Mike Bantick
Monday, 03 August 2009 13:00
Opinion and Analysis
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It wasn’t all dark at the THQ/CAPCOM game night recently, whilst Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles and Vigil’s Darksiders were available, so were the lighter moments in gaming with Drawn To Life: The Next Chapter plus Marvel Super Hero Squad were also on show.
Lots of Wii action at the THQ/CAPCOM games night recently, beginning with the next in CAPCOM’s on-rail Resident Evil shooters.
This time more chronicling is occurring as the protagonist’s from Resident Evil 2, Leon S Kennedy and Claire Redfield finish with the Umbrella Corporation and begin the Darkside Chronicles.
Visually, this on-rails shooter nails the gritty feel of a zombie movie, with the undead(okay, not really undead) shuffling through the rain and burning ruins of a city in thrall.
Chief designer Masachika Kawata has achieved his goal of producing a view more akin to a handy-cam movie than the traditional mostly horizontal aspect of many on-rail shooters. As the characters stumble through the night, the camera motion can be disorientating, with enemies suddenly looming large as both characters share the on screen action.
With all the head bobbing, sometimes ammo and other pickups are only fleetingly on display. But the game is pretty forgiving on players, and I did discover that I am certainly not the worst shot in video-game-journalism-land.
There is a certain level of clunkiness with the controls, but what RE title does not have that as a design feature, it certainly adds to the tension of the moment.
Darksiders is a beautiful new IP from developer Vigil for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Playing as numero uno Horseman of the Apocalypse War, you are setting out to redeem yourself by battling Angels and Demons alike after accidently causing the end of civilisation. Ooops!
There are some real comparisons to God Of War here with this game, lots of big swords and mythical beasts to take on in impressive fashion. Throw in some post-apocalyptic ranged weaponry, some fiery hooved horse action and top notch visuals and Kratos will have some competition here.
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