Publisher: GamersFirst
Developer: Reloaded Studios
System requirements: Windows XP/Vista/Win 7, 2.4 GHz Intel Core2 Quad or better CPU, 512 MB graphics card, 4 GB RAM, 6 GB hard-drive space, DirectX 9-compatible sound card, broadband or DSL Internet connection
Genre: MMO/Shooter
Release date: TBA 2011

I never got to play the original APB, but somewhere in the back of my mind after reading other players’ thoughts, it seemed like a bad idea. A part of me was glad I had ignored the urge to get involved. The other felt terrible for the players who had invested their time and money into it before it shut down. How does a game come back from an experience that left such a bad taste in players’ mouths, let alone countless forum posts filled with a rage most of us feel is understandable? The first step is to rethink your strategy as a publisher and developer. I had heard some time ago that GamersFirst was going to be picking up the game, re-branding it as APB: Reloaded. I wasn’t sure if I should be excited or terrified.

The story has not changed; for those of you just tuning in, here’s the basic gist. San Paro is in a state of turmoil. Crime has taken over the streets of this once fair city. As a result, the city has recruited Enforcers, normal citizens-turned-executioners, to help clean up the mess. The Criminals, whom politicians feel cause a disservice to the community, have their own reasoning for their actions. You choose a faction and are thrown into the city, completing missions, dispatching your rivals, and causing more chaos than actual good.

Character creation for APB: Reloaded is beyond detailed, on the same scale as Aion down to the tiniest features. You can actually create a version of yourself, which I might or might not have done. There were a lot of gripes about the original vehicular controls, but I’m glad to say these have so far been resolved; the only thing I haven’t been able to find is the brakes, but I’m sure I will sooner or later. If you’re a fan of other third-person shooters, you’re going to feel right at home with the control scheme in Reloaded; no fuss, no worries, just point and shoot.

So far as I can tell, developer Reloaded Studios has managed to fix a lot of the gripes from the original APB. I’ve found myself being very hard on it so far, looking through previous reviews to see if I can match up any flaws from the original, and so far I’ve been pleased. This generally isn’t the type of game I play, but I can see it maybe evolving into just that. I’m going to be doing time in the city of San Paro; let’s see how long I can make it without getting gunned down.