What's this? MalReynolds is reviewing a game that is actually fairly contemporary? What... Did he steal it? Did he find it on the street?
The answer to this is, "No." I sold a story to a magazine, which funded my video game expedition... And it was only $30.00 new, so I thought, why the hell not.
I know, the lowered price tag might, for some people, send up a warning flag. Why would a game thats come out in the last two months have such a lowered tag? There is no reason for this unless the game is shitty in quality. Well, friend, I'm here to tell you, it's not.
It's just short. Really short.
And onto the review.
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The game boots up and with a minimal load screen, you're taken into the game immediatley. After the initial load time, there are no more load screens, the words, "Now Loading" never appear in the lower corner, "Welcome to Los Venturos" never appears to mask the load time. It's just one huge map that you play on with no loading.
This wouldn't be such a big deal if it weren't for the graphics. The graphics are incredible. Orgasmic, one might say, especially considering the system the game is played on. PS2. And yet, the graphics are some of the best I've seen on any console.
Yes, they're that good all the time.
The game starts and gives you a brief, albeit fun, tutorial mission, where you and your father Ned White (Voiced by Kris Kristofferson) go hunting. Your job is to kill things and sell the meat to steamboats that pass by. Now, I know, this doesn't sound like a fun game at all, which is why a high level of violence is sure to ensue.
After you kill two elks, eight quail and one huge motherfuckin' bear, the boat passes and the title screen comes up. (The Bear Fight WAS AWESOME.)
The next thing you know, you're on a steam boat and there is a preacher who is killing hookers, a mysterious item in a safe and a rebel raiding party attacking your boat. You best believe when I say the intensity of the game starts here and does not let up until you finish the final showdown at the end of the game.
By the way, did I mention that the main character is voiced by Thomas Jane (The Punisher)? He kicks ass.
After you wake up from the exploded steamboat, you find a man named Honest Tom who wants to bargain for a horse he has for sale. After playing the first horse mission of the game, you have to ride into dodge and help out a whore.
But enough of the plot. The plot is good. Substantial and not at all cut and dry western. Well, maybe a little. But the acting is very, very excellent considering this is a video game.
The sound is good. Galloping hoof beats, excellent musical score (Remeniscent of Firefly/Serenity) and gunshots all echo and haunt you throughout the game. If you hear an arrow sailing towards you, duck, or get knocked the fuck off your horse.
In the last few missions, the challange in the game ramps up to extreme levels, probably to prolong the game. On "Normal" difficulty, I breezed through the game, maybe dying once or twice until I got to the final showdown levels. I died at least seven times per checkpoint there and around ten at the final boss.
Good thing about dying? No load screen. You just select [RETRY] and it almost instantly sends you back into the action.
Controls: Refined to a T. There was never once in the game that I was puzzled as to what button I should press. Duck, roll, lean out, gallop the horse, spur the horse, jump the horse, enter fine shooting mode, enter fine shooting mode on the horse, aim from the horse... All of that is easily done and explained in game. Of course, anyone is going to have difficulty shooting from horseback, but that just adds to the challange of the game.
There is a special mode available called "Quickdraw Mode," activated by clicking R2. It brings you into first person, giving your pistol unlimited ammo, assisted aim, and slowing down time. Yes, this is the kick ass mode where you will take out large groups of enemies before they even realize you're standing there. Quickdraw mode is powered by a meter next to your ammo gauge, and can be refilled by *gasp* killing people. The bar refills faster if you shoot enemies in the weapon, head, dismember them with expert shots, or sneak up behind them and cut their throats.
Playing through the main story of the game takes a very short amount of time. Skipping the side missions, the game is only about three to four hours long. Bummer, yes, considering how good the rest of the game is...
BUT: There are side missions that you play to improve your stats.
Deputy missions where you have to go around and kill hooligans.
Pony Express missions where you raise your horse-riding skill, delivering packages from point A to point B in a limited (VERY LIMITED) amount of time.
Ranch Hand missions where you herd cattle and fight wolves while protecting the herd.
Poker Missions where you play good ol' Texas Hold Em' against some very, very stupid opponents. There's a neat feature here where you have a card up your sleeve and can trade it out for any other card in your hand.
Federal Marshall missions, which are the same as Deputy missions but in Empire City instead of Dodge.
And my favorite: Bounty Missions. You find Wanted Posters plastered all over city walls and are given paramters to defeating the bad guys. Some must be killed on sight, some must be taken alive. In one mission, you have to kill one person and bring his brother in alive. Problem being, they're twins and they're riding near identicle horses.
The side missions increase your stats (Horse, Gunhand, Quick Draw, Accuracy, Melee) for each successful completion, making them integral to complete. Luckily, they're no chore. They're quite fun.
Another great thing about the game is the wide array of guns you get, from six shooters to shotguns, they're all modeled pretty accuratley. With a click of the right joystick, you go into first person aiming mode with the rifle, where you can run around and be a true marksman. Damn, it's fun.
So, with all side missions included, the game will last you about 10 hours. Not bad for a $30 price tag and a lot better than some of the greatest hits out there right now.
Oh, yeah. Every animal you find in the game, you can kill. That's right: You see it, you can kill it. Shoot it, stab it, slice it, blow it up. Great fun. "A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse... *BANG* My kingdom for another horse..."
PROS:
-Interesting Story
-Graphics will rock your mom's face off
-Gun play is excellent
-Quickdraw mode simplifies, but not too much
-Side missions are a plus
-Great voice acting
-Riding horses never gets old
-Limited Load time
-Huge map
-Variety of activities
Cons:
-Short
-Not much to do once the game is completed
-Difficulty ramps up in the last few stages
All in all, I give it
8/10
(Insert Witty Remark Here)
Mal
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