(02-17-2010, 11:22 AM)Surf314 link Wrote: [ -> ]I know Joel has been playing this, how's the game so far? Is it a buy?
I've just beaten the game (all 3 stories), and I will post my (hopefully) short review of the game.
Starting with the marine, I didn't like the lack of character development and the team play. I know its very common, almost necessary if you will, to be running around alone in these types of games. I was still hoping for a few group shoot outs, but alas, any friends you come to meet either die, or you leave them shortly thereafter. For the most of the game, you are taking orders from Tequila, a female marine. You don't really get to know her very well, but by the end you're risking your life to save hers, which leads me to believe there is some form of relation other than co-workers. On a side note, you get to use flares again. One flare at a time, and you have infinite.
The alien story suffers from lack of plot the most. I suppose because the aliens only real objective is to protect the queen and kill anyone else. So that's all the alien story is. Just running around killing people to no end. Speaking of end, I have to say that the Alien ending is the most sudden and unsatisfying one of the three. You're going along at an even pace and then, bam, its over, a short non-descript cutscene shows what happens to your character '6' after, and then drops off.
Predator has decent storyline to it. Your character has a purpose going in and comes to fufil it at the end. There really isn't much to say about it. You only start off with your blades, and have to get your other weapons as you go.
As far as story goes, I'd say the marine storyline is the main focus (as I originally thought). I would suggest playing it first, then enjoy it from different perspectives afterwords (other 2 campaigns). All in all, after playing the marine story line I have to say I'm pleased with the game. The story didn't go as far as I was hoping, and it may be the multilayer that keeps the game active for me, as opposed to playing the stories over and over. You get points for each story and it adds up the three scores at the end for you, with other misc stats. Not sure if there is a point to this, I didn't really care.
The online. I haven't played it yet, but I did browse the menu to see what was available. From what I can tell, there is no longer ANY open mics. this made me happy. I can also see the ability to create your own server, and browse a list of servers, as well as the quick match setting like from the demo. There are 7 game modes to play online, and 6 maps I believe. You have the ability to password your server, as well as use 'private' slots, which I think is for members of your friends list only. The max players per game is 12. I don't know about any gameplay changes, but the options look promising.
If you're a fan of one, or both, of the franchise, I think you'd enjoy the game. If you liked the earlier games I think you'll enjoy it. If it was someone going in with no knowledge of either, then I doubt they'd like it as much. I say its a buy, but that's only my personal opinion.