To me, third-person shooters have shown more in the way of innovation this generation, which is why I’ve been anticipating a taste of Vanquish for quite some time. After playing the demo, perhaps it’s best to describe Platinum’s over-the-top title as an all-out blastfest that takes the basic concepts behind Gears of War and implements more flash, more speed, and even more depth. It’s not quite as polished as I would’ve liked – I have questions about the AI and overall style – but above all else, this one is about the gameplay. Yeah, there’s a story, and there’s even a bit of upgrading freedom involved, but…well, just dive in and shoot. Seriously. Get moving. The best part about Vanquish is that ceaseless action, which grips you by the throat and never lets go. The demo barely gives you a chance to breath.
If you’re looking for a more strategic approach to futuristic battle, don’t bother signing on for this particular adventure. But if what you desire is a cross between Bayonetta and Gears , with blinding speed and nonstop insanity, you’ve found your game. You can opt to try the tutorial before setting out on your gameplay sample, and you should probably take advantage. That’s where you’ll learn all about standard control and how to effectively handle that nifty AR suit; a simple press of the L1 button while dodging enables a bullet-time-esque skill that proves invaluable on the battlefield. Also, just pressing the L2 button while moving enables that drastic sliding you’ve probably seen before. You can snap into cover with a press of the Square button, reload and nab upgrades, ammo and new guns with R2, switch between weapons with the directional pad, aim with L1 and fire with R1. You can change the shoulder button assignments, too.
Then when you start, you’re instantly involved in a massive gunfight that includes what appears to be a mini-boss and a giant end boss, which will require most of your skill to defeat. General movement is smooth and simple, as is most every action. The control mechanic itself isn’t exactly challenging; it’s stringing it all together seamlessly that will take some practice. And considering the team at the helm, this doesn’t surprise me. They’ve produced yet another game that will reward the dedicated, as executing a perfectly-timed slide, “time-slow,” and melee attack will prove to be uber -fulfilling. I also like the fact that it’s not all about silly insanity: you have to manage your AR suit, because excessive sliding, the use of the bullet-time skill, and even melee attacks cause it to heat up. It heats up rather quickly, too, and when it overheats, you have to wait until it cools down. This requires that you think about a plan of attack, so to say it’s all about mashing buttons would be incorrect and a disservice to the developers. Let's be fair.
Everything really feels seamless and explosive. I definitely enjoyed the atmosphere and sheer number of bullets and enemies/allies on the screen at once. However, I do wonder about the AI, as they didn’t seem to do much in either of my play-throughs, especially in regards to the boss. So why should I bother to patch them up when they fall if they suck…? I’m also not sure how the story and voice acting will go over with critics; I get the “cornball” sensation that is common in Japanese productions but doesn’t really get a lot of praise from Western gamers. Still, I sort of liked Sam’s cocky attitude…I’d have to punch him if I met him at a club, but in this situation, he’s perfect. Then there’s the standard cute tech chick (‘cough’ MGS ‘cough’) with the 183 IQ and short skirt and the huge, grizzled veteran with a minigun. Yeah, of course. In Vanquish , all of that seems to work. As for the graphics, I noticed nothing in the way of inconsistencies; it’s not the greatest presentation, but it’s pretty solid. Not the most colorful, but great detail in the characters and environments.
I still worry my compatriots will prove almost useless, and I get the feeling the action might sometimes feel overwhelming in the final product but beyond that, I’m fairly convinced that Vanquish will be well worth playing .
Game made me dizzy but I enjoyed the sense of extreme badassery. On my 2nd play through I didn't bother with trying too hard to succeed but rather marveled at everything that was going on. The game is a beauty, especially when you realize how much is going on in the background.
Oh and after spending 30minutes refreshing 10tabs in hopes of securing an open beta code for FFXIV the server went down. Did anyone have luck getting one?
I signed up back when I got FFXIII, I don't recall if it meant it was for a PC beta or what, but since my PC would never run it I'd have to give it away anyway if I ever got one.
Gimmie….
I'll let you know if SE graces me with their wonderful presence.
Having same problem, server congestion, but I signed up back after FFXIII as well, hopefully it counts for this too..
I don't believe so. Back then it was for the closed beta I believe. I hope I'm wrong though so you can enjoy the game. Oh well, only 3 weeks away till the full game is released!
Yeah that's what I was thinking too, but, here's to hoping, otherwise…SE is failing at this, wonder how it's going to be on the actual release. Also did anyone else find it funny that the beta was delayed a day to to a 'critical bug' and yet the game is being released within the month…LOL
The key you got with FFXIII is for the BETA testing of the PS3 version.
The open BETA test going right now is for PC only. You still may be invited for the PS3 testing, but a date for that is yet to be determined.
Right now, if you wish to be in the PC open BETA, you have to manage to sign up for a key when the take it off suspend. Try back every hour to sign up for Open BETA. Eventually it'll work. But as of this moment, they have put distribution of keys on suspend.
FFXIV beta conversation in a Vanquish preview. Sweet!
Nah the key you got with FFXIII asked you if you'd rather take part in the PC or PS3 beta, you had to pick one, I picked PC, just becuz i'd be more comfortable playing it on mouse and keyboard than a controller for MMO
Alienange contributing ZERO to an ongoing conversation, no way!
Ewe, I haven't played it yet but was like "wow, only 700 odd megabytes?" So far it sounds exactly like I envisioned it, which is a bad thing. I'll still play the demo, but this game is just screaming for the bargain bin so far.
I had a great time playing the demo for this but I worry that the game will end up fairly short. I will wait to read some reviews about the amount of gameplay it offers before picking it up.
OK, when I saw the trailers for this, I thought Naahhhh, way too fuzzy & hectic.
But now that I've had the chance to demo it, wow what a big change the demo is from those trailer.
The graphics look a lot better(although I still wish they had done away altogether with the blur-filter, and a bit brighter cause I could hardly see the ammo boxes(but I can probably fix the brightness myself).
There's a learning curve alright, I kept getting bombarded by big daddy crablegs while trying to remember the correct buttons to do the Electric Slide, power my AR suit, & grab the bigger guns & grenades. But I think after an hour's play, I'd probably have the controls down pat.
SO overall, I was very pleasantly surprised with Vanquish, and I'll be putting this one into my "gotta get" list.
I agree, the ammo boxes could be made more visible. The game makes such heavy use of effects and particles that it would be nice to have items of necessity to stand out a bit more. From what I could tell, why do they even have you press a button to pick up ammo? Can't I just move over them and have the ammo pick up automatically?
After read in lot of sites this being like Bayo I must say that I was very disappointed with the melee combat , I'm not going to buy this.
I like the game demo quite a bit and I'll play the full game for sure.
But I agree that the stylization suffers. Bayonetta better fused style and combat in a world that seemed entirely synergistic.
I know they're both different games, but Platinum Games appears to be creating an over-the-top fast action identity for themselves that is apparent in both their games, but this time, they don't seem to have nailed it with Vanquish as they had before.
I think the military element of Vanquish somewhat offers a more rigid and less free environment to express style.
The dialogue is also campy-anime'ish that sorely pales in comparison to the current game I'm playing, Assassin's Creed 2.
I'm still not sure what i think of it. It doesnt look interesting to me at all, but everyone else seems to enjoy it so maybe i'm just missing something.
The demo was intense. This is a game on my list. One thing I'm not too sure about was how the upgrades work.
Whoa!
So vivid….so intense.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN!!!!
It's starting to look like a triple demo!!!
Way off topic but, TGS LESS THAN 9 DAYS AWAY WOOOO!!!
Ben, have you been recording my TGS predictions and wagers??
You still think FFVII is getting a remake don't you?
I know so.
No, but I won't be making any predictions, either.
Well, whether or not they come true. TGS 2010 will be talked about for atleast 364 days. Its gonna be EPIC!!
The one prediction I'm throwing in is Valkyria Chronicles 3: Only for the PS3. Also, you're going to owe me JELLY BEANS!
Peace.
Alright, just played it, not bad but not impressive either. Agree with Ben on the AI, what were they supposed to be up to? Graphics…ehh not so good. Not so good at all. So far it's pretty on-rails too. Gonna pass altogether. I can't take all the arcadeyness.
Uh…the "arcadeyness" is the point. 🙂
Yeah, World, arcadey is in. IGN's editors just claimed an arcade PSN game, Shatter, is better than Heavy Rain and Uncharted… =p
*I never played Shatter but it just seems wrong*
I've left that point behind along with, well arcades. I like a game where I'm just getting warmed up after an hour or two, or at least where the arcadeyness strives for realism. (KZ)
I did enjoy the buttscooting and pulling off some tactical badassery. Can't say I'm not always interested in seeing the reception though. I'm not feeling Mikami in this demo though. Certain amounts of swift arcade style battle (Devil May Cry) are okay but this thing reeks of "Pew pew pew." I can't hang with it myself. It probably would have given me a hardon if I was 13 though.
And what's with the guy trying so hard to sound like Spike Spiegel?
Shatter is awesome. That being said, it's hardly in the same category as ANY full game…it's like comparing Tetris to Devil May Cry.
But IGN has always registered as a big "whatever" for me, anyway.
What's wrong with some good old fashioned arcadey shooter? We've been missing that kind of pure fun arcade shooter for a long time now.
@World
It's because it's the guy who did the voice for Spike in the dub of Bebop.
It sounds more like a guy doing a poor rendition of him.
Lol, watching the youtube demo vid, all I can think to myself if, this kid is just trying way to hard. I mean cool, all the little abilities you got, but watching the game, you really don't have to use them if you don't want to, which kinda takes away from the factor a bit, rather the game be centered on this time of thing..
Look who's back.
In a rare bit of defending this game, it is at least fun to use this particular iteration of bullet-time.
Not sure if any vid's will give the game justice, I know the trailer certainly didn't.
I hated all the trailers & thoght it was going to be nothing more than a giant hectic blur-fest so I was pretty negative going in, but after trying out the demo, it's was so much better, and it has sold me.
So I'd say just DL it for your own peace of mind as to whether you'll like it or not.
The Japanese voices in the game and the gameplay sold me this game.
I'll sell you a CD of people just speaking Japanese to each other.
Well Ben and company, since I can't afford a 360 (and I don't mean the initial price of one unit) and my Xbot doesn't like Gears, how does this stack up to it?
Gears? Like I said below, everyone compares futuristic TPSs to Gears but this one sort of stands by itself. It's twice as fact and twice as insane with the sheer amount of stuff going on at once.
But it's not as polished as Gears. There are a few quirks and iffy factors; some are technical, and some are Japanese-centric. It won't be a better game than Gears 2 (pretty sure), but I might have more FUN with it. Hard to say.
And again, I will reiterate: NOTHING tops Uncharted in the TPS category.
Liked this demo, was fun to play, played exactly how you'd expect a 3PS to.
Didnt seem to bring anything new to the table, but then again this is the one and only level we have seen of this game.
I enjoyed it, will probably purchase.
My one and only dissapointment is the melee combat.
…didn't seem to bring anything new to the table?
I'm sorry, I must've missed the other third-person shooters where I could slide for half a mile, melee the hell out of someone, and execute bullet-time while dodging…I guess I don't get the comment. 'scratches head'
Ben, see: Wet. It may not have worked as well, but you can do all that.
No, Wet was broken. Hence, it didn't "do it" at all.
Actually it did.
I played the Vanquished demo yesterday… thought it was awesome… but will probably wait for a price drop before picking it up next year sometime. I have money for a few of the AAA's coming up between now and March next year… next game will be F12010…
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
I played the demo too, it's really intense, but not something I'd pay full price for. But I'm just saying that because I'm really broke.
I do like the concept of the game. I really do. As I can't DL the demo, I'm going to have to go on what is written. I don't mind the crackhead dialogue of some Japanese games, or the cliches. But the action seems just sort of there. It doesn't seem to allow you to go out on a limb and do your own thing and play your on style. Also, I hate it when friendly AI sucks. I always end up screaming at the TV: 'SHOOT SOMEONE YOU USELESS #######' or something along those lines. Still interested, but not for this year.
Peace.