• ID = PS0980
• STYLE = Squad-Based Shooter
• DEV. = EA Square
• PUB. = Electronic Arts
• R-DATE = Oct-18-2000
• ESRB = T / For Teen
• PLAYERS = 1 player
• LIST PRICE = $29.99
  

After receiving a cryptic message regarding Project Medusa, the X-SQUAD must jump into action. You take the role of Ash, the leader of X-Squad, and you must guide the squad as they try to uncover the mystery surrounding Medusa and rescue those who have gotten too close to the Project’s sinister secret. In order to survive the mission, Ash must rely on the skills and expertise of the other squad members some members are demolitions experts who will be able to create opening and diversions, while others are experts with guns and will help eliminate the bad guys. Each mission is different, so you must carefully assemble the team that will be best suited to meet the mission objectives. Will you be able to find out the truth behind Project Medusa? Take control of the X-SQUAD, and find out for yourself.

• Take the role of Ash, the leader of X-Squad.
• Rely on the skills and expertise of the other squad members.
• Assemble your team carefully.
• Each squad member has unique skills.
• Find out the truth behind Project Medusa.

Description 2:
The year is 2037, the government lost contact with one of its secret military complexes soon after receiving disturbing news about suspicious behavior amongst some of the base's personnel.

• Explosive Action - Battle your way through countless numbers of vicious and powerful terrorists as your team rescues hostages and recovers top-secret government information.
• Command Your 4-Person Squad - Take charge and lead your 3 teammates through intense firefights using tactical commands like Cover, Stay, Recon, etc.
• Huge Array of Weaponry - Take your enemies out using a sniper rifle or light them up with a flame thrower when they get close, or even unleash all-new powerful and futuristic weapons.
• Next Generation Graphics - The PS2s technology allows for highly detailed characters and amazing special effects like fog, smoke and explosions, which deliver the most exciting and realistic gaming experience ever.

Fearing the worst and due to the highly sensitive material within the base, your extremely skilled X Squad is asked to eliminate the terrorist threat, save any hostages and recover the secret material the terrorists seized.

Amazon.com Review
In X-Squad, you play a character named John G. Ash. He was at the top of his class at West Point, where he excelled in both marksmanship and urban-combat simulation. Feeling the need to be rebellious, Ash went off on his own and formed a team of problem-solvers, X-Squad.

While it's possible to snap off some curt little orders to your squad mates, their intelligence is a bit too artificial to be of much use to you. Luckily for you (although not for the game), you don't actually have to depend on them to finish any particular level of the game. If you were dependent on their assistance, you'd probably never live to see the sun rise on the game's final level.

X-Squad does make good use of the PS2 controller's two analog joysticks. The left stick controls the general movement of the character, while the right stick is used for turning the character and aiming the weapon.

You'll have fun shooting up enemies, unlocking puzzles, and fragging level bosses, but the game won't provide much challenge. Setting the game's difficulty to "expert" might cause you to break a sweat.

In all, X-Squad is a decent game, but it would have been better, had its story and characters been allowed to percolate a bit longer. In some ways, it's amazing that Sony actually allowed EA/Square to proceed with a concept that must have seemed, at one time, to be rice-paper-thin. But, if you're in the mood for a simple arcade shooter, a fun time definitely can be had here. --Todd Mowatt

Pros:
Competent design, and reasonable level layouts.

Cons:
Seemingly rushed gameplay offers little challenge.
Uninspired and emotionless characters.

Master Rank:
Press Circle, Circle, Circle, Circle, Triangle, Square, Square, Square, Square.

General Rank:
Press L1, L1, L2, L2, R1, R1, R2, R2.

Colonel Rank:
Press Triangle, Square, Circle, Square, Triangle, Circle.