limbs..limbs.. everywhere
Although the terrifying aspect of this game is par-none.. I will also say that this was the most fun I have had playing a single player campaign for quite some time. I will get into the innovation aspects of it in the review, but just keep in mind that even though some aspects of this game may remind you of previous titles, I really never felt like I had played anything like it before.
Graphics: 10
Ooooh yeeeaa. This game is dead sexy on the graphical level. My biggest love for it... is the fact.. that FINALLY.. we have a great 1080p supported game!! Believe me, at this level of resolution every detail of the corridors or space debris is simply stunning. Though I was completely taken by suprize because normally.. EA does not spend the time to make quality games like this.
Everything about the animations.. lighting.. and atmospheric conditions will really convince you that you just might be behind Issac every step of the game.
Oh damn.. lighting! I don't know if any of you have ever been creeped out by this. But I remember when watching Alien the freakiest thing about it was the strobe effect all about the ship and how you really couldn't see that well. The music would climax and would pan the camera over to the lurking Alien around the corner... well this game has MANY different strobe effects, and is not lenient in the least about letting you see where these brutal monsters are.
Sound: 10
Yes I said it.. the sound gets a perfect rating.. normally I would always be pretty harsh on this aspect. However, this time around the game had me cowering in a ball smack dab in the middle of my surround sound. Every shriek.. mechanical whir.. breath.. cry of pain.. or metal pipe clanking on the ground after something unknown knocks it over is so accurate.
Music is also quite epic and really helps the atmosphere.
Though my biggest love for the sound is how realistic the vacuum sound effects were.. for those that are sci-fi nerds. You know that there is practically no sound in space... yeap. This game delivers.
Gameplay: 9
Oddly this was my lowest score. Not to say the controls weren't good, but the biggest negative was the camera. The third person view actually can leave you pretty vulnerable in tight spaces.. especially when you're swarmed. Then at times it can get aggravating when you can't see what is even swiping at you. Though I suppose it does add a certain element of helplessness at times.
Everything else is pretty fluid.. I especially love the fact that it's nearly impossible to get lost with the help of your handy blue line. This thing points you in the right direction if you get stumped, but isn't an ugly arrow thing on your screen.
Oh and the strategic dismemberment?? niiiice
Value: 9
Even though I love nearly everything about this game, I do realize it's not for everyone. ESPECIALLY KIDS.. seriously I hate the fact that parents buy their kids games like these...
But.. it is definately worth your 60 dollars if you are looking for a great sci-fi horror.
Overall: 9.5
I would love to give this game a perfect rating, but sadly it isn't. You really just have to love it for what it is. Though I'm quite partial to the zero-g fighting..
Pick it up.. is my recommendation
-TiX