Blasphemy! What did they do to my favourite Xbox franchise?
The action Rpg/strategy games were a breath of fresh air in an era saturated with FPS titles.
Now, I realise that this game was not meant to be a continuation of this. The Developer team decided they wanted to try something new. Ok, thats cool I am a fan of the Action RPG Hack and Slash and loot gameplay. So I have been waiting for this game with baited breath. This review will not lament on the fact that it is no longer a strategy/Action RPG but on the fact that to my horror it is just a terrible game....
First lets get the good out of the way.
Nice selection of characters? Check.
Excellent presentation and character design? Check.
Online co-op? Check.
Scores of opponents to kill? Check
Gore? Check.
Innovative skill and upgrade system? Check
lots of loot? Check
Random generated levels? Check
These things made to give my first impression of the game to be a positive one. But unfortunately it doesnt take to long to see that this game is a boring reptetive Hack and slasher with some very flawed design decisions.
For almost every good quality this game has there is an an equally bad quality that negates anything positive that can be said.
It does have a sophisticated and in depth story. But the vehicle of its delivery is so bad you can go through the entire game without having any idea of what is going on.
Although the character designs are nice, there is very little to customise your look. Most weapons and and armor rehash the same old graphics, meaning if you play on line be ready to see the "clone wars" in action. This applies to your opponents as well as your friends.
The Online co-op is well done, but there is no PVP option. So whats the point of hacking and slashing through mutilple play throughs of the same boring gameplay in three difficulty levels when you cant even pit your creations against your firends?
The skill system, while being a nice idea is a bit pointless. most of the skills are practically useless and and extremely tedious to aquire.
The SP meter used to power all attacks is a nice idea but it just doesnt seem to work very well especially in regard to the abilities which you need to pump a full sp meter into to have any decent effect. There are potions to help you here but it just is tedious....
The synthesis idea is a nice one and works ok, provided you know what your doing. I suggest using the internet if you want to play this game to optimise your experience with other people's tips on synthesis.
The game has mutiple different quests paths for each character but these quests require you to visit the same boring locations some times mutiple times sometimes over and over again! Why Blueside? WHY?
There are random elements to the levels, but you will be hard pressed to notice them.
For, myself however the real dissapoinment comes from the combat itself. Each character can equip two weapons which can be used to string combo attacks together. Each weapon supposedly has its own fighting style sounds good on paper but in reality. (providing you have been wise with synthesis and have a adequate SP bar) you will see the same combo over and over and over again.
Come on, even Heroes and crusaders had a deeper combat system than this....
The final nail in the coffin is blueside actually claim on their website that anything you see can be destroyed. I assume they are talking about the environment? This is plain false advertising.
I was going to give this a 6.5 but after I have written the review I'm going to have to score it a bit lower.
I pray this is not a sign of all future games in the franchise, and if so it is a sad day for gaming.