Area 51

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Midway
  • Release Date: Apr 25, 2005
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 76 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 60 out of 76
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 76
  3. Negative: 5 out of 76
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  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 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    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 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. 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 scenes, if you want a good first person shooter for ps2 then get timesplitters.
  3. 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 certainly recommend it to everyone 10/10
  4. PhiloDandy
    Aug 25, 2012
    6
    Area 51 is far away from being a bad game, but it's for sure not a game for everyone. it has great graphics, a creepy - or maybe better: shocking atmosphere, good light effects, good controls, a story which isn't too silly, characters which are talking together during a mission, David Duchovnys' (X-Files) and Marilyn Mansons´ voices and so on... so first you should like brutal games,Area 51 is far away from being a bad game, but it's for sure not a game for everyone. it has great graphics, a creepy - or maybe better: shocking atmosphere, good light effects, good controls, a story which isn't too silly, characters which are talking together during a mission, David Duchovnys' (X-Files) and Marilyn Mansons´ voices and so on... so first you should like brutal games, but you wouldn't read this, if you dislike this, right?! but there are another reasons why some shooter-fans maybe don't get into this game: it's a first person shooter in which you never really have to think, to think about your strategy or anything else. Just run around and shoot like a berserk. it's a awesome game for those who don't want to think about having not enough ammo and so on. you can shoot all the time, you will always have enough bullets. there is also not really a need of choosing the right weapon in different situations cause the game will do even this for you (optional). for me this game was somewhat boring, but if you like straight shooters, like not to think about saving ammo for later, just shoot, this one is definitive a good choice for you, and in this case a "awesome game". for me - as i have written already - this concept is boring… Expand
  5. Rox22
    Jan 24, 2013
    6
    A rather average FPS. Really not doing too much new. Being a big X-Files fan, having David Duchovny in the leading role was made the game stand out for me. I was highly disappointed just how little voice work Marilyn Manson did in the game I believe he only has small scene towards the end of the game, and two or three short line in game. A real shame as I remeber that at the time he wasA rather average FPS. Really not doing too much new. Being a big X-Files fan, having David Duchovny in the leading role was made the game stand out for me. I was highly disappointed just how little voice work Marilyn Manson did in the game I believe he only has small scene towards the end of the game, and two or three short line in game. A real shame as I remeber that at the time he was being given top billing. top billing my ***! More like a brief cameo. That aside I did enjoy the game. Overall: A decent FPS, but nothing too memorable aside from the great voice acting (but likely that's just my inner fan-boy speaking.)… Expand
  6. BryanB.
    May 12, 2005
    9
    This is the best FPS game for the ps2 yet, the critics need to really play the game for what it is and not sit there and pick out every thing wrong with it.
  7. DAGAME
    Jun 1, 2005
    10
    It's soooo great i love da way all the aliens just pop out of no were and the cut scenes are also top quality.
  8. Brent
    Apr 7, 2005
    9
    Dude this game is awsome but thats the thing im a alien fan and i like ufos but i couldent get the story that good.
  9. PS2Fan
    May 3, 2005
    9
    Better on the XBOX. still good though.
  10. Sam
    May 6, 2005
    10
    Great game.
  11. AnsonG.
    Jun 6, 2006
    10
    Best 1st person shooter ps2 i ever played. Single player is good. This game still makes jump out when the mutant zombie come out or an ambush attacks my party from no where. A very scary, dark and bloody game. Also, I liked those graphics, music and the audio sounds. The voice is so familiar at me about Ethan Cole. David Duchovny, isnt it? Its the same guy that plays Mulder in X-Files. I Best 1st person shooter ps2 i ever played. Single player is good. This game still makes jump out when the mutant zombie come out or an ambush attacks my party from no where. A very scary, dark and bloody game. Also, I liked those graphics, music and the audio sounds. The voice is so familiar at me about Ethan Cole. David Duchovny, isnt it? Its the same guy that plays Mulder in X-Files. I thought so. Its difficult game, but i just makes it better. Nice work.… Expand
  12. 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 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    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 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
  13. NickS.
    Apr 25, 2005
    9
    Best FPS on the PS2 yet.
  14. David
    Apr 26, 2005
    10
    Great FPS. such a great campainn mode.
  15. 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 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.
  16. RonnieR.
    May 16, 2005
    10
    It looks like a realy cool game.
  17. JeffA.
    May 27, 2005
    10
    Best FPS I have ever played on any console. The action never stops. Everything from enemy and your teams AI to the weapons and plot is top notch. Area-51 leaves Halo 2 in the dust.
  18. JoeyJoJojo
    Jun 21, 2005
    10
    Best FPS on PS2... Critics suck it... Buy it, rent it, steal it...you'll enjoy it.
  19. Thinkablefire
    Jul 12, 2005
    9
    This game is definitley well done. This game can be the next Halo for some. Full of action and suspense. Great story line and amazing graphics. Plays better on Xbox from my opinion. In all an awsome game.
  20. EbsanU.
    Apr 16, 2005
    10
    The graphics are insanely awsome for the PS2. I have played all the demos, and they're worthy enough to play over and over, that's how good it is.
  21. VincentA.
    Apr 26, 2005
    10
    Some of the best graphics on the PS2. If you own a PS2 and want own a good FPS, this is the FPS to get.
  22. JohnD.
    Apr 27, 2005
    9
    Good online, good story, good gameplay. Intense action. Great graphics, cool innovative infection. the only disappointment would be no co-op and no bot, but the single player is just so frikin good. and the online is so frikin good too, the lack of coop and bots really doesn't hinder the game.
  23. lkjjklkj
    Aug 22, 2005
    10
    This game was amazing. This is byfar my favorite FPS that i have.
  24. Dilliboo
    May 29, 2006
    10
    This game is totally sweet and in my opinion the best game ever made.
  25. aspentitan
    Jan 19, 2020
    8
    I think the critic scores are dead on around 7.5/10. For me this was a love hate game. I really enjoyed the crafting of the game it had an awesome charm and mood and for the most part the game was well thought out. This game could be frustrating in areas not knowing where to go and getting pelted by enemy fire while you are trying to figure it out. Similarly tho this was part of the gameI think the critic scores are dead on around 7.5/10. For me this was a love hate game. I really enjoyed the crafting of the game it had an awesome charm and mood and for the most part the game was well thought out. This game could be frustrating in areas not knowing where to go and getting pelted by enemy fire while you are trying to figure it out. Similarly tho this was part of the game that made it engaging---thus the love hate. Overall the game was quite enjoyable I did not experience and software bugs and the gameplay was varied and mostly exciting except for some frustrating choke points. The game has above average design and with the choices of weapons and tools available the game is fair all around. The game throws a lot at you tho and you must make some intelligent choices in gameplay to make it thru the game...this one is challenging. Even in 2018 soon to be 2019 this one is a must buy imo. The graphics with component cable were pretty awesome as I was playing I'd always be thinking this look like a ps3 game not ps2. My real only gripe with the game was the weapon toggling. As you play you pick up many weapons which creates more weapons to toggle and it got crazy in some areas many deaths cuz you had to toggle thru weapons that were no longer usable and underpowered. Apart from that this game is a highly recommended game to get… Expand
  26. wesker2012
    May 28, 2012
    8
    Game was good.
  27. huss2215
    Nov 14, 2013
    8
    This game is definitely an oldy nowadays, but anyway I purchased this game back on the PS2 and honestly I thought it was a great FPS shooter and I gave it an 8 out of 10.
  28. ByYuxiSs
    Mar 6, 2017
    8
    This game reveals the truth of the area 51 and is a game that I love from its gameplay, atmosphere and the power to gather survival horror with a fps seems incredible for me in such an old game.

    It is a great game highly recommended 8/10
  29. CamyVero
    Mar 7, 2021
    8
    Excellent first person shooter with touches of the horror genre. A more than decent story that invites us to discover the secrets of Area 51 in Nevada, it could easily be a pretty decent B-movie. The gameplay is that of an old school FPS, fast paced and challenging shootouts, with a touch of scenario exploration to collect collectibles in the form of secret CIA reports. Today the gameExcellent first person shooter with touches of the horror genre. A more than decent story that invites us to discover the secrets of Area 51 in Nevada, it could easily be a pretty decent B-movie. The gameplay is that of an old school FPS, fast paced and challenging shootouts, with a touch of scenario exploration to collect collectibles in the form of secret CIA reports. Today the game plays phenomenally well, has aged very decently and is highly recommended.… Expand
  30. TheSnitchfather
    Dec 5, 2018
    10
    Will never forget this game.
    The story and lure of this game is amazing. The level and character designs were also very nice, weapons were also designed neatly.
    This is easily THE best "Alien" game out there, even better than the Alien game franchise itself. Marylin Manson voicing the Grey at the end was a cool thing I never knew and David Duchovny being the voice actor of protagonist    Will never forget this game.
    The story and lure of this game is amazing. The level and character designs were also very nice, weapons were also designed neatly.
    This is easily THE best "Alien" game out there, even better than the Alien game franchise itself. Marylin Manson voicing the Grey at the end was a cool thing I never knew and David Duchovny being the voice actor of protagonist Ethan Cole is also a very nice touch and definitely has a "X Files" feeling to it.    … Expand
  31. epicgamer666
    Sep 21, 2019
    10
    i found this from Area 51 with shrek and some aliens epic 10/10 nice game play it!
  32. 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
  33. Dilusha117
    Nov 16, 2022
    10
    I think this is a Sci-Fi Masterpiece. A very fun to play FPS too. They just don't make games like these anymore.

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    80
    While technologically astounding and generally satisfying in terms of gameplay, Area 51 could have used a deeper, clearer story and another five to 10 hours of play time. [March 2005, p.86]
  2. 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.
    Read full review
  3. Game Informer
    85
    With guns firing at full tilt, and mindless carnage taking center stage, Midway has a surefire hit on its hands. [May 2005, p.108]
See all critic reviews »