Summary
- Release Year: 2010
- Genres: Adventure, Role-playing game (RPG), Shooter
- Platforms: PlayStation Portable
- Developers: HexaDrive, Square Enix
- Publishers: Square Enix
The 3rd Birthday: A Cinematic Action RPG with a Unique Body-Switching Twist
Released in 2010, The 3rd Birthday is an action role-playing game (RPG) developed by Square Enix and HexaDrive for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). It is a spin-off of the Parasite Eve series, and the third installment in the series overall. The game follows Aya Brea, a member of the CTI (Counter Twisted Investigation) unit, as she investigates a series of mysterious events in New York City.
Gameplay
The 3rd Birthday is an over-the-shoulder action RPG, similar to games such as Resident Evil 4, Dead Space, and the Mass Effect series. Players control Aya Brea as she explores environments, solves puzzles, and battles enemies. The game’s unique feature is the “Overdive” ability, which allows Aya to switch bodies with one of her team members. This allows players to control different characters with different abilities, and to strategically position their team members in combat.
In addition to Overdive, Aya can also use a variety of weapons and abilities to defeat enemies. These include firearms, melee weapons, and psychic powers. The game also features a cover system, which allows Aya to take cover behind objects to avoid enemy fire.
Story
The 3rd Birthday is set in New York City in 2014. The city has been ravaged by a mysterious outbreak of Twisted, creatures that are born from the fusion of humans and mitochondria. Aya Brea is a member of the CTI unit, which is tasked with investigating the outbreak and stopping the Twisted.
As Aya investigates the outbreak, she discovers that there is more to the Twisted than meets the eye. She also learns that she has a special ability called Overdive, which allows her to switch bodies with other people. Aya uses her Overdive ability to investigate the outbreak and uncover the truth behind the Twisted.
Characters
- Aya Brea: The protagonist of the game, Aya is a member of the CTI unit. She is a skilled fighter and has the ability to use Overdive.
- Kyle Madigan: A member of the CTI unit, Kyle is Aya’s partner. He is a skilled hacker and provides technical support to Aya.
- Eve: A young girl who is immune to the Twisted. Eve is the key to stopping the outbreak.
- Koda: A member of the CTI unit, Koda is a skilled sniper. He provides cover fire for Aya and her team.
- G: The leader of the CTI unit, G is a mysterious figure who knows more about the Twisted than he lets on.
Reception
The 3rd Birthday received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the game’s unique gameplay and story, while others criticized its repetitive missions and technical issues. However, the game was a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.
Legacy
The 3rd Birthday is a unique and innovative action RPG that stands out from the crowd. Its body-switching mechanic adds a new layer of strategy to the gameplay, and its story is full of twists and turns. While the game has its flaws, it is still a worthwhile experience for fans of action RPGs.
Additional Information
- The 3rd Birthday was directed by Hajime Tabata, who also directed Final Fantasy XV.
- The game’s soundtrack was composed by Keiji Kawamori, who also composed the soundtracks for the Parasite Eve series and the Kingdom Hearts series.
- The 3rd Birthday was originally released in Japan in 2010. It was released in North America and Europe in 2011.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
