This rich sci-fi caper starts in the unlikeliest of settings, a shabby Native American casino. Players are invited to amuse themselves by playing the one-armed bandits or getting into fights with drunks propping up the bar.

Then all hell breaks loose. The three Cherokee Indians who run the resort are sucked into an alien world by a weird organic spaceship that drains the life from humans. The game’s hero must then explore the murderous craft and save whoever he can.

Two strands of gameplay emerge — the real world and the Cherokee spirit world, which allows our hero to explore zones he cannot reach physically. It also means he can never die, since he can zap spirits to top up his crucial life energy levels.

As a first-person shooter, Prey makes up in design for what it lacks in depth. The game moves along swiftly, balancing a strong narrative with solid puzzle-solving and some very tasty eye candy. Multiplayer options add a little value, and given the paucity of recent Xbox 360 releases, Prey will be the answer to some gamers’ prayers.

TIM WAPSHOTT