The Club

[warcrow]

The Club

Dev: Bizarre Creations
Pub: Sega
Release Date: 02/08/08
Genre: Third Person Shooter
ESRB: M
Platforms: X360/PS3 (version played)
Demo: Yes
GameTrailers.com: http://www.gametrailers.com/game/2695.html

FYI - I've currently put in 2 hours into the game.

According to Bizarre Creations, The Club is "sure to refresh the mechanics of 3rd person action shooters just as we have shaken up the racing genre. The Club is designed to be an addictive experience with rewarding gameplay that tests your skill to the limit and offers a relentless pace never before seen within the genre."

You know--they just might be on to something here. This game is a combination or a 3rd-person shooter and a classic arcade light-gun--sort of. There is no lightgun, but the pacing and targeting is in the same vain of that type of game. But I'd like to stress that it's not typical in either direction. It has lots personality, lots of raw action, and man is it fun! The mechanics work extremely well here. I dont know if I've played anything quite like this now that I think about it. Here how it goes, atleast, I'll give it my best effort.

The game starts out with 6 of 8 playable characters (2 more are unlockable). Each character has a ratings for Strength, Speed and Stamina. Once you select your character and a stage you're then ready to rumble. The goal, much like the original Doom, is to just get to the exit, but with a few twists. There is a timer and tons of mercs trying to kill you along the way. So, you must plow your way through these armed bad guys gathering up points and bonuses along the way that will help rank you (1 - 10) at the end.

The point system works like this; You get a certain amount of points to killing someone. But as you kill someone your bonus gauge dings up a notch. This bonus gauge has it's own timer and as you kill another, the mini-timer starts over up (I think its 7 seconds long?) and it dings up to X2 and then to X3 and so on. This really forces you to keep plowing through the level as fast as possible to really rack up the points and make a good finishing time. It's really reawrding.

At one point, I found myself running around picking people off and my bonus was up to X9. The mini-timer was ticking down quickly as I franctically was looking where to progress to get my next kill. To my left was a stair well and to my right a door. I choose the door and charged at it as fast as possible. As I ran up to the door I hit the action button making my guy smash the door down. 2 seconds remained on my timer and there stood a grunt next to an explosive barrel. I shot it (since it was the biggest target) and not only did he burst into flames, but it threw his body threw a window. Oh was that entertaining. I turned and charged through the next door and practically slammed face-to-face into another grunt. I quickly cracked him across the face with the butt of my gun, he went down and standing behind him was another guy--I shot him in the head, turn and killed another off in the distance. My multiplier was super-high now and I was racking up the points. As all this happened I was laughing like a mad man. It was very entertaining and exciting!

Your shot locations to the bad guys really count here. If you shoot a guy in the gut or chest, the points are much lower than a head shot (a deep voice will announce trophy-type acheivments like, "Head Shot!", with a voice is similar to Unreal or Mortal Kombat) or a leg shot. So if you chain together a bunch of headshots, you're really going to rack up the points. It's rewarding sytem that makes you want to replay the same level (which is someting I generally am not a fan of) to get more headshots, or a shave time off your record, or maybe to try to pick up more bonuses and multipliers. In one particular level, I got 4 headshots with 2 of those back-to-back (headshots are difficult, so this was exciting!) and the feel was really rewarding as the announcer congratulated me and I bragged to my wife! I bet it really impressed her.

Along the levels are sprinkled bonus things as well, but I havent played enough to speak well enough on it. I do remember there are a couple. For instance, one of them requires that you shoot all 5 mini-green glowing targets (usually found in odd places) sprinkled around the level.

I want to say that the game has that really refined, 60-frames smootheness feel that everyone just loves to have in a shooter. Movement and gun fire is responsive. The graphics are great (playing the PS3 version), but it's not going to blow you away like DMC4, Uncharted, or Gears. But it certainly doesnt look bad or awful. Their isnt much to say about the AI as their sole purpose is to pop out, hid and pop out again to shoot you. You will not see these grunts throwing your grenades (yes those are in the game )back at you. They kinda feel like glorified cardboard butouts that you see in a fun house--and I'm ok with that, because it's just no the point.

This game isnt for everyone though. I think Bizarre Creations made this game specifically for the shooter crowd that likes a challenge. The people that really want to get straight into the action. The people who want to play these levels over and over, trying to get one more headshot, trying to get their multiplier higher, or want to shave their finishing time by 5 seconds and rub it in their buddies faces.

I high recommend that you check out some of the gameplay footage on the web to get an idea of what I'm trying to explain here (as I'm sure I'm not doing the game justice).

 

[nboy22]

My room mate and I acquired the game about 2 weeks ago (modded xbox). We played it for a bit and I'd like to go back to it here pretty soon. After playing for a while we decided that we liked it, but it's not traditional FPS either. It's just "shoot as many people as possible" arcade style.

 

[getbush]

Maybe in some alternate dimension where COD4 doesn't exist but until then meh.

Given the limited amount of time I have to sit and play games I am content between COD4 and Forza 2 (w/ wheel - LOVE racing). I own some other games that I haven't ever touched like pgr4 and amped 3 and some others I can't even remember

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

I really hated the demo but I've been tol "i just don't get it" which is fine. I don't need to get it. I got COD4.

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: getbush
Maybe in some alternate dimension where COD4 doesn't exist but until then meh.

Given the limited amount of time I have to sit and play games I am content between COD4 and Forza 2 (w/ wheel - LOVE racing). I own some other games that I haven't ever touched like pgr4 and amped 3 and some others I can't even remember

Thanks for bringing this up. I didnt get into CoD4 MP, so I stopped playing CoD4 a while back. But I really think Cod4 and this game, though both shooters, are different games with different goals.

But I can see how if one has a limited schedule and are fulfilling the shooter game slot and racing game slots, that this just wouldnt be appealing. But maybe next month or whenever you stop playing CoD4, you can rent it or check it out if you're interested.

 

[R Nilla]

Although I played it briefly, I actually enjoyed the demo. I had been watching gameplay videos previously and thought it looked pretty lame (and wasn't really sold on the concept either), but I was pleasantly surprised by the demo.

I'd like to check out the full version, but I'm not sure how long the fun will last. Definitely something to keep in mind for the inevitable dry spell of games this summer.

 

[mugs]

I played the demo and enjoyed it. I think it's a game I'd buy for $25, not a game I'd buy for $60.

 

[Modeps]

The demo made me feel like I was running in mud.

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: Modeps
The demo made me feel like I was running in mud.

Hrm, that sucks. I didnt play the X360 version.

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: warcrow

Originally posted by: Modeps
The demo made me feel like I was running in mud.

Hrm, that sucks. I didnt play the X360 version.

It had nothing to do with the framerate, it was the way the character felt.

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: mugs
I played the demo and enjoyed it. I think it's a game I'd buy for $25, not a game I'd buy for $60.

I havent played the game enough (MP included) to determine if it was worth $60 personally.

 

[Aikouka]

Hmm, that sounds like fun... it kind of sounds like Dynasty Warriors with guns and systems in place to make you want to be quick. Not many people can stand the massive button mashing of DW games though . I'll pick up the demo and try it.

One thing dubbya-see, I have the Guncon 3 from Time Crisis 4... can you use it with The Club?

 

[R Nilla]

Originally posted by: Aikouka
Hmm, that sounds like fun... it kind of sounds like Dynasty Warriors with guns and systems in place to make you want to be quick. Not many people can stand the massive button mashing of DW games though . I'll pick up the demo and try it.

One thing dubbya-see, I have the Guncon 3 from Time Crisis 4... can you use it with The Club?

I love Dynasty Warriors despite it's extreme repetition and the fact that little changes from sequel to sequel. I think you're the only other person I've seen around here who likes it, although there must be others .

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: Aikouka
Hmm, that sounds like fun... it kind of sounds like Dynasty Warriors with guns and systems in place to make you want to be quick. Not many people can stand the massive button mashing of DW games though . I'll pick up the demo and try it.

One thing dubbya-see, I have the Guncon 3 from Time Crisis 4... can you use it with The Club?

It's not that kind of game--I hope I didnt give that impression. It handles like a 3rd person shooter through and through.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: R Nilla

Originally posted by: Aikouka
Hmm, that sounds like fun... it kind of sounds like Dynasty Warriors with guns and systems in place to make you want to be quick. Not many people can stand the massive button mashing of DW games though . I'll pick up the demo and try it.

One thing dubbya-see, I have the Guncon 3 from Time Crisis 4... can you use it with The Club?

I love Dynasty Warriors despite it's extreme repetition and the fact that little changes from sequel to sequel. I think you're the only other person I've seen around here who likes it, although there must be others .

I tried a Dynasty Warriors game and felt like I was in the middle of a Bruce Lee movie - a bunch of dumb guys standing around me in a circle waiting for me kick their arse.

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: R Nilla

Originally posted by: Aikouka
Hmm, that sounds like fun... it kind of sounds like Dynasty Warriors with guns and systems in place to make you want to be quick. Not many people can stand the massive button mashing of DW games though . I'll pick up the demo and try it.

One thing dubbya-see, I have the Guncon 3 from Time Crisis 4... can you use it with The Club?

I love Dynasty Warriors despite it's extreme repetition and the fact that little changes from sequel to sequel. I think you're the only other person I've seen around here who likes it, although there must be others .

I tried a Dynasty Warriors game and felt like I was in the middle of a Bruce Lee movie - a bunch of dumb guys standing around me in a circle waiting for me kick their arse.

Wait--you mean Assassin's Creed, amirite?!?!

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: warcrow
It's not that kind of game--I hope I didnt give that impression. It handles like a 3rd person shooter through and through.

Dynasty Warriors is a 3rd person action game... although it is much more tactical than what you're suggesting (unless you're on easy mode, in which the game is so easy, you can just mow down guys for fun and never lose... unless it's LU BU!)

I still wonder if you can use the Guncon? Because it has all the controls of a normal controller on it yet you could aim at the screen instead of having to point. That'd just be sweet in quick acting games (or so I think...).

Originally posted by: R Nilla
I love Dynasty Warriors despite it's extreme repetition and the fact that little changes from sequel to sequel. I think you're the only other person I've seen around here who likes it, although there must be others .

Oh man, I've got all the 360 DW games! Warriors Orochi, DW: Gundam (best Gundam game ever... right up there with SD Gundam) and Samurai Warriors 2. It's fun to just mow down people for awhile. Although, reading any Warriors review online is just about a waste of time. The reviewers always play the game for 5 minutes and write up some review. I remember reading the review for Dynasty Warriors: Gundam and then I played the game. Quickly I thought, "wow... that guy barely even touched the game." I remember he mentioned about slow movement and yet a decent amount of the mecha can transform (and roll out) into a flying form and move much quicker. A real decent player will always use the hell out of their boost gauge. I zip around like a demon slicing everything up that gets in my way.

EDIT:

Originally posted by: Queasy
I tried a Dynasty Warriors game and felt like I was in the middle of a Bruce Lee movie - a bunch of dumb guys standing around me in a circle waiting for me kick their arse.

That actually sounds like you were on easy mode. It's a lot like in DW:Gundam where the reviewer knocked it for the "bad AI" when he had to have been on easy. On hard, the enemies can knock you down easier as well as they do not stand around nearly as much. On easy, you might get hit half a dozen times by the fodder during a whole mission... on hard, it's a lot more than that, unless you know how to fight properly.

 

[JoPh]

the AI in the gameplay trailers look slow and dumb??

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: Aikouka
I still wonder if you can use the Guncon? Because it has all the controls of a normal controller on it yet you could aim at the screen instead of having to point.

That's interesting--I should have looked that up before I answered then. I still kind of doubt it, but who knows.

Originally posted by: JoPh
the AI in the gameplay trailers look slow and dumb??

The AI is nothing to write home about. Like I said in my OP--it does exactly what it's meant to do--provide a moving target that shoots at you. There are enough guys populating the level that it's a moot point. It's not about that--it's about running and gunning and racking up at many points as you can to climb the rankings.

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: warcrow
That's interesting--I should have looked that up before I answered then. I still kind of doubt it, but who knows.

If there's a demo I could give it a try tonight (if I get unlazy enough to do it ).

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

It seems like a game designed where you are just trying to increase your score and see how well you can do at it.

If that is the case I think Devil May Cry does a much better job.

I may have the wrong impression because I only played the demo.

 

[DivideBYZero]

I downloaded the demo and gave it meh out of meh.

 

[R Nilla]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
I downloaded the demo and gave it meh out of meh.

Wow, a perfect score on the scale of mediocrity.

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g
It seems like a game designed where you are just trying to increase your score and see how well you can do at it.

If that is the case I think Devil May Cry does a much better job.

I may have the wrong impression because I only played the demo.

The whole thing about this game is that it's all about chaining kills and the game is built around that--DMC4 (which, btw is an amazing game and completely different than this game--which is a shooter) is an action-adventure game. Sure DMC4 has it's time bonus--but this game is completely built around that and it's very intended. They're just different games.

It actually has more in common with a racer, kinda like PGR4 with the Kudos system I think. I love that they're not trying to sell you on "The Clubs" story.

It's a mix of all these great elements to make up this great game. I'm not saying it's flawless--it's definitley not that--but it is great.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: R Nilla

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
I downloaded the demo and gave it meh out of meh.

Wow, a perfect score on the scale of mediocrity.

:laugh: