In Biggest Gaming Disappointments: Episode 1 we explored how the existence of some games (Rise of the Robots) and the absence of others (Shenmue 3) has disappointed gamers as well as the disenchantment that many feel with Nintendo’s new direction and the frustration caused by wonky game charts. Oh, and Jack Thomson was in there too. If you haven’t read it already get over there now and do so. It’s really rather good, in a disappointing kind of way.
In Biggest Gaming Disappointments: Episode 2 the tale of disillusionment continues, so step inside and experience cathartic relief as others who have felt the stinging slap of disappointment share their tales of woe. We all love gaming but that which is contained within has left a sour taste in many a gamers mouth...
Perfect Dark Zero
Mmmm, shiny. Vacuous. But shiny.
Joanna Dark, Rare and Microsoft each had a weight on their shoulders with the release of Perfect Dark Zero for here was an opportunity for this high profile 360 launch title to provide answers to myriad questions. Would Perfect Dark’s viability as an exciting and lucrative franchise be realised? Was this to be Rare’s thunderous return to form after an average couple of years? Would the world see why Microsoft had paid a reported $377 million for the British Developer and former Nintendo darling? Could Microsoft silence the dissenters who claimed that they had made a premature leap to the ‘next generation’?
The answer to all of these questions based on this evidence was a dissatisfying and curiously shiny; no.
“You know that look on a kid’s face when he buys an ice cream and promptly drops it on the ground? That mixture of sheer horror and upset? That’s me playing Perfect Dark Zero.” - rumblecat
The acrylic sheen of the aesthetics suggested that the art team’s vision of 2020, the year in which the game is set, was one in which buildings, landscapes and even water would be made of shiny plastic and everyone would be dressed in latex. Underneath the ‘next gen’ bubblegum glare was a never- more-than-competent shooter with some ludicrous moments of blatant signposting, awkward pacing and a hoard of enemies that seemed near bullet proof at times. Their corpses (When the game engine accepted that a bullet entering their little digital head should on this occasion result in death) were prone to bounce around the environment as though made of rubber.
A missed opportunity for all involved then, and the near desecration of a promising franchise. With rumours of a sequel to Perfect Dark Zero in the works we can but hope that Rare rediscover their once golden touch and deliver the game that this one should have been. And tone down the fast food restaurant plastic furniture.
“Every so often I go back to the game just to check it’s as bad as I remember, but sometimes to be honest it’s not. It’s even worse.”- rumblecat
