Even though I've found myself getting into PlatinumGames' titles a bit more, I didn't think I'd be giving this game a shot anytime soon. Blame it on the fact that my brother picked up the "Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle" for the PlayStation 4 that I found myself intrigued by it. Not only that, but in doing a lot of research, I found that a lot of people consider this to be an underappreciated gem (like many of PlatinumGames' games), and a considerably innovative game in the shooter genre. So, given that I'd heard that it was a pretty short game if you play through it once, I thought it would be worth giving it a try to see if I enjoyed it as much as anyone else. And maybe I'm spoiled by the "Bayonetta" games and "Astral Chain" that I found this one to be not quite as good as PlatinumGames' best, but even so, I will agree that I mostly enjoyed my time playing through the game.
As many have said, I will give it to PlatinumGames: with "Vanquish," they've certainly created a fun and fast-paced game. From a gameplay perspective, there's a lot to love about this one: the controls are fluid, the action is compelling, and there are lots of really cool movement mechanics. I do think in that sense, the game does still feel fresh, distinct, and different than other third-person shooters. I especially enjoyed the game's "AR Mode" mechanic and the ways that it added to your character's movement and reflexes, and it really added an extra layer to a game that definitely had plenty of those already. On paper, I think the game's robotic, somewhat futuristic setting is pretty great, the graphics are sharp even today, and aesthetically, this is yet another wonder from PlatinumGames. They have a strong knack for creating very interesting worlds and clever gameplay, and with "Vanquish," they certainly don't fall flat in those areas.
I will say, though, that in a few areas, they do fall flat: for starters, the story is boring and overly cliché. I know that PlatinumGames has crafted a lot of titles with over-the-top stories like "Bayonetta" and "The Wonderful 101," but at least those games didn't take themselves TOO seriously, and the writing became more charming as a result. Here, the game tries a bit too hard to be serious, and it just misses the mark. Not helping much is that the dialogue is complete CHEESE, and even though some might enjoy the campy nature of the voice acting, I found myself all too frantically trying to find reasons not to skip the cutscenes because they were just not fun to watch. Also, while the gameplay is mostly very strong, I will agree that I found the campaign to be really short, not just in its overall length but in its mission structure. The game’s five-act structure awkwardly ratios the number of missions in each act, and the length of these missions can feel a bit awkward for me, especially given the way that some of the cutscenes disrupt the gameplay. It often feels like a mission ends, and you find yourself going, "Oh...that’s it?" and not feeling as fulfilled as you probably should.
Overall, I have to say that "Vanquish," to me, is far from PlatinumGames' best game. It doesn’t nearly approach the standard set by the "Bayonetta" games or the company's most recent title "Astral Chain." With that said, though, it’s still a rip-roaring fun time while it lasts. While there are elements that do hold it back for me, I think the gameplay has aged very well, to the point where it still feels like a very distinct game even a decade after its initial release. That alone is what makes it worth playing in my eyes: the fast-paced action and stellar gameplay make up for its short length and narrative shortcomings, and make it a game you should definitely try yourself. Don't expect it to be the most mind-blowing thing you'll ever play, but if you're in the mood for some brainless but exhilarating, good old-fashioned fun, "Vanquish" will certainly satiate your desire.
Final rating: 7 out of 10 "Good"