Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

10 to 20 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Masterpiece"

This game definitely impressed me. Though it was released in November of 2007, I didn't play it until June of 2009. And I do have to say, the graphics were amazing for a 2007 PS3 release. The graphics are very impressive, lush, beautiful and very well done environment complimented the mood and feel of the game. The foliage would move when you brushed against them and the water looked better then most games out even today!
The characters were superbly well done and fun to watch! The facial expressions felt spot on! The voice acting was top notch and the characters felt real to watch.
Even all the bad guys were well done and fit into the game perfectly.
The story line was solid and extremely engaging to follow and kept you wanting more. I actually felt sad that the game ended!
The controls were very well done and felt easy to move around in the game world. The cover system felt comfortable and the ability to grab edges/ledges added to the feel of freedom of mobility in the game.
The learning curve is easy and the games difficulty felt just right.
There was a good number of action sequences tied to sequential button presses similar to those found in Resident Evil 5, pressing a button at just the right time.
As impressive as this game was, I find it extremely hard to find anything to improve. Once in a great while, being near a corner or multiple possible edges to grab, your character might grab the one you didn't mean to grab. The unarmed combat felt like it forced you to hit the same 3 button combo to work, other wise your enemy would counter you. A few times I questioned how the hell the enemy got into that room. You go through awesome secret ways and puzzles to enter a room and yet, somehow the bad guys are in there. I also remember some head shots that didn't kill the enemy in a single shot. Also, say with a pistol, it took an exact number to kill a person every time… Say 3 shots… Made combat feel slightly systematic at times knowing exactly how many bullets it would take to kill a guy. But at least the A.I. of the bad guys felt fresh and engaging. They felt decently realistic to have gun battles with. Covering and attempting advances and flanking to get at you.
Over all… this is one of the best games I have played. A definite must own in my opinion!

GRAPHICS:
-breath taking graphics (2007) looks better then even most games released so far up to 2009.
-Water effects are amazing.
-Lush and detailed environments are amazing to just look at.
-Superb character animations.
-Superb facial expressions.
-Fire effects looked great.

GAMEPLAY:
-Easy learning curve to learn the controls.
-Cover system worked very well and felt smooth and easy to do.
-A.I. felt fun to combat with, didn't seem repetitive or dull.
-Great story line sucked you in leaving you wanting more.
-The games length was not short or long. It felt just right… even though you want more.

LIKES:
-Graphics
-Water effects
-Music and sound effects
-The story
-The characters
-Voice acting
-Mood and feel of the game
-Combat and cover system
-A.I. of the enemies in combat
-Beautiful distinct areas

DISLIKES:
-Shooting an enemy sometimes felt systematic. It took 3 bullets exactly to kill with the pistol as an example.
-Head shots often didn't kill in one shot.
-Going for a ledge near another possible ledge sometimes made your character grab the wrong one.
-Sometimes you question, how the hell did that guy get there?