Great, but dulls a little too fast
I know, you've heard it before, but there is simply no better way to describe this game. There is just nothing better than unloading 150 bullets into...anything...as quickly and beautifully as you can in Black. Criterion (the creators of our beloved Burnout series) has again come through in completely engrossing the player in vivid, cinematic gameplay. The problem? The feeling just doesn’t last.
Now, don’t get me wrong, the first time you load this game up, you will be amazed. Not only with the amazing graphics, but with everything else that makes this game look at breath pure beauty. You will most likely hear many avid video game fans talk of the engrossing, beautiful and even ‘artistic’ ICO. Well, this is that, with guns. And explosions.
Now, you may be asking yourself why I am making this comparison. There is no connection whatever between either game. They weren’t made by the same people, and they aren’t even the same kind of game. But there is one ting very similar between the two: atmosphere. The story that is there is quickly dismissed as it involves the usual terrorists and traitors. Yes, it is nothing special, and as quickly as the things are introduced to you, you will forget them. But you won’t forget that feeling.....that look and sound of that gun blowing the **** out of whatever it was you just shot at a few seconds ago. There is an impression left on you in this game that has not been felt by many in a long time. This is definitely NOT a bad thing.
No, this game doesn’t do anything new for the FPS genre. It has guns, it has a minimal storyline, it has explosions, pretty graphics, and great sound. But in mu opinion, this game isn’t meant to be that thing we look back at and say there was a real great step for FPS games. This game is here to be fun, and it is great at meeting that goal. No one can really say that this game doesn’t bring a smile to there face. Everything is done perfectly and beautifully (at least sound wise, graphics wise, and overall atmosphere wise) and I think that THAT is what Criterion was planning on doing.
So, we have established that this game really pulls you in, but why is it not a perfect ten? Two reasons:
1. No multiplayer. That’s correct, there is no split-screen action you can try out between friends. And no, there is no online play either. Now, if you are like most people, you are wondering why. And, according to an interview I have read, the real reason why multiplayer was left out was because they didn’t want to **** it up. The interviewee said that they had “seen other developer’s screw a lot of things in there game” because they focused on too many things at once. This game was meant to please on one level, and it does just that.
2. It is short. And no, it isn’t like Devil May Cry short, where, if you know what you are doing, you can sit down and beat the game in a weekend. It is like, again, ICO short. You can sit down, play this game, and have it beat in less than 5 hours. Mind you, you would have to REALLY play it. And if you are like me, and you like to enjoy your game, you would try to take at least 10 hours to get through the games 8 missions.
These two problems may hold Black back from being that next amazing game, but it is still a great game none the less. Don't let anyone tell you there is too many things wrong with it to enjoy it. Yes, it is short, and there is not a whole lot to do after a few playthroughs, but the atmosphere it creates around you is something you may have trouble experiencing in any other game. So, if you are still skeptical about the game, just rent it, beat it and have a hell of a time, and later on, when you see Black sitting on the cheap shelf for 5 bucks, pick it up and experience it all over again.