Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Reviewed: Metroid Other M
Bounty Hunter Samus Aran answers a distress call from a spaceship which appears to be deserted on arrival. A platoon of marines from The Galactic Federation who have also answered the call greet her in a less than friendly manner led by her former colleague Adam. After an attack by a hostile and mysterious alien force Adam reluctantly asks for Samus's help on the condition she follows his orders. What has happened to the crew, who are these strange aliens and where have they come from?
Metroid:Other M is finally a worthy successor and continuation of the Metroid series. Super Metroid for the Super Nintendo is arguably my favourite game of all time and as such I have been hyper critical of the various, often flawed Metroid releases since. Fortunately, Other M is finally a game that I can play without scowling at massive flaws in gameplay, plot or character.
Super Metroid combined a fascinating plot with a sprawling landscape and a perfect combination of two dimensional shooting and platform action. Other M does all this but drags the franchise into the 21st Century with a use of 3D and excellent graphics. That isn't a typo by the way, this a Wii game with superb graphics which would not look out of place on higher end systems like the Playstation 3 or Xbox 360. Graphically the game really is beautiful using shadowing and an anime style to provide an atmospheric and engrossing backdrop to your acrobatic exploits.
In fact the atmospherics of the game are perfect throughout with the spaceship suitably dark and vacuous while sometimes claustrophobic enough to make you feel like a character in an Alien movie. This is helped along by a very eerie musical score that cranks up the tension throughout the gameplay and the fact that you play a large portion of the game in third person. The third person viewpoint is perfect for the platform and shooting elements of the game and the camera angles rarely let you down allowing for some intuitive and often fast paced jump, roll and shoot gameplay. Samus as a character is hard as nails but this is the first Metroid title that makes more use of the fact that she is a woman. The strong narrative throughout explores her thoughts and fears without ever making her appear weak. Indeed the respect she garners from the platoon of marines she encounters shows how tough she really is and it is nice to see a gun toting female being treated seriously in a game.
The emphasis in Metroid titles has always been on exploration, weaponry and big boss battles and Other M continues in this vein. You are given clear checkpoints to aim for and gameplay is largely linear with you needing to complete a puzzle, kill certain foes or acquire a new weapon to progress. However, the linearity never becomes an issue thanks to the vastness of the explorable areas and the feeling of achievement you get when you do make it into a new area. The greatest strength and weakness of the Metroid series has always been figuring out how to move to the next bit and that remains so in Other M as often puzzles are so obscure or hidden from view that you can be scratching your head for hours. This does however, make it all the more rewarding when you do figure out and you will often find yourself feeling very silly when you realise that vent you past earlier was your escape route.
Samus remains a wonderfully diverse character control. The ability to run, jump, bounce off walls and morph into a ball at will opens up a whole range of platforming opportunities. This all before you even fire your gun which as an extension of Samus's arm feels instinctive. In fact, the control system on a whole feels very intuitive and simply using the Wiimote sideways rather than plugging in the nunchuk gives a real retro feel while allowing for some precision platform jumping and shooting. The game switches from 3D to 2D on occasion which is a great homage to the original games while also aiding the gameplay but perhaps my only gripe is the use of first person to fire missiles. You have to turn your Wiimote upright to go into first person and fire a missile at a door or alien as while as explore your environment more closely. This isn't as responsive as it should be and also often leaves you vulnerable to attack. Not so much a problem when you are blowing up a door but when you are expected to hit a sweet spot on a bad guy while dodging shots, it can be very frustrating.
However, this is a minor quibble and the actual interaction with the aliens is explosive and entertaining. Battles are a nice mix of intuitive blast and hope and combo moves with lethal strikes. The combat is a little automated as you don't need to aim particularly well to hit your target, but the last minute sidesteps and lethal headshots make for some scintillating gameplay with the now obligatory bullet time used to great effect. Of course, what every Metroid fan wants to see the most is ridiculously improbable, screen filling boss fights and Other M doesn't dissapoint. Some of the bosses are huge but refreshingly, they all provide a different challenge while still having that obvious weak spot to aim for.
You always feel like you are making progress in Other M and this is largely thanks to the intelligent use of cutscenes which drive the story along. It is also nice to see the human side of Samus being developed throughout and the cutscenes also often provide reward with Adam giving Samus permission to unlock another lethal weapon in her arsenal. Remember that doorway you couldn't get through before? You can now you have permission to blast it open with your super missile!
The learning curve on Other M is very steep and you might find yourself dying quite a lot initially. Fortunately, the save points are relatively frequent, although it is frustrating if you reset to have to wade through areas you have already traversed to get to that boss you just can't beat. However, all in all Metroid:Other M is an epic platformer that has a real old school, "one more go" feel to it. It can be frustrating, it is definitely hardcore but it is gaming as it should be with a kickass heroine to boot!
Monday, 13 February 2012
Reviewed: Skyrim
As you prepare yourself for your execution you glance skyward and see a vast shadow overhead, a dragon's huge wingspan blots out the landscape and attacks the town of Helgen. Using this distraction you make a break for freedom and begin your path to adventure.
Skyrim is everywhere. It is a phenomenon in gaming that hasn't been seen in many years as Bethseda have seemingly accomplished the impossible, a swords and sorcery Role Playing Game that everyone wants to play. Role Playing Games have always had a very dedicated but niche market, Skyrim's marketing machine has belied that and has overtaken the populace. The question remains though, is it actually any good?
The story begins in a thought provoking although perhaps cliched fashion. You are given numerous decisions to make early on. What race will you be? Will you be a warrior or a mage? Will you go down the rebel path or that or becoming a law abiding citizen? All of these decisions have varying effects and open up the game in various ways and that is the biggest strength of Skyrim. You make decisions and choose how you want to play. Of course there is a central story to follow but this is arguably the weakest part of the game as many of the side stories are far more enriching and interesting. You might decide to join the Mage Guild and study the arcane arts or be recruited by the Dark Brotherhood an elite group of assassins. Whatever paths you choose open up a whole new set of stories, quests, perils and rewards. The possibilities really are endless and it isn't an exaggeration to say that this is a game that you could play indefinitely.
However, the sheer size of the game does lead to a number of problems. Wandering around the humongous World of Skyrim while very satisfying is very daunting. It is also not as "free" as you are lead to believe. You character might be a multi-talented mage/warrior/assassin but expect to be frustrated by rocks and hillsides and punished in an unforgiving fashion for wandering from the designated paths. You might be able to summon the wrath of the God's but try not to conquer the almighty slightly steep hillside! It is a relatively minor gripe as it is still a pleasure to traverse the rich and varied landscape that is Skyrim and graphically the game is without equal. There are few things more majestic than standing a the throat of the World looking out at the Northern Lights and the whole game graphically is a thing of beauty.
Sadly, a much reported problem with the PS3 version of this game is freezing and lag and this is something I have experienced relatively frequently although not enough to spoil the enjoyment of the game. Certainly as you progress and the game demands more from your hardware there can be noticeable slowdown in texture rich and battle strewn areas although this is something that is said to be rectified in an upcoming update.
In terms of sound Skyrim is perfectly balanced with ominous and soaring orchestral scores and a huge raft of tailored audio. There are occasions were characters suffer from repetition but on the whole even the most minor of characters have rich personalities and react in a variety of ways depending on your behaviour. Everything in this game is about action and reaction and the audio enhances the experience as you hear a roaring dragon overhead signalling an impending attack or hear the chittering of a large insect someone out of sight.
Skyrim is incredibly atmospheric and cinematic in places and there are particular areas of the game were you feel totally immersed as if part of a movie. Particular highlights for me including horror scenes in a haunted house straight out of your worst nightmares and storming a citadel as part of a rebellious army. However, these things are merely the tip of the iceberg and the the variety of gameplay is what makes this game worth the purchase. You can approach the game as a simple hack and slash affair scything down goblins and chopping off a bandit chiefs head and indeed, there is a certain amount of visceral enjoyment to that. However, you can also get married and enjoyed all the advantages (and disadvantages!) therein, open a merchants stall, become a detective solving murders or even a singing bard. The devil really is in the detail in this game and it would be nigh on impossible to explain all the options available to you.
As I have mentioned earlier Skyrim is far from perfect in terms of gameplay although if one thing frustrates you, you can simply tackle something else. Combat in particular is very much a mixed bag. Unlike many Role Playing Games, Skyrim's combat system is largely stripped down to make it accessible meaning you have little variety in terms of attacks and defence with the enemy pulling off spectacular thrusts and spins while you look somewhat clumsy. This is compensated by some superb "kill sequences" which provide a Mortal Kombat-esque array of finish him moves. The use of magic also makes combat far more of a tactical affair as you summon warriors to fight by your side or use your raw powers to force enemies away from you.
In terms of difficulty, the freeform nature of the questing also leads to massive unpredictabilities in terms of what you are stumbling into. If you simply follow the main quests in a linear fashion you will likely get destroyed time and again as you enter dungeons and other areas woefully underprepared, underpowered and unequipped. The game doesn't tell you to go off and do a number of side quests to level up and as such unlock some decent attacks and find some decent equipment but after you get annihilated by a giant or bandit for the millionth time, it's a lesson you learn the hard way. Ironically, dragons the foe that are supposed to provide the main thrust and threat of the story are arguably one of the easiest foes to defeat as you pick them off easily with your bow.
I seem to be talking a lot about the problems with Skyrim but that doesn't mean I don't like it. In fact it's a great game that should have something that appeals to everyone. The only thing I would say is that because it does have something for everyone, it doesn't quite excel at anything. In aiming to appeal to the masses Skyrim is a watered down Role Playing Game but it is still a fine game and one I would recommend to anyone. It lacks the tight narrative of an Arkham City but when you get this much gameplay for your money, it's hard to care.
Skyrim is everywhere. It is a phenomenon in gaming that hasn't been seen in many years as Bethseda have seemingly accomplished the impossible, a swords and sorcery Role Playing Game that everyone wants to play. Role Playing Games have always had a very dedicated but niche market, Skyrim's marketing machine has belied that and has overtaken the populace. The question remains though, is it actually any good?
The story begins in a thought provoking although perhaps cliched fashion. You are given numerous decisions to make early on. What race will you be? Will you be a warrior or a mage? Will you go down the rebel path or that or becoming a law abiding citizen? All of these decisions have varying effects and open up the game in various ways and that is the biggest strength of Skyrim. You make decisions and choose how you want to play. Of course there is a central story to follow but this is arguably the weakest part of the game as many of the side stories are far more enriching and interesting. You might decide to join the Mage Guild and study the arcane arts or be recruited by the Dark Brotherhood an elite group of assassins. Whatever paths you choose open up a whole new set of stories, quests, perils and rewards. The possibilities really are endless and it isn't an exaggeration to say that this is a game that you could play indefinitely.
However, the sheer size of the game does lead to a number of problems. Wandering around the humongous World of Skyrim while very satisfying is very daunting. It is also not as "free" as you are lead to believe. You character might be a multi-talented mage/warrior/assassin but expect to be frustrated by rocks and hillsides and punished in an unforgiving fashion for wandering from the designated paths. You might be able to summon the wrath of the God's but try not to conquer the almighty slightly steep hillside! It is a relatively minor gripe as it is still a pleasure to traverse the rich and varied landscape that is Skyrim and graphically the game is without equal. There are few things more majestic than standing a the throat of the World looking out at the Northern Lights and the whole game graphically is a thing of beauty.
Sadly, a much reported problem with the PS3 version of this game is freezing and lag and this is something I have experienced relatively frequently although not enough to spoil the enjoyment of the game. Certainly as you progress and the game demands more from your hardware there can be noticeable slowdown in texture rich and battle strewn areas although this is something that is said to be rectified in an upcoming update.
In terms of sound Skyrim is perfectly balanced with ominous and soaring orchestral scores and a huge raft of tailored audio. There are occasions were characters suffer from repetition but on the whole even the most minor of characters have rich personalities and react in a variety of ways depending on your behaviour. Everything in this game is about action and reaction and the audio enhances the experience as you hear a roaring dragon overhead signalling an impending attack or hear the chittering of a large insect someone out of sight.
Skyrim is incredibly atmospheric and cinematic in places and there are particular areas of the game were you feel totally immersed as if part of a movie. Particular highlights for me including horror scenes in a haunted house straight out of your worst nightmares and storming a citadel as part of a rebellious army. However, these things are merely the tip of the iceberg and the the variety of gameplay is what makes this game worth the purchase. You can approach the game as a simple hack and slash affair scything down goblins and chopping off a bandit chiefs head and indeed, there is a certain amount of visceral enjoyment to that. However, you can also get married and enjoyed all the advantages (and disadvantages!) therein, open a merchants stall, become a detective solving murders or even a singing bard. The devil really is in the detail in this game and it would be nigh on impossible to explain all the options available to you.
As I have mentioned earlier Skyrim is far from perfect in terms of gameplay although if one thing frustrates you, you can simply tackle something else. Combat in particular is very much a mixed bag. Unlike many Role Playing Games, Skyrim's combat system is largely stripped down to make it accessible meaning you have little variety in terms of attacks and defence with the enemy pulling off spectacular thrusts and spins while you look somewhat clumsy. This is compensated by some superb "kill sequences" which provide a Mortal Kombat-esque array of finish him moves. The use of magic also makes combat far more of a tactical affair as you summon warriors to fight by your side or use your raw powers to force enemies away from you.
In terms of difficulty, the freeform nature of the questing also leads to massive unpredictabilities in terms of what you are stumbling into. If you simply follow the main quests in a linear fashion you will likely get destroyed time and again as you enter dungeons and other areas woefully underprepared, underpowered and unequipped. The game doesn't tell you to go off and do a number of side quests to level up and as such unlock some decent attacks and find some decent equipment but after you get annihilated by a giant or bandit for the millionth time, it's a lesson you learn the hard way. Ironically, dragons the foe that are supposed to provide the main thrust and threat of the story are arguably one of the easiest foes to defeat as you pick them off easily with your bow.
I seem to be talking a lot about the problems with Skyrim but that doesn't mean I don't like it. In fact it's a great game that should have something that appeals to everyone. The only thing I would say is that because it does have something for everyone, it doesn't quite excel at anything. In aiming to appeal to the masses Skyrim is a watered down Role Playing Game but it is still a fine game and one I would recommend to anyone. It lacks the tight narrative of an Arkham City but when you get this much gameplay for your money, it's hard to care.
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Reviewed Batman: Arkham City
The superhero game genre has been largely destroyed by game developers who have time and again made half-hearted cash ins of movie licenses. Batman has fared better than most in the chequered history of super hero gaming with some passable titles released over the years. This is largely thanks to the lack of any "superpowers" making the game dynamics far easier to translate. However, it was only when Batman: Arkham Asylum moved entirely away from any movie or cartoon tie in that Batman really came into his own.
The main reason Arkham Asylum in 2009 was such an engrossing experience is that it immediately sucked you into a rich and intense storyline and Btaman: Arkham City continues in the same vein. However, gone are the claustrophobic walls and corridors of an Asylum and instead you are treated to a whole locked down City to explore. Think Escape from New York with Batman instead of Kurt Russell and you are not too wide of the mark. However, this game is all about humanising Batman and as such you are initially thrust into the action not as the caped crusader but rather, as Bruce Wayne. This introduction intentionally throws you off kilter a little but builds the tension beautifully as you are thrown into a microcosm of corrupt city life complete with thugs and super villains. From here the story simply takes off and builds to a unique climax that I will not spoil for you all.
The gameplay is far more varied this time round with a lot more freeplay despite a strong central theme throughout. You can choose to steadfastly follow the main story or you might hear a cry for help from a political prisoner and decide to investigate or even stumble across a fiendish sub plot by such villains as Penguin, Ra's al Guhl and many others. Whereas in Arkham Asylum the goal was always relatively linear, this time round you are encouraged, rewarded and punished in equal measure for exploration. There are clues and riddle littered throughout Arkham City and the scope of gameplay is vast. The main storyline alone is epic but with the plethora of sidequests and secrets to uncover there really is an almost endless longevity to this game.
Batman is far more equipped this time round with many of his trademark gadgets readily available and upgradeable. You feel genuinely like a lean mean crimefighting machine as you eavesdrop, solve puzzles, stealth attack and distract enemies with a variety of weaponry from batarangs to freeze grenades. Hand to hand combat has been improved even further with some genuinely intuitive button bashing combinations justly rewarded with explosive knockdown and animations. However, the game really excels when Batman has to use his stealth and ability to strike fear to take down heavily armed and clever adversaries. Will you hide in a great and drag surprise them? How about throwing a sonic batarang to throw them off your scent? Either way however it is not a foregone conclusion that you will be victorious and it is much tougher this time round to dispatch the bad guys. Your enemy actually tries to outwit you destroying vantage points and checking ledges as they go. Even the most base thugs involved in the various turf wars will learn and adapt. This game gives an assumption that you will be au fait with the various gadgetry and tactics Batman can deploy and for the rookie it can be very unforgiving but equally rewarding.
Everything about Arkham City is polished from the flawless voice acting to the stunning graphics. The voice acting in particular shines through and the attention to detail as thugs around Gotham comment on your actions and their subsequent consequences draws you in and makes you feel like you are having an effect. I can't emphasise enough how much you feel like you are Batman as you play this game and this is helped along by intuitive controls that make both combat and exploration seamless. Of course, this is all helped along by a stunning soundtrack and flawless sound throughout.
There are no real criticisms I can make of this game as even on completion the availability of challenge modes, side missions and unlockable characters make the game almost endless. The various versions available give you extra storylines to play with Catwoman in particular tying seamlessly into the main story although I was disappointed by Robin's rather brief appearance. Many have stated that there should have been an online mode but I honestly cannot see what that would accomplish and it would have felt tagged on for me. All in all Arkham City is the most rounded game available on the PS3 at this time and I include Skyrim in this. It's storyline is second to none and it is simply the ultimate single player experience. In 2009 Arkham Asylum was the best single player game I had ever played. Three years later and along comes Arkham City to go one better.
The main reason Arkham Asylum in 2009 was such an engrossing experience is that it immediately sucked you into a rich and intense storyline and Btaman: Arkham City continues in the same vein. However, gone are the claustrophobic walls and corridors of an Asylum and instead you are treated to a whole locked down City to explore. Think Escape from New York with Batman instead of Kurt Russell and you are not too wide of the mark. However, this game is all about humanising Batman and as such you are initially thrust into the action not as the caped crusader but rather, as Bruce Wayne. This introduction intentionally throws you off kilter a little but builds the tension beautifully as you are thrown into a microcosm of corrupt city life complete with thugs and super villains. From here the story simply takes off and builds to a unique climax that I will not spoil for you all.
The gameplay is far more varied this time round with a lot more freeplay despite a strong central theme throughout. You can choose to steadfastly follow the main story or you might hear a cry for help from a political prisoner and decide to investigate or even stumble across a fiendish sub plot by such villains as Penguin, Ra's al Guhl and many others. Whereas in Arkham Asylum the goal was always relatively linear, this time round you are encouraged, rewarded and punished in equal measure for exploration. There are clues and riddle littered throughout Arkham City and the scope of gameplay is vast. The main storyline alone is epic but with the plethora of sidequests and secrets to uncover there really is an almost endless longevity to this game.
Batman is far more equipped this time round with many of his trademark gadgets readily available and upgradeable. You feel genuinely like a lean mean crimefighting machine as you eavesdrop, solve puzzles, stealth attack and distract enemies with a variety of weaponry from batarangs to freeze grenades. Hand to hand combat has been improved even further with some genuinely intuitive button bashing combinations justly rewarded with explosive knockdown and animations. However, the game really excels when Batman has to use his stealth and ability to strike fear to take down heavily armed and clever adversaries. Will you hide in a great and drag surprise them? How about throwing a sonic batarang to throw them off your scent? Either way however it is not a foregone conclusion that you will be victorious and it is much tougher this time round to dispatch the bad guys. Your enemy actually tries to outwit you destroying vantage points and checking ledges as they go. Even the most base thugs involved in the various turf wars will learn and adapt. This game gives an assumption that you will be au fait with the various gadgetry and tactics Batman can deploy and for the rookie it can be very unforgiving but equally rewarding.
Everything about Arkham City is polished from the flawless voice acting to the stunning graphics. The voice acting in particular shines through and the attention to detail as thugs around Gotham comment on your actions and their subsequent consequences draws you in and makes you feel like you are having an effect. I can't emphasise enough how much you feel like you are Batman as you play this game and this is helped along by intuitive controls that make both combat and exploration seamless. Of course, this is all helped along by a stunning soundtrack and flawless sound throughout.
There are no real criticisms I can make of this game as even on completion the availability of challenge modes, side missions and unlockable characters make the game almost endless. The various versions available give you extra storylines to play with Catwoman in particular tying seamlessly into the main story although I was disappointed by Robin's rather brief appearance. Many have stated that there should have been an online mode but I honestly cannot see what that would accomplish and it would have felt tagged on for me. All in all Arkham City is the most rounded game available on the PS3 at this time and I include Skyrim in this. It's storyline is second to none and it is simply the ultimate single player experience. In 2009 Arkham Asylum was the best single player game I had ever played. Three years later and along comes Arkham City to go one better.
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