Great graphics, frustrating gameplay

User Rating: 4 | Without Warning PS2
I really wanted to like this game.
However, it seems the testers didn't do their job. Without Warning feels like it was not properly de-bugged before release.
I think the graphics are stellar; they remind me of Resident Evil 4. The sound effects are also solid, and the general story isn't that bad. You have a limited amount of time to take back control of a nuclear reactor from a large, nasty group of well-armed (and very, very mobile) terrorists.
You play through the game in different chapters as different characters. This could have been done brilliantly, but the difficulty and poor third-person camera make it very frustrating when trying to target the large number of enemies quickly.
Also, there are some very frustrating gameplay problems. For instance, hand grenades are almost useless because you must make absolutely sure that there are no pipes, cables, spider webs etc. nearby when you heave it or the grenade will riccochet and land at your feet. Not fun.
Also, the magically appearing bad guys is extremely frustrating. I guess that's why they call the game "Without Warning" but it is very frustrating when you clear a room out and magically a group of baddies appears next to you.
At long range your accuracy is virtually non-existant, while the enemies could all take out JFK from the book depository.
All in all, a tease. It could have been a blast, instread you end up throwing your dual shock across the room.