An above average action game with some original concepts and a gripping cinematic feel.
I really wanted to like this game. The trailer looked very promising, despite unabashedly displaying the shameful script as though it was something to be proud of.
When I first got the game, I was slightly disappointed. The voice acting and script were bad (not quite as bad as some games, but still pretty bad), and the gameplay seemed rigid, unimaginative and frustrating. I felt irritated by the constant cliches and the elements ripped right out of anime-inspired video games, such as "combos" and breakable crates filled with edible baby alligators (I mean, come on, what's all that about?)
But then it started to grow on me. Despite the gameplay being as clunky as the PS1, I started to enjoy the on-the-rails shooting parts of the game when I finally got some powerful weapons upgrades for my shotgun. My love for the apocalyptic genre of fiction came to the fore, and I started to notice how well the disasters were emulated on screen. Then I began to notice the amazing soundtrack, which haunts one moment and projects bursts of adrenaline the next.
I also came to like the main character, who, although a little cliched, does have a very real fatal flaw in that he hates himself for not being able to save everyone he meets. This drive to save every single person in his power forces him on a quest to save the one person who can redeem him from his guilt and suffering. Along the way, you'll find yourself stepping into Ray's shoes and calling out to any and every endangered citizen of the two ruined cities and doing everything in your power to save them, despite the danger and relatively small rewards.
The on-the-rails shooting is the thing that makes up a large percentage of the game's play time. But it's actually executed very neatly. Rather than being totally on-the-rails, you do have certain control about when you hid and when you confront your enemies. Also, the shooting sequences quickly switch to quick time, or running, or various other things at the drop of the hat, so you never really know what to expect. Most importantly, however, is that the WIi Mote simply 'owns' keyboard and mouse for FPS sequences. Granted, they might not have figured out how to smoothly traverse the area while shooting using the mote and nunchuck yet (see Red Steel), but the actual aiming of the remote is far superior to using a mouse. Infinitely more important, of course, is that it's about a million times more realistic than mouse and keyboard, and therefore infinitely more fun.
Sure, there are still things about this game that bug me to no end, particularly the unresponsive quick time events. I'm usually a fan of QTE, but the Wii's motion sensor equipment didn't seem up to the job. In contrast though, the driving motion controls are VERY responsive, as are the emergency first aid controls and even the little things like opening doors or re-loading. But then, just when you need the wiimote to actually work, it fails you, and you get stabbed in the chest by a random marine that jumps out of nowhere. Thankfully, the QTE is few and far between.
Although I personally adore cross-genre gaming, it might be the thing that actually kills this game for other players. There will always be something in this game that turns players off, as there are so many aspects to it; driving, shooting, fighting, swimming, running, rescue, QTE, climbing, adventure, exploring, even disarming bombs (which amused me greatly, you have to see it).
My advice though, give it a try. Sure, if you're a graphics whore, or you like your games to stick to one genre, you're not going to fall in love with Disaster: Day of Crisis. But give it a chance and play it for at least 3 hours, because it does get rather engrossing, and the fresh approach is very fun at times.
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Score Breakdown
Based on the the Mooncalf Reviews scoring system as shown on this blog post:
http://uk.gamespot.com/users/MooncalfReviews/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-25395842
> > Story: 3
Nothing extra-ordinary here, but the "bad" guys are interesting, and I personally liked the main hero.
> > Hook: 4
The great thing about Disaster is that, unlike most games, the storyline isn't ignored for 4 hours straight. The constant disasters and action keep the game gripping.
> > Characters: 3
There appears to have been more effort than is usual to give personalities and back-stories to each of the characters, and it mostly works quite well.
> > Originality: 4
Although its individual aspects aren't massively original, Disaster feels original as the sum of its parts. Inventive use of motion controls, interesting action sequences, excellent use of gross-genre gaming and cinematic directing.
> > Art: 4
I could complain about the graphics, but I wont, because honestly, I don't give a damn about the graphics. Thankfully, Disaster has some beautiful backdrops and scenes that - although not perfectly rendered - are well-thought out and immersive.
> > Voice Acting and Script: 2
The voice acting is pretty bad, but I can't help but feel that this was almost entirely due to a god-awful script in some places. However, some of the actors aren't bad, and areas of the script are passable and even humorous at times.
> > Music Score: 5
Gripping, immersive, atmospheric music that never lets you down. Far too good to be in such an average game!
> > Fun: 3
Some parts of the game are actually very fun - such as certain driving sequences and the shooting parts. But other parts of the game are downright tedious and annoying.
> > Freedom: 2
Mission-based gameplay with a storyline that you cannot deviate from. However, there are quite a few surprising unlockables and things you'll want to go back and collect.
> > Lifespan: 3
Although the storyline itself should only take you around 10 hours, the target ranges and many unlockables and secrets give it some replayability factor, as does the fun of the game itself.
> > Multiplayer: 0
(No multiplayer support)
Total Points: 33
Gamespot converted rating: 6.5