Area 51

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Midway
  • Release Date: Apr 25, 2005
Area 51 Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 76 Ratings

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  • Summary: Featuring online play, Area 51 is set in the U.S. government's most top-secret and secure facility located in the Nevada desert. Players take on the role of Lt. Nick Cross, a hazardous biological waste specialist sent to investigate. During his investigation, Lt. Cross stumbles across alienFeaturing online play, Area 51 is set in the U.S. government's most top-secret and secure facility located in the Nevada desert. Players take on the role of Lt. Nick Cross, a hazardous biological waste specialist sent to investigate. During his investigation, Lt. Cross stumbles across alien creatures and becomes infected with a biological mutagen that eventually transforms him into something not quite human. To save the earth and himself, Lt. Cross must fight to solve the enigma of Area 51. Features extensive Single-Player Campaign: Battle through corridors of Area 51 and attempt to discover the secrets of the extraterrestrial menace before it is too late. Engage in an epic adventure through eight massive sections of a secretive complex. Equip yourself with more than 15 types of human and alien weapons and other equipment as you explore dark corridors. An infectious mutagen gives Lt. Nick Cross alien-enhanced physical abilities but is also slowly transforming him into an alien. Find the cure before it's too late and humanity is lost. Compete against your friends via a four-player split screen and system link through numerous multiplayer game modes including Death Match. Battle online where you can easily access the many systems allowing you to find your friends and set up your own matches. [Midway]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. BonusStage
    92
    The enemy AI on here smokes that which is found in Bungie’s FPS masterpiece, since everything here is vicious, blood-thirsty, filled with hatred, and most of all crack shots with whatever weapons they hold.
  2. Gamezilla!
    90
    Cinematically seamless, you'll only get thrown out of the gameplay by pre-rendered cutscenes, because everything else is handled in the game engine.
  3. IGN
    85
    From its chaotic beginning to its clinically insane conclusion, Area 51 provides just enough classic FPS action and technical goodness to merit a great rating and honest recommendation.
  4. TotalGames.net
    80
    Every aspect of Area 51 is performed with quality, but with borrowed style that's familiar yet doesn't breed contempt.
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Play Magazine
    70
    But here again, another fun idea inevitably joins what feels like a game thrown together out of genre spare parts. [May 2005, p.39]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. AceGamez
    70
    A good, solid shooter that has a lot going for it but fails to achieve greatness, lacking that often indefinable sparkle that makes for a classic.
    All this publication's reviews
  7. games(TM)
    50
    There are moments when player adrenaline levels will rise above the base level, but they are so few and far between that in the end most will decide that slogging through the copious average sections simply isn’t worth the effort. [June 2005, p.116]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 37 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 33
  3. Negative: 1 out of 33
  1. Buckwheatjones1
    Sep 2, 2013
    10
    A 100% classic! A perfect choice if you're looking for a great FPS, the story and suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat and whileA 100% classic! A perfect choice if you're looking for a great FPS, the story and suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat and while the gameplay is the same as other FPS, the multi-player will keep you from ever growing bored online. One of the game modes online titled "Infection" is the funnest mode I ever played online in a action game.

    As I already mentioned the campaign gameplay is not much different from other FPS, but the story is so intense, the atmosphere is so creepy and the voice acting is so believable you will be hooked and may even lose yourself and begin to believe you're in an Alien or Predator movie.

    This review may have come too late for many as now we're on the verge of Xbox One and PS4, but if you still own a PS2 or Xbox, please pick it up, you will not be let down. A very rare 10 out of 10.

    FYI: Brian Warner (Marilyn Manson) does the voice for Edgar (the main villain) and he does a great job.    … Expand
  2. JoeyJoJojo
    Jun 21, 2005
    10
    Best FPS on PS2... Critics suck it... Buy it, rent it, steal it...you'll enjoy it.
  4. hildasanchez
    Apr 14, 2004
    10
    Dammn this game is good. If you are one of the people who enjoy perfect dark then youll love this game. It features online play, cool graphicDammn this game is good. If you are one of the people who enjoy perfect dark then youll love this game. It features online play, cool graphic and its a great game to buy.
    Although its release date is10/12/2004 its going to be one of the best games ever. Its also adaptable with ps2 hard drive disk and you be able to download data from the internet.Notice hdd requires network adapter to be able to save information.    … Expand
  5. kaj510superdude
    Oct 16, 2011
    10
    A great FPS game based off the original arcade Area 51 i love it it can get sad especially when crispy... i think you know but i certainlyA great FPS game based off the original arcade Area 51 i love it it can get sad especially when crispy... i think you know but i certainly recommend it to everyone 10/10… Expand
  6. BonehoC.
    Apr 27, 2005
    9
    Excellent, astounding game. Ignore the critics for they've forgotten that a game shouldn't be reviewed on wether the voice acting Excellent, astounding game. Ignore the critics for they've forgotten that a game shouldn't be reviewed on wether the voice acting is boring or if the storyline is perfectly constructed or not. It's about how fun and addicting the game's experience is. For Area 51, it's fun the whole way through.… Expand
  7. The_D4RknesS
    Apr 28, 2023
    8
    the kind of game that is so visually beautiful you wonder how it runs so well on ps2.
    The gameplay is very good
  8. PaulH
    Aug 30, 2005
    4
    Blah, it has no new tricks, just a bland shooter, the bad guys your shooting at are really uninteresting. I was bored through major action Blah, it has no new tricks, just a bland shooter, the bad guys your shooting at are really uninteresting. I was bored through major action scenes, if you want a good first person shooter for ps2 then get timesplitters.… Expand

See all 33 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

71
#71 Best PS2 Game of 2005
34
#34 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2005
35
#35 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2005