Silicon Fusion >> Previews >> Grabbed by the Ghoulies

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Preview:

18th November 2003:
Grabbed by the Ghoulies
Rare on the Xbox? Watch your ghoulies...
Posted by Chris Barnett - Xbox - UK and Europe

As the games community went ape when Microsoft nabbed Rare for themselves, we all sat content that their existing franchises alone would be enough to keep them in success. So we were really surprised at the E3 show when their first planned release was not one of their existing children but an entirely new game. Even greater was the shock that it would be out BEFORE Christmas. So whilst we wait for the imminent release (November 21st) to get our hands on our own version, we have had the opportunity to play a finished version a few days early. And here's what we thought...

The game is very simple to pick up and play as the controls and story suck you straight in. All the story involves is the kidnap of a guy's (Cooper) girlfriend by some monsters in a haunted mansion. That said, the cut scenes to show this are rather well done, with comic like tiles appearing on occasion and with intelligent (if unusual) cameras to show things in an interesting way. Some of these are also interactive, involving the pressing of buttons in relation to their appearence on the screen. This does attempt to involve players but seemed a little tiresom after a few consequtive scenes with the same basic idea. This can be forgiven though as the scenes give the game what we wanted it to have: a Rare feel.

There is something distinct that gives the game a unique feel, though we can't quite put our hands on it. It is a combination of freedom (you can smash most things and use many other items as weapons), character design (the bad guys are really well concepted in both appearence and movement), level design and story. In fact, this is probably Rare's most cinematic game yet as the cut scenes are what we really remember from out initial plays. But this is no bad point because the Xbox gives them the graphical and aural features that they need to be appealing. And it is difficult not to smile at the whole attitude of the game, not just the cut scenes.

The controls are really unusual in their simplicity, you move using the left stick and attack using the right one. The only other buttons we were called to use were the B button, to drop a 'weapon' and the triggers to camera pan. And we put weapon in inverted commas as most items can be made into weapons. Don't expect the same approach as Manhunt though (with its plastic bags) as most of the items come straight out of slapstick comedy. You have snooker cues, water guns, giant candles, snooker tables (yes, you swing an entire table), brooms, sholvels and plant pots to name a few. And all of these items has different properties, some reach further than others whilst others can be used more times (even though they all get destroyed by over usage). But as we said earlier, you use the right stick to attack. This is as simple as it sounds, you move the stick in the direction that you aim to attack, regardless of Cooper's movement. So you can attack in the opposite direction to that of your movement. This feels a little stange to begin with but does improve with practice, to such a level that you can perform combos.

With the game dynamics so simple it is kept so by quirky prompts from a tutorial butler who tells you what to do. Most rooms have a small objective to complete to allow exit, though these are never more taxing than the destruction of several itmes. This is quite a good point as it lets the game flow well, especially as you start to use combos. The combat seemed very responsive with good collision detection. In fact, it was possible to evade attacks and force enemies to hit each other in a satisfying slapstick manner. It is particularly satisfying when you learn the 'pattern' of a new enemy and use it to defeat them with ease.

As you can probably gain, we are quite impressed with this game as it has been a while since we have smiled so much at a game, and it is good to see Rare back on form (Star Fox Adventures was a let down, admit it). We do have concerns about repetition and the size of the game (we only died once in about an hour's play) but Rare usually overcome these factors, even in their weaker games.

You can rest assured that we will bring you a full review very soon to let you know if you can kiss Rare's Ghoulies or part exchange them for something else (whatever that may be!)

Chris Barnett

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Grabbed by the Ghoulies
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