Something's not quite right...
I'm not here to review the demo. I'm here to review that other disc.
If you actually take the time to pop that disc into your PS2, you'll find a solid sci-fi action game that does a decent job of entertaining and dishing out some action.
Keep in mind, though, that I've already played this one and the sequel. So, don't be suprised by a tendency to compare each other.
Gameplay:
First, let's talk about the controls.
What we have hear is a simple and ingenious control scheme that conveys movement in 3D space (that includes x, y, and z axes). It's simple and easy to use and learn.
Second, let's talk about how the actual game actually plays with the controls applied.
As successful as the control scheme is, the actual combat application suffers. The only attack buttons are the square (shot/blade attack) and the circle (ammo reliant special weapons).
However, you'll primarily use the square button for about 70-80% of all your attacks. There is a certain skill and method to be learned with attacking and handling multiple sets of enemies. Unfortunately, button mashing (especially just one button) is not enough to give the combat system any virtual depth. The fighting eventually gets old, fast.
The bosses are sprinkled in to spice things up, but none of them put up any real challenge (not even the last one).
The 3D combat may be its selling point, but the novelty has a halflife like a flash in the pan. It's nice. There's just nothing more to it.
Plot:
Well, this is just one part where the game suffers. It's not exactly typical anime "boy becomes hero" cliche, but it's just so predictable and written in a bland sort of way.
Don't expect any clever plot twists. Don't expect it to be anything as grand and contrived as Metal Gear. Don't expect it to have any deeper meaning. Don't expect it to touch any philosophical or emotional points.
Sometimes I wonder if Kojima really made this.
Graphics:
Nothing too spectacular here. The grahics really are pretty routine solid polygonal objects. The only fancy thing I saw was the glowing, coursing veins of Metatron on the Orbital Frames. At times it seems really bland and repetitive, especially with some forested areas. The community sector of the colony really looks atrociously cut-and-paste.
The only upside is the unique concept design of the Orbital Frames. Jehuty, especially, looks like no mech I have seen before. It's a fusion of sleek aerodynamic design and an Egyptian reference (it's more pronounced with Anubis's design).
Sound:
I also have a bone to pick with the sound. Although the game implies that the Orbital Frames are gigantic but very agile machines, they don't actually "sound" big. No large clangs or metal-grinding sounds. The explosions also sound like generic explosions (and I personally think all explosions sound the same). When Jehuty's feet actually touch the ground whil he's moving, it scrapes along and create's a "skating" sound. Unfortunately, it sounds a little too "tinny".
The soundtrack also is substandard. The intro song annoys the hell out of me and makes my ears bleed. Was that supposed to be English? There are a few good ones, like the one on the Colony Shaft area. However, there is a severe repitition with the battle music. There is also a very mundane tune when you're not engaged in battle within an area. Quality in the audio is MIA.
Don't even get me started with the voice-overs. Owww... my ears.
Conclusion:
It's a solid game with nice concepts. Unfortunately, it suffers in the halfhearted execution. It establishes a nice foundation, but what is built upon it is a substandard game. There's alot of potential here.
Now, on to the 2nd Runner...