Post by Bytor on Mar 26, 2010 0:57:42 GMT -5
-Visuals- 9.1/10
I almost feel obliged to have two scores for the graphics, maybe even three. the character renditions are typical pixelated renditions you would/could see on an average PS2 game. The backgrounds, furniture, stairs, walls etc are much more nicely done, almost (but not quite) as good as, what I consider the best "period" game artwork Rule of Rose. and even being in second place says a lot in my opinion. Now, having said that the vast majority, read all, is so dark almost everything is in shadows, but what great art comes out of those shadows. The true strong point to me, however, is the ghosts, they are pretty much all rendered awesomely, whether it's an attacking one or one you simply catch a quick glimpse of, they are wonderful!
-Sound- 8.9/10
Think understated and subdued, SB actually asked e what I thought of the sounds and I had to think about it a bit...to me the sounds fit what I would imagine to be a true horror situation, not too loud and certainly not overwhelming yet portraying the emotion of simply scared to death wonderfully. The voice overs are all well done as well and when the ghosts speak it is so spooky I promise, at least in the beginning you WILL jump!
-Gameplay- 9.2/10
This game defies the traditional SVG in so much as you actually do "fight" here, it's not so much about running away and surviving as it is about surviving and continuing to gather clues as to the mystery of not only what happened to your brother but exactly what has/is happening in the Himuro Mansion. Instead of traditional weapons you have, only, a camera, which can destroy (capture) the ghosts and also gain points by capturing "better" pictures. The camera angle used in gameplay will, like all games take a bit to get used to but I found it very easy to use and once you actually use your camera the game switches to first person view which is extremely easy to use and navigate your different views. Overall I loved the difference here (using a camera!) and I really loved collecting the shots of the various ghosts. Not all of the ghosts will attack so it became a lot of fun to me to try and capture pictures of all of the so very elusive ghosts that only appear in front to you for the briefest of instances, better have that camera ready!
-Story- 9.2/10
Your brother goes to the mansion and turns up missing...you follow...the story is reveled through various pieces of manuscripts and notebooks and cassettes you find lying around and it is a great story!
-Overall- 9.2/10
Simply a really, really spooky game with great game play, a great story and enough puzzles to keep you occupied while not detracting from the ebb and flow of the game!