PCG UK - Spore review

[Nemz0r]

Just got my October issue, probably the most anticipated review in there is Spore.

They give it a reputable 91% .

Other games featured are pretty mediocre. Space Siege - 59%. And disappointing for me at least: Stalker - Clear Sky 68%.

Some higher scores went to games i'm not really interested in, but maybe some of you are.

Flatout: Ultimate Carnage - 82%
Bionic Commando Rearmed - 82%
Montjoie - 75%

Hope this helps someone in some way! Though i'm sure it's disappointing for a lot of people. I was hoping Stalker - Clear Sky would live up to and surpass the original. I guess not .

[kalniel]

Was there anything in particular that held back Clear Sky?

[Nemz0r]

Was there anything in particular that held back Clear Sky?

"While much of the Zone is reused, there are a couple of new areas."

"The main problem for Clear Sky is that the faction warfare is simply no fun. There are a number of reasons for this: one is the way that it is presented. The fact that this is quite clearly a game, with stats and points of interest marked out on your PDA map, removes any mystery the Zone might have held. Rather than hiding the mechanisms of how your battle is progressings, or what particular faction thniks of you - as the original game did - it's all laid out so that you can see it failing to work. This objectification -- game-ification, if you will -- does Clear Sky no favours. It shatters the atmosphere, and dissolves the idea that you are in some kind of uncharted wilderness. Hell, it even marks 'mutants' on your PDA, as if the anomalous horrors of the Zone were just another tick-list attraction to be marked off and then killed on your ballistic tour of the area."

"The Zone was about existenial horror, bleak nihilism, and occasional speech bugs. It should have stayed that way."

^
They mention of some bad ideas in the game such as nearly all characters now speaking english but to a whacky and sometimes comedic tune. And some 'funny' things over loudspeaker in the hubs, plus a ganja-culture barman playing reggae.

They also say the world is too rich with enemies, and now that they have grenades which are hard to avoid and get pretty much spammed, you are insta-killed all the time.

"As it is, Clear Sky remains a remarkable misstep by the Ukrainian developers, and one that does not reflect well on their original game, or their independence from original publishers, THQ. We can only hope that their next effort will be more controlled."

"It's
- More beautiful
- More violent
- More annoying

It's not
- A worthy follow-up
- Cleverly designed
- Oh happy day"

The one-word summing up is "Mutated".

ed: Oh, they also decided to review Runescape too, lol! 72% "Complicated"

[Hicks12]

How did flatout get 82%, it was pretty poor for a game just released recently(i want my £15 back) because it doesnt have better graphics(afai can tell) and doesnt support my R660 steering wheel, WHO would have a racing game on pc support just the keyboard and 360 controller?!.

Space Siege looked like a game thats ok for a bit then gets boring, hopefully they review crysis next month .

[Aez]

Still holding hope for clear sky, i really enjoyed the first one

[CaseyV9]

I got to wait until Thursday to pick up my copy of PCG in the shops.

Hey Nemz0r, Why not just type out the entire magazine for us

I was hoping Space Siege would be good
What exactly is it about it that sucks ass?

[Nemz0r]

I got to wait until Thursday to pick up my copy of PCG in the shops.

Hey Nemz0r, Why not just type out the entire magazine for us

It doesn't look like that much till ya start typing!!

I was hoping Space Siege would be good
What exactly is it about it that sucks ass?

"SPACE SIEGE
One small step for man... backwards"

"Ideas we've seen done better elsewhere"

"Intellectually barren space RPG"

"It's
- Empty
- Vacuous
- Dark

It's not
- Original
- Inventive
- A space siege"

"Blockade - 59%"

[Raz316]

Hmm I may have to wait a while for someone to bring a mod out for Clear Sky before I start playing it. I loved the first one mainly for the sense of insignificance. One time I was heading somewhere and a group of 6-7 bandits were in my way; in most other games I would take them on and come out fine, but in STALKER I had to reconsider

[Nemz0r]

Reviews popping up for Clear Sky now... seems they are mostly favourable. Guess it's a bit of a mixed bag. Will give it a try myself then and hope for the best!

[Ferral]

I have Space Siege and played through the first level and was literally thinking thats it really in a nutshell.

It is pretty bleak, move into an area get attacked by various critters. Keep hold of the mouse button spraying them all till they die using the odd power up. Blow up a few barrels to help along with the killing and then move on. Rinse and repeat.

Granted it looks quite nice must admit with the effects and the models do have a fair bit of detail. Background though is dreary greys, dark blues and black. Where is the story also? Its pretty linear (mind you Dungeon Siege was but at least you went all over and landscapes were different). You get new weapons when you get an objective to actually find one and thats it. You go to shops and get cbyernetic enhancements with your salvage which is what the story is all about (Human / cyborg type thing and moralities etc) but from what I have read the only way it actually effects the ending is a different voiceover!

Its a bit of a turkey to say the least, hopefully their next RPG will go back to a more fantasy medievil setting.


As for Spore, I don't really think it is going to be my type of game. Not into Micro Management at all so don't think I will be able to get away with it.

[CaseyV9]

Just been reading through my copy of PCG this weekend.

I was suprised with Spore though. I just thought it would turn out being something more along the lines of the Sims.
I may actually consider buying this. Maybe.

[Whiternoise]

Here's another review, courtesy of XSpore from an Aussie magazine:

http://yup.lordofdance.com/SPORE-PCPowerPlay.pdf

Basic sum up was that it's got amazing scope, but to use a "Big Mac" analogy - tastes great whilst your eating it and there's enough there, but leaves you a bit dissapointed once it's gone - ie, whilst it's a superb game, the lack of depth means that some players will find it repetitive after a while (ie there isn't much variation in attacking, so just click-spam).

[chooah]

I kinda got the impressio spore would be something that would enthuse you while you play but not do much to make you want to play while your away...ay.