Clearly a gem in its own right.
Now for the real meat of the game: the gameplay. Lair has been often criticized for lackluster dull gameplay. However, Lair does offer varied and immersive gameplay. Many of the early levels are spent flying above vast cliff side cities and catapult lined rivers. As you fly you fight ships, catapults, and multiple kinds of dragons. As the game progresses it gets even better, as the later levels showcase thousands of troops and rhinos marching in huge columns across bridges and through valleys. The game can be approached in two manners: reigning death from above, or terrorizing on the ground. Each has its merit and each has its fun. Flying and spewing fire allows for quick deaths but imprecise targeting. Often your own approaching column of troops will be made up of swordsman or archers who often do not fair well against spear men. This makes ground assaults preferable, allowing you to take out specific enemy ranks that your legions may be weak against. The gameplay is often reminiscent of the old rogue squadron games but with a lot more flash. As you fly you can shoot fireballs at other dragons, spew streams of flame, and even engage in takedowns. Most players will probably default to fireballs for the common dragon but the occasional bull or dark dragon will require a takedown or in flight battle. a takedown consists of building up your rage meter and then initiating a button sequence, which if done properly will result in an instant kill. The in flight battle has both dragons falling from the sky as you bite, claw, and spew fire at the other dragon. Both methods are fun and intense. The gameplay across its many levels never fails to deliver.
Of course the graphics are important as well. Lair truly shines in this area. Lair has lush and beatuiful graphics and effects that many new ps3 games do not even showcase, the graphics are second only to mgs4. Lair has varied environments, from snow capped mountains, to river fjords, to sullen fortresses, to desert valleys, and even mystical sky fortresses. Every area is as beautifully rendered as the next. Dragons are incredibly detailed allowing for the player to visually discern their strength through the visuals alone. Effects and motion blur only add to the cinematic presentation. Lair is masterful in its visuals.
Many individuals often complain about the camera. In fact the camera is quite ingenious. It follows a cinematic sweep allowing for you to maintain a eye on your target. The complaint is when the target is terminated the camera snaps to your front view rather than where you are looking. However, this is easily remedied by holding the right analog stick in the direction you want to look and performing aerial maneuvers to snap around. What seems like a hindrance is actually the ability to create what makes lair great: quick flashy gameplay.
The music. The soundtrack for lair is absolutely fantastic. It rivals that of heavenly sword, Halo, and World of Warcraft. The music also changes with the environments. The beating of tribal drums can be heard when playing with the savage moki, airy flutes are played in the high cities of the wealthy, and harmonies are sung in the crisp snow of the mountains. The soundtrack is worth listening to outside of the actual gameplay, and Lair recognizes this by offering a music player in the rewards. The music and sound only furthers Lair's greatness.
Lastly, the story. Its a classic story of betrayal wrought with moral dilemmas and moments of discord. The story is often predictable, but it managed to keep me interested and willing to play a second time. If anything brings lair down it is the story.
All in all Lair is truly an epic. It may lack some story, the camera may annoy some, and the gameplay style is not for everyone. But for those who possess an open mind and a love for dragons will find more than a good time in Lair. They will find a gem worthy of a special spot on the gaming shelf.