Something is different this time around
The looks are great, the game runs smooth and the sound is at par with any good shooter today. However the feel doesn't seem to match up. It's not horrible but it does feel a bit generic. Maybe it's because we are getting used to shaky camera effects making the player feel more like he is in the game or maybe it just isn't what the rest of the presentation delivers. The movement feels more like a first person shooter as in you don't feel the weight of the soldier you are maneuvering with.
Looking past all that, the game delivers on some other points. The environments are highly detailed which gives you the sense that there is a lot to explore but yet you seem to follow a straight enough path so you don't get confused. Shooting enemies seems very responsive, in some cases you can put holes through someone far away without zooming in on them and the detailed splatter is nice and visible. While that sounds easy there are enough bad guys on the map to keep you occupied so you're consistently aiming from one person to the next. The enemy AI has its ups and downs but for the most part it's up. They tend to group together if you don't pin them off fast enough and have the capability to flank you. The bad is sometimes I see them running from a car, getting cover behind a building and then back to the car again. Doesn't feel too surprising. Cut scenes seem to fit in nice and adds some depth to the game making it consider you're in a Hollywood flick than nothing at all.
Keeping in mind as I am only a few hours into this game and online is not up and running yet (coughs) no worries though. Things may change and more can be added if it's interesting enough. Oh and profanity when introduced to agent 45 (White Tiga) was a nice touch … as for the result…
Overall Zipper did a fair job and I think they were looking to change the similar game play style the rest of the franchise had. The only thing is they should have made this game a completely different title seeing the formula on the old generation systems was never used on the PS3 before.