Not only has Fret Nice developer Pieces Interactive prove they can put together an inventive and fun platforming title, they’ve also proved they aren’t afraid of trying something different. Busting out the ol’ plastic guitar to play a platforming game sounds like a lot more fun than it really is, but that doesn’t mean the game falls short of being “purchase-worthy”.
Unlike your favorite Italian plumber platforming games, Fret Nice doesn’t rely on head-stomping as its primary attack maneuver. Instead you’re instructed to play riffs on your guitar in accordance with specific enemy attributes; a simple premise that is fairly intuitive and quite an interesting mechanic. When using a standard game-pad, Fret Nice is reminiscent of the Patapon or Loco Roco games; and controls just as well as it should be expected to. On the other hand when using a guitar peripheral the control scheme throws all intuitiveness out the window, and leaves you with confusing – and often broken – controls.
Looking past Fret Nice’s controller woes won’t be hard for anyone looking to jump into a bright, colorful, and competent platforming game which looks and feels like nothing you’ve ever seen this side of next-gen. Each of FN’s levels, and bonus stages, are well crafted and full of surprises down to the great boss encounters. The only thing holding back consumers from jumping into the world of Fret Nice is its aesthetics. While I’m a fan of the art design Pieces Interactive have chosen to roll with here, its bright, acid-trip appearance will most definitely scare off anyone who can’t open up to another’s approach. Those same people will be missing out on an enjoyable experience.
Not everything is grey and brown. Not everything is something before it. Fret Nice is a step forward in the right direction of music-based platforming games. And as disappointed as I was to see the idea of controlling my in-game avatar via plastic-axe fall short, it opened my eyes to how much fun Fret Nice is on the merits of its mechanics alone. [A-]
Today we have both Cory Grimes and Drew “FrustratedFury” giving their impressions of the PS3 exclusive Heavy Rain. This noir crime drama is brought to us by Quantic Dreams, developers of Indigo Prophecy. This is more an interactive story then a game. Told through the lives of four people; their actions all trying to answer the question: ‘How far would you go to save someone you love?’ First we have Cory Grime’s impressions:
Heavy Rain is a game that should be experienced by anyone who is a fan of games. It shows how completely different from the norm a game can be and be brilliant at the same time.
The gameplay is similar to that of Quantic Dream’s previous title Indigo Prophecy – using the controller in ways to complete motions, but is done much better than it was in Indigo Prophecy. The things you do with the joysticks range from the mundane – like shaving or setting a table, to the intense – like a car chase or a fight. The gameplay may be hard to comprehend at the beginning, but soon becomes easy and intuitive. This gameplay is innovative and could totally be a new wave in gaming, to be used in games of the future.
The plot is complex and reminiscent of the Saw films, only good. In the game, you are tested to see how far you are willing to go to save someone you love. Each character in the game has a different story, and their stories often intertwine. The story has a branching narrative based on what you do, so each playthrough could have a different outcome based on your actions. The story is also gripping, and you can bet to experience a ton of different emotions to the game.
The characters are fully developed and seem real, unlike stereotypical video game characters. Each character’s story is interesting and different in its own way.
The graphics are mind blowing and showcase what the PS3 is capable of; not only in cutscenes but in gameplay as well. There are several jaw dropping moments caused by the graphics.
I think Heavy Rain is possibly one of the best games ever made. It is new and innovative in a time where gamers are given sequels and mediocre titles. It is definitely my game of the year and I doubt it will be topped. If you own a PS3, you must own this game!
and now Drew’s “FrustratedFury” impressions of Heavy Rain
So, I sit down with a Dual Shock 3 controller in hand. I have an audience with me consisting of Rage Quit Radio’s Joel and Alan (and special guest, Montay.) After the origami folding installation process, we begin. Right away, I’m hooked. What I didn’t know was that my viewers were hooked as well. It felt like we were in a movie theater watching the newest summer blockbuster. The crazy thing is that the things I were doing were everyday mundane things: taking a shower, drinking some OJ, setting out dinner plates. That’s how powerful Heavy Rain really is! Anyone in the room will be glued to the screen to see what happens next.
Then, after brief introduction to all the characters, the real drama begins.
Heavy Rain will keep you guessing the entire time you’re playing. At one time, I thought everyone could possibly be the Origami Killer. The story telling is so top notch I actually started to feel emotional for some of the more tragic characters. Everything from button presses to moving the controller in a direction makes you feel like you’re trying to do it will all you might just to get the point across. Knowing that your characters can die at any moment really does put you in distress mode. There were many times I shouted out loud, as well as my audience, when a close call happened.
The tone is very impactful as well, you really feel depressed during the beginning of the game due to what the main characters are experiencing. You really feel flustered and panicky during one of the moments where your character could die. This is all conveyed through the music, dialog, and settings. Even the button responses that flash up on the screen get shaky and blurry during stressful moments. The developers know how to keep you entranced in the game and story.
Honestly, if you have friends who don’t play games you should have them at least watch this game. Both Joel and Montay agreed that watching was more of an experience than playing it; and I couldn’t agree more. I haven’t finished the game as of yet but I can safely say the hunt for the Origami Killer is one NO ONE should have to miss.
Well there you have it. Possible the “best game(s) ever made” and if you’re not a gamer just watching someone else play Heavy Rain may make you one quickly.
Are you picking up Heavy Rain and going after the Origami Killer? How far would you go for someone you loved? Let us know your experience with Heavy Rain in the comments below; and Happy Hunting!
Finished BioShock 2 and don’t feel like going back through to track down the few audio diaries you may have missed along the way? Well now you don’t have to, you can listen to them all right here.
[Update] The 24 bonus diaries from cultofrapture.com have been added.
If you still want to find the rest [...]
Available on March 4th, 2010 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC, the Just Cause 2 demo will feature a massive 35 square miles of the Lautan Lama Desert, a vast expanse of stunning, sun-scorched scenery taking up just one of the many islands in the 400 square miles of the Panau archipelago. Packed with [...]
Check out this Beaterator produced track by enigmatic artist Jay Electronica. Fresh from creating his groundbreaking track “Exhibit C,” Jay stopped by the Rockstar Beaterator House of Hype Lounge at the MTV Video Music Awards late last year to try out Beaterator for PSP. Created in mere minutes, his original track features a [...]
Sam and Max: The City that Dares Not Sleep Review (PC) 31 August 2010 9:59 AM |
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Mafia II Review (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) 24 August 2010 5:47 PM |
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Review: Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days (Xbox360, PS3, PC) 17 August 2010 6:13 AM |
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Castlevania: Harmony of Despair Review (XBLA) 17 August 2010 12:00 AM |
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Red Dead Redemption “Legends and Killers” Review 16 August 2010 12:43 PM |
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Monday Night Combat Review (XBLA) 14 August 2010 8:10 AM |
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Vid Review: Dark Star One: Broken Alliance 02 August 2010 3:23 PM |
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Supergiant Games unveil Bastion, an original action RPG due in 2011 02 September 2010 3:58 AM |
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Rumor: Dead Space 2 multiplayer offers Necromorphs vs. Soldiers; ‘Ignition’ a pre-order incentive 02 September 2010 3:32 AM |
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Call of Duty: Black Ops multiplayer detailed; no public beta test planned, cheating being taken seriously 01 September 2010 11:32 PM |
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Kojima wanted “complete version� of MGS4, didn’t have the time 01 September 2010 8:00 PM |
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PSN gets GoW: Ghost of Sparta demo next week*; 3D Blu-ray update hits PS3 in October 01 September 2010 7:44 PM |
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Capcom producer promises news on Resident Evil 6 soon 01 September 2010 7:18 PM |
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Great scott! Telltale’s Back to the Future series sounds awesome 01 September 2010 3:40 PM |
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Want big Valve surprises? There’s three on the way 01 September 2010 3:30 PM |
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