Two of the most popular spots of the Atari booth at this years ECTS were those which had been set up to play the company's new M.I. title. One quick look at the large display and we knew the game had received a lot of developer attention. Large environments, a multitude of impressive moves and enough complexity to suggest a solid stealth-based game.
Mission: Impossible - Operation Surma for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance is being developed by Atari's Paradigm Entertainment and scheduled for release in November, Mission: Impossible - Operation Surma provides players with a chance to become IMF super agent Ethan Hunt in the stealth action game of the year.
With "Mission: Impossible - Operation Surma," players will be thrust into an authentic "Mission: Impossible" experience, complete with the latest spy gadgets, stealth action, incredible combat and plot-twisting suspense fans have come to expect from the franchise, said Steve Allison, vice president of marketing, Atari Los Angeles. The stealth action category continues to surprise gamers with new and innovative game play experiences, and "Operation Surma" is no exception. Our unique connection to one of today's strongest Hollywood movie franchises, which virtually defines the stealth action category, will complement our focus on delivering incredible game play with all of the powerful lead characters, fascinating villains, elaborate double-crosses and cunning treachery of a real "Mission: Impossible."
In Mission: Impossible - Operation Surma, players step into the role of Ethan Hunt as he traverses the globe uncovering the insidious mysteries behind the malevolent Surma Corporation and its newly developed virus, ICEWorm, which allows Surma to break into any computer system in the world. Armed with the hyper-cool, super spy technology and weaponry from the Mission: Impossible movies, such as miniature remote-controlled devices, micro cameras, tranquilizing darts and character disguises, Hunt must lead his elite team in preventing Surma Corp. from achieving its ultimate goal: global domination.
Mission Impossible - Operation Surma features groundbreaking gameplay that empowers players to choose the tactics and game play style they wish to use in tackling mission objectives. For example, as Hunt, a player can forge an uneasy alliance with questionable allies in order to gain the upper hand against an overwhelming enemy force; or, the player can charge in, with the latest top secret IMF weapon; or, the player can slide silently in and out of the shadows, penetrating enemy lairs unnoticed. Ultimately, the nature of the adventure lies in the player's hands.
Mission: Impossible - Operation Surma Features:
- Open-Ended Gameplay: Players will be empowered to play the game the way they like. Take out a guard and dispose of his body, sneak behind the guard and slip by unnoticed, distract the guard to another area, tranquilize the guard remotely or even take him prisoner are just a few options at the player's disposal for nearly every situation.
- Super Spy Gadgets: As with any Mission: Impossible, the gadgets are where it's at. Operation Surma will put dozens of super-cool gadgets at players' fingertips, including: The Wasp, a miniature remote-controlled bug with a devastating sting; a directional microphone used to create distractions; binoculars featuring a digital camera for evidence gathering; EMP darts for disabling critical electronic devices; and much more.
- Agent Moves and Abilities: As Ethan Hunt, players will have at their disposal all the moves that any respectable super agent has spent years perfecting, including: vaulting and mantling of objects; hand walking on ledges; wall hugging through tight spaces; crouching and creeping to keep a low profile; hand-over-hand maneuvering on pipes and girders. In addition, players will be able to execute numerous stealth disabling, restraining and finishing maneuvers on enemy characters.
- Gameplay Locations: Led by Mission Commander Swanbeck, players will follow clues and undertake missions in exotic locations around the world, including: the Los Muertos research facility in the southwestern United States; Sansara Prison in Northern Africa; and Yugaria, a fictional Eastern European country.
