Patrick Elliot
Shaun InguanzoPS3: Haze Review
June 2nd 2008 11:50
Nectar: To fully enjoy playing Haze, you'll need to be high on something
A two-year development cycle, a proven FPS developer, an intriguing demo and countless hours played.
Haze, exclusively for the PS3, is an interesting title; and I'm still not sure if I like it or love it.
But let's get one thing straight: Haze is certainly not as bad as the picture painted by mainstream reviewers. It's not a 3, 4 or even a 4.5. Definitely not a D either.
Haze is enjoyable. It's single player campaign is fun, but flawed, and the multiplayer action is on par with other good FPS titles.
This game is no blockbuster, Ubisoft has not created a Halo-killer, and on review, Resistance: Fall of Man was probably a cleaner, edgier PS3 shooter.
I'm not going to dive into the intricacies of the single player story, instead, I'll focus on what worked, what didn't, what you'll like and what you won't.
I've got problems with Haze's haze. But I loved the fresh story. I had issues with respawning and stupid AI, but enjoyed switching sides from good to bad.
For a game that was repeatedly delayed, and ultra-hyped, the game's graphics aren't exactly mind blowing.
But it is little niggles that become so much more annoying. When you destroy a vehicle, it respawns metres away from where it just blew up.
When you shoot an annoying AI party member in the head for rambling, he'll come running back into the game moments later.
Or when you stealthily aim your weapon at an enemy on the other side of the environment, shoot, and nothing happens.
This is what makes me wonder. Did any play test this game? How could such simple, comical stuff ups creep into a final version?
On the other hand, the story is worth listening to. Good versus bad, trust versus betrayal. Haze tries to be sincere and moral, and for the most part, it pulls it off. I was entertained for the entirety of the single player campaign.
Multiplayer is fun. A couple of the maps leave a lot to be desired in terms of design and 'haze' flaws. But it's a strong engine and replay value is there. You'll enjoy connecting to Haze online and blasting away with a few mates.
You'll probably enjoy Halo 3 and COD4 online mutliplayer much more, but this does not discount from the strong backbone of Haze.
I feel that this game has been unfairly reviewed because it has been scored 'in comparison' with other titles.
As a reviewer, it's not to expect every game to be as good, if not better, than the last blockbuster. And let's face it, PS3 has yet to receive its 'console-making' game.
Perhaps too many people thought Haze would be the franchise that would set Sony's black box apart from the competition. Will there be a Haze 2, Haze 3? No way. The buck stops here.
In the same breath, Haze is worth your hard earned dollars, and you'll have fun. Isn't that what we're all here for?
Or, in the current phase of next-gen gaming, does every game need to do something new? Or be at least as good as the last?
When it comes to first-person-shooters, I can understand the need to be different. But Haze doesn't try to be anything groundbreaking.
It's happy being exactly what it is. An averagely good game.
Now let's all hold our breath for Resistance 2.
Haze: Yay or Nay?
A two-year development cycle, a proven FPS developer, an intriguing demo and countless hours played.
Haze, exclusively for the PS3, is an interesting title; and I'm still not sure if I like it or love it.
But let's get one thing straight: Haze is certainly not as bad as the picture painted by mainstream reviewers. It's not a 3, 4 or even a 4.5. Definitely not a D either.
Haze is enjoyable. It's single player campaign is fun, but flawed, and the multiplayer action is on par with other good FPS titles.
This game is no blockbuster, Ubisoft has not created a Halo-killer, and on review, Resistance: Fall of Man was probably a cleaner, edgier PS3 shooter.
I'm not going to dive into the intricacies of the single player story, instead, I'll focus on what worked, what didn't, what you'll like and what you won't.
I've got problems with Haze's haze. But I loved the fresh story. I had issues with respawning and stupid AI, but enjoyed switching sides from good to bad.
For a game that was repeatedly delayed, and ultra-hyped, the game's graphics aren't exactly mind blowing.
But it is little niggles that become so much more annoying. When you destroy a vehicle, it respawns metres away from where it just blew up.
When you shoot an annoying AI party member in the head for rambling, he'll come running back into the game moments later.
Or when you stealthily aim your weapon at an enemy on the other side of the environment, shoot, and nothing happens.
This is what makes me wonder. Did any play test this game? How could such simple, comical stuff ups creep into a final version?
On the other hand, the story is worth listening to. Good versus bad, trust versus betrayal. Haze tries to be sincere and moral, and for the most part, it pulls it off. I was entertained for the entirety of the single player campaign.
Multiplayer is fun. A couple of the maps leave a lot to be desired in terms of design and 'haze' flaws. But it's a strong engine and replay value is there. You'll enjoy connecting to Haze online and blasting away with a few mates.
You'll probably enjoy Halo 3 and COD4 online mutliplayer much more, but this does not discount from the strong backbone of Haze.
I feel that this game has been unfairly reviewed because it has been scored 'in comparison' with other titles.
As a reviewer, it's not to expect every game to be as good, if not better, than the last blockbuster. And let's face it, PS3 has yet to receive its 'console-making' game.
Perhaps too many people thought Haze would be the franchise that would set Sony's black box apart from the competition. Will there be a Haze 2, Haze 3? No way. The buck stops here.
In the same breath, Haze is worth your hard earned dollars, and you'll have fun. Isn't that what we're all here for?
Or, in the current phase of next-gen gaming, does every game need to do something new? Or be at least as good as the last?
When it comes to first-person-shooters, I can understand the need to be different. But Haze doesn't try to be anything groundbreaking.
It's happy being exactly what it is. An averagely good game.
Now let's all hold our breath for Resistance 2.
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Comment by Shaun Inguanzo
Blogocratic Nightmare
The list goes on with Haze.
I'll never forget shooting a guy whose torso was poking out from behind a crate, only to find that the clipping model was so bad that he was somehow protected by an invisible wall.
And yet, when we played co-op, there was something to the game that did make it seem fun. Loved the storyline, and I do believe that Nectar serves a fun purpose - it's just all too short-lived before turning to the rebels.
Still, there aren't too many other options for PS3 owners, short of buying a 360 with Halo 3.
Bring on the mighty Resistance 2
Comment by Glen Atwell
Computer Game
Similar to the Final Fantasy series, they are masterful, but we've come to expect that.
Ubisoft has a couple of upcoming titles that look amazing! Fingers crossed.