Pariah: What a disappointment

Bar81

Banned
Mar 25, 2004
1,835
0
0
Well, just got through Pariah (wait, didn't I just start this game) and it was a MAJOR disappointment. I guess I should have clued in when this revolutionary single player game released a multiplayer demo.

Oh, let me count the ways this game disappoints:

(1) Story - okay this was what was supposed to make the game; in fact DE kept it secret stating that it was something amazing and they didn't want to ruin the game. imo that's some of the biggest crap I've ever heard. First off, the story doesn't really go anywhere. You never feel attachment to Karina as you almost never see her or interact with her in the game besides a few cut scenes. The plot twist was interesting except that errr, the game ended right after it. It's like they were like hey this is cool, ahhhh deadline, wrap it up.

(2) Missions - The whole game is the same mission - find Karina. Well below what is expected of games today.

(3) Enemies - there's basically two types of enemies in the game (Excluding the last level, where a third is added) and they are exactly the same except for the weapons and one carries a shield. No variety whatsoever.

(4) AI- what a joke. Maybe I'm spoiled by Farcry but I thought we were beyond the whole enemies stare at you and do nothing while you approach or the enemies run in circles or the enemies have no clue how to flank phase.

(5) Weapon upgradeability - so disappointing. Instead of letting you custom modify weapons you have three fixed upgrades for each weapon. when used, the game suddenly becomes riduculously easy given the poor AI.

(6) Vehicles - totally uninspired. You get to drive two vehicles in the game, a jeep and a motorcycle-buggy thing. Both underwhelming.

(7) On rails sections - short and boring, not nearly enough action.

(8) Minor quibbles - why are there jaggies in the damn CUTSCENES??? Why give me a button for Titan's fist when the weapon is only available on the last level and you have no other items in your inventory throughout that level. Also, what's up with the ridiculous physics - stop ragdoll now.

(9) Addendum - the boss fight with Stockton is a complete rip of the final fight in KOTOR. Come on DE, you can do better than this.

What does it get right? Not much:

(1) Destructable environments - there are some areas in which you can destroy pillars and guard towers which is nice. Also, there are always *conveniently* placed combustable canisters near enemies to blow up and take the baddies out with.

(2) The weapon selection and feel is nice. The weapons all feel hefty and the sound effects are spot on. Very satisfying to use.

(3) The game does hold your interest but with about 6 hours of gametime it would have to be horrid not to. Way too short but what's there is entertaining.

Please don't buy this until it's down to $10. It's a nice diversion but paying retail will just make you cry.
 

Modeps

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
17,254
44
91
Wow, thats a hard review... 6 hours from start to finish? give me a break.
 

MetalMat

Diamond Member
Jun 14, 2004
9,687
36
91
I can tell the game is gonna suck just after playing 5 minutes worth of that multiplayer demo.
 

Bar81

Banned
Mar 25, 2004
1,835
0
0
Originally posted by: KruptosAngelos
Single player demo was cool. I think I'm still going to try it out.

Just remember that that probably represents the whole game, rinse repeat for six hours and you're done.
 

Bar81

Banned
Mar 25, 2004
1,835
0
0
Originally posted by: CPA
Thanks for the warning.


My pleasure. I was really looking forward to this and F.E.A.R. and to see the finished product makes me almost want to cry for what should have been. I mean even LucasArts got the FPS thing right (shockingly) with Republic Commando (which was fun at least); there's simply no excuse for a company as experienced as DE.
 

Lonyo

Lifer
Aug 10, 2002
21,938
6
81
It's not that inspiring.
I've finished the train section, thought it was rather horrible.
The levels are pretty linear, and very annoying in the way they place invisible walls to stop you oging to certain areas, rather than using natural terrain.
Overall it's just not that much fun, and I went in hoping for something good. It just seemed too much like UT but with worse AI and some serious flaws, such as the vehicle control system. Biggest POS ever.
 

Bar81

Banned
Mar 25, 2004
1,835
0
0
Originally posted by: Quixfire
/cry

I guess this game is a far cry from Farcry. :)


Sadly yes, I think I'm gonna go Play Far Cry 64 and wash the disappointment out of my mouth.
 

Bar81

Banned
Mar 25, 2004
1,835
0
0
Originally posted by: Lonyo
It's not that inspiring.
I've finished the train section, thought it was rather horrible.
The levels are pretty linear, and very annoying in the way they place invisible walls to stop you oging to certain areas, rather than using natural terrain.
Overall it's just not that much fun, and I went in hoping for something good. It just seemed too much like UT but with worse AI and some serious flaws, such as the vehicle control system. Biggest POS ever.

Thanks for bringing that up as it slipped my mind. Those invisible walls were *extremely* annoying. I was trying to FarCry and getting shut down at every opportunity. Every time it looked like there was a path, bam, invisible wall. That's just poor design.

 

skace

Lifer
Jan 23, 2001
14,488
7
81
WOA, I was going to buy this but I got Dungeon Lords first. I feel bad for the person who buys BOTH Dungeon Lords and Pariah. Hahahaha!

(oh and if you are wondering, Dungeon Lords is like the alpha version of a semi decent game where most of the features don't even work)
 

KoolDrew

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
10,226
7
81
I friend of mine got it and likes it, but it didn't interest me. I am more interested in Forza Motorsports.
 

Insomniak

Banned
Sep 11, 2003
4,836
0
0
Originally posted by: KruptosAngelos
Single player demo was cool. I think I'm still going to try it out.


The single player demo sucked. All you did was walk and shoot. How is that impressive after HL2?
 

Malak

Lifer
Dec 4, 2004
14,696
2
0
Originally posted by: Insomniak
Originally posted by: KruptosAngelos
Single player demo was cool. I think I'm still going to try it out.


The single player demo sucked. All you did was walk and shoot. How is that impressive after HL2?

All I want to do is walk and shoot. At least in Pariah I have better weapons, I dislike almost ever weapon in HL2.
 

SleepWalkerX

Platinum Member
Jun 29, 2004
2,649
0
0
i swear this game had soo much going for it. i just played the beginning so far and its pretty stupid. i feel like i'm supposed to be karina's babysitter or something. plus all the enemies look/act exactly the friggin same.
 

Frodolives

Platinum Member
Nov 28, 2001
2,190
0
0
I just uninstalled the multiplayer demo tonight, having only used it two or three times. And for a guy who loves multiplayers and is currently without one, that's really poor.

I'm a huge Tribes fan, and I'd say get ANY version of Tribes over this thing. And though I'm very dissappointed at VUG pulling the plug on patching Tribes Vengeance, it would far surpass this game, is already in the bargain bins, and has a long single player content with quite a bit of interesting stuff.