Guide Note

Haze is a first-person shooter video game incorporating themes of oppression and drug abuse. It has been developed exclusively for the PS3. Development of the Xbox 360 and PC versions was canceled for unknown reasons.

Fast Facts

1. Developer: Free Radical Design
2. Publisher: Ubisoft
3. Platforms: PlayStation 3
4. Modes: Single player, multiplayer
5. ESRB rating: Mature (M)
6. Release date: May 23, 2008

The game revolves around Mantel Global Industries, a multi-national corporation with bio-medical expertise. Mantel soldiers make use of Nectar, a performance-enhancing pharmaceutical that enhances speed, accuracy and strength. In addition to performance enhancement, Nectar is similar to a hallucinogenic in that it controls what soldiers see, altering their perception to experience an idyllic, painless environment rather than the actual battlefield.

Play occurs over a three-day period of Mantel's battle with "The Promise Hand" guerrilla group. Players assume the role of Shane Carpenter, a 25 year old Mantel soldier. After a twist in the story line and Carpenter witnessing the effect Nectar has on his fellow soldiers, Shane teams up with the rebels to take on Mantel. Weapons include pistols, assault rifles, mini guns, shotguns, sniper rifles, laser guns, flamethrowers, rocket launchers, knives and grenades.