Interface and Sound

Touchy-Feely-Kissy

Psycho Circus' interface is actually one of the better ones among FPS games. The controls are quite standard and simple - click, point, move, shoot anything that moves. Naturally you can remap any controls you don't like, even though the default setup is quite effective (if using the slightly weird ESDF keys for movement instead of WASD.) Movement and "feel" are of course different than in Quake or Unreal Tournament - this is, after all, a different engine.

Zero Cannon

Wooo

So what's so good about the interface? It's geared to new players rather than the old school, but the touches are something we could get used to. The most obvious feature among those is the "clue" box. Move your cursor over something, and the "clue" will tell you what you can do with it. Health you pick up. Barrels you break. Simple, easy, non-intrusive - as it should be. In Psycho Circus there is no more mad clicking on walls trying to find the secret switch - just run your view cursor over a wall or a door and you'll see if you have to "use" it or break it.

The Blade Mastah

Creepy

God Gave Rock 'n Roll To You

The sound effects in the game are fantastic. For example: Headless, these creepy spider-like things that move on two feet, make sharp, clicking noises as they move - pointy pincer-feet hitting the ground. Gasbags are giant, floating fat things that pass gas at you. When you kill them and they explode, the gory sounds of their body parts hitting the ground accompany the equally bloody visual effect. Ambient effects are used very well, never throwing themselves at you, and only noticeable when you have those rare, creepy moments that nothing is trying to kill you.

Every kid needs to meet this clown

Gimme your best shot!

Music is stellar. Everything from twisted circus tunes down to original KISS songs are used to great effect. Unlike many games, you won't be accompanied by music all the time, so when it kicks in, you know something's up. Either you did something very important, or you're in for the fight of your life.