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1.2.12
The year came and went, just as it always does, and for those of us in the gaming press, that means the requisite 'best of' lists must make their appearance.
Trust me, it's for everyone's own good.
However, with a myriad of games lying about that I still haven't played to their fullest, I'm not one for rolling out a conventional list of the best games in each genre. That's something you can find on literally any webpage and I'll leave it to you and Google to solve those differences. Instead, I've put together groups of games that surprised me in various ways, both good and bad. So if you're coming here to see Skyrim at the top of the list, or perhaps to justify your purchase of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, you'll be disappointed.
Most controversial
2011 wasn't without controversial titles. We're not talking games that showed too much skin, or brought to light the subject of sex and marriage, such as Catherine. We're talking about games that had their own communities up in arms due to the very nature of how the game was created. You either liked it or you didn't.
Dragon Age II
The sequel to one of the great RPGs of this generation, Dragon Age II had quite a lot going for it. Unfortunately, instead of expanding upon the universe Origins set in motion, BioWare opted to confine the game into one large area and streamline the combat system—effectively 'consolising' the game. Some enjoyed the simplified combat, eliminating the need to pause the game multiple times during more-elaborate combat scenarios. However, Dragon Age is the spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate, practically making elaborate combat a necessity to maintain that relevance.
Regardless of where you stand, Dragon Age II was as divisive as it could've been. Whether it was the simplified combat, samey environments or uninteresting characters, everyone disliked something about the changes. Maybe BioWare was rushed to complete the title, maybe not, but many still hold Origins as the superior game today.
Dead Island
Techland's Diablo/Left 4 Dead/Borderlands approach to a zombie game was as ambitious as it was a technical mess. There's a lot to like about Dead Island on paper: loot, hordes of zombies to kill, levelling, cooperative play, etc. However, the game was, and still is, plagued by an equally horrifying number of bugs and game-stopping glitches. The PC version was actually released with a previous, unfinished version of the game, rather than final game code. Imagine picking the game up to realise you're actually playing a game that can't be finished because it's 'not quite done yet.'
Dead Island has made several fixes to itself, but that's no excuse. Releasing a game people want to like but can hardly play is a criminal offense to gaming as a whole. At least when it's working it's pretty damn good.
Most disappointing
You don't want this to happen to your favourite franchise, but alas, sometimes there's no avoiding it. These are the games of 2011 that failed to deliver a genuinely excellent experience, despite the hype surrounding them. It hurts even more when their predecessors set them up for success, and they still tank.
Brink
What a letdown. Brink was a showcase title on the bleeding edge of technology that everyone wanted to play. Not only did it implement a great-looking parkour system and tremendous aesthetic design, but the team combat and objectives looked satisfyingly unique as well. Touting a campaign that others could join with or against you at any time, Splash Damage looked like they were on their way to crafting a grade-A shooter we'd all still be playing come the new year. How wrong we were.
We covered Brink, twice actually, and its anemic campaign was a focal point for our anger. As it turns out, there was no story in Brink whatsoever, and the multiplayer was little more than a bare-bones version of better games, like Team Fortress 2. The game can be found in bargain bins everywhere, so if that doesn't tell you anything, help yourself.
Red Faction: Armageddon
Considering my love for Red Faction: Guerrilla, I absolutely couldn't wait for Armageddon to release. Showcasing new technology, weapons and a gritty environment to play with destructive tools, Armageddon appeared to have what was needed to succeed. Little did we all know that the genius of Guerrilla wouldn't come close to being matched in this mediocre follow-up.
Alright, Armageddon isn't THAT bad, but when you're in the shadow of such a free-spirited and plain-fun game like Guerrilla, you're expected to do something similarly great. The Magnet Gun was the single most amazing thing to come from it, but even that was overshadowed by the confining underground environments of Mars. That, coupled with the repetitive enemies and ridiculous story, made Armageddon a tough game to accept. Also, there's a unicorn that shoots rainbows out of its ass. We're done here.
F.E.A.R. 3 (I'm sorry, it's actually F.3.A.R.)
My channeled hate for games that throw a number in as an acronym will never cease, but in this case there's a lot more to hate about F.E.A.R. 3. The gameplay is completely different than previous installments of the franchise. How so? Let's try ditching conventional methods of combat we've been used to and instead implement trite Call of Duty features like regenerating health. Sound great? I didn't think so.
F.E.A.R. was always about atmosphere, a decent story and its pretty excellent AI. All of that has vaporized in the sequel and... oh yeah, Monolith didn't even make this. Moving on.
Rage
Id Software is a pioneer in PC gaming, but Rage is something they should be quite ashamed of. While the PS3 and Xbox 360 version ran alright, the PC version (you know, the stuff they're know for) was released in a very broken state. After several weeks id managed to get the game working again for the majority of users, but by then it had been beaten with the console stick. What do I mean? The PC was stuck with the low-res textures of the console versions and according to John Carmack (id Software), they had no intention of releasing a texture pack to clear up the mess. Awesome.
Look closer. That's some pretty amazing stuff, right there.
Being one of the PC owners of Rage, I orchestrated my own set of violence as I wasted several hours attempting to get the game to run in a functional way. Eventually, I received a patch that allowed me to play the game, but the rest of my experience wasn't without further issues. Simply put, the game was not optimized for the PC (which is heresy for id). You couldn't even change any of your internal settings like a normal PC game until the patch hit, and even after the choices were barren. Compound that with Nintendo 64 textures, pop-in loading, one of the most surprisingly uninteresting worlds in recent memory, and you'll get a generic shooter called Rage.
Was it because Bethesda published the game and forced id to go with the console over PC version? There's no way to know for sure, but the truth is within the product, and I advise you to steer far, far away from it.
Duke Nukem Forever
There was no way this game was going to live up to the expectations set for it and everyone knew it. So we'll just leave this one here as-is. Enjoy.
Most disappointing studio
Just because you release one of the best games of the year (Skyrim, for those keeping score at home) doesn't mean you get a free pass to publish a plethora of awful titles. Brink? Rage? Hunted: The Demon's Forge? Yeah, they were all trash, and no, it doesn't matter that you didn't develop them. As a publisher, you are still putting your name behind the material and are thus just as responsible for the outcome. One excellent game does not give you a free pass, my friends.
Best comeback
Dynasty Warriors 7
The Dynasty Warriors series doesn't have the best reputation among gamers, but I'm still a guilty follower of the franchise, despite the fact I haven't been fully pleased since, perhaps, Dynasty Warriors 5. When I first heard this game was coming out I dismissed it entirely, but as the release date crept up I found myself eying the features more and more. Brand new story mode that follows the actual characters of the kingdom? Interchangeable weapons? An RPG-esque upgrade system? A brand new conquest mode? Online co-operative play for the first time? I was sold.
I hated the redesign of the characters in Dynasty Warriors 6, and only a few titles in the series had a sense of weight behind each strike of a weapon. DW7 shocked me by offering an excellent feel to the combat while keeping it addictive with upgrades and new weapons. In my review, the new take on the story mode was the star of the show and my feelings still haven't changed. All in all, Koei has done a masterful job at reincarnating a stagnant franchise and I can't wait to see what the future brings.
Gears of War 3
As some may probably know, Gears of War 2 underwhelmed me wholly. The standard campaign was riddled with contrived writing and uninteresting moments. Boss fights were practically meaningless, and the introduction to new enemies and story elements didn't impress me. Considering the embarrassing multiplayer, Gears 2 was seemingly a catalyst for the series' demise. Hopeful as I was, I just didn't see Gears 3 bringing the franchise back on track. Thankfully I was wrong.
While it does have its problems, Gears 3 is definitely the best game in the series. The four-player drop-in cooperative play is an excellent addition to the gameplay, and the fully-fleshed out character development really helped make some of the protagonists feel more real than they ever have. Epic also took the time to hone the multiplayer experience, giving us dedicated servers as well as the new Beast Mode, Horde 2.0 and a working, fun, competitive multiplayer experience. Hats go off to Epic for keeping their promises.
Mortal Kombat
Wait, wait, wait. Mortal Kombat is relevant again? You better believe it!
Most underrated
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine
Relic always brings out the best in development when it comes to the 40k universe. Space Marine was their very first attempt at creating a third-person action 40k game and they certainly didn't disappoint. Riddled with alarming detail, every single second you're playing this game you'll marvel at the attention Relic has paid to the system. The particle effects, combat noises, voice acting, everything sounds and looks superb. It also helps that it's pretty damn fun to play as well.
I reviewed Space Marine earlier in the year and gave the game a rather generous score. Not only does it provide a satisfying campaign, but it also throws in some decent multiplayer that will keep you busy for hours. It doesn't have the longest campaign, though, and if you know nothing about Warhammer 40k, you could be put off by the game appearing to be ostensibly similar to everything else out there (which it isn't). Space Marine isn't the greatest game, but it's definitely something worth playing.
Resurgence of excellence
Resident Evil 4 HD, Metal Gear Solid HD, Shadow of the Colossus/ICO HD
While Resident Evil 4 is the only downloadable title of the bunch, the rest are also available at a wonderfully-low retail price. If you haven't had the chance to play these classic titles you owe it to yourself to pick them up. Now.
Most unfortunate name
Ceaseless Discharge (Dark Souls)
Doesn't the name say it all?
Labels: Andrew Whipple III, Brink, Dead Island, Dragon Age II, Duke Nukem Forever, Dynasty Warriors 7, F.E.A.R 3, Portal 2, RAGE, Red Faction: Armageddon, Space Marine, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Andrew Whipple III
Relic Entertainment is known far and wide for its vast and superior knowledge in the realm of stratagem. With titles like Homeworld, Company of Heroes, and Dawn of War in their repertoire, few can argue the strength of their craft. However, when the studio revealed they would be crafting a third-person, combat-centric depiction of the bloodthirsty 40k Space Marine – you might see why Relic fans got a little nervous. Thankfully, Space Marine‘s departure from the standard strategy approach exceeds all expectations with an adrenaline-fueled, combat-savvy core that truly represents the dark and gritty universe of Warhammer 40,000.
Warhammer 40,000 isn’t a small, easily-understandable universe. If you know nothing about 40k, it will undoubtedly swallow you into its limitless abyss without further thought. That’s not to say that Games Workshop’s world isn’t incredibly addictive and fleshed out, but casual gamers and first-timers will have absolutely no idea what’s so special about a Space Marine or who the hell this ‘Emperor’ everyone keeps talking about is. The game is pretty lacking when it comes to explanation; but saying that, if you’re a 40k fan, you will absolutely adore the amount of detail Relic has poured into the game.
Whether you’re a 40k fan or not, the story behind Space Marine is incredibly reserved and all-in-all standard. You take control of Captain Titus of the Ultramarines, who are deployed on the planet Graia to prevent the Ork invasion force from capturing a Warlord-class Titan – a weapon of absolute strategic value. Throughout the course of the game, you’ll encounter various battle brothers and Imperial Guard, but there’s very little focus on compelling characters or dialog. The Space Marines converse every once in a while about the mission, but you can forget about getting to know the actual Marines themselves. Once again, this isn’t something the 40k universe is in need of, as the true story is told in combat, but it might put off those who are looking for something a bit deeper in the narrative department.
Guess who’s in charge here?
As far as appearance and aesthetic style, Space Marine is deceptively beautiful. The environments are torn asunder, facial features on every single model are immaculate, weapons look crazy, and, above all else, the intricacy of armour and the many details associated with it are astounding. I know the 40k universe is known for its variety and craftsmanship, but I’ve never poured this much over detail in a video game. The particle effects coming off of weapon hits, ranged weaponry shells, even the blast coming from a jump-pack as you’re taking off; it’s all unbelievable, and graphically pleasing. It also helps that the sounds your weapons make, the chink of bolter rounds off of desecrated armor, the weighted step of your marine, all the delightful noises of combat in their entirety, sound spot on. Relic has done a tremendous job replicating the tabletop phenomenon. Simply said, customization and detail don’t get much deeper than they do in this game.
Space Marine’s health mechanics are by far one of the most unique combat features that actually augment the gameplay. Like a true 40k Space Marine, these fellows rush into the midst of combat with a savage grace. To represent this, Relic has completely ditched the Gears of War-esque cover scheme and instead opted to give you health for brutally slaughtering foes. That’s right – curb stomp your enemies and it heals your wounds. On paper, this might sound contrived and stupid, but the melee combat is so sharp and the executions so satisfying, you’d be hard pressed not to look forward to your next wild charge into battle.
Hey man, that axe looks nice. Whatcha’ gonna do with...
Melee is an amalgamation of mechanics pulled from other games, and all of them are equally satisfying. The short combo system mimics that of the Dynasty Warriors series, but don’t be fooled; the targeting and overall combat movement is straight from the Asylum in Arkham. Within a split-second, you can roll away from an enemy’s attack, take a swipe at an adjacent target, move back into your first target’s face, and then execute the fool standing right next to him. Also, you can seamlessly bring your ranged weapon into the mix whenever you feel someone needs a righteous pop, or maybe that dude firing his gun at you is finally getting on your nerves. Fluid and easy as the combat is, enemy behaviour in this game doesn’t represent a flicker of the infamously awful AI from the Dynasty Warriors games. While there can be gaggles of enemies onscreen at once, these guys actually want you dead, and, unless you fight back with your health-restoring executions and evasion mechanics, you can expect to die – a lot. No mindless hack and slashing here.
Gory and fun as it may be, I did find Space Marine’s weapon selection to be a little on the sparse side. In total, there is a plethora of ranged weapons, but only four melee weapons you can choose from (three if you don’t count the knife). Every single melee weapon is good fun to use, and contain unique executions dependent on the enemy type, but they can grow tiresome. The same can be said of the very basic combo system, à la Dynasty Warriors. Each weapon has four different combos you’ll quickly get accustomed to, but you never unlock greater chains or anything else that could spice up the same drab combos. Being a 40k game, I find it hard to believe we couldn’t have seen a little more effort go into the melee combat variety. Where the hell are my Lightning Claws, and I have to pay to use a Power Sword? C’mon man.
Customization is truly a thing of beauty.
Space Marine’s online component is surprisingly addictive and easy to jump into. Chaos versus Space Marines and Annihilation or Seize Ground is the name of the game. Each game type is composed of two teams of eight; Annihilation is your standard team deathmatch (up to 41) and Seize Ground is a take-and-hold type. Unfortunately, there are only five maps to play on, but the gameplay itself might help raise your spirits. There are three classes in the game: Tactical, Devastator, and Assault (Chaos uses different titles). Each uses a very basic form of the Call of Duty perk system, as well as different weapons. While I’m a bit sick of the perk system being implemented into multiplayer games, this one – being more reserved – actually works well. You can unlock various perks and weapons by completing standard challenges (kill "X" amount of Orks) to further customize your soldier, but the actual customization is the true star here.
As I stated above, Space Marine’s attention to detail is immaculate, and that goes double for its online component. Not only can you fully customize your man, but you can colour and detail practically every single piece of armour on your body, and earn more through the challenges. This gives team appearances a healthy dose of variety, and puts an emphasis on making your soldier your own. Quite honestly, it’s refreshing to see this amount of customization in a multiplayer mode, as there aren’t twenty schmucks running around in gunmetal grey attire with hats. Sure, the multiplayer is not going to be your end-all answer to the heavy-hitting multiplayer juggernauts like Gears of War and Call of Duty, but it’s a nice substitute to pass the time.
Hey you! Yeah, you with the face!
40k vets will easily sink their putrid claws into the flesh of this supremely detailed game, but not everyone will understand the robust, yet convoluted, universe. Relic’s restless adventure will only take you around seven hours to beat, but couple that with a decent online component and the upcoming four-player co-op "Exterminatus," and you’ve got a very worthwhile title.
8/10
Labels: 2011, Andrew Whipple III, PC, PS3, Relic Entertainment, Review, Space Marine, THQ, Warhammer 40000, Xbox 360
- Andrew Whipple III
Before its September 6th release date, we thought it'd be nice to show you a little gameplay from Relic's latest baby. Space Marine is a mix of Dynasty Warriors button-combos with God of War-esque executions along with Arkham Asylum fluidity. It all comes together in a violent concoction that's more than suitable for Warhammer 40,000 fans everywhere. So what are you waiting for? Let us show you how to kill some Orks!
Gamer's Guide to (insert game here) is a brand new feature we're trying to showcase with more relevant games. We hope you enjoyed it and feel free to give us some ideas and let us know how you feel in the comments below!
Labels: 2011, Andrew Whipple III, Relic Entertainment, Space Marine, THQ
- Andrew Whipple III
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