Enemy Intel
By Danny Chihdo
Spoiler Warning: Parts of this article concern a crucial plot twist in the game.
There have long been reports that Area 51, the top-secret government base in Groom Lake, Nev., contains secret research labs filled with alien technology and actual aliens. Now Midway and developer Inevitable Entertainment are blowing the lid off the conspiracy with an update of the arcade classic Area 51 for Xbox®, and the secrets are even creepier than you think.
Fortunately, we've got a man on the inside—okay, a freakish mutant on the inside—and he's managed to get the following information to us about the aliens and their plans, including a virus that can turn even a dedicated HAZMAT specialist into a mutated killing machine.
Mutants, Monsters, and Madmen
One of the things that Devlin and Emmerich failed to reveal in ID4 is the deep involvement of both aliens like the Grays and a powerful human elite called the Illuminati, who control the secrets of immortality and have been behind many of history's biggest conspiracies. And, with very few exceptions, they all want you (that is, specialist Ethan Cole, voiced by David Duchovny) to be a dead and mutated HAZMAT specialist.
Mutant Scientist
When Dr. Cray, the only remaining Area 51 scientist with a chance of stopping the Illuminati and the Grays from taking over the world, unleashes his mutagen virus as a last resort, it turns everyone in the facility without a gas mask into a freakish alien monster. These scientists are the basic grunt type, but they're fast and have a very powerful melee attack, so don't let them get close. They can be easily taken out in groups by grenades.
Even the grunts are deadly up close.
Mutant Security Force
The rent-a-cops, also hit by Dr. Cray's virus, are similar in strength and speed to the scientists. But, the difference is, these guys remember how to use firearms … and use them they will. They're not great shots, but what they lack in accuracy they make up for in volume. If you see a mixed mutant group, hit these guys first and fast. They're also worth a grenade.
This leaper was once human. He got ugly.
Mutant Leaper
This is what the other two mutant types are turning into, the last stage of the mutation caused by the virus. They're melee attackers that shred body armor like cotton candy and go about on all fours—on any surface, even the ceiling. As the name implies, they can leap great distances and take more shots than either scientists or security. If a leaper's on you, and you run out of ammo, don't reload. Just start melee attacking. Otherwise, you'll be dead before you snap in the clip.
He's not your friend anymore.
Mutated HAZMAT
In one of the game's creepiest scenes, one of your best pals on the HAZMAT team turns into a mutant literally before your eyes. The well-armored fresh mutant is seriously hard to kill, so keep grenades handy if you can get distance, and if at all possible, make sure you're dual-wielding shotguns when he turns. He's fast, and he's the toughest thing you'll meet in the game up to that point, but at least there's a checkpoint right before you run into him.
BlackOps
These Illuminati-controlled alien-human hybrids are trained, efficient killers. They usually come in groups of three normal soldiers (green armor) and one commander (red armor), and their coordination shows some sharp A.I. work on Inevitable's part. If you can, always pick off as many as possible with sniper fire before closing in. They're accurate to a fault. In the latter part of the game, you'll be fighting these guys even more than mutants.
BlackOps are armed and deadly Illuminati servants.
Gray
They pop up late in the show, but the creepy little guys are a challenge reminiscent of the arcade original. Beware their eerie mental powers. These guys are definitely out to destroy all us humans, so to speak.
A mutant gets scanned.
Theta
Theta is the name of a monstrous—seriously, like King King monstrous—alien-human hybrid that the Grays have been working on since before they crashed in Roswell almost 60 years ago. As if his size and strength weren't enough, he can command mutant leapers, making him much more frightening than a single boss would be alone. If you're nearing the endgame and have yet to go toe to toe with this guy, make sure you save a few grenades!
Marilyn Manson required no makeup for this role.
One of Them
Of course, not all of the aliens are bad guys. For one, there's Edgar, one of the original Roswell UFO pilots who has been kept imprisoned all these years while the Illuminati and the Grays have been siphoning his DNA for experiments. Edgar is an ally of Dr. Cray and, eventually, you.
Speaking of which, the most important "friendly alien" is … Ethan Cole! That's the big spoiler we were talking about. A third of the way into the game, you'll get hit with the virus when your team gets wiped out. For reasons that are a mystery, you can change form between human and alien, and as the mutation evolves, you'll get stronger powers as well. For most of Area 51, timely shapeshifting is crucial to your survival.
Alien Stage 1
Your alien form is a temporary state powered by your supply a mutagen, a second power bar that appears above your normal health bar once you're infected. Mutagen runs out the whole time you're shifted into alien form, and it runs out even faster when you use powers like Contagion and Parasites. It will recharge over time when you're human, but you can keep the alien good times rolling while shifted by making melee claw attacks. (Each hit gets you a little mutagen, but only when you're an alien.) Or, you pick up mutagen hypos, though these aren't nearly as common as health packs.
At first, you have no special powers, so you're limited solely to melee—although one melee strike in alien form is usually more than enough to kill a foe. Also, all alien stages give you an infrared vision that makes enemies glow red.
I think you're coming down with something, Cole.
Alien Stage 2
After your second major mutation, you'll gain a ranged attack in alien form that can save your life in later levels. While alien-ed out, pull the right trigger to release Parasites, little flying octopus thingies that home in on your foes and drain their health, transferring it to you. If you can alternate between Parasites and melee attacks, you can fill up both health bars without using a single hypo.
Alien Stage 3
At Stage 3, you'll gain your final special attack: Contagion. This works a bit like the Jedi Mind Trick in Star Wars® Knights of the Old Republic® II: The Sith Lords™, infecting the enemy and convincing them that their allies are enemies. Just be sure not to follow up a Contagion attack by killing the enemy you infected too soon, or the benefit will be minimal.
Area 51 is now available for Xbox and Xbox Live™, including killer Mutant vs. Human multiplayer. If you think you can handle the truth about everything from the JFK assassination to that little pyramid and eyeball thing that's on the back of all our money—and have a frag-fest of a time doing it—you definitely need to check it out.
