So I just finished the game and well....
I don't know. It's not a bad game. The combat is pretty simple 1 button combat, but it's actually quite fun. It's nothing quite original, but the combination of just guard and having to keep you're combo up to actually get most of the bonus like your much needed health keep the combat pretty fun and are a good motivation to play well. It's simple, but it dosen't feel mindless because well the game gives you many reasons to pay attention and well enemies don;t just stand around, so you do have to stay on your toes.
But I don't think the rest of the game holds up in other areas. The levels are pretty boring. There's nothing quite interesting outside of the combat. And some enemies such as those who shoot can be kind of annoying.
But the game's look is fantastic. Grasshopper really does shine in the art and style department and while it's a shallow reason to like their games, they just look cool to me.
As for the story. I have no idea what it was about. I read(rather half-read) I guess an essay about it and it presents some relatively good ideas. If the story was less obtuse about these ideas I'd be happy. Just because something has some deeper elements to it's story or good themes hidden under tons of crap dosen't actually make it good. That's a shame to, because well it does have an interesting set-up. Basically it's an assassin police procedural with crazy shit. It just never does anything. The character's are uninteresting, which was never a problem with previous GH games. And the plot is just so random and/or obtuse that it's hard to enjoy.
Hopefully someone much better at this comes along and does some deep anlyzation of whatever was going on in this game.
As for the gigloo missions. Sadly this seemed to be the main striking point against the game in reviews. I think this is unfair. They aren't fun to play, but they are harmless. They are incredibly tong and cheek portions playing up the simple joke of men staring at women's naughty bits in conversations. Thats it. There's nothing really obscene here and you know what I ignored most of them(I did maybe 2) and got through the game on normal just fine.
I don't know. I really don't know what to think about this game. But I bet this game is going to be looked back upon better then it was on release.
