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I ask this as I've just been having a snoop around PlanetXbox, and saw that they'd reviews Blinx. So I had a quick look, and nearly har a heart attack when I saw the score: 50. Yup, that's right. 50%. With this to sum up:
50
The Lowdown: Largely boring and aggravating, Blinx is an ill-conceived attempt at creating a marketable mascot.
Pros: Graphics, sound, and controls are more or less workable.
Cons: Deeply, inherently un-fun; time control gimmick is just that; flawed aiming system; generally bland and uninspired.
OXM gave this 9.7. Something is obviously amiss here. Did they both review the right version of the game? Is the official magazine amazingly biased? Or did one of the two review an incomplete version of the game?
From the review:
Blinx is actually one of the most tedious, poorly-conceived 3D platform games that I've had the displeasure of slogging through. That said, it doesn't screw up the technical stuff -- while not impressive, the graphics are okay, the sound is passable, and the control is mostly there. Where Blinx fails, and fails badly, is the gameplay: it's redundant, it's uninteresting, and it's just not fun. In fact, Blinx quickly speeds past the "not fun" border and stops in the neighboring lands of boredom and aggravation. Most platformers have at least some modicum of fun to offer; with Blinx, I was literally forcing myself to finish the game so I could evaluate the entire product.
"But wait," you say. "Those time powers are nifty-keen and innovative! " They might be innovative, but they add more annoyance than entertainment to the mix. Not every level requires savvy use of the time powers (which is questionable in itself, since that's the game's big gimmick), but those that do often have very specific requirements you can't know ahead of time. If you don't have the appropriate powers stockpiled you might be up the creek -- time to start over with your newfound knowledge, collecting different crystals along the way. Even if you do have the right powers for the situation, the sense of accomplishment or interest just isn't there. Rewinding a bridge back into existence or pausing a boss so you can hit it isn't exactly the height of smarty-man puzzle-solving; for all intents and purposes, you're just pushing a glorified switch. There are so many better ways in which time powers could have been implemented; as they are, they barely deserve a bullet point on the back cover.
- - - - - - -
And from later in the review:
I could go on about the boring level design, insipid art direction, inane challenges, insulting "rewards" for collecting cat medals, and a variety of other pertinent topics. I'm sure you get the idea, though. Blinx is a half-baked attempt at an AAA platform game. It fails on most important counts, and is wholly undeserving of the hype which it's received. The Xbox is not exactly rife with good platform games, and Blinx doesn't change a thing. If you're interested in the genre, you should probably just pick up a PlayStation 2 or Cube and forget this game exists. If there's any justice, Blinx will go quietly into the night just as Bubsy, Glover and Awesome Possum have before him. The Xbox still needs a mascot, because this genocidal feline custodian sure as heck isn't it.
Ouch! Maybe I wobn't buy this afterall. The PlanetXbox review says almost the complete opposite of the OXM one. I wonder why....
50
The Lowdown: Largely boring and aggravating, Blinx is an ill-conceived attempt at creating a marketable mascot.
Pros: Graphics, sound, and controls are more or less workable.
Cons: Deeply, inherently un-fun; time control gimmick is just that; flawed aiming system; generally bland and uninspired.
OXM gave this 9.7. Something is obviously amiss here. Did they both review the right version of the game? Is the official magazine amazingly biased? Or did one of the two review an incomplete version of the game?
From the review:
Blinx is actually one of the most tedious, poorly-conceived 3D platform games that I've had the displeasure of slogging through. That said, it doesn't screw up the technical stuff -- while not impressive, the graphics are okay, the sound is passable, and the control is mostly there. Where Blinx fails, and fails badly, is the gameplay: it's redundant, it's uninteresting, and it's just not fun. In fact, Blinx quickly speeds past the "not fun" border and stops in the neighboring lands of boredom and aggravation. Most platformers have at least some modicum of fun to offer; with Blinx, I was literally forcing myself to finish the game so I could evaluate the entire product.
"But wait," you say. "Those time powers are nifty-keen and innovative! " They might be innovative, but they add more annoyance than entertainment to the mix. Not every level requires savvy use of the time powers (which is questionable in itself, since that's the game's big gimmick), but those that do often have very specific requirements you can't know ahead of time. If you don't have the appropriate powers stockpiled you might be up the creek -- time to start over with your newfound knowledge, collecting different crystals along the way. Even if you do have the right powers for the situation, the sense of accomplishment or interest just isn't there. Rewinding a bridge back into existence or pausing a boss so you can hit it isn't exactly the height of smarty-man puzzle-solving; for all intents and purposes, you're just pushing a glorified switch. There are so many better ways in which time powers could have been implemented; as they are, they barely deserve a bullet point on the back cover.
- - - - - - -
And from later in the review:
I could go on about the boring level design, insipid art direction, inane challenges, insulting "rewards" for collecting cat medals, and a variety of other pertinent topics. I'm sure you get the idea, though. Blinx is a half-baked attempt at an AAA platform game. It fails on most important counts, and is wholly undeserving of the hype which it's received. The Xbox is not exactly rife with good platform games, and Blinx doesn't change a thing. If you're interested in the genre, you should probably just pick up a PlayStation 2 or Cube and forget this game exists. If there's any justice, Blinx will go quietly into the night just as Bubsy, Glover and Awesome Possum have before him. The Xbox still needs a mascot, because this genocidal feline custodian sure as heck isn't it.
Ouch! Maybe I wobn't buy this afterall. The PlanetXbox review says almost the complete opposite of the OXM one. I wonder why....
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Well the results probably show two peoples opinions they might play comepletly different games so one might hate it and another might love it.
I think you mean adventure, not RPG :D.
I think it is down for a christmas release but as you say it will probably be released early next year. Not to worry though as it gives me a chance to pick up titles like Hitman 2 and Blinx instead :) Oh and Nomad you have got to get the original, it is one of the best games of all time and definitley one that you will enjoy! It seamlessly blends RPG, First Person Shooting and Stealth into a very nice package.
Deux Ex 2 is out next year methinks.
I've already played Splinter Cell (At Stuff Live) But im still looking forward to next months demo..
I've already played Splinter Cell (At Stuff Live) But im still looking forward to next months demo..
garbe123 wrote:
> I think that it could steal Game Of the Year away from
> Halo and Deus EX 2.
*
D'you think Deus Ex 2 will be out (on XBOX) this year? I heard it's due next year. Still it's one of the games at the top of my shopping list. I never had the chance to play the original.
> I think that it could steal Game Of the Year away from
> Halo and Deus EX 2.
*
D'you think Deus Ex 2 will be out (on XBOX) this year? I heard it's due next year. Still it's one of the games at the top of my shopping list. I never had the chance to play the original.
I agree Nomad I think that it could steal Game Of the Year away from Halo and Deus EX 2. To be honest I am looking forward to so many great games that anyone of them could prove to be a great surprise. I really like the first Deus EX and it is one of my all tiem favourite games so I will wait for both before deciding which I prefer the most. Still, what a prospect the rest of this year holds :)
Playable demo of Splinter Cell next month - excellent! Surely SC is going to be the game of the year.
Speaking of OXM, next months issue contains a playable DEMO of Splinter Cell and so far this is my most anticipated title of this year! The OXM magazines are really expensive but I do enjoy to read their reviews. Still a playable DEMO of Splinter Cell is worth more than Gold itself and its definitley worth the £5.99 of my money :) I will miss this months and wait for next months, that way I get what I want without going out of pocket.
gamezfreak wrote:
> Remember though, When you slow down time, the timer slows down
> aswell...
*
I'm still gonna buy it - I just hope the time limits don't become too annoying.
I've not bought OXM yet. I'll buy it tomorrow and check their review.
> Remember though, When you slow down time, the timer slows down
> aswell...
*
I'm still gonna buy it - I just hope the time limits don't become too annoying.
I've not bought OXM yet. I'll buy it tomorrow and check their review.
Plus when you Rewind the time so does the clock :) However I agree with Nomad, time limits are really annoying and they rush what could be an enjoyable gaming experience. I will rent it first as it wasn't on my want list anyway and unless I really like it I won't be adding it I don't think.
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