Advent Rising offers a frantic and loveable fighting experience, alongside a underappreciated storyline.
After installing the game I was confused to find that I strongly disagreed with most of the criticisms found on all of the review sites I respect, Gamespot being one of the biggest. Normally Gamespot does a pretty fine job of finding real flaws in games that gamers would recognise, but this time I couldn't help but feel Gamespot had some personal vendetta with the developers!
As soon as the game begins, you understand that the story will present itself with a mix of dramatic flare and a playful humour. For the most part, the game knows when to use humour (and it is a charming humour) and when to put on a serious face. The story itself I was pleasantly impressed with, I was drawn into the cinematics, I thought the dialogue was well done and the plot to be interesting. The inconsistency with regards to the FMV is unusual, and a little annoying. Half of the cinematics are low res captures of in game footage, some seem to be more compressed than others and often run at what feels like ten frames per second (Xbox caps maybe?). The other half is CGI, probably not handled in house. The big finale was seriously lacking, only because it has been left wide open for a sequel, which unfortunately will now never come to be. If the end had been handled differently, the game would have left less of a bitter taste.
The presentation is unusual, there are no draw dropping visuals technically and artistically the game is a little nutty. Before your eyes adapt to the style, you will be controlling Barbie’s legs attached to a hobbits body. This is no big deal and once you do adapt you will probably warm to it as well. Saying all this, I did actually enjoy the presentation. Gamespot are correct when they say the game borrows from a number of sources though (Hello Halo).
Here's the big one; gameplay. I don't know quite how to write this, because Gamespot and all the other reviews are generally bang on the money, but they are wrong. It is hard for me to write that, because it confuses me to have such a conflicting opinion. Never have I disagreed with a review with such passion. The fighting in this game is my primary drive for writing this review. I understand the Xbox targeting system that has been ported across has its problems, luckily being a PC game you have a choice. You can use the targeting system, which really does come in handy, or you can manually aim using the mouse and keyboard, this works perfectly. Half of the game will see you dual wielding human and alien weapons (mix and match to your heart’s desire), and the other half introduces powers. The gun fighting is great, you will dive and dodge, unload, reload, take cover and so on. It's a good idea to get up close and personal too, your fists become a valuable weapon. Advent Rising has a levelling system, where you are rewarded more accuracy, more damage and special moves the more you level up. You level each different weapon or power separately, so if you stick with pistols for example, they are going to be much more useful an hour into the game than they were at the start. Gameplay changes a considerable amount once you unlock your powers. The human race, are seen as a god like beings to other alien races. They have powers that have been dormant for some time, and with a little help from your new best intergalactic friends you manage to discover these powers. Once this happens, you will probably leave the gun fighting in favour of your new Jedi like powers. Weapons or powers are assigned to both your right and left click, which means you could have one weapon in each hand, firing independently or two powers, or one power and one gun... you get the picture. The problem is, you're left with a only two buttons, and you will have in your arsenal; two weapons and several powers. Melee and grenades have their own keys at least. As you progress through the game, you are going to want to try new powers, but you're also going to want to continue to use the powers that you are comfortable with (and have become much more powerful over time). This means you will quite often find yourself pausing the game to re-map your controls. This is unfortunate, as the powers are immense fun, but you have to try your best to juggle them. To give you a little insight, ill briefly go through my experience with some of the powers. You start with a "lift" power, this lifts objects which you can slam into enemies, or even lift an enemy and slam him into a wall, or his buddies, for a while I enjoyed the ability to hold an enemy in the air with my mind, then pump him full of lead using my other hand. As I progressed, I unlocked projectile powers that were pretty damn effective at taking down the enemy Seeker race. Then I discovered each weapon or power had an unlockable 'secondary fire' mode (through the levelling system), which all felt like a considered power and not just an energy chomping powerful version of the standard power. One power gave me the ability to travel at incredible speeds and slam my fist into an enemy, the alternative fire allowed me to slow time down to an incredible level. Using this slowmo power, coupled with a levelled up melee attack offered me some of the most fun I have ever experienced in a game. If I was being shot at with some crazy ass laser rifles from a squad of barbaric Seeker aliens I could just slow time down, duck and dodge between laser fire, take a big running jump up to an enemy and come flying down to his level fists flailing, then take care of the rest of the squad before the first guy has even touched the floor from my initial attack.
The game isn't exactly challenging, and it feels far too short. It isn't as easy as Gamespot makes out however, once you receive your powers the games difficulty does not remain static, new challenges are introduced to keep you occupied.
There is at least one aspect of the game that even the meanest review would not slate. This is the soundtrack. It's fantastic, end of discussion.
Everyone I have recommended this game to has loved it equally, but I understand that there is clearly something about my character that allowed this game to effect me so. Reading all the reviews, I realise this game is a real Marmite Sandwich, you will either love it or hate it. I personally don’t understand Gamespots review, but I will say my level of respect has only been slightly compromised through all of this. You may find that Gamespot did a great job on the review, but I have this piece of advice: There may be something about your personality that will allow you to love this game, you are either in our camp, or Gamespots. At least give it a try, you may find an absolute gem in the process.