sight has plenty to offer players with its various modes and up to 20 players can duke things out with their swords. Besides competing in the main events, players can hone their skills on any of the 13 maps. This is a great way to work out ground and aerial tactics while completing against other real players. Players can create their own matches where you can set your own limits.

Simply put Plain Sight is a razor sharp slice of heaven. The gameplay is simple, addicting and straightforward. There is no doubt that Plain Sight won’t disappear into the shadows anytime soon. It is absolutely the best $10 dollars you’ll ever spend on a PC title. I highly recommend getting Plain Sight at the next available opportunity. You won’t regret it.