WorldShift
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10
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1
When good RTSs go bad
I'd waited for this game to come out for MONTHS. Always checking the website, reading the lore they posted, the whole nine yards.Finally, I picked this game up on release day. I cannot explain the level of disappointment I felt after I played the first 5 or so missions. The graphics are actually quite stunning, and the background/lore found on their website is truly amazing as well. However, that's about as far as it goes.AI: Almost zero. Enemy units don't flank, don't move for cover...well, they just flat don't do anything. During fights, every unit (enemy and friend alike) will stand and shoot at each other until one side is dead. It doesn't get anymore basic than that.Graphics/Animation: As I said, the graphics are beautiful. The worlds look amazing, the weather effects are great, and everything moves fluidly and realistically.Sound: Terrible. The music sounds like it was recorded at the worst quality level, and it doesn't really fit the game, either. Voice acting is HORRENDOUS in this game. During events, the voice actors literally sound like they've never seen the script before, and are just stumbling through it to get it done.Challenge: Meh. As long as you have more firepower than the enemy, you win. Many of the maps have areas you are told to stay away from, because there are strong enemy forces there...I always ended up clearing the map before proceeding, and never had any problems at all. Not once did I ever get a game over.Interface: Not the newest thing on the block, but it works. The interface is minimal in-game; it leaves a lot of space for you to soak up the visuals. Bottom right of the screen shows your currently selected squad of people, and their abilities. The main menu interface...not much to really say. Easy to navigate, just like any other main menu in a game.Storyline: Wait, there's a story to this? I never would've guessed! Each stage starts you out with some kind of objective. You complete it, and move on to the next. You just plod along until (I assume) you beat the game. Bad guys trying to take over the world, yadda, yadda...been beaten into the ground already.Overall, I give this a 3/10. And that's just because the graphics were amazing.
12/30/09