Coded Arms: Contagion drops you smack dab in the middle of a virtual reality military training program, code name A.I.D.A.. A.I.D.A. is essentially the Matrix. We're sorry but it is. Your character Grant (who gets ported into A.I.D.A. in the opening cut scene) is an elite military security agent, well versed in weapons, hacking and awkwardly slow evasive movements in the heat of battle.

Let's begin by clarifying what we mean by battle. You start off with a training mission, getting used to all of the weapons Coded Arms provides, and generally learning the controls. Fine, now let's move on to the wanton killing. The problem is, no matter what level you're in, your enemies remain essentially the same, until, GASP -- you encounter crabs. Not normal crabs, mind you, but cyber-terrorist crabs. It's amazing how little adding 'cyber-terrorist' before the word crabs does to the fear-inducing level. Seriously, it's like saying cyber-terrorist puppies, for all the menace it holds. Except crabs can pinch -- and it's immensely perplexing how the pincers of a terrorist crab do more damage to your character than a submachine gun.

Coded Arms comes complete with a target lock-on -- making combat easy once you get the hang of it. Lock on, fire and strafe to avoid enemy fire. Furthermore, one of the funnier aspects of combat is that once you eliminate your enemies they disappear into a mist of ones and zeros.

As far as the story line goes, it's your normal military vs. terrorist plot. Military training center breached by crabs and other creepy creatures. As the security agent that just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, you're sent in to retrieve Bravo Team. Bravo Team again? How come it is always Bravo Team? Anyway, Bravo Team needs rescuing, the levels of the training program need some shutting down to control the Contagion and you need some serious medals for bravery.

While it certainly isn't the worst first person shooter to grace the PSP, Coded Arms takes the prize for mediocrity. With a storyline that's been done as well as repetitive level and enemy design, the game won't move you. Regardless of its flaws, it remains in essence a decent game with decent controls, so if you're a gamer obsessed with FPSs, this might not be a bad one to shove into your pocket Just remember, you have to do more than shave to get rid of Coded Arms' crabs.