First, imagine a world where a powerful race of aliens known as 'The Seekers' are in charge and humans are only a myth. Then imagine that every decision you make will affect the outcome of the universe. Then imagine that same world spanning across an Xbox trilogy with a screenplay written by famed science fiction novelist, Orson Scott Card. Well, gamers, that world is coming in the form of Advent Rising, the first in a series of games known only as the Advent Trilogy, coming to the Xbox this November.

Advent Rising takes place in a far corner of the universe where various alien races tell tales of mysterious creatures called humans who are prophesied to come and deliver them from the powerful clutches of a superior race, The Seekers. Of course, when a group of these "Seekers" stumble across the human home planet, they know that they must do everything that they can in order to eradicate the one race believed to be able to overthrow them and save the galaxy. The game puts players in the shoes of Gideon Wyeth, a member of one of the last surviving human colonies. The game opens up with a choice that would tear any man to shreds. As your home planet begins to explode, you grab your wounded brother and what appears to be your girlfriend and escape on your ship. As your ship begins to take fire, your girlfriend is wounded and you are forced to make a decision as to who you will carry to the escape pod. Remember, not only does this decision affect the outcome of this game's story, but it, along with all decisions made in the game, will carry over to the next two games in the trilogy, making every decision one to be carefully thought out.

However, not all decisions can be made based on your will alone. Some decisions, like attempting to land a crashing ship in a space port will rely heavily on your skills in the game and, if you plan to stick around for the entire trilogy, will carry over until the end. Of course, if you're like me and you like the idea of humans being super beings, then you'll have no problem dishing out something along the lines of £50 to stick with what looks like the most revolutionary title (in terms of branching storylines) to hit any console. As of right now, the first game is using a heavily modified version of the unreal engine and is boasting over 18 vehicles, 6 missions that branch across 27 levels, and multiple weapons, of which you can carry three at a time (one on your back, one at your side, and one in your hands), and when your gun actually runs out of bullets, you don't drop it... no, no, no, you chunk it right into the nearest seeker's face. As Advent Rising's November release date nears, stay tuned for more information. JP

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