Post by Bytor on Oct 16, 2009 12:54:36 GMT -5
-Visuals- 9.5/10
The sheer scope of the visuals is what immediately draws your attention. I have never played a game with the breadth and immensity of this game. The panoramas and vistas are simply breath taking. The game will certainly ,visually at least, make you feel small and over whelmed. The graphical colors are a bit dull but the world portrayed in the game is represented wonderfully, and the usage of changes in light between shadow, bright sunlight and in between is unreal phenomenal!. The character renditions are also very well done with Jorda appearing very fragile and helpless and the Shadows also appearing menacing even though they are simply done. Simply an over all visual feast (understanding what it is, and NOT what it isn't, don't expect God of War or FFX graphics here, it's simply not that style, think more Shadow of the Colossus).
-Sound- 8.8/10
The background sounds fit the mood of the game setting the tone while certainly not being too over whelming. I did get a tad tired of hearing myself call Jorda though, lol, play it and you'll see what I mean.
-Gameplay- 9.5/10
OK, now here's where the main thrust of this game will appeal to some while turning others away very, very quickly. There is truly very little action to begin with and the battle scenes are at best challenging in a time consuming get through type of way as opposed to win or lose, actually the Shadows cannot hurt you all;though they can and will attack Jorda (and she will basically do nothing on her own, not even run away, you have to hold her hand and lead/drag her everywhere, although she will come, if she can, when you call her, this becomes the foundation of many of the puzzles, get her and yourself from point A to point B) and if they get her to a shadow pit it's game over! The game is best described as a puzzle game, however unlike most it does have a story (which unfolds very slowly in bits and pieces) and it set in an epic adventure style format. I'm going to be honest, I typically hate puzzle games but this one is so well done and the graphics so great that I often forgot it was a puzzle game and instead became immersed as I would in a typical adventure style game. I doubt many will be on the fence here though, most will probably really like it or really hate it, lol.
-Story- NA
While there is a purpose and a continuation there is not the typical good vs evil storyline we all expect in most adventure type games. In a nutshell you are entombed in a huge, and I mean huge castle/mausoleum and you are trying to escape and take Jorda with you.
-Overall- 9.3/10
Love it or hate it, hate it and you'd give it a 4.0, love it and I imagine you'd score it as I did. It is, to me, simply a lovely game and a very fun experience, although somewhat short, each level shouldn't take more than an hour at most and basically the game could be finished in 12 hours or so at the most.
PS...watch all the credits for the true ending....