So yeah, I am on the verge of rebuilding my PC to accommodate for gaming again so I figured I would review all the games I play on here for anyone who is interested and also, to serve as my own recap of the game :) So behold! My first review of Deadlight.
This is basically a platforming game by Microsoft (available on Xbox Live Arcade), with some action elements, within a Zombie apocalyptic scenario set in the 1980s. You play a survivor called Randall Wayne, a former hunter, who is traversing run-down Seattle in search for his friends and family. You must dodge zombies (known as the Shadows) by blocking paths and maneuvering around the environment acrobatically or eliminate them by axing/gunning them down!
Story/Character Development - 7/10
Pretty default zombie apocalypse plotline really. Zombies everywhere, society has capitulated, various groups of survivors dotted around, militant rebel groups with all the guns and testosterone trying to take control. The background surrounding the protagonist was interesting however; the game utilised a mechanic of finding scraps of his diary on the ground as you progress through the game which, highlights more details about the character himself and where he came from. There were elements about his past I found needed more explanation however and the ending was pretty dire. Felt too rushed.
Superb right from the title screen (has this chilling but incredible soundtrack, I actually kept it on the title screen for a good ten minutes just to fully soak it up :P ). The game draws you into the story at an even pace, dropping clues about what happened as your traverse the levels. You really get a sense of how FUBAR everything is. I loved stumbling through apartment blocks and finding graffiti on the walls or suicide notes next to bodies showing individual struggles.
The platforming elements were superbly done and were to be honest, a breath of fresh air (it was the main thing that caught my attention in the first place). Randall elegantly runs, sprints, leaps, glides and rolls from one thing to the other, using ladders, moveable crates, overhanging wires and a whole manner of Seattle debris to get to his destination. Sometimes a gun is needed to break open a new area and eventually even a slingshot is introduced to help create new paths! Every area offered a new platforming challenge which, kept the game fresh and with zombies scattered throughout the area ready to pounce at a moments notice, you are constantly kept on your toes. The combat aspects of the game were surprisingly good! Axing a zombie to the floor and finishing them off never got old, and blasting a zombie in the head with the handgun or shotgun always proved incredibly satisfying. However, there were times of frustration when the game would throw you into a situation without really giving you a hint as to how to get past it, and it meant I had to die a few times just to understand what to do. I suppose its good that the game refuses to hold your hand and punish you for getting one thing wrong though. Also, for some reason Randall cannot swim... fall into deep water and its game over. How can a hunter, who can leap between buildings not swim? Silly if you ask me!
Replay value - depends/10
For some, this game may have you coming back for more. The platforming aspect alone is good enough to have you coming back, and the few mini games available will only add to that. However, the game is still very linear and I feel at least, that it would only be worth playing through again once a good period of time has passed, so that I have forgotten how to move across the levels :P
Very good game. Surprised me actually. Its presents a decent plot and characters despite the tired concept, its immersive and the gameplay is a lot of fun! However, the last chapter let the score down I think, I won't post spoilers but I will say one thing, escort/babysitting missions in games are BAD. Please developers, leave them out! They are just annoying. Also I felt the ending was terrible, it made absolutely no sense. BUT, despite these points, I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone.
