Sounding like a particularly rotten day during the apocalypse, Arch Enemy is a ferocious gang of Swedish death metalers bent on throttling their listeners, and they succeed most magnificently on Wages of Sin. The Scandinavians in general are known most for their allegiance to black metal: atmospheric, epic-sounding, satanic-leaning stuff which they invented. But Arch Enemy, who includes members and former members of Carcass, Armageddon, and Mercyful Fate, is more death than black, but there's a little bit of everything in their mix of Sepultura-like riffage; mid-'80s classic, over-the-top metal solos; meat-cleaver-style hooks; and dirty Florida swamp-style death metal. Of course, death metal can easily become monotonous, but this is not at all the case with Arch Enemy, whose songwriting is way above par. Wages of Sin is the first album from the band featuring their new singer, Angela Gossow, a German blonde whose vocals never sound as if they could possibly be emanating from a woman. Rather, they sound like a guttural blast from the sewers of purgatory. She is just the right touch to add to a band who ranks among metal's most progressive and unique outfits. ~ Adam Bregman, All Music Guide
Andy Sneap (Mastering), Andy Sneap (Mixing), Fredrik Nordström (Keyboards), Fredrik Nordström (Producer), Fredrik Nordström (Engineer), Arch Enemy (Engineer), Arch Enemy (Main Performer), Arch Enemy (Selection Compilation), Michael Amott (Guitar), Michael Amott (Producer), Michael Amott (Liner Notes), Michael Amott (Harmony), Sharlee d'Angelo (Bass), Christopher Amott (Guitar), Christopher Amott (Layout Design), Christopher Amott (Harmony), Peter Wildoer (Drums), Mats Eriksson (Video Images)
After thwarting the evil Elexis Sinclaire and her mission to take over Freeport City and ultimately the world, Colonel John R. Blade was ready for some rest and relaxation. Little did he know that his vacation would be cut short as another terrorist group was planning to make their move. Gianni Manero, a feared gangster mob boss is planning to disrupt the peace by taking over, you guessed it, the world. As Blade, it is up to you to get down and dirty, stop his evil mutant thugs and put an end to his plans for good.
Wages of Sin is the first mission pack to the widely successful Sin. Picking up where the latter left off, you'll have to traverse through seventeen new missions (not to mention a whole slew of new online maps and play modes) and filled with all sorts of genetic freaks, thugs, crime lords, etc. Your pact to stop the forces of evil will take you down into vast ocean landscapes, sewers, casinos, buildings, and even research facilities. Thanks to the help of sidekick J.C., there are all sorts of new weapons and items to use. You'll get to snipe the bad guys out with a plasma bow, fire off the concussion gun and wield the mighty flame-thrower as well as ride around on some new vehicles. There are also some tools like rope and flashlight to help you get out of those tight and dark spaces.
Get ready to sin...again.
~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Roots & Influences
Wages of Sin is based on SiN as it is the first mission pack. The developers took everything that players loved from the original game and set it to bigger and better levels, put in more action packed events and weapons and really tweeked the enemy AI.
~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Review: Overall
The purpose of any mission or add-on pack is to extend the life of an already existing game by offering the fans more weapons, more options, new levels and other goodies. This way, it gives the fans something new to do until there is a sequel (if there is indeed going to be a sequel) and to make the wait more tolerable. And this is exactly what Wages of Sin does for the fans of Sin.
Picking up where Sin left off, players are thrown once again into the role of super-cop John Blade. A new wave of terror has infested the city of Freeport and the U4 chemical (DNA altering) is once again a problem. To make it worse, the crime lord behind all this has kidnapped a very important scientist's daughter and it will be up to you to bring her back alive. And how will you do this? By rampaging and shooting your way through seventeen brand new mission-styled levels. Like the original game, each mission moves the story along and bits and pieces of the mystery are unraveled. One of the beauties of Sin was its downright inspired level design. Thankfully, the level design is every bit as inspired in Wages of Sin, if not better in some places. Most of the levels are quite large in size and have been littered with all sorts of nice detail effects. You can open doors, flush toilets, swing from ropes, shoot out windows, etc. The texturing has also been enhanced with better light sourcing and all around looks. There's even a flashlight you can use for dark areas.
Another thing that this reviewer loved about Sin was the level of intensity in shoot-outs and general action. And that intensity has been translated to this mission pack and then some. For starters, there are all sorts of new genetic freaks that you'll have to take out and some of them are downright nasty looking. There will also be times where you'll find yourself in the middle of a mob-fight with 10 other gangsters. Wages of Sin is incredibly action packed to say the least. Fans of the original game will also notice the improved enemy AI. This time around, goons will duck behind corners and tables, run away if they're hurt too much and attack in groups. And because you'll be up against smarter opponents, you'll have some new weapons to use. You can use dual magnums, a flame-thrower and concussion rifle, plasma bow and something that can only be described as BFG-like. The new weapons are really neat though I would've liked to have had a few more.
All in all, Wages of Sin will please any fan of the original game. With another great story, cool new weapons and items and some fantastic level design, it recaptures the magic of Sin quite well.
~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Review: Enjoyment
Wages of Sin is a very enjoyable mission pack. It's got another great story that unfolds the more you play, some nice new weapons, great level design and lots of action.
~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Review: Graphics
With some truly gorgeous texturing, great character animation and weapon effects, and some inspired level designs, this game looks beautiful. Everything is detailed nicely and realistically.
~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Review: Sound
The same voice actors have returned from Sin and once again they do a good job. Some of Blade's catchphrases get a bit tedious, but the speech in general is great. Also, there are some really nice ambient sound effects to be heard like dripping water in sewage pipes.
~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Review: Replay Value
There are some new online play-modes that will extend its life. There is a vehicular combat game with hoverbikes, a game of tag called Marked for Death and a hunting like game where one person is getting chased the entire time. There are also some new online maps, which are all pretty decent.
~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Review: Documentation
While not as big, the instruction manual follows the guidelines of its predecessor. There is a bunch of story and news clips in the beginning and the second part tells you what's new in the game and how to play.
~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Production Credits
2015; Level Design: Benson Russell, Zied Rieke; Programming: Carl Glave; RITUAL ENTERTAINMENT Art: Beau Anderson, Robert Atkins, Michael Hadwin, John Mueller, Murphy Michaels, Brandon Riza, Joel Thomas; Level Design: Berenger Fish, Patrick Hook, Levelord, Tom Mustaine, Charlie Wiederhold, Matthias Worch; Programming: Scott Alden, Mark Dochtermann, Jim Dose
