Review Scores of Lair

[DaveSimmons]

There's a Lair thread in ArsTechnica G.E.S.C. with a couple of people who picked it up, and they're much more positive than IGN.

They're saying it's a decent 8/10 rather than a 5/10, but apparently the controls do take getting used to.

That sounds like it's at least a decent rental. Once I get around to joining GameFly I'll have to queue it up.

Right now it's back to replaying Planescape: Torment. It's still a 10/10 game if you enjoy a good book

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
There's a Lair thread in ArsTechnica G.E.S.C. with a couple of people who picked it up, and they're much more positive than IGN.

They're saying it's a decent 8/10 rather than a 5/10, but apparently the controls do take getting used to.

That sounds like it's at least a decent rental. Once I get around to joining GameFly I'll have to queue it up.

Right now it's back to replaying Planescape: Torment. It's still a 10/10 game if you enjoy a good book

I picked it up, and am not far into it but it's definitely NOT worthy of the IGN and GameSpot scores. They seem to let the control scheme dictate the score, that and have prior bias about PS3 games or something, because the scores don't make sense to the descriptions they give. It's enjoyable, and I actually have no problem with the control scheme. Only trouble I ever have is making the dragon pull a 180º, and that requires a quick flip of the SixAxis back, and I probably don't pull it off fast enough most times. My main troubles is that I am just not a great aerial combat person, on PC or on consoles. No radar doesn't help, but I'm glad there isn't one because well, it's a dragon and not a bloody jet. But that makes hearing other characters talk while flying kind of comical, because of that very thing, a lack of radios should mean no other voices, but that would probably be impossible to communicate the new objectives in the game, so I forgive that.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: Sraaz

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: luv2liv
who bought it?
how do u like it?

Doesn't come out until next week. Looks like it's going to suck pretty badly, though. Hey PS3 owners, atleast Warhawk is awesome, right? That's the first game to make me wish I had a PS3.

Err... my friend picked it up yesterday...

Err.... your friend got it early....

it's definately out. some employee at gamestop tried to sell me a copy.

 

[Dumac]

I'll wait to play the demo before I purchase or rent this game (I'll probably just rent it).

 

[mlm]

Apparently Lair can use Remote Play! I doubt I'll ever do it, but that's pretty cool

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: mlm
Apparently Lair can use Remote Play! I doubt I'll ever do it, but that's pretty cool

I own the game and a PSP and don't even know this? Where did you read this, and how do you access/enable it?

 

[mlm]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: mlm
Apparently Lair can use Remote Play! I doubt I'll ever do it, but that's pretty cool

I own the game and a PSP and don't even know this? Where did you read this, and how do you access/enable it?

It was found by accident and may not have been intentional. This is only the second game that allows RP :Q

Go into Remote Play mode with your PS3, and just open the game on the PSP. Not all levels may work though.

Youtube

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: mlm

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: mlm
Apparently Lair can use Remote Play! I doubt I'll ever do it, but that's pretty cool

I own the game and a PSP and don't even know this? Where did you read this, and how do you access/enable it?

It was found by accident and may not have been intentional. This is only the second game that allows RP :Q

Go into Remote Play mode with your PS3, and just open the game on the PSP. Not all levels may work though.

Youtube

so if you play on the PSP, you can use the analog stick to fly? or... is someone else using a SixAxis to control the dragon in-flight?

 

[mlm]

You're using the analog nub to fly.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: mlm
You're using the analog nub to fly.

hmm so that works?
i'm taking it that the PS3 is the workhorse, and is just forwarding the video and audio to the PSP and awaiting control responses?
this could be sweet, if only more games could do it. Although, given the beauty of the LAIR, not sure if I could ever sacrifice the full impact 5.1 surround sound and 720p display, just to play on the PSP. Would be a great feature for many other games, however.

 

[Queasy]

Metacritic Score - 57

Play - 90/100
GamePro - 75/100
GameZone - 75/100
GameDaily - 60/100
1Up - 60/100
EGM - 55/100
PSM Magazing - 50/100
IGN - 49/100
Gamespot - 45/100
Gamebrink - 40/100


OUCH

 

[purbeast0]

i think it's so lame how they FORCE you to use the Six Axis controls on this game.

after playing metroid prime 3, i really think all games should have some kind of standard controller layout that they can use.

 

[Ackmed]

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=902796

Rumoe is, the 1.92 firmware fixed some bluetooth issues. Which in turn tightened up the controls of Lair.

 

[vhx]

Heres a video of Lair being played with Sixaxis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxPKXfRRNAY

Controls look fine to me as long as you don't spaz out.

EDIT: Video of Post 1.92 patch as someone mentioned above: http://youtube.com/watch?v=hXhdraEvShk

Seems a little more responsive.

 

[Dumac]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
i think it's so lame how they FORCE you to use the Six Axis controls on this game.

after playing metroid prime 3, i really think all games should have some kind of standard controller layout that they can use.

But MP3 was praised for it's controls. The advanced controls, with the creative, detailed scenery, makes up the most praised part of MP3.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: vhx
Heres a video of Lair being played with Sixaxis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxPKXfRRNAY

Controls look fine to me as long as you don't spaz out.

EDIT: Video of Post 1.92 patch as someone mentioned above: http://youtube.com/watch?v=hXhdraEvShk

Seems a little more responsive.

Dude that actually makes me want to try that game out. I love the scenery and the music/sound in that game. I really wish there would be a demo that would come out.

Originally posted by: Dumac

Originally posted by: purbeast0
i think it's so lame how they FORCE you to use the Six Axis controls on this game.

after playing metroid prime 3, i really think all games should have some kind of standard controller layout that they can use.

But MP3 was praised for it's controls. The advanced controls, with the creative, detailed scenery, makes up the most praised part of MP3.

Yah but a lot of people thought Donnie Darko was a good movie too :/

 

[randay]

ok well now i have to try for myself, picking this up after work, review to come. before and after 1.92.

 

[randay]

so far im feeling like the reviews are totally undeserved. my controls feel responsive, and I havent had any trouble getting the dragon to do what I want. My dragon is as responsive as the second video and nothing like the first at all, in fact if i go nuts and shake my controller around like in the first video, the dragon is much more responsive. perhaps hardware differences? I have a launch 20gb version, the controller that came with it and 3 new controllers I just picked up last weekend, don't know which one I am using atm though. also Im still running 1.9. just finished the first "training" chapter. gonna try some more to see if I have any problems like the ones that I have been reading about. So far the graphics are good, nothing incredible, voice acting is excellent and seems like a nice storyline. awefully scripted so far though.

 

[yllus]

Sony sends out 'Lair Reviewer's Guide' -- Must. Not. Laugh.

Dear seasoned reviewers, like Greg Miller of IGN (pictured and whose work back at the Columbia Tribune we covered), you're reviewing Lair wrong -- according to Sony. Miller, and probably many other reviewers, received their copies today of the "Lair Reviewer's Guide" so that they might go back and say, "Yes Sony, we totally don't know how to play video games, thank you! Thank you so much for showing us the light on how to play these ... things. We will now go back and redo our scores with the wealth of information we have been given."

Haha. Doesn't seem too awful a game, but what a bad move PR-wise.

 

[nace186]

Originally posted by: randay
so far im feeling like the reviews are totally undeserved. my controls feel responsive, and I havent had any trouble getting the dragon to do what I want. My dragon is as responsive as the second video and nothing like the first at all, in fact if i go nuts and shake my controller around like in the first video, the dragon is much more responsive. perhaps hardware differences? I have a launch 20gb version, the controller that came with it and 3 new controllers I just picked up last weekend, don't know which one I am using atm though. also Im still running 1.9. just finished the first "training" chapter. gonna try some more to see if I have any problems like the ones that I have been reading about. So far the graphics are good, nothing incredible, voice acting is excellent and seems like a nice storyline. awefully scripted so far though.

So you just finished the 'training' chapter you already feel the reviews are totally undeserved? I'm pretty sure the reviewer didn't give it a bad review after only the training chapter.

Most of the review I read mainly points to a certain part of the game where the control becomes a major issue...

 

[randay]

Originally posted by: nace186

Originally posted by: randay
so far im feeling like the reviews are totally undeserved. my controls feel responsive, and I havent had any trouble getting the dragon to do what I want. My dragon is as responsive as the second video and nothing like the first at all, in fact if i go nuts and shake my controller around like in the first video, the dragon is much more responsive. perhaps hardware differences? I have a launch 20gb version, the controller that came with it and 3 new controllers I just picked up last weekend, don't know which one I am using atm though. also Im still running 1.9. just finished the first "training" chapter. gonna try some more to see if I have any problems like the ones that I have been reading about. So far the graphics are good, nothing incredible, voice acting is excellent and seems like a nice storyline. awefully scripted so far though.

So you just finished the 'training' chapter you already feel the reviews are totally undeserved? I'm pretty sure the reviewer didn't give it a bad review after only the training chapter.

Most of the review I read mainly points to a certain part of the game where the control becomes a major issue...

I just did the 5th mission. In the IGN review, the guy said he couldnt lock onto the bulls. I had no problem. I think the key is to use the brake button(R2). Slows your dragon down and you just basically pivot and makes it real easy to line up. I havent had any problems with frame rate, but its definitely not a solid 60fps, must dip down to the 20s at times. the storyline is interesting, the pacing is maybe a little fast, makes the game feel pretty scripted. Overall I dont think the game deserves a 4 just on controls alone. I have had some times when I start swearing at the screen, but I usually catch on by the second or third try. The ground combat is pretty fun .

Im not a reviewer, but this game is much more playable then I've been led to believe. I dont play all games or pretend to know whats good and whats not, but this game aint a 4, I know that. maybe a high 5/low 6?

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: randay
Im not a reviewer, but this game is much more playable then I've been led to believe. I dont play all games or pretend to know whats good and whats not, but this game aint a 4, I know that. maybe a high 5/low 6?

From how you describe it, you make it sound more like a good 7 or 8.

 

[randay]

Originally posted by: hans030390

Originally posted by: randay
Im not a reviewer, but this game is much more playable then I've been led to believe. I dont play all games or pretend to know whats good and whats not, but this game aint a 4, I know that. maybe a high 5/low 6?

From how you describe it, you make it sound more like a good 7 or 8.

yeah but im a "sony fanboy" so i met the "sony haters" half way.

 

[randay]

Just updated from 1.9 to 1.92. no appreciable difference in sixaxis control. there is a lag between flying straight and going into a hard bank. dragon responds in less than or about half a second? I cant really time it but its not instant. either way its not enough to affect gameplay, not a twitch game by any means. seeing as how I never had any lag problems with the sixaxis, I wonder why others are? from that one youtube video it is pretty apparent.

Anyway, I guess thats all I can say about Lair. I don't think this is a must have, but if you were really jonesing for this game, you should definitely at least rent it or pick it up or something.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: randay
Just updated from 1.9 to 1.92. no appreciable difference in sixaxis control. there is a lag between flying straight and going into a hard bank. dragon responds in less than or about half a second? I cant really time it but its not instant. either way its not enough to affect gameplay, not a twitch game by any means. seeing as how I never had any lag problems with the sixaxis, I wonder why others are? from that one youtube video it is pretty apparent.

Anyway, I guess thats all I can say about Lair. I don't think this is a must have, but if you were really jonesing for this game, you should definitely at least rent it or pick it up or something.

I noticed the little delay in the video above. I mean it still looks cool, but this delay w/this technology really bugs me big time. I mean that is one of my biggest gripes w/the wiimote is the lag from my movement to it actually happening, regardless that it's a split second. That delay to me since I'm picky and just have been around the block w/games, really bugs the hell out of me.