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It was described by the ABC and Agriculture Minister Tony Burke as like “a disaster novel”, but a simple test shows the drought predictions are not statistically significant, apart for the SW of Western Australia. The conclusions should read: “Despite the significant increase in exceptional temperatures to 2050, apart for SWWA the modelling predicted [...]
JPN April 25, 2002 NA February 15, 2003 EUR February 28, 2003
Genre(s)
Adventure
Mode(s)
Single player
Rating(s)
ESRB: Teen (T)
Media
Video Game Console
Input methods
DualShock 2
Disaster Report (known as SOS The Final Escape in Europe, 絶体絶命都市 (Zettai Zetsumei Toshi in Japan) is a survival action adventure video game created by Irem. It was released in Japan for the PlayStation 2 in 2002 and in 2003 was released in North America and Europe. The game deals with the characters' survival and escape from the slow collapse of an artificial island. While dodging falling buildings and debris from periodic earthquakes, the player must find a way off the island. In addition, the main character, a reporter, must investigate the reasons for the disaster.
The characters underwent a slight change upon importing to other countries. Hair color, names and locations on the map were changed to convey a Western feel. Despite this, the street names and signs in-game are still written in Japanese. The Japanese version is one of the few games to support the Rez Vibrator for PlayStation 2.
Gameplay
HP is the character health and QP is the amount of energy the chararacter has left. QP can be restored by drinking water. If the character becomes thirsty from running or other various tasks, the player must provide the character with drinking water. If the player does not do this, the character begins to slowly lose health. Water can be drunk from clean taps or from bottled water filled up along the way. It is possible to give your companion water.
Ultimately, the aim of the game is to make your way through the city avoiding hazards and finding new routes through seemingly impassable hazards. When an aftershock strikes, the player must make Keith crouch, to keep him stable and safe from harm.
Customisation of equipment can help Keith, or in the case of certain accessories, change his appearance. Due to varying sizes of backpacks collected, he can only carry so many items.
Keith is accompanied by various companions. At one point, Keith has choice of companion, Karen or Kelly, both with different areas to explore and storylines to uncover.
Legacy
A sequel to the game, "Disaster Report 2", was released in Japan on March 30, 2006. The game was announced for a North American release sometime during Quarter 2 2007 under the title Raw Danger. Unlike the earthquakes featured in the first game, this game revolves around a flooding.
Plot
The year is 2001. After ten years of construction, the government announces to the world the completion of a top-secret project based in the Pacific ocean, known as Stiver Island. In a feat of revolutionary technology, the government used its top engineering talent to transform a minor spur of rock that barely stood above the ocean waves to a thriving man-made island, complete with a state-of-the-art metropolis, called Capital City.
A few years have passed, Capital City is still known as the "City of the Future".
In 2005, Keith Helm is on his way to Capital City for what he considers is a dream job - editor for the prestigious Town Crier newspaper. This is his first trip to Capital City, when an earthquake occurs.
Main characters
Keith Helm -- A journalist who came to Capital City to start a new job and a new life. On his way there Keith's train is hit by one of the earthquakes. Keith's need to escape is soon overshadowed by his involvement in a conspiracy connected to the earthquakes.
Karen Morris - A college student in Capital City. Her uncle suggested she take a trip out of the city, and she was on her way to the airport when disaster struck Stiver Island. She meets Keith when he saves her from a train car balancing over the edge of the bridge's tracks. After Keith risks his life to rescue her, naturally, she tags along with him.
Kelly Austin - A resident and student of Capital City. Her little brother, Jason, was with her at the amusement park when the disaster struck, and after she regained consciousness he was missing, now she wants nothing more than to find him before she evacuates...
Greg Bach - A freelance photojournalist who Keith and Karen meet early on in their journey. He remained behind in the ruins of Capital City to cover the disaster, and in doing so, stumbled upon a new lead that is now his main focus. Greg instantly takes charge whenever he sees fit and involves Keith and Karen in his investigation into Stiver Island's planning development.
William Hardy - The editor in chief of the Town Crier newspaper. He meets Keith and Karen/Kelly when they stumble upon the main building of the major newspaper. He will stop at nothing to get his story and even puts Keith and Karen/Kelly to work.
Cast
Keith Helm - Casey Robertson
Karen Morris - Theresa Lubeley
Kelly Austin - Jaime Weber
Greg Bach - David Rosenthal
William Hardy - Michael Santo
Jason Austin - Anthony Cruise
Eric Lu - Adam Harrington
John Patton - David Rosenthal
Charlie Baxter - Gary Martinez
Ellen Baxter - Christiane Crawford
Albert Sims - Adam Harrington
Terry Stiver - Eric Francis
Newscaster - Christiane Crawford
External links
Official website
Disaster Report at IGN
Disaster Report at GameFAQs
Disaster Report at MobyGames
Disaster Report at GameSpot
Humorous review of the Japanese version at Penny Arcade
