If I appear on your XBL friends list, then you probably noticed that I spent about 98% of my weekend playing Too Human. (The other 2% was an attempt to get 100% singing Simple Man on Rock Band) The game has me in its grip and it may be a little bit before it releases me.
Even though I am enamoured with leveling up my character and collecting odd weapons and costumes, the game is not without its issues. Complete griping and a little more praise after the jump.
If your name rhymes with Bono you’ll want to sedate yourself, because I do indeed have some pretty big issues with Too Human.
Voice Acting – D
They picked up some pretty decent voices for Too Human, and then forgot to direct them. Every line seems over-acted and insanely self-important. At other times, it seems like the voice does not match the urgency of the situation at all. Finally troops you fight with (the wolves) utter some of the most random, ridiculous, and poorly timed things, and the do it repeatedly. Over and over.
Sound Design – D
Short of the actual sound of swords hitting flesh, this game sounds like someone just randomly shook the faders around in a very expensive studio. At times, the sound of the action fades for no reason. At others, there is a hell of a lot going on on the screen and only one out of 5 things happening gets a sound effect. It doesn’t make sense. Apparently the bulk of the sound money in Too Human was spent on the soundtrack, which boasts a moving, fantastic score.
Story – D+
Every story has a climax, its what you work toward. It’s a goal. In Too Human, I did not feel like there was a climax. It felt like you were closing in on something cool and important, and then the credits came up. For such a deep, involved game, I think cutting this story short was a really poor choice.
It’s like if they ended Star Wars with Luke Skywalker sitting up in bed and realizing it was all just a dream. While the story at its core is extremely creative, Too Human tells it in a way that is as disappointing as it is short.
Boo.
If you think you know where I am heading with this, prepare for a Uturn. It’s just ahead.
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You know, when was the last time a big-name game shipped completed? Orange Box I think, and even that only on PC. Every other big release has been incomplete, be in GTA4, Mercenaries 2, or Too Human. Why are developers shipping unfinished product?
I know it’s not a review, but after all the “reviews” I’ve read I wouldn’t know any more than reading the back of the box. Your “not a review” is the closest to real review I have seen so far. LOL and those guys are getting paid to review it. If they only had the dedication of the fine people that operate this site and make it what it is… Well let’s not go there.
Ah Doc, what are we now? Kotaku? This game gets a brownie and a smiley face?
All jokes aside, it’s nice to see you went in depth with the game and pointed out strengths and weaknesses, though I’m still leaving judgement aside for now until I actually get the game… in like 5 months used after Christmas.
I had to do a double take to see that it was Doc that wrote this article and not Lono!
I’ve been playing through Too Human this past week and I too have never been an RPG fan. I’m still getting used to everything but not giving up. I’m used to having my camera view control w/the RS.
Oh, and I thought you were COMPLAINING that we were still talking about Too Human Doc. Change of heart?
@Edthefreak: Tell me about it…
I would agree with most of the review, except for the sound design part. How can a game get a D if the soundtrack is good? Sure there are sound glitches, mostly occurring in multiplayer, but that should be fixed with a patch… Hopefully with the rest of the glitches in this game.
I love the demo but due to masses of contrary opinions I’m going to rent first, then consider the buy if the game keeps me attached to the couch.
@Lono the soundtrack is the only thing that pulled it up from an F
Hmm….
Pretty good, BUT- were you going Comando?
I agree with most of Doc’s points here.
Except the last line, which is missing one key word.
Not.
As in “You should not buy this game.”
Rent it, sure. But save your money.
A little harsh on the markings, every so called “bad aspect” of the game is simply not that bad (IMO not bad at all, see pretty good)
Of course, it’s gameplay experience above cosmetics, but still. The story is complex (I got some details only after 3rd playthrough) the acting is “Nord phantasy like” (big guys talking with big voices)
The graphics are good (even the animations are robotic, which is good for cyborgs)
Anyway, the game is awesome, and hooks you for good. A must buy for every dungeon kreeper.