Yes,
it is short.
Just
putting that out there, people aren't exaggerating, in terms of
actual time, and in terms of how long it feels while you're playing
it, its very very short. But does that detract from its fun? Only
slightly. The problem is that it seems to rush itself, its not that
they haven't padded it out with pointless length like some games, but
that it feels like its literally from A to B to C, there needs to be
more substance, its missing the detail and richness that other FPS's
have, for example, the dialogue, again feels like only what needs to
be said is said, which leaves the characters just kind of being
there, rather than any deep interaction or emotional investment.
Having
said that, the story itself creates a certain level of attachment, it
does a good job of making you empathise with both the people and the
situation. The plot is very well written, and very enjoyable to
absorb. Does it stand up to other FPS's? Well, yes and no, if I
compare it to MW2, which has a fairly similar story in terms of
America being invaded, it just feels like a woolly attempt at an
action driven FPS, the thing that dawned on me is that it feels like
its been purposely made easy, and with an age tag of 15 instead of 18
like so many FPS's, it feels very much like its been made for a
younger audience. Feeling like a kiddy FPS, the movement is sluggish,
you're walked through everything all the time, you're pretty much
always following people, you aren't let off the reigns, to explore,
and man up, even though at the same time your ego is being inflated
by everyone telling you how awesome you are and that you're gonna
save the day, does this make 15 year olds feel good?
Another
criticism is that the achievements don't feel very rewarding. 10G for
completing a chapter? When there are only 7 chapters? Come on now,
that's harsh, although this is supported by 25G for not dying or
restarting on each chapter, along with the odd 10G for accomplishing
certain things, or in certain times. I'm not saying I'm an
achievement whore, with a very modest 24755G in three years, but
getting a bleep bloop pop up for only 10G at the end of a chapter is
disappointing. And there isn't even one for completing the story on
normal, so if you want to actually feel good for having completed a
7th of the game, play on the hardest difficulty to get 60G per
chapter, a big improvement.
Something
I find very annoying in games, that is mostly being done away with
now, is infinite spawning enemies. Not only is it extremely
unrealistic, it adds to the frustration of playing this game. You
think to your self, hmm, I'm in a nice spot, and I can take them all
out without them noticing (The church), but no, all those bullets are
wasted unless you push past their spawn point. Why would a game
developer decide to do this? I just cant see the logic, I'm all for
being pushed into battle and getting right in there, but if you have
a sniper rifle and a lovely vantage point, why force the player to
run straight in there?
If
you've read to this point you might be starting to think that I hate
this game, that's not true though, its a very good game, potentially.
They just missed some key things that made it more frustrating than
it should be. Lets add a positive though, the gun set is nice, I like
the range of weapons that are both given to you at strategic points,
and that you can find dotted around or on bodies. I like the sniper
rifles particularly, and they come in very useful, I like how they've
modded guns slightly to reflect that its set in the future, but
haven't gone crazy with Spartan lasers and controllable sniper
bullets.
And
then we come to the end, of the game, but not quite the review. The
end of the last chapter is very anticlimactic, the action is just
starting, the revolution is just starting, it's starting to look and
feel like a much better game, then you remember, and are abruptly
shown, that this is the last chapter. Where's the end? Where's a
conclusion of any sort? I'm all for games and films alike having open
endings, which have the potential for a sequel, but a game shouldn't
need it, actually need it, in order to tell the story. So is this
game worth buying? Not for the campaign alone, if that's what you're
interested in, rent it, you'll have plenty of time spare to start on
the multiplayer, which is fun and interesting. It feels like a cross
between COD and Battlefield, a comparison that no game could shrug
off. I'll again state that I really enjoyed this game, and I really
like it, I like the feel, and I like the story, while other aspects
aren't quite on par, but then this is the first Homefront game, and I
certainly hope there's a sequel, so I and others are able to see the
rest of the vision behind this game, it's a good first attempt, so
keep at it, but a bit more polish next time.
Adopting
the IGN rating scale
Presentation:
Plot and setting put it right at the top, but characters for me,
along with delivery of everything you expect lead me to give it an:
8.5
Graphics:
They aren't terrible, but they aren't great, you wouldn't expect them
to be bidding for the next COD game, gonna have to give it a: 6
Sound:
Mediocre, some really good times, but more where its like, ok,
whatever, the gun and explosion sounds are good though: 7
Gameplay:
Fun, it's fun to play, but sluggish and too guided, a babies version
of COD: 6
Lasting
Appeal: Do I ever want to play through the campaign again? Not
really, but the multiplayer is good, so this ones tough.: 5
Which
gives it an overall 6.5 'OKAY', which
I feel is reflective of what they've done with this game, its not
bad, pretty good, but, they fall short in different ways.
Written
by Daniel Smith
