Monday, December 22, 2008

and that's why you don't rush games to market

I was looking forward to Rise of the Argonauts but now that full reviews are out it seems like it might be a bit disappointing to say the least. While the graphics may look great and the story is compelling, the combat system apparently falls short and anyone looking for an RPG will be disappointed in the lack of number systems available for customization. And apparently the dialogue is too lengthy and serves to take up much of the time spent playing. Also, if the category you score highest in is Sound, you know you didn't put enough time into developing your game.
With a storyline and characters rooted firmly in Greek mythology, there's an element for those who know or admire the Classics to enjoy. The problem is how the game's put together – so much has been stripped from what we traditionally think of as an RPG and an action game that the result feels like an awkward, neutered hybrid bloated by hours and hours of static dialogue sequences. Add a sloppy combat system in which the most basic moves serve you well all game long and some serious framerate issues, and the result is a frustratingly limited product that, even as it weaves an interesting tale of deceit and betrayal, fails to rise above the compromises made for its hybrid design.
IGN: Rise of the Argonauts Review

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