Kileak: The DNA Imperative
Kileak: The DNA Imperative | |
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Single-player |
Kileak: The DNA Imperative, known as Kileak: The Blood
The story follows an International Peacekeeping Force's White Lightning team leader Matt Coda, as he attempts to stop a scientist Dr. Kim from conducting unethical genetic engineering research. As the game progresses, the eponymous Kileak is revealed to be an ancient extraterrestrial creature that is the
The game received mixed reviews, with criticism targeted towards its monotonous level design and limited control scheme, while praise was given to its 3D graphics and pre-rendered cutscenes. A sequel, Epidemic, was released in Japan in December 1995, and in North America the following year. Both Kileak and Epidemic became available on the Japanese PlayStation Network in September 2015.
Gameplay
Kileak: The DNA Imperative is a
The
The SJ 107 can equip a variety of weapons, ranging from conventional armaments such as a
Plot
On August 16, 2038, the International Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) headquarters receives a distress signal from
Over the course of the game, Coda and Carlos learns from Dr. Kim's sound recordings found in the South Base that a creature named "Kileak" is the first lifeform to have appeared on Earth,[8] and the progenitor of all life on the planet.[9] Kim found Kileak's DNA from an unknown pyramidal structure in the excavation pit,[10] and used it to genetically engineer a race of mutant creatures.[11][12] In other recordings, Byflos[b] confronted Dr. Kim over his use of Kileak's DNA,[13] and hid an "erosion gun" in his office for anyone who can stop Kim.[14]
As Dr. Kim plans to use an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) to spread the mutant DNA all over the planet,[15] Coda descends to one of the base's lower levels and stops an ICBM from launching.[16] Advancing deeper into the South Base's excavation pit, Coda faces Kim, who turns himself into an alien-like monster.[17] Coda manages to kill the creature, and escapes from the South Base. The voice of Kileak reveals to Coda that the human race began long after the creature's civilization was destroyed by a comet.[18] The South Base collapses, and a space station containing Kileak ascends into space.[19]
Development and release
The game was developed by a Japanese video game company
The music for Kileak: The DNA Imperative was composed by Kimitaka Matsumae, former member of
A soundtrack album, Kileak: The Blood – Sound Tracks & Remix[e], was released by Sony Music Entertainment Japan on March 21, 1996. It includes remixes of the game's tracks, along with those from its sequel Epidemic which Matsumae also composed.[26]
Reception
Publication | Score |
---|---|
AllGame | [27] |
Electronic Gaming Monthly | 6.875/10[28] |
Famitsu | 31/40[21] |
IGN | 3.0/10[3] |
Next Generation | [31] |
PlayStation Official Magazine – UK | 4/10[29] |
Maximum | [30] |
CD Player | 5/10[32] |
The reviews towards Kileak: The DNA Imperative was mixed. The
The game also earned praise for its 3D graphics. Maximum's review stated that "the graphics looked incredible",[30] while Next Generation opined that it helped to strengthen the environment's realism.[31] IGN remarked that the graphics are detailed, and the enemies are "realized in 3-D for that scary, in-your-face feel."[3] GamePro praised the detailed environments, smooth scrolling, and full-motion video cutscenes.[33] OPM UK also praised the game's cutscenes, especially its "awesome" introduction and ending.[29] Conversely, GamePro criticized the game's ambient audio, calling it a "wimpy techno",[33] while OPM UK derided it as "Brian Eno on valium".[29]
The four reviewers of
In a retrospective review for
Legacy
A sequel to Kileak: The DNA Imperative, titled
Kileak: The DNA Imperative was considered one of very few efforts to top
Notes
- ^ Japanese: キリーク・ザ・ブラッド, Hepburn: Kirīku za Buraddo
- ^ a b In the game's sequel Epidemic, the full names for Dr. Kim and Byflos are Dr. Thomas Kim and Karl Byflos, respectively;[5] the latter is not named in Kileak.
- ^ In the Japanese version, the protagonist is named as Takashi Koda (香田 孝志).
- ^ Carlos's full name is Carlos Potrero.[5][6] Throughout the game, he is simply referred to as "Carlos".
- ^ キリーク・ザ・ブラッド サウンドトラックス&リミックス, Kiriku za Buraddo Saundo Torakkusu ando Rimikkusu
References
- ^ a b c d e f Genki (September 9, 1995). Kileak: The DNA Imperative (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment of America. Scene: Credits.
- ^ Instruction manual). Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. September 29, 1995. pp. 1–7. SCES-00035.
- ^ a b c d "Kileak: The DNA Imperative - Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. November 25, 1996. Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
- ^ Genki (September 9, 1995). Kileak: The DNA Imperative (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment of America. Scene: Opening.
Narrator: August 16th, 2038. International Peacekeeping Force headquarters, Oakland. Control picks up an urgent message from undercover agent Franco Fukazawa at the South Pole observation base of the giant Byflos group. The message reads: "Situation critical. Kim must be stopped. Repeat: Kim must be stopped."
- ^ Instruction manual). Sony Computer Entertainment America. 1996. p. 24. SCUS-94152.
- ^ Instruction manual). Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. September 29, 1995. Intro. SCES-00035.
Anti-aircraft encountered. Transport downed before assault troops deployed. One casualty. Team members Matt Coda and Carlos Potrero separated but still in radio contact. Base defences breached.
- ^ Genki (September 9, 1995). Kileak: The DNA Imperative (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment of America. Scene: Opening.
- ^ Genki (September 9, 1995). Kileak: The DNA Imperative (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment of America. Scene: Record Card. Level/area: B-8.
Kim: Kileak is the first life that existed on Earth. He's been here since the beginning of time. The real Adam.
- ^ Genki (September 9, 1995). Kileak: The DNA Imperative (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment of America. Scene: Record Card. Level/area: B-13.
Kim: Kileak is not just the ancestor of the human race, but the very progenitor of life itself.
- ^ Genki (September 9, 1995). Kileak: The DNA Imperative (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment of America. Scene: Record Card. Level/area: B-1.
Kim: February 14: Discovered mysterious pyramid-like remains at excavation point C. February 15: Unearthed new remains 15 meters from yesterday's find. Could they be the work of aliens from another solar system?
- ^ Genki (September 9, 1995). Kileak: The DNA Imperative (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment of America. Level/area: B-3.
Carlos: Looks like Kim has been experimenting with DNA mutations. He's obsessed with this idea of a new race, like God died and put him in charge. I get the feeling he's behind these ungodly creatures.
- ^ Genki (September 9, 1995). Kileak: The DNA Imperative (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment of America. Scene: Record Card. Level/area: B-7.
Kim: March 10: Succeeded in giving robot's life, I was right all along. March 25: The breakthrough I've been waiting for: isolated a DNA configuration. Now, the power to create a whole new lifeform is within my grasp, and this time, I'll be in control!
- ^ Genki (September 9, 1995). Kileak: The DNA Imperative (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment of America. Scene: Record Card. Level/area: B-4.
Byflos: Kim! What the hell are you doing? No one gave you the authority to go this far. / Kim: Shut up, you fool! Everything has changed. From now on, I'm the one in charge! / Byflos: Kileak? You're mad! Who do you think you are? God?
- ^ Genki (September 9, 1995). Kileak: The DNA Imperative (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment of America. Scene: Record Card. Level/area: B-2.
Byflos: Kim is out of control. I should never have allow that madman to go this far. There's an erosion gun in a fake wall in my office. If you get your hands on that, you can finish Kim once and for all.
- ^ Genki (September 9, 1995). Kileak: The DNA Imperative (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment of America. Level/area: B-7.
Carlos: Captain, the situation is more critical than we thought. The researcher says there's an ICBM on one of the lower levels filled with mutant DNA and ready for launch. Looks like Kim is fighting to spread the wealth around.
- ^ Genki (September 9, 1995). Kileak: The DNA Imperative (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment of America. Level/area: B-10.
- ^ Genki (September 9, 1995). Kileak: The DNA Imperative (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment of America. Scene: Dr. Kim boss intro. Level/area: B-15.
Kim: So, you pitiful humans think you can stop Kim? You may have won the day's battle, but now you will see my real powers. My empire shall be ravaged no further!
- ^ Genki (September 9, 1995). Kileak: The DNA Imperative (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment of America. Scene: Ending. Level/area: B-15.
Kileak: Coda, can't you see the truth? Your lifeform began long after the comet that destroyed my civilization. I am Kileak. I was the beginning, and I am the end.
- ^ Genki (September 9, 1995). Kileak: The DNA Imperative (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment of America. Scene: Ending.
- ^ "Game History" (in Japanese). Genki. Archived from the original on January 24, 1998. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
- ^ a b キリーク・ザ・ブラッド まとめ [PS]. Famitsu (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
- ^ 1UP.com. IGN. Archived from the originalon February 23, 2016. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
- ^ 1UP.com. IGN. Archived from the originalon November 6, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
- ^ Jumping Flash, Kileak The Blood (from SCE) [...] .
- ^ Matsumae, Kimitaka. "Interview: Kimitaka Matsumae". RocketBaby (Interview). Hollow Light Media. Archived from the original on October 28, 2002. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
- ^ KILEAK, THE BLOOD サウンドトラック&リミックス (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- ^ All Media Network. Archived from the originalon November 14, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
- ^ a b "Review Crew: Kileak: The DNA Imperative". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 75. Ziff Davis. October 1995. p. 34.
- ^ Future Publishing. November 1995. p. 89.
- ^ Emap International Limited. October 1995. p. 153.
- ^ a b "Finals". Next Generation. No. 5. Imagine Media. May 1995. pp. 88–89.
- ^ "Kileak the Blood Review". CD Player (in German). January 1996. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "ProReview: Kileak: The DNA Imperative". GamePro. No. 88. IDG. January 1996. p. 82.
- ^ "Review Crew: Robotica". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 75. Ziff Davis. October 1995. p. 34.
- ^ All Media Network. Archived from the originalon November 14, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
- ^ キリーク・ザ・ブラッド2 まとめ [PS]. Famitsu (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
- ^ "Epidemic: There's an Epidemic on the Way". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 88. Ziff Davis. November 1996. pp. 248–9.
- Imagine Media. June 1996. p. 20.
- ^ 「クーロンズ・ゲート」「キリーク・ザ・ブラッド」「キリーク・ザ・ブラッド2」がPSゲームアーカイブスとして配信開始. 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). Aetas Inc. September 16, 2015. Archived from the original on December 2, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
- USgamer. Gamer Network. Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2015.