User Rating: 7.7 | Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive PC
Let's get something off the bat right now, Desperados is one very tough game. While it it enjoyable to make progress in it, I must confess that at times I have wondered why I have bothered considering all the very tedious trial and error involved and the constant loading/reloading. Thankfully there is a quicksave/quickload and loads are instantaneous, otherwise this game would be unplayable in my humble opinion. Many of the user reviews seem to omit this particular deficiency (constant reloading) that the Gamespot reviewer managed to cite dead on. I am writing this review in 2003 so the game has already been out for a good while. It turns out I picked it up shortly after it was in the bargain bin in 2001 but I simply had not given it time. So here it is 2003 and I have to say, given that it is holding my attention as strongly as it has, there obviously are some redeeming qualities. The biggest being the graphics. Frankly, I am not sure I have ever laid eyes on a PC game with such meticulous texture work. From the imperfections of stucco walls in buildings in New Mexico to the dirt collations of wagon wheels of streets in the towns you find yourself - the subtlety of the work is sublime. And the variety of architecture in a single map varies enough that it just plain feels realistic. For example it would not be anywhere as impressive to me if all this detailed texture work was done for stucco walls with a map consistently completely stucco buildings at right angles to each other. In DESPERADOS, the arrangement and variety of buildings occurs in a highly convincing manner, aka realistic. In short, the graphics are the high point. DESPERADOS has been likened to COMMANDOS: BEHIND ENEMY LINES. I have never played or seen that particular title but I do find DESPERADOS to be unique in its game play. I would not describe it as a real time strategy (RTS) game as some have since for most people this elicits visions of resource gathering, having a number of characters of certain classes, etc. - a design we have seen countless times in Starcraft, Warcraft and all the copy cat games that have followed. DESPERADOS is nothing like this. In DESPERADOS using the various abilities of the characters to bypass obstacles (usually guards) is the crux of game play. Unfortunately it seems the designers saw to it that almost all the time very precise timing is required (with seemingly lots of luck) echoing in my mind the Gamespot's review - that the designers are trying to make you jump through very specific hoops. This vs. collating the abilities of the different characters in your possession to solve problems in different ways. In this regard I should warn you - be prepared for lots of trial and error. The characters you employ all very distinct. John Cooper, who you start off with, not only has a six shooter but he's handy with the knife (silent death) and can use a watch that emits chimes to call attention to guards (you set a timer and hope a guard comes over to investigate). Sam, a Negro, likes dynamite and will tie characters up that Cooper has managed to knock out (in some cases killing NPCs will result in failure). Sam also carries a rifle with 12 rounds so he is useful in gunfights. Though I should point out even though the setting is the Wild West, gunfights are not the focus of this game. Going into missions with guns a blazing is a quick ticket to mission failure. Sam also carries a bag with a rattlesnake which is good for spooking horses, an element that can come into play at various points. Doc McCoy is a Civil War Veteran, a sharp shooter, can heal, can employ a knock out gas and can erect a "scarecrow" to distract enemies. In closing I am about half way through the game and have already put in 20 hours of game play. So in terms in value perhaps the game deserves a 10... but the quality of the game play (too much trial and error with constant reloading) in my opinion does not allow me to give out such a designation. DESPERADOS strongest aspect is definitely the graphics.
