There are just some games
that evokes certain pleasant memories that involve a group of friends (classics
such as Gauntlet and Rampage come to mind) that made playing the
game such a sheer joy. In keeping with the tradition, Hunter: The Reckoning
brought back that same warm and fuzzy feeling that only a good multiplayer
action game can bring with the Xbox. So it was something of a pleasant treat to
find Hunter: The Reckoning Redeemer among the line up of sequels.
Once again the game places
you squarely in the seemingly cursed city of Ashcroft where the first game
introduced four very different but linked characters who have been chosen to put
an end to the supernatural evil that has taken over the city. The four Hunters,
though, are now joined by a new member by the name of Kaylie (who, if you might
remember from the first game, was the little girl they saved from her demonic
teddy bear). Ten years have passed since the incidents seen in the first game
and Father Esteban, Samantha Alexander, Kassandra Cheyung, Deuce Wyatt and a
very grown up Kaylie find themselves back in Ashcroft after hearing about a big
corporation has built over the prison that released the evil in the first
place. Suddenly the monsters are back and Ashcroft is once again the center of
supernatural evil.
The great news is that all
the characters, including the new addition that is Kaylie, are available from
the very beginning. Each character comes with his or her own choice of weapon
(firearm) and melee weapon (everything from a battle-axe to a sword) and Hunter
abilities the game calls an Edge. Thanks to these differences, each character
feels different during gameplay and thus adds some replay value if you’re
playing this one as a single player game. Each character also fairs better at
certain things than others. For example, Kaylie is great at dispatching foes
from a distance but if you want to tear into the mob of monsters from up close
Deuce is your man.
You’ll also find some
mission objectives to complete along the way such as escorting the President of
a major corporation or freeing some innocents from the clutches of a club filled
with zombies. You’ll also be asked to perform certain tasks to move the story
along, such as blowing up cemetery or clearing a certain place from werewolves
and vampires. These things just make the game so much more addictive even if
you’re satisfied with just slashing through the hordes.
Control-wise the game is a
dream, in fact, the controls are the kind you can simply just pick up and start
playing without much instruction. While the game is a hack-and-slash action
fare all the way, the Edge abilities, different weapon types and Glyphs (that
offer instruction and power ups such as limited invincibility) add plenty of
diversity to the action. You’ll find that the Xbox controller setup is easy to
master and changing weapons on the fly is a snap. So is there anything wrong
with this game, you might ask? Well, for single players this game is just so
hard and you’ll often be scratching your head and wondering where to go next
since there are no directional hints.
Want more great news? Not
only can you play this one as a single player game, but you can also play this
one with up to three other friends for a total of four characters on the screen
at once. Actually, this game was made to be played with a group of friends
seeing as suddenly the slew of bad guys doesn’t feel like an overwhelming mass
with a few friends covering your back. Playing this one online with the Xbox
Live would have made the game a real gem, but we can’t complain since you are
able to download extras using the Xbox Live service.
Visually, Ashcroft is just
what you might expect a monster-infested cursed city to look like and since this
was the look the game’s designers were looking for than it did a hell of a job.
The atmosphere surrounding your characters is both creepy and dangerous-looking
and it’s the details in everything that make the place good to look at no matter
where you go. The character models are also nicely done and watching them blast
through the hordes of wonderfully designed monsters is a treat. You’ll love how
many things are moving around on the screen at once and the camera is great at
giving you all the best angles. This game also has some great animated cut
scenes that really help set the mood just right.
And speaking of setting
the mood just right, the sound could have done a better job of complimenting the
detailed visuals with the right amount of detailed sound effects. You won’t
find wolves howling in the distance or the sound of the wind passing through the
dead trees in the cemetery–you won’t even find the sounds of monsters lurking
nearby. What you will find are the sounds of gunfire that echo loudly and
stepping on a Glyph produces this loud swooshing sound. The character’s voices
are done nicely, though, and the music does attempt to match the action and
paces itself rather well during moments of calmness.
Hunter: The Reckoning
Redeemer is a worthy sequel to a fun game filled to the brim with enjoyable
action and a multiplayer option that will have you and your friends happily
busy. Redeemer is also a lot better looking than its predecessor is and thanks
to the Xbox Live service, there is downloadable content available (unfortunately
there’s no online play). Get this one if you enjoy a good hack-and-slash with
your friends.
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#Reviewer’s |
Gameplay: 8.5
The game’s controls keep the game
the addictive joy that it is and the best part is that it’s also the kind of
game first-time players can simply pick up and play. Each of the five Hunters
has his or her own combat personalities that go well beyond the differences of
choice of weapons and appearances. Just about the only thing that holds the
game back is the fact that you’ll often find yourself wondering where to go next
(there’s no directional hints to lead you on).
Graphics: 8.0
The Reckoning was not a bad looking
game when it came out and the plentiful details and visual effects were
certainly something to admire. Redeemer, though, sees a much sharper and more
detailed graphics engine that definitely outshines the original in every way.
The screen is literally filled with detailed enemies and environmental details
that just bring Ashcroft and all the character to life. The visual effects are
also much more stellar this time around so everything from explosions to
monsters evaporating after getting killed looks spectacular.
Sound: 7.5
While the game is something of a
visual treat, it’s sad to find that the sound definitely lacks the right touch
of detail that would have made this a complete package. Yet what’s here really
isn’t that bad. The music tries to really pick up when the action intensifies
and, for the most part, it does a good job of doing just that. What could have
been handled a bit better is the sound effects, especially when it comes to the
monster sounds. There’s no big distinction between a zombie and a vampire as
far as the sound is concerned, but at least the sounds of gunfire are done
right.
Difficulty: Hard
You’ll often find yourself in
situations where you are literally surrounded by a sea of enemies that possess
different attack moves. While your characters have the advantage of weaponry,
the enemy has sheer numbers that can often feel overwhelming if you’re not quick
enough. You’ll also find that there are moments in the game where you stop to
wonder where to go next, which is something of a problem since this hesitation
might put you in dangerous spots.
Concept: 8.0
Much of what we experience here has
been done before with the first game but that’s not really a bad thing
considering the fact that the first game did get us to love the
hero-versus-mass-of-monsters action Hunter: The Reckoning had offered. While we
get more of the same here, it’s still something of a thrill to punch through the
sea of supernatural beings with your guns and melee weapons. Each character
also brings something different to the game so if you’re playing this as a
single player game you’ll experience that game a bit more differently. Kaylie,
the new character, is actually an excellent addition to the Hunters.
Multiplayer: 9.0
While many games have already
ventured into the realm of co-op multiplayer action fit for four players–and
have done it well for the most part–what we get to see in Redeemer isn’t any
different but it sure is well-appreciated by those gamers that enjoy a game more
when played with more than just one buddy. Redeemer is best enjoyed as a
four-player game and the action just seems so much more exciting when you have
three other friends to accompany you through the missions. Remember those good
times at the arcade when friends would join you for long sessions of the
multiplayer classic Gauntlet? Well this is the kind of game that will
have you calling some buddies over.
Overall: 8.5
Redeemer is not only an improvement
from the first game of the Hunter: The Reckoning series but it’s also an
addictive action-packed game that’s highly entertaining. While the game is
great as a single player experience, this one was meant to be played with a
group of friends who enjoy a marathon of good old-fashioned slaughter. Action
fans, this game won’t disappoint.
