A fantastic gem of an RPG with online co-op, amazing story and controls that break the mould and try to be different
The game is HEAVILY steeped in Mythology, with many familiar and a few unfamiliar norse names being thrown around. My favourites were Odin, Hiemdal, Freya etc etc. The difference with this game is that they decided to throw in a very scifi layer of depth to the story. So basically the Norse gods are alive and well and are actually humanity's protectors. They aren't supernatural, rather they are super powerful scientifically advanced beings with seemingly limitless knowledge and power. I won't go into the story any further but as far as I was concerned the story truly engrossed you and set a very grand stage for the whole game.
The gameplay is similar in some ways to other online RPGs such as Phantasy Star Online. Basically you run around in third person killing tonnes upon tonnes of enemies on screen with either swords, guns or magical abilities. You collect items from destroyed enemies and there was a colour system that gave you an idea how rare each item was. The customisation for your character was pretty much unmatched when compared to other games of its ilk. You could change different parts of your armor, the colour and pattern, you could add runes and tweek attributes, learn skills via an experience tree which you could re do when you wanted (assuming you have the money!) and you could team up with a friend to destroy the hordes of Helhiem together.
I think the main thing that pissed so many people of with this one was the fact that Crystal Dynamics went with a rather unique control system. Basically you didn't just move around and button mash x or b for combos, you used the right stick to move, but the left stick controlled your attacking movement. So basically if you had a massive friggin sword and wanted to attack guys on the left you would move the left stick left, but then lets say someones now approaching from behind, you move the stick towards the enemy and your character would zip accross the screen keeping the combo going and causing some serious devestation. It got to the point for me where I loved the controls soo much I started having trouble going back to other games because the combos and juggling just didn't compare.
The only other things that perhaps accounted for its serious battering by reviewers were the camera being a bit of a pain and the fact that when you died you had to sit through a little scene where a dude floats in, picks you up and then you are revived. It got a LITTLE repetitive I must add, but eventually you became SOOO good at it that you probably died twice per level, if you were as obsessed as I was.
Anyway moving on basically this game was fantastic, anyone looking for a truly awesome RPG with online co-op, oodles of customisation and LIMITLESS item hunting to be had get yourself this game and help the cause by spreading the word, maybe one day the sequel(s) will get made!!