It's almost sad that a company like Epic Games is more well-known for a game like Gears of War than they are for their long running Unreal franchise, or even the Unreal Engines they've created over the years. In 2006, the year Gears of War was released, I was one of those 'everything mainstream automatically is terrible' teenagers. I claimed to 'hate' Epic for making something so popular with such little story, and boring art style. But mostly because everyone seemed to love it, and felt the need to break away from the pack. Looking back I see Gears as a good title, but I still have a little left over feeling of anger towards it if only because I held such resentment for so long.
A few titles later, Epic released Bulletstorm, co-developed by People Can Fly - the Painkiller developers. With the combination of my love for Painkiller, and disdain for Epic, I was conflicted. On one hand, it looked fun and colorful - in both language and visuals. On the other, the story looked like a crappy B-action film.
So I decided to wait for a deal, and forgot about the game. Nearly a year later, a friend bought me Bulletstorm during the Steam New Years sale. Having just finished the game, I absolutely regret my doubt in it's awesomeness.
See, the thing about Bulletstorm is it's almost the opposite of Gears of War. Bulletstorm never tries to focus on it's story. Colors are bright and vibrant. Never takes itself seriously. First person shooter, that encouraged the player to keep on his feet instead of hiding in cover. I loved every second of the game.
The main focus of Bulletstorm isn't the story, it isn't the atmosphere, and sure as hell isn?t character development. No, the focus is gameplay. Specifically, the Kill With Skill system. Kill with Skill utilizes it's 'targeted slow motion' gameplay mechanic. Targeted slow motion takes effect when you pull an enemy towards you with your laser whip, or kick them away with your gravity boots. Most enemies will go into slow motion when mid-air, but only as they're close to you. Far enough away, and they'll return to full speed at the proper momentum. Unique kills, like manipulating an enemy into a spiked wall, off a cliff, or shooting him in the balls will reward points. Points are used to buy ammunition and upgrades for your guns.
[img_inline align="left" width="300"]http://thereviewcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/bulletstorm2-300x168.jpg[/img_inline]The gun choices aren't too diverse or original - you have the assault rifle, handgun, shotgun, sniper rifle, and grenade launchers. All of these weapons are standard issue for first person shooters. The real fun with the weapons is the secondary fire. Each weapon has one. For example, the pistol would shoot a flare that would explode and burn every enemy near where it hit. The shotgun would blast a wave of flesh melting heat. The only problem I had with any of the weapons was the sniper rifle.
I mention the sniper rifle, because whenever you fire a shot it must be locked on to an enemy?And then you enter bullet-time manual control of your sniper bullet and try to hit the baddies. This is a problem, because if you exit the bullet time mode, the bullet will stop. Not stop the manual aiming. It will simply fall out of the air. The issue with this is that you're open to being shot while you wait for the bullet to hit. See, when you're getting shot by a dozen mutants it doesn't matter how fast your reflexes are if you can't strafe. Especially since you can't be in cover to lock on to the mutants. Of course, the sniper rifle does come in handy often. I had it equipped through most of the game after I unlocked it. Not only is it lethal, but kills like headshots can earn quite a chunk of points
The battles in Bulletstorm were a lot of fun, increasing in craziness for the first two thirds of the game. The game would switch between letting me fight guys who want to rip me apart by hand, and guys who want to blow me to pieces with assault rifles and shotguns. By the end of the game, it was super mutants who cold tear me to pieces easy, and soldiers who could melt my face off with a couple charged shots from their rifles. Of course, there were boss battles throughout the game, but they rarely proved as much of a challenge.[img_inline align="right" width="300"]http://thereviewcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/bulletstorm-300x168.jpg[/img_inline]
There was only one boss battle in the game that was really fun and challenging. It was absolutely a cliche, but fun encounter. You fight a giant plant and shoot different glowy parts after doing enough damage to open them. But with the secondary fires mixed with Gray and his partner yelling profanities at each other, it managed to stay interesting and exciting.
And that pretty much sums up the game. Nearly cliche, mindlessly profane and brutal fun. Bulletstorm seems like the Yin to Gears of War's Yang. Gears of War is dark, gritty, often takes itself far too seriously, and is extremely popular. And then there's Bulletstorm. Ever meet one of those people who have a really low self esteem and they try to act big and tough to compensate? Bulletstorm is exactly like that. It's afraid to take itself seriously, and at the same time doesn't want to admit to being a comedy. So in the end, we get a game with a mediocre plot about atonement or some stupid excuse to slaughter an entire planet?s population while making jokes, mixed with fun gameplay that, while awesome, came across as gimmicky.
While I doubt Bulletstorm will be as remembered as well as other titles this year, I did have a lot of fun in the 7+ hours I played. Looking back, I couldn't be happier that Epic teamed up with People Can Fly, and am seriously hoping for a sequel from the same team.
You can read more reviews from me at TheReviewCast.com
As always, I'd really appreciate some feedback. Thanks!
A few titles later, Epic released Bulletstorm, co-developed by People Can Fly - the Painkiller developers. With the combination of my love for Painkiller, and disdain for Epic, I was conflicted. On one hand, it looked fun and colorful - in both language and visuals. On the other, the story looked like a crappy B-action film.
So I decided to wait for a deal, and forgot about the game. Nearly a year later, a friend bought me Bulletstorm during the Steam New Years sale. Having just finished the game, I absolutely regret my doubt in it's awesomeness.
See, the thing about Bulletstorm is it's almost the opposite of Gears of War. Bulletstorm never tries to focus on it's story. Colors are bright and vibrant. Never takes itself seriously. First person shooter, that encouraged the player to keep on his feet instead of hiding in cover. I loved every second of the game.
The main focus of Bulletstorm isn't the story, it isn't the atmosphere, and sure as hell isn?t character development. No, the focus is gameplay. Specifically, the Kill With Skill system. Kill with Skill utilizes it's 'targeted slow motion' gameplay mechanic. Targeted slow motion takes effect when you pull an enemy towards you with your laser whip, or kick them away with your gravity boots. Most enemies will go into slow motion when mid-air, but only as they're close to you. Far enough away, and they'll return to full speed at the proper momentum. Unique kills, like manipulating an enemy into a spiked wall, off a cliff, or shooting him in the balls will reward points. Points are used to buy ammunition and upgrades for your guns.
[img_inline align="left" width="300"]http://thereviewcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/bulletstorm2-300x168.jpg[/img_inline]The gun choices aren't too diverse or original - you have the assault rifle, handgun, shotgun, sniper rifle, and grenade launchers. All of these weapons are standard issue for first person shooters. The real fun with the weapons is the secondary fire. Each weapon has one. For example, the pistol would shoot a flare that would explode and burn every enemy near where it hit. The shotgun would blast a wave of flesh melting heat. The only problem I had with any of the weapons was the sniper rifle.
I mention the sniper rifle, because whenever you fire a shot it must be locked on to an enemy?And then you enter bullet-time manual control of your sniper bullet and try to hit the baddies. This is a problem, because if you exit the bullet time mode, the bullet will stop. Not stop the manual aiming. It will simply fall out of the air. The issue with this is that you're open to being shot while you wait for the bullet to hit. See, when you're getting shot by a dozen mutants it doesn't matter how fast your reflexes are if you can't strafe. Especially since you can't be in cover to lock on to the mutants. Of course, the sniper rifle does come in handy often. I had it equipped through most of the game after I unlocked it. Not only is it lethal, but kills like headshots can earn quite a chunk of points
The battles in Bulletstorm were a lot of fun, increasing in craziness for the first two thirds of the game. The game would switch between letting me fight guys who want to rip me apart by hand, and guys who want to blow me to pieces with assault rifles and shotguns. By the end of the game, it was super mutants who cold tear me to pieces easy, and soldiers who could melt my face off with a couple charged shots from their rifles. Of course, there were boss battles throughout the game, but they rarely proved as much of a challenge.[img_inline align="right" width="300"]http://thereviewcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/bulletstorm-300x168.jpg[/img_inline]
There was only one boss battle in the game that was really fun and challenging. It was absolutely a cliche, but fun encounter. You fight a giant plant and shoot different glowy parts after doing enough damage to open them. But with the secondary fires mixed with Gray and his partner yelling profanities at each other, it managed to stay interesting and exciting.
And that pretty much sums up the game. Nearly cliche, mindlessly profane and brutal fun. Bulletstorm seems like the Yin to Gears of War's Yang. Gears of War is dark, gritty, often takes itself far too seriously, and is extremely popular. And then there's Bulletstorm. Ever meet one of those people who have a really low self esteem and they try to act big and tough to compensate? Bulletstorm is exactly like that. It's afraid to take itself seriously, and at the same time doesn't want to admit to being a comedy. So in the end, we get a game with a mediocre plot about atonement or some stupid excuse to slaughter an entire planet?s population while making jokes, mixed with fun gameplay that, while awesome, came across as gimmicky.
While I doubt Bulletstorm will be as remembered as well as other titles this year, I did have a lot of fun in the 7+ hours I played. Looking back, I couldn't be happier that Epic teamed up with People Can Fly, and am seriously hoping for a sequel from the same team.
You can read more reviews from me at TheReviewCast.com
As always, I'd really appreciate some feedback. Thanks!