Black Hands-on Preview

[Akeldama]

Criterion is mostly known for its super-fast Burnout games, soon it will be known for something completely different: Gun-porn. Boomtown was invited to take a look at the current development of the over-the-top shooter Black on PlayStation 2 and Xbox.


On the box I tried a mission taking place in a forest at night, where I had to sneak across an enemy border. Well… Actually I the mission had me going on a rampage and in a small-scale war eradicating an entire enemy border patrol. You can opt to sneak through the mission but there’s really not an incitement to do so since the game gives you plenty of health packs and ammunition, and you really have to be a horrible shot to run out of ammo. The forest level also showed off some of the games excellent explosions, triggered by shooting at explosive materials and vehicles. With a good subwoofer you can really feel it in the gut.

You can read the whole hands-on preview (http://ps2.boomtown.net/en_uk/articles/art.view.php?id=10390) of Black at Boomtown.

[mpsmith]

What the hell. Who writes this stuff? A fifth-grader? And who edits it?

[YoungAlCapone]

I always think of the trailer when anyone one mentions Black, and about how the person who was controlling never ever stops firing. I seem to be the only person who thought this was hilarious. I cannot say why, but the fact that the trigger is squeezed throughout the entire trailer just cracked me up. It almost seemed as if the was no fire button but instead the gun just fired automatically and you just pointed it.

I love Burnout, and have liked criterion since the first, but this game does not impress me. It has alot of cool blowing shit up effects but I have already done that about 15000 different ways, I need something new.

I think I am becoming a *gasp* "Jaded/Elitist PC gamer."

[Sinistar]

Just played the Black demo (EB has them - just ask) and while it certainly looks good for a PS2 game it feels a bit empty. It reminds me of Killzone in both look and control (unsaturated colors, slow pace).

Criterion will probably follow suit here much in the way they did with the BurnOut series. First game or 2 under this brand will be highly regarded by just a few of the hardcore fans. By the time Black 3™ rolls around it will be a highly polished game that everyone will want to play.

[Taco]

I never heard of this thing before today's PA strip.

[Thenetcase]

What a pretty game. Pretty STUPID!
I was hoping for a game that got away from the 5 y/o level and maybe came somewhat close to Dues Ex (the original, not the POS sequel). Oh well. Sooo much for that. I guess the market for skilless turd FPS games is still alive and well. Stupid rotting blight on gaming.

-TNC-

[Grimgrock]

I pre-ordered (the Xbox version) this to get the demo for the PS2. I'm thinking, however, that I am going to cancel my pre-order. The demo just didn't have the kind of control that the only other FPS I've played on a console (Halo/Halo 2). I'm making the assumption that the control won't change that much between the two consoles. If they were going to port this to the PC as well, that would change my mind.

[Montolio]

Just played the Black demo (EB has them - just ask) and while it certainly looks good for a PS2 game it feels a bit empty. It reminds me of Killzone in both look and control (unsaturated colors, slow pace).

Criterion will probably follow suit here much in the way they did with the BurnOut series. First game or 2 under this brand will be highly regarded by just a few of the hardcore fans. By the time Black 3™ rolls around it will be a highly polished game that everyone will want to play.

Thats what I call good, solid feedback. Thanks Sinistar. I'm sure one of my friends will pick it up for Xbox, so I'll borrow it from them to see if it's worth purchasing. With March looming as an expensive month for my 360 I may have to pass.

[Thenetcase]

It's games like this that might finally make people realize that the graphics are completely secondary if the gameplay is horrible. Go figure.

-TNC-

[PixelSamurai]

What the hell. Who writes this stuff? A fifth-grader? And who edits it?

My first thoughts as well.

[Thenetcase]

My first thoughts as well.

I R ConCurring Ass welll mesellf.. cuz i mean com on pplz. 5 yr oldz r takin ovr the werld.

peac my brutherz

-=[<TnC>]=-

[mister_slim]

I've heard the demo is a rather old build. It wasn't that interesting though.
I R ConCurring Ass welll mesellf.. cuz i mean com on pplz. 5 yr oldz r takin ovr the werld.

peac my brutherz

-=[<TnC>]=-
i CoNqueR 2, wiht NuTcass.

pieec