MEMBER PROFILE FOR jochman
Average Overall Score Given: 6.00000 / 10
Total Forum Posts: 0
Reviews
Unreal 2: The Awakening
Overall: This game has a lot of potential, but is really mediocre at best. Sort of a cross between Unreal Tournament, Starcraft and Wolfenstein, you get the gory ass-kicking of Unreal, the objective- and resource-based strategy of Starcraft, and the class-based skills and abilities of Wolfenstein. While it may seem appealing, the game has its fair share of glitches and the online component lags excessively. You also have the ability to use vehicles in the online mode, similar to Halo. But you really can't compare the two - this isn't even close to being on par with Halo. Gameplay: To be honest, I haven't tried the story mode, although I've read that some people found it pretty good. I was really interested in the online mode, and while frustrating (because of glitches/lag), it is strangely addictive. You can play online with up to 12 players. There are three different classes, all with different abilities and skills that complement one another. Rangers serve as assasin/medics - they have light armor, a sniper rifle and pistol, and can heal teammates. Techs are middle of the road, both in weapons and armor. They can "hack" (gain posession of for their team) spawn points, energy generators (to power additional abilities and vehicles), and doors much faster than the other two classes. They can also set up automated cannon and rocket turrets, and repair the shields of teammates. The Gunner is just what he sounds like - he kicks ass. He has a rocket launcher and a flamethrower. He can also drop ammo packs. Controls are fairly intuitive. The online component allows for up to 12 players, but the system really only seems to be able to handle 8 most of the time. I don't care, though - I always play 12 max because even though 12 max isn't that many, 8 max sucks worse. Is a lot of fun when things are running smoothly and you have a good team. Rating is low because of excessive glitches, lag, and generally being an unpolished product (VERY frustrating).
Graphics: OK. Sometimes I find myself thinking it is much better than the last game, but not often. In terms of graphics, there is really nothing spectacular here. It gets the job done, though.
Audio: Again, OK. Maybe I missed out by not playing single-player mode. But online doesn't have anything in the way of sound that's too special. Laser beams, rockets, explosions, autocannons, etc.
Suggestions: I just wish developers would quit publishing unfinished games. This game could've been really good if they took more time to work out glitches, reduce lag, add more players to Live mode, polished the graphics, etc. I realize there are budgets and deadlines to meet, but all you really end up doing in the long run is destroying your brand image and wasting a lot of kids' money. I rented this game and I'm glad I did - while fun, it's just not of the caliber I expect from a game running on a system like Xbox. Especially since other games (Halo, Crimson Skies, Splinter Cell, etc.) have proven many times over that they can do better. Halo2 missed (several?) ship dates already, but I consider that a good sign - they are putting time and care into their product. I'm pretty sure I'd give any future Bungie product the benefit of the doubt, just because of the reputation they've managed to build. After making the mistake of buying the first Unreal for Xbox, this one became an automatic rental. Quit screwing around - make us a real game we can enjoy (or finish this one).
Overall Score: 7.0 / 10
Max Payne
Overall: At first I thought this game would easily make my top 3, but the more time I spent at it, the less convinced I was. This game is all flash and glitz and no substance.Gameplay: Okay. Pretty standard controls, a little choppy on rare occasions, hard to switch weapons. Lots of different guns to play with. Cutscenes are very annoying, not to mention substandard for Xbox. The major selling-point of this game is something called "bullet-time". Basically, when you pull one of the triggers, time will slow down, allowing you to dodge bullets, and gun down multiple enemies while diving through the air, Matrix-style. The first time I tried it, it was the coolest thing in the world. By the tenth time, I had decided it was annoying and that it was more fun to play the game without it. The same thing goes for the environments. The first board is a very real looking subway station in the Bronx. Eventually you stop caring what your surroundings are because you realize they don't matter - all you do is run through corridors while blasting enemies - again, and again, and again, and again until the game is over. There is absolutely no multiplayer play, which also sucks. I beat this game the first night I played it and have not touched it since.
Graphics: Nothing special. The first time you snipe someone from a distance and watch the bullet fly through the air, it's pretty cool. The first time. Max Payne himself has a polygon-shaped head and features. He runs like he has an umbrella up his ass, and his motions can be choppy. The cutscenes between levels are cartoon boards - absolutely the worst I've ever encountered. Why anyone would want to waste time and IQ points reading them, I don't know. Graphics remind me of PC first-person shooters from a year ago.
Audio: Nothing special - adequate. I did, however, learn to hate listening to Max Payne's incessant monologues. It kinda reminded me of that stupid cop from the Scream movies - the one who always tries to sound like a badass when he talks, but doesn't quite pull it off.
Suggestions: I got the feeling that this game was released to make a quick buck, not revolutionize the gaming industry. It has absolutely no replay value. There is no multiplayer mode. Whatever story there is had to be skipped for the sake of my sanity. Lots of rough edges. This, like so many other Xbox games, did not take the time to develop the ENTIRE PACKAGE - gameplay, graphics, sound, story, multiplayer, replay value - ALL of these things are necessary to make a good game. For some reason, the developers here felt a few bells and whistles like bullet-time and the bullet-cam would be enough.
Overall Score: 4.0 / 10
Blood Wake
Overall: While no individual element of this game stands out, I have definitely been enjoying it as a whole. It's sort of a Twisted Metal on water, with less personality. The multiplayer mode can get a little routine unless you keep unlocking things in single player mode.Gameplay: Overall it was pretty smooth. The physics of the water environments take some getting used to, but not much. The controls are very simple and easy to learn.
Graphics: The best looking thing in this game is the water. Everything else is ok, but far from extraordinary. The single player mode delivers agonizingly dull plot twists in the form of static storyboard/cartoon screens with (bad) voiceovers. Luckily, these can be skipped with the push of a button.
Audio: Sort of an action/suspense/oriental/badass sort of soundtrack. Very bad, although it is certainly most painful during the cutscenes between missions.
Suggestions: More weapon options. Utilize power of Xbox in terms of graphics and sound. Make the game into a story - not just a vehicle combat game.
Overall Score: 7.0 / 10
