First impressions may not be the most important thing a budding developer should strive for, but Khaeon, along with a little help in the publishing department from Playlogic, has so far created an experience worthy of a second glance. As an initial effort for the fiveyearold company, Alpha Black Zero ABZ stands atop the very competent engine used for Serious Sam, giving it the added oomph a thirdperson tactical action game requires to attain a certain singularity. The Sam engine is even augmented with minor tweaks to present ABZ’s own brand of subtleties.The story of the protagonist, given the eponymous title of Kyle Hardlaw, is told in a series of flashbacks during his trial in a military tribunal on Mars. After being accused along with his four squad mates with assassinating planetary government officials, the missions you play will set the stage for his conviction or vindication, depending on your success. The story has a darkly familiar edge to it, smelling of our own presentday corporate uberagendas, and the tension in the playable levels creates and carries the cutscene courtroom drama. Add a clichéd but workable soldier template, then simmer and let it thicken. It seems that Khaeon hit their stride with the premise, because it doesn’t appear as forced as some action games I’ve played though I did notice they’re not above a bit of melodrama, as seen in the crotchety prosecutor of the trial proceedings.

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