Preview: Ghost Squad (Wii)

The Wii looks set to reinvigorate the arcade gun genre with Capcom confirming the themed Resident Evil release (Umbrella Chronicles), and now Sega bringing one of its strongest arcade titles to the format. In reflection, the genre has diminished in popularity since the early days when the PlayStation 2 offered several decent shooters alongside Sega's own Dreamcast system. This dip in popularity and console development is a result of first person shooters growing in stature, thereby removing the requirement for an expensive peripheral. If Ghost Squad proves a success on Nintendo's Wii, then chances are many more will follow, and not just from Sega.

Arcades have diminished in frequency and size, unless you live near a tourist haven. AM2 developed Ghost Squad originally for the arcade and have a fearsome reputation for delivering quick thrills and addictive gameplay, with a CV that includes arcade versions of OutRun, Daytona, Virtua Cop and Virtua Fighter. Ghost Squad is somewhat different from the Virtua Cop series, as it takes onboard the impact of the first person genre, and offers the player a wide range of weaponry (25 in total). The experience is expanded by offering devices and gadgets such as night vision to give you the advantage on certain missions. AM2 also tried to break away from the on-the-rails feelings associated with such releases, by offering choices and different routes, encouraging exploration and repeating previously completed missions.

Of course players are already familiar with Tom Clancy's hugely successful Ghost Recon series and, while this release is not related in any way, the squad performs a similar role. The name actually means Global Humanitarian Operation & Special Tactics, if you're interested. When trouble breaks out anywhere across the world, the United Nations can call upon the team to secretly resolve the problem - and that means fighting various terrorists, many of who are members of the Indigo Wolves organisation. Unfortunately, as a story, that's as far as Ghost Squad goes in terms of plot depth, as you are force-fed opponents to gun down with little storyline development. Still, it's a refreshing change to see the United Nations using its firepower for the greater good, rather than being impartial onlookers.

The Wii mode will support up to four players, which should make for some entertainment around the television screen, and for onlookers witnessing the congestion. A co-operative mode is also planned, and modes allowing different versions of existing missions by changing enemy placement and squad types will also be available to keep you on edge. Various challenges have been built into the game to avoid longevity issues associated with the genre and, by offering alternate styles of combat, Sega hope to deliver something that will see out a weekend.

Ghost Squad, even in the arcades, never pushed the Chihiro hardware board to any great degree, with the only exceptions being some decent lighting effects and animation. So far the Wii version looks scaled down in comparison, but manages to keeps the pace high. Whether or not it will justify anything other than a rental night in remains to be seen.

Words by Jason Julier