When I first slapped down a few dollars to reserve a copy of Brute Force at my local game store I had some doubts whether or not the game would hold up against the hype. Well, it certainly does. Not since I saw a driving game called Wreckless have I been so impressed with the seamless implementation of graphical effects. They complement the gameplay very well. For example, in one area, low lying volumetric fog clouded a valley through which I was exploring. The environmental effect does a flawless job of concealing and revealing features and enemies in the area in such a way as to create fantastic tension. Every aspect of the graphics looks more realistic and interesting than any game I've played in recent years. From the realistic shadowing that affects everything in the environment, to the great use of physics and bump-mapping, the game has an organic look and feel that no other game on the XBOX can touch. I'm surprised that the reviewer at Gamespot sees the graphics as "good," when they truly are a generation ahead of games like Halo. As for the gameplay, it's a lot of fun, mostly because you feel so immersed in the game universe. The action is not unlike other games of similar style - It's just done much better. The A.I. is fantastic, both for your comrades and the enemies. The interface is as slick as can be, as are the controls. And, again the look and feel create the illusion that you are in a movie - not just a game. The sound is equally notable. The ambient effects are mixed perfectly, not over-emphasized like on many games, detracting from the realism. The Dolby 5.1 is implemented very well and every sound was obviously painstakingly designed and mixed, well enough to be in a big budget movie. This reviewer is has a THX tuned home theatre and a 53" high end TV, which must be taken into account. My home system tends to reveal flaws in sound and video more readily than cover them up, and everything looks and sounds fantastic. My only gripe would be the lack of a 16x9 mode for the video. I have not had a chance to try the multiplayer modes so I cannot yet comment on them. To sum it up this game is the new showpiece for the XBOX. Go buy it - wow your friends and family, and have a blast doing it. You will not be dissapointed.
The analog responded similar to Halo, which was nice. Other than that, this game fails pretty everywhere in trying to beat Halo. You can join in at anytime in a co-op game, this is pretty nice. You can use 3 guys dur... Read Full Review
3 of 3 users found the following review helpful
Rating:9.4
By radialheadfx | Review Date: May 28, 2003 | XBOX
Right at the first cut you know the graphics are going to be great, and the sound will be promising. But it’s the multiplay that makes this game rate so high. No there is not online play like many hoped for. But that’s n... Read Full Review
