An ominous main menu. An old-style difficulty selection. Interesting. I wasn't sure what to expect, so I played it safe, selecting 'Insomnia'.
I started in a grave setting. Yep, I was in heaven alright. Graves on the first level. A full moon. Mist. Ambience. What? Where are the big machines to show off their graphics? Where are the pitiful switches I need to pull to progress in this game?
Then something strange happened. The music suddenly fired up and a skeleton came out of the earth. Not a Nazi, not an alien. Undead, that's right, sir, undead.
I then learned that this game was all about fighting. Constant fighting, but all of you already know that.
Their mistake was to put me in a graveyard setting, which made me compare the game to Blood at every possible angle.
Now for my rating of the good and bad.
First of all, the graphics are good, but they don't try to show off to you, like most of the modern games. The objects are there because that's where they would be. No stupid train rides or boat rides to show off lighting, physics and how well you can script things. The graphics were effective, but humble.
The gameplay is smooth and nice. You don't get caught in little "push the box" puzzles and your character can actually jump. He even has a voice, which is a nice change. Fighting is smooth and fast paced.
The weapon selection is very limited, but they are all interesting and fun to use.
Level design was a refreshing change, although I prefered the old fashioned levels (of course). Why did they feel the need to make such huge areas, though? Often I'd run to a spot to check out what's going on, only to find nothing and then have to run for 3+ minutes to get to the next area.
Tarot cards are interesting, but I only used them twice and even then; both times I pushed the button by mistake!
The music was nice, except the combat music was repetative and out of place. I'm not sure on a replacement, but why, oh why, did they feel the need to tell you "Look out! Bad guys are coming!"? The game destroys any possibility of being scary by playing music whenever opponents enter the chamber. No surprise attacks.
All in all, it was a pleasure. These guys have broken conformity with their senseless combat, instant weapon switching and secret areas. It's nice to see what can be done when you take old style games and give them a new engine. My hat is off to these Painkiller lads.
Friendly review complete.
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Now some personal notes about comparing Blood to this fine game. This could make an excellent Blood, if the levels had a bit more life in them and were smaller, a few enemies were already placed at the start of the level and dished out a lot more damage, the world was more interactive and had a few mental challenges and of course, Caleb was behind the weapon. There are many finer qualities still required to make this Blood like, but I'm just presenting a few guidelines.
Nice to see a shotgun, but it felt more like a single barrel shot to me, I don't get the same kick as I do when I use secondary Blood shotty!
There were two levels that nearly brought tears to my eyes. 'Asylum' and 'Monastery'.
Both, at first glance, appear so much like Blood's style. I gasped when I first saw 'Asylum'. An exterior area, with a building you have to enter, is so similar to Blood and, well, 'Monastery' speaks for itself.
First time I've sworn on this forum, but 'Asylum' is f*** cool. It's the only level that creeped me out a bit. Those crawling dudes without hands and feet are creepy enough, but crazies flapping their arms about (which were a little more funny than scary), were interesting as well. Those shocking inmates were damn convincing. The mumbling was awesome and they genuinely look like they're in pain when they shock. The atmosphere was fantastic. I smiled when I saw those guys crawling on the roof and seeing those guys lying on the beds was something special. Looking through a doorway and seeing those orange eyes... well, yes. I am truly proud of this level.
Now a few questions, good folk, if you'd be so kind :
1.) How does an increase in difficulty affect the game?
2.) Do I really want to try and finish on Trauma for a secret ending?
3.) Is the game really worth playing more than once?
4.) Should I try and collect all of the Tarot cards? (They seem boring)
5.) Are the levels only accessible on the higher difficulties worthwhile?
6.) Is the expansion any good?
Comments and answers are welcome and encouraged.
