Hatchetforce 0 Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 ...I just finished the demo for Black. I reserved the Xbox version and they gave me a PS2 demo. I can't recall when a game that was so hyped and was this much down the ladder from original expectations. To listen to critics you would think it was the holy grail of shooters. The weapons were puported to be the star of the show. The problem is they are the only star. And by star I mean like a Loretta Swit or a Garly Coleman. Yeah, they're celebrities but...you get the picture. AI? What AI. It was Artificial Intelligence in the respect that there is no way you are going to mistake their actions for those of a human with even a modicum of intellect and imagination. At the beginning of the level you are in a 2nd story room. You spot an enemy on a catwalk. I had a shotgun so I switched to a pistol for a little better accuracy. The guy would shoot, run to the right, squat and shoot, run to the left, squat and shoot, run to the right...blah, blah. If I kill 10 of these, I get a stuffed animal, right? Other AI would do little better. Particularly gay was the way the AI would 'dance' sidways over to cover, squat, get shot at, and then like a fairy, dance back the other way. Did I mention everytime I loaded the level they did exactly the same thing? Can you say pattern memorization equals level completion? Ever hear of random enemy placement? Well the devs have not. Weapon destruction was barely worth the mention. Enemies in windows were like the worst of the hollywood stuntmen. Shoot a guy and as a hail of bullets drives him backward, he leaps forward out the window to an assured death. I would end my life too if I were stuck in this game. It was only a single timed level that was easy to complete so I cannot speak for a storyline. But since the devs have been so mum, I am guessing there isn't much of one. One trick pony rides get boring really fast. The game began as a PS2 title and it shows. Fugly to say the least. Particle effects are 3 year old PS2 fare. Sparks from richochets look more like big square bulbs. I wouldn't have faith the Xbox version will look much better. BFMC and AA are examples of how multiplatform developed titles that use the same studio for all consoles usually (but not always) suffer from the lowest common denominater. Studios develop for the lowest powered console (PS2) and simply port everything to the Xbox. And it shows. Want a good shooter with great effects, better physics, better AI, a storyline that is engrossing and not what it at first seems, a MP component (No MP in Black), allows multiple paths to completing many objectives? Get Cold Winter for the PS2. It isn't great looking either but it is a great title that won't leave you feeling like Black. And by that I mean Black reminds me of the condom a 12 year old had in his wallet - there are all these big dreams about what you are going to do with it but miss right becomes miss right now and before you know it you can't believe you wasted you money on that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
en4rcment 0 Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Black reminds me of the condom a 12 year old had in his wallet - there are all these big dreams about what you are going to do with it but miss right becomes miss right now and before you know it you can't believe you wasted you money on that. ← I think I found a new sig... Very disappointing that another hyped title delivers a steaming pile of horse manure... I can't believe you find so much time to play so many games HF! Anyways, thanks for the preview and I'll save my coins for a better title... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Zantar45 0 Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Was kinda looking forward to it... until I saw the game play videos over at GameSpot. Looks like it's one of those games where the AI always knows where you are and which way you are coming from, but now they can blow down walls to get to you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hatchetforce 0 Posted January 24, 2006 Author Share Posted January 24, 2006 Black reminds me of the condom a 12 year old had in his wallet - there are all these big dreams about what you are going to do with it but miss right becomes miss right now and before you know it you can't believe you wasted you money on that. ← I think I found a new sig... Very disappointing that another hyped title delivers a steaming pile of horse manure... I can't believe you find so much time to play so many games HF! Anyways, thanks for the preview and I'll save my coins for a better title... ← Time? I wish I had more. As an Instructor, I have either no time or quite a bit. There is no middle ground. When Gordo Viper came to visit I was on a down cycle. Now? Actually busy as hell. I sleep about 4 hours a night so I jump on a little in the evening, and then around 4 in the morning. Then it's off to a 16 hour day at work, if you can call it that. It's more like a paid hobby. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sup 0 Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 I'm a big enough fan of the developer that I'll wait to try it before I make up my mind. That said, the developer has only ever made racing games. I'm not that confident it'll be any good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BigOlBrain 10 Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Not surprised in any way....all hype. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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