Games based on licensed properties have proven to be a hard to grasp category lately. Sometimes they outright suck, other times they end up being incredible experiences. For every Buffy the Vampire Slayer there are always at least two Chaos Bleeds. Alias places itself firmly in the latter category. While it is a fun romp through the TV show's universe, there's little about it to make it a truly memorable experience.

Alias does a great job of recreating the show through both its audio and visual presentation. All of the major characters from the show are present, although there are a few rough spots. Most of the show's characters look like they do in real life, but not all of them. In particular, Sydney, the game's main protagonist, doesn't look that much like Jennifer Garner. The resemblance is close enough that you can tell who she is, but not without an eerily fake stiffness. The stiffness also carries over into animations, especially Sydney's running animation, which is reminiscent of the "diaper run" animation found in Syphon Filter. Although all of the characters may not look exactly like they do on the show, all sound the same. All of the show's stars, including Jennifer Garner, provide the voices for the characters. The acting is generally good and adds a nice little bonus.

The game's soundtrack features themes from the show as well as some licensed tracks. When combined with the voice work, this makes Alias a game you won't want to mute and helps to sell the experience.

In a trend started by the original Buffy game, Alias is presented as a lost episode taking place towards the end of the second season. Events in the game take place roughly around the time when Irina betrayed Jack and Sydney saved Christian Slater (who's character name escapes me at the moment).

You play the role of Sydney Bristow as she tracks down another Rambaldi artifact. As usual, Sydney isn't the only one looking for it, which means you'll also have to contend with characters like Anna Espinosa and Mr. Sark during your mission. Right off the bat, if you've never seen the show, then you won't have a clue as to what's going on in the game. This is the first of the game's failings. Whereas other TV-show based games give you some background as to who the characters are and what the overarching plotline is, Alias assumes you know everything already -- making the experience dependant on the player being a fan of the show and remembering everything that went on during the show's second season. Guess this is as good a time as any to break out the Season 2 DVD's.

All of the major players from the show are present, such as Jack Bristow and Michael Vaughn. Some of the more minor characters, like Marshall Flinkman, also take a much larger role in the game -- which is either good or bad, depending on how you look at it. On one hand, Flinkman's geeky character is always fun, but at the same time, his increased screen time can get annoying.

The bulk of gameplay in Alias is based around espionage and stealth. The stealth elements found in Alias are rather basic and shouldn't cause too much of a problem. As in the show, Sydney can employ a diverse selection of hi-tech gadgets during missions. During missions, you'll hack into computers and pick locks. Performing these actions takes the form of amusing, yet simple, puzzles. Hacking involves guessing the correct order of four letters. This boils down to a simple process of elimination. Lock picking is even easier. The game presents you with a series of latches that you have to work the pick into, which is handled by pointing the analog stick in the direction of the latch.

Though the lack of background is a clear tip off, Alias is meant more for the casual fan of the show rather than your typical gamer. This leads to major failing number two; the game is too easy, even for casual gamers.

Enemy AI is terrible. During stealth areas, enemies will fail to see you unless you're standing right on top of them. You can easily walk down a straight hallway with someone staring at you and not get caught. The only obstacles that present any problems are cameras. If you're actually seen, there's no real consequence other than having to deal with a group of inanely dumb, cowardly enemies who will run the minute you throw a punch. I'm sorry, but am I the only one who finds it silly that a group of four terrorists armed with assault rifles would run from an unarmed woman in a short skirt?

Figuring out what to do in missions poses no problem since whenever a mission objective is updated, one of your team members will instantly tell you exactly what to do. Hand holding is constant thing in Alias since your team members are constantly piping in to tell you where to go and what to do. Sometimes their advice will even go so far as to tell you the exact location of a tiny key in a dark, cluttered store room.

Combat poses one of the bigger challenges in the game, not because enemies are tough, but because the system is too unresponsive to be of any good. Sydney's main two attacks are weak and strong punches, which are very erratic and hit most of the time. Sometimes, whether by fluke or skill (it is all the same in Alias), she'll also pull off some special combo moves like a back flip kick or clothesline. The lack of a lock-on button really hurts the game since there's no real way to tell who you're attacking. Sometimes you will even luck into a special move that looks like it should hit something but doesn't.

One of the more interesting elements from the show that is incorporated into the game is the use of Sydney's various wardrobe changes. Face it, a majority of guys who started watching the show didn't do so in order to see a slick secret agent -- it was the numerous shots of Jennifer Garner in short skirts and other skimpy outfits. Amazingly enough, these outfits actually play a part in the game. During certain parts of the game, you'll have to equip various outfits, such as a skimpy white waitress outfit that would make most Hooters girls blush, which play into the game's secret agent feel. For example, when in the waitress outfit, you'll have to play the part of a waitress while trying to find an opportune time to slip a tracer in someone's drink. Other outfits, like the stealth suit, will also protect you from elements like cold and heat.

Alias is not a total loss. The game's obvious target audience should find something to enjoy in the game. However, anyone outside of this group may not. This also leaves fans of the show who may also be hardcore gamers out in the cold due to the lack of difficulty. For this displaced group Alias is best left as a rental.