Yes, very good indeed. Electric superhero Cole McGrath has the choice of aiding the citizens of New Marais in their struggle against plague, fascist militia and mutant freakoids, or cackling evilly while he visits a new reign of terror upon them, and it’s all implemented very nicely. The New Orleans style setting is big, varied and detailed. Gameplay hits a good balance between originality and intuitiveness, and you’ll soon be swarming up tall buildings and zipping along overhead powerlines faster than a speeding car, zapping enemies from range, exploding them with electro-grenades, or sending them spinning skywards in a helpless vortex of smashed cars and debris, all of which looks fantastic and makes you feel a big man. There are some spectacular set pieces and some very nicely made comic-book cut scenes all in keeping with the overall style. The characters have character, faces are good, voice-acting is nice, especially on Cole and sidekick Zeke, and it even takes a good grab at the twin holy grails, so rarely even approached let alone seized upon in computer gaming – emotional involvement and laughs.
The one criticism I’d make, which isn’t even a criticism, really, more of a personal reaction, is that it never quite utterly gripped me in the way computer games sometimes can, and that I might have expected to be given how well executed every aspect is, and it’s hard for me to put my finger on exactly why. I had a somewhat similar reaction to the first Infamous, which I played quite a bit and then just never quite got round to finishing. But this is a big improvement, and overall you’d have to say it’s brilliant.
18 comments so far
It’s nice to hear there are actually decent super-hero games out there. Most of them can only draw attention for two hours until repetition takes its toll.
You should get paid to review games. Why do you not?
I prefer your reviews to others and they have influenced me to buy games!
I suppose you don’t need another deadline. Also maybe you don’t want to be that cool author who writes the video game reviews. Cool author is enough. Right?
Has anyone approached you about a game in your world? Would that be something you may consider someday? I wouldn’t think any time soon, but perhaps eventually?
Award Winning bestselling author is better.
I had the same problem with Infamous. The gameplay wasn’t bad, but the game just never clicked with me. Found it uninteresting in most facets and just gave up. I won’t be getting the second one.
Speaking of super hero games, this Batman: Arkham City sounds damn impressive though, even though I found the first game underwhelming.
Harry:
Really? I thought BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM was brilliant. One of the most polished, playable games in years and easily the best Batman game ever made. Actually, it may have been the only good one.
ARKHAM CITY has a lot to live up to, but so does SKYRIM and things are looking good for that one too.
I just wish they’d release some more DLC for RED DEAD REDEMPTION.
I thought it was a good game, just not a great one. I also kind of sucked at it (mostly the stealth parts), so that probably had something to do with why I didn’t enjoy it as much as others did.
Anxious to hear your take on Dark Souls. Ive already put 90 hours into it and I’m still loving it.
Joe, have you ever played any of the Thief games? They are some of my all time favorites which I still play to this day. They remind me of your work.
Joe, I am currently playing inFamous 2 as well and loving it. Totally agree with your comments. I have only recently got a PS3 (previously only had XBOX 360) thus never played inFamous 1 so can’t compare the two, but yes really enjoying this one….
Here here Robb! Thief and Thief 2 were brilliant ….. I’ve never had so much fun crouching in the shadows and not murdering everyone in sight. I didnt play the third installment and heard they were going to bring Garrett out of retirement again for number 4 …… we can only hope.
ColinJ, I’m with you man, Batman Arkham Asylum was bloody brilliant and Arkham city is looking like something special indeed. Anything that makes you feel like Batman is awesome in my opinion. A nice change from a current generation that is overflowing with FPS games. Seriously, do we need any more military and space shooters?
Sedulo,
I’ve been approached about working as a writer on games. Hasn’t panned out yet, though.
Harry and Others,
Lordy, I thought Arkham Asylum was great. One of those games where everything is done really nicely, and everything has a flavour about it that’s distinctly Batman. Looking forward to Arkham City.
Robb,
Yes, the first Thief I consider a real masterpiece, and as far as sneaking goes never really bettered. The likes of Metal Gear Solid and Deus Ex look absurd by comparison. Plus I think the game world is possibly the best fantasy world produced for computer games. Really dark, atmospheric, with a side order of disturbing craziness. The undead were always a little annoying, I found, but the Hammerites have to be one of the best invented religions going. So sayeth the Master Builder. Second game not quite as good as the first, though, and the third less good yet. Not bad, but not taking big enough steps to keep up.
Well its a shame Looking Glass Studios tanked, but I’m just grateful Eidos hasn’t forgotten the series.
What do you guys think of Gears of War 3? I must say I am enjoying it far more than GoW 2 – even the colour scheme is so much better, not just all grey and black….
Gears 3 is good and the online play is much better than 2 but I dunno the entire campaign felt like more of the same. Time to pack this one in until the next generation I think.
The Thief games are intense masterpieces of the fantasy genre within PC gaming. I downloaded the soundtrack to Deadly Shadows. Want awesome, haunting ambience? Courtesy of Eric Brosius: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svj2vqB-NK0
Or this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A7ClJMG7SI&list=PL6545A76A59555148&index=1
I’d like to second Shane S. I would also love to hear what you think of dark souls.
Haven’t played it myself yet but it’s next on the list