gunsmoke on 1/3/2011 at 20:38
If only this was the game equivalent of the DooM comic.
"YOU ARE HUGE. THAT MEANS YOU HAVE HUGE GUTS. RIP AND TEAR."
Oh well.
Briareos H on 1/3/2011 at 23:24
So I just finished it and what I feared happened. The ending is shit. The last couple of acts are a tedious grind, the core mechanic tends to make itself forgotten, the humour is gone, the general's dialogue isn't witty and there are no new environments. To the point of forcing you two times through the same area using the same path. Huh.
It's like they got a totally different studio to make these last levels.
faetal on 1/3/2011 at 23:55
I'd say that's probably the most consistent criticism levelled against all games. My guess if it's one of 2 things:
1) Writing a convincing and well orchestrated end game is just very hard. It's got to be harder than doing so for film, music, book etc.. because not only are you having to tie up the narrative, but also bring the gameplay to a crescendo and gameplay is a dynamic and highly variable thing compared with narrative.
2) Studios create games chronologically and actually make the last acts last, at which point their enthusiasm for crafting their product has been saturated over time and is being cramped due to crunch time.
Just my speculation.
Malf on 2/3/2011 at 07:34
Another reason I've actually seen developers tout is that they know that the majority of the audience won't play their game through to the end, so they just don't devote as many resources to content they feel won't be experienced.
faetal on 2/3/2011 at 10:42
If that's true, it'll create a positive feedback loop.
Angel Dust on 3/3/2011 at 10:53
I've been sick as a dog for the last week and had to put my Homeworld series replay on hold since my fogged up head wasn't up to it. So I rented this here Bulletstorm game for the 360 and it was just what the doctor ordered.
Basically, I haven't enjoyed a pure FPS this much in years. The weapons pack a punch, the enemies die in a variety of satisfyingly messy ways, the level design and set-pieces are frequently awe inspiring, and its gonzo story of space bozos is strangely involving*. The skillshot system, while not being the organic system some might have thought it would be, does a fine job of making you approach all the fire fights with a different mindset than is the norm for the genre.
It's not without it's flaws though. As Briareos H mentioned the end-game is limp, the 3 gun carry limit is an odd design choice that doesn't work in the games favour and towards the end the story was getting a little close to Gears Of War levels of earnestness. However, overall I enjoyed it a lot and will definitely pick it up for the PC once the price drops ($70 US is too much).
*Obviously it's not poignant human drama or anything (and really isn't trying to be) but its going for a knowing brand of action-movie pathos and nails it most of the time.
gunsmoke on 3/3/2011 at 17:52
Man, this seems to be the most polarizing game I have seen in years. Seems like a rental.
sNeaksieGarrett on 5/3/2011 at 03:48
damnit.
