I heard about Re-Mission, a cancer-themed shooter, on watchblog Gamepolitics. I was so impressed, especially after yesterday's post on a similar topic, that I put my money where my tacoslot is and actually bought the game in question.

The game is available for free on the website, but they request a donation from those who are not actually cancer patients. And you actually have to mail order the thing, you can't just download it, which is highly inconvenient. But it's a minor gripe.

GamePolitics describes Re-Mission thusly:

Created by Hope Lab in collaboration with several game developers, biologists, and young cancer patients, the somewhat whimsically titled Re-Mission is one of those serious games we love to write about because they show he positive potential of video game tech. Re-Mission is a third-person shooter starring a microscopic nanobot named Roxxi whose mission is to enter the bodies of patients and fight cancer and bacteria on the cellular level.

They go on to compliment the production values, the artwork and design, and the overall blend of science with good gameplay.

More after the ol' jumparoo.

As revealed in their little interview video, Re-Mission was the brainchild of cancer researcher Pam Omidyar, who was working in an immunology lab growing cancer cells. Every night she would go home and play video games. Years later she finally got her chance, and by all accounts Re-Mission is a success.

A study done after the release of the game showed that patients who played it "showed statistically significant improvements in cancer-related self-efficacy, social quality of life, cancer-specific knowledge, and adherence to prescribed medication."

To be fair, I was unable to find any actual reviews of the game, but I'll take care of that in a few weeks when the thing actually gets here. I'm already impressed with the music, the gameplay vid I saw in the trailer at the site, and especially with the design of the main character, who is intensely charming. I mean just look at her. Eliza Gauger

Shooter Game Helps Young Cancer Patients [GamePolitics]
Re-Mission Official Website [Re-Mission]

Previously on Kotaku: Ben's Game

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