"Gears of War" meets "I, Robot"

User Rating: 7 | Binary Domain PC
This game had such potential that even when it satisfies as a solid shooter, it feels as a bit of a letdown. Set in the future in Tokyo, robotics technology has evolved to the point where extremely human-like robots are created, albeit illegally. An international team of commandos is sent to investigate, and this leads to a roller-coaster ride, with the most impressive robot damage system implemented in a game coupled with a cover based third person shooter action mechanics.
The action can be satisfying, but has a tendency to get repetitive at times due to "shoot this, move there" and repeat style gameplay, and although you encounter some very interesting looking enemies like a giant spider robot, killing them requires just pumping them with bullets, and hitting the obvious critical spots, till they drop.
The highlight of the game, without a doubt, is the damage system with the robots. Shoot them at various parts of their body and watching the destruction never gets old. Shoot the arm holding the gun off, and watch them walk over to pick up the gun with the other arm and start shooting. Shoot their legs off, and they'll crawl over to you. Shoot their head off, and they'll turn around and shoot their own team mates. Watching the metal fly off the robots is gorgeous to boot and provides the bulk of the motivation to move through the game.The rest of the graphics is solid and good looking, and while may never reach the best the PC has to offer, is still very pretty and will certainly not disappoint.
What will disappoint though, is a very cliched 80's action flick treatment of a subject matter that had the potential to provide a great backdrop for a sci-fi action game. Those expecting a "Ghost in the Shell" style discussion or treatment of what constitutes a fine line between a robot and a human will be sorely let down, as the story execution is ham fisted, and a sore disappointment.
For all those looking for a pretty sci-fi action movie style video game, approach with caution - if you want a solid third person shooter, this game is definitely worth a go, but those expecting great story telling along with the action and pretty graphics, you have been warned.