Worst Game Ever....Definitely In The Top 10
The single player campaign lasts just 2 hours, split across 10 levels. Set in 1986, the plot is supposed to be loosely based on Marcinko's real life exploits in Korea and Russia, with him attempting to stop the Cold War single handedly. Mickey Rourke voices the protagonist, and although he delivers a total hack job, it does lend the game a bizarre quality that is truly unique. The cursing is so over the top it's unintentionally hilarious, with 90% of dialogue being swear words. The end credits music is actually so bad its almost good, and features Rourke rapping over some elevator muzak.
Kill moves are the one standout. Context sensitive executions can be performed by approaching an enemy and pressing the X button. This activates a brutal kill move, with around 20 in total. These range from stabbing an enemy in the crotch, eye, neck, spine etc. These are pretty fun... when they work. The prompt can appear on screen but the kill moves do not always register. In addition, Marcinko is invincible while a kill animation is being performed, which makes it easier to simply run around performing melee kills, rather than trying to use the games broken cover system or underwhelming gunplay.
Online has no redeeming features, despite the inclusion of kill moves. It's an absolutely wretched experience, easily the worst this generation. This is due to some infuriating design choices that destroy any potential. Game modes are split into Ranked (Deathmatch & Team Deathmatch) or Custom (same game modes). Region 1 (North America) players cannot play with Region 2 players (Europe), yet everyone can wait in the same lobby. 4 players are needed to start a Ranked match, and if 2 players are from 1 region, and 2 from another, the game will pair them off, allowing them to start a match below the required number. The maps during multiplayer are adequately designed, large and tactically diverse (especially `Projects'). But they are built for more players, and the game can degenerate into hide and seek, depending on who has the most kills. However, if 3 players are from 1 region and 1 player from another, the game will leave the solo player floundering in the menu screens, unsure of what has just happened, without even an explanation for solace.
Region play even affects custom matches, where the game actively encourages, and allows you to invite friends, despite the fact you will never be able to get a game going. It renders the party system useless. Invites only work sporadically. The game kicks you out of the entire multiplayer after 90% of games. Bullet damage is wildly inconsistent. It leads to trophies that are unbearably frustrating, and there is no ability to track records because the leader boards are embarrassingly inaccurate. It's this technical incompetence that is most upsetting, especially as it would be fixable in a patch (something Rogue Warrior has never received after 18 months on general release). If the developers dont care, why should anyone else? Considering the lack of people playing this, splitting online play into regions is an unnecessary chore. Whoever thought of this is an absolute moron. Yet players I have met are a much better crowd than the usual online fare.
The enjoyment gained from Rogue Warrior will depend on the price paid. As a full price release, Rogue Warrior is thoroughly deserving of its critical savaging. As a bargain bin title, it's still impossible to recommend. A notoriously bad game.