What You'll Get

The Hasbro Lazer Tag Multiplayer Battle System takes the lazer-tag cake in terms of its compact sophistication and thoughtfully high-tech modular design. Inside the box are two pistols (blue and gold), two electronic sights, and two shotgun/rifle attachments, along with one game training module. Instead of relying on a separate sensor, a unit that registers scored shots is built right into each gun. The game module lets you hook up to TV sets for a little target practice.

Once you're ready to play against live opponents, just flick the gun's power switch. The switch provides three gameplay settings to choose from: Solo, for mano e mano combat, and Team 1 and Team 2, for splitting up into rival teams. Each selection is announced through the gun's speaker by a futuristic female voice. Once you've made your gaming-style choice, pull the trigger to begin the countdown to the match.

Firing the gun results in a relatively loud "zapping" sound (like a Star Wars blaster), simulated recoil, and a flash of illumination, supplied by the pistol's rear light. Also visible from the back of the pistol is your health status (on the left side) and ammo count (on the right side). As an extra touch of bad-assedness, to reload you must flip one of the virtual clip release/open tabs on the handle and then slam it home. Thankfully, you don't have to wait until your ammo is expended to swap in a new clip.

But wait: There's more! Inside the trigger guard at its front sits a shield button. Activating the shield elicits an electromagnetic "wah wah" sound, alerting you that you're protected, at least for a short time.

I have to say, I really dug the two extra attachments. The sight slides into a grove on top of the pistol and provides a cylinder housing a clear viewing plane complete with painted crosshairs, plus a slick green pinpoint of light for lining up targets. Even cooler is the shotgun/rifle attachment, which clicks in place into the front of the pistol unit. When it's connected or removed, the powered-up gun provides a satisfying "beep beep" sound. Sporting a pump action loader, the shotty blasts a nasty scatter beam handy for those close encounters. The unit also lends a solid weight and length to the gun, better suited to rifle style shooting from a distance.

In the Field

My first real use of the Lazer Tag Multiplayer Battle System was in a close-by park. I convinced fellow Gearlog writer Chris Gampat (who took the photo, above) to join me for this excursion. On a heavily wooded path with plenty of twists and turns, Chris and I dueled it out, testing the LTX's various features. Set to outdoor mode and at maximum power, the guns had surprisingly long range. We were able to score solid hits at well over 30 feet apart, even through light foliage---that sight works pretty well.

To notify you that you're taking damage, the gun's bulbous sensor flashes an angry red that's quite visible from far away. You also hear an obnoxious buzzing noise and are restricted from returning fire for a split-second. If you remember to engage the shield, it could save you in a pinch: I found it particularly effective when used for rushing between areas of cover, and the metallic "ping ping" sound you hear as shots bounce off your protection is priceless.

What really amazed me was how tactics honed through endless hours of FPS gameplay came to the surface; maybe the U.S. Army is onto something. I found myself running ahead, then taking cover in the bushes, and laying in wait for an ambush. There I was, crouching and as still as a cat, looking through the sight and ticking off the seconds mentally, waiting for Chris to come walking blithely along. I'd hear a snap of twigs, and my breath would catch: Crap it's a damned squirrel! Oh wait, there he is, I see him... and I'd fire. After successfully tagging Chris through partial concealment I'd circle around and sneak up on him from behind, squeezing off a few more shots. The shotgun was pretty effective too, throwing up a wide spread of fire which made scoring a hit easier, if much slower.

Moving indoors, I headed to the PC Magazine offices for some team play. With a total of six players, we divided up into two opposing teams and squared off. Things got wild quickly. The mayhem was intense, as each player brought different styles and tactics to the fray. As you can see from the videos belowq, it's a wonder there were no serious casualties, other than slightly bruised egos. Sure, playing with the Hasbro Lazer Tag Multiplayer Battle System may be pretty damn geeky (especially if you're an adult), but man, is it fun. And it's much better for you than sitting on your rump playing video games!

Post by Brian Bennett

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