Kragg
09-27-2010, 02:42 PM
Title: Hydrophobia
Platform: XBox Live Arcade
Platform Reviewed: XBox Live Arcade
Developer: Dark Energy Digital (http://www.darkenergydigital.com/)
Publisher: Dark Energy Digital (http://www.darkenergydigital.com/)
MSRP: 1200 MSP ($15)
Release Date: NA: September 29th 2010, EU: September 29th 2010, AU: September 29th, 2010
Writer: Ben 'Kragg' Daniels
Hydrophobia Review
Taking exploding barrels to a whole new level.
I am terrified of drowning. No, seriously. So I was obviously the perfect person to review Dark Energy Digital’s new downloadable action/adventure Hydrophobia. This one-time full retail title has now become an episodic download exclusively available on XBox Live Arcade, and the title is now looking to push the boundaries of what’s possible via that platform. Does it succeed? Let’s just say that like the ocean, there is a lot going on here beneath the surface.
http://evavhost.com/i/reviews/hydroscreen1.jpg
Hydrophobia sets you in the role of Kate Wilson, security engineer aboard The Queen of The World--a vast ship/city created by mega-corporations to provide a floating utopia for the very rich away from the rest of the world which has been thrown into chaos due to overpopulation and a shortage of resources. On the tenth anniversary of the Queen’s creation, it comes under attack by the Neo-Malthusians--fanatical terrorists who follow the writings of Thomas Malthus and believe in eradicating large portions of the population (hence their motto, “Save the world. Kill yourself”). As they launch their assault, Kate’s story begins.
http://evavhost.com/i/reviews/hydroscreen2.jpg
Hydrophobia is science fiction based on a believable future scenario, and Kate is a protagonist with depth. She is actually one of the best parts of the game, and it’s really refreshing that Dark Energy Digital chose to create a three dimensional heroine. She more closely falls into the “sexy girl at the gym lifting weights” category than the Lara Croft archetype. For example, in the opening sequence you catch a glimpse of a childhood trauma that caused her fear of water. If you choose to explore her apartment before the action begins, you’ll see she earned awards in both swimming and rock climbing while attending Oxford. Hey, look--character development! Other characters in the game such as her boss/friend and guardian angel, “Scoot”, are less developed but still entertaining, and the game’s voice acting is solid all around.
http://evavhost.com/i/reviews/hydroscreen3.jpg
Once attacked, the Queen of The World begins to flood, and Kate’s environment takes on a life of its own. Simply stated, Hydrophobia has the best environmental water physics I have ever seen in a video game, period. DED’s engine creates incredibly realistic fluid dynamics. You’ll feel yourself drag as you wade through waist deep water, or become disoriented as water rushes over you in flooding hallways. Water is also used as a fundamental tool in combat as Kate is armed only with a pistol and no shields. Combat requires the use of stealth because if Kate is shot she will die, a harsh reality that makes your environment an integral and vital tool in dispatching her more formidable opponents. Blowing up barrels, slicing wires to create electrified pools of water, and knocking out enemies to drown them in flooded areas are all fair game. Using your surroundings in creative ways to cause lethal chain reactions will earn you more points and unlock medals to move you up the games leader board.
http://evavhost.com/i/reviews/hydroscreen4.jpg
While the combat is creative and engaging, it is not without flaws. My biggest issue with Hydrophobia stems from its controls. When navigating the awesome looking and complex environments, Kate controls decently, if a bit stiff. She is animated well, but you’re going to miss a few jumps while hanging from broken rafters, or possibly drown a couple times because you got hung up underwater between some floating boxes. These are forgivable given that the game’s complex physics engine isn’t perfect 100% of the time. I also noticed a few minor control issues when navigating the 3-D map and when in first person view utilizing the visually striking MAVI system that is heavily employed to remotely open doors, reveal concealed markers, and hack encrypted computer systems with the hidden cyphers you find throughout the game. However, once you enter combat, things can get ugly. Major fight scenes were obviously set up as intense center pieces full of action movie flair, but DED implemented a cover system that doesn’t always work properly. Enemies can sometimes shoot you through cover, and it can be hard to target them or set up chain reactions before the brutally effective AI sets up a crossfire on you or simply shoots a barrel to kill you immediately. Combine this with very limited amounts of advanced ammunition you receive after the first act, and it’s a recipe for frustration.
http://evavhost.com/i/reviews/hydroscreen5.jpg
Hydrophobia is a very ambitious game. It attempts to raise the bar for XBox Live Arcade titles, and definitely succeeds in a few areas. The game has incredible water physics, an intriguing, tangible story, and a likable protagonist. However, I think some of these finer details might be lost on the average player due to finicky controls and sometimes frustrating combat. The price point could also be a turn off as you are paying $15 a piece for episodic content that lasts about four hours for the main play through. However, if you are able to look past its flaws Hydrophobia is still a unique entry in the current action/adventure catalogue that deserves to be played and praised for everything it does right.
Score: 3 out of 5
http://evavhost.com/public/3.gif
The Good Innovative physics create an environment unlike anything you’ve ever seen in a game. Kate Wilson is an incredibly thoughtful and well designed protagonist. An interesting plot for those who enjoy minute details.
The Bad Clunky controls detract from the overall experience Combat can be glitchy and downright frustrating at times.
The Ugly Not enough Roy the Donkey.
Platform: XBox Live Arcade
Platform Reviewed: XBox Live Arcade
Developer: Dark Energy Digital (http://www.darkenergydigital.com/)
Publisher: Dark Energy Digital (http://www.darkenergydigital.com/)
MSRP: 1200 MSP ($15)
Release Date: NA: September 29th 2010, EU: September 29th 2010, AU: September 29th, 2010
Writer: Ben 'Kragg' Daniels
Hydrophobia Review
Taking exploding barrels to a whole new level.
I am terrified of drowning. No, seriously. So I was obviously the perfect person to review Dark Energy Digital’s new downloadable action/adventure Hydrophobia. This one-time full retail title has now become an episodic download exclusively available on XBox Live Arcade, and the title is now looking to push the boundaries of what’s possible via that platform. Does it succeed? Let’s just say that like the ocean, there is a lot going on here beneath the surface.
http://evavhost.com/i/reviews/hydroscreen1.jpg
Hydrophobia sets you in the role of Kate Wilson, security engineer aboard The Queen of The World--a vast ship/city created by mega-corporations to provide a floating utopia for the very rich away from the rest of the world which has been thrown into chaos due to overpopulation and a shortage of resources. On the tenth anniversary of the Queen’s creation, it comes under attack by the Neo-Malthusians--fanatical terrorists who follow the writings of Thomas Malthus and believe in eradicating large portions of the population (hence their motto, “Save the world. Kill yourself”). As they launch their assault, Kate’s story begins.
http://evavhost.com/i/reviews/hydroscreen2.jpg
Hydrophobia is science fiction based on a believable future scenario, and Kate is a protagonist with depth. She is actually one of the best parts of the game, and it’s really refreshing that Dark Energy Digital chose to create a three dimensional heroine. She more closely falls into the “sexy girl at the gym lifting weights” category than the Lara Croft archetype. For example, in the opening sequence you catch a glimpse of a childhood trauma that caused her fear of water. If you choose to explore her apartment before the action begins, you’ll see she earned awards in both swimming and rock climbing while attending Oxford. Hey, look--character development! Other characters in the game such as her boss/friend and guardian angel, “Scoot”, are less developed but still entertaining, and the game’s voice acting is solid all around.
http://evavhost.com/i/reviews/hydroscreen3.jpg
Once attacked, the Queen of The World begins to flood, and Kate’s environment takes on a life of its own. Simply stated, Hydrophobia has the best environmental water physics I have ever seen in a video game, period. DED’s engine creates incredibly realistic fluid dynamics. You’ll feel yourself drag as you wade through waist deep water, or become disoriented as water rushes over you in flooding hallways. Water is also used as a fundamental tool in combat as Kate is armed only with a pistol and no shields. Combat requires the use of stealth because if Kate is shot she will die, a harsh reality that makes your environment an integral and vital tool in dispatching her more formidable opponents. Blowing up barrels, slicing wires to create electrified pools of water, and knocking out enemies to drown them in flooded areas are all fair game. Using your surroundings in creative ways to cause lethal chain reactions will earn you more points and unlock medals to move you up the games leader board.
http://evavhost.com/i/reviews/hydroscreen4.jpg
While the combat is creative and engaging, it is not without flaws. My biggest issue with Hydrophobia stems from its controls. When navigating the awesome looking and complex environments, Kate controls decently, if a bit stiff. She is animated well, but you’re going to miss a few jumps while hanging from broken rafters, or possibly drown a couple times because you got hung up underwater between some floating boxes. These are forgivable given that the game’s complex physics engine isn’t perfect 100% of the time. I also noticed a few minor control issues when navigating the 3-D map and when in first person view utilizing the visually striking MAVI system that is heavily employed to remotely open doors, reveal concealed markers, and hack encrypted computer systems with the hidden cyphers you find throughout the game. However, once you enter combat, things can get ugly. Major fight scenes were obviously set up as intense center pieces full of action movie flair, but DED implemented a cover system that doesn’t always work properly. Enemies can sometimes shoot you through cover, and it can be hard to target them or set up chain reactions before the brutally effective AI sets up a crossfire on you or simply shoots a barrel to kill you immediately. Combine this with very limited amounts of advanced ammunition you receive after the first act, and it’s a recipe for frustration.
http://evavhost.com/i/reviews/hydroscreen5.jpg
Hydrophobia is a very ambitious game. It attempts to raise the bar for XBox Live Arcade titles, and definitely succeeds in a few areas. The game has incredible water physics, an intriguing, tangible story, and a likable protagonist. However, I think some of these finer details might be lost on the average player due to finicky controls and sometimes frustrating combat. The price point could also be a turn off as you are paying $15 a piece for episodic content that lasts about four hours for the main play through. However, if you are able to look past its flaws Hydrophobia is still a unique entry in the current action/adventure catalogue that deserves to be played and praised for everything it does right.
Score: 3 out of 5
http://evavhost.com/public/3.gif
The Good Innovative physics create an environment unlike anything you’ve ever seen in a game. Kate Wilson is an incredibly thoughtful and well designed protagonist. An interesting plot for those who enjoy minute details.
The Bad Clunky controls detract from the overall experience Combat can be glitchy and downright frustrating at times.
The Ugly Not enough Roy the Donkey.