SourNotHardcore
January 24th, 2010, 07:43 AM
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/5335/bloodbathandbeyond57103.jpg
It’s Hazard time! Or is it? Matt Hazard: Blood Bath and Beyond is D3 Publisher’s latest game. You may remember him from a little game called:Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard. Yes he is back. This time around he’s in a 2D side scroller playground. Limited from his full on array of jokes – the story being told is now in text - along with still images that follow it. According to a joke in the game it tells us they had budget cuts and bad reviews previously. This just makes the game’s text and images usage somewhat boring, as opposed to the usual cinematic storyline.
You play as Matt Hazard who is not voiced by the funny Will Arnett this time around, but they do sound quite similar and it still gives the game its “machismo” appeal. You go along the story chasing down his arch nemesis, since he evidently went back through time and stole 8-Bit Matt Hazard. Then…nope, that pretty much sums it up. Most of the achievements you’ll get through your first playthrough. While others you will need to continue racking up points for or go back to level select once you beat the game.
Click here for some gameplay footage. (http://www.viddler.com/explore/TheXboxDomain/videos/4/)
One thing I did not expect was this to game to be so difficult as the game decides to charge you with an overwhelming display of enemies. They tend to shoot at you from all directions and even into the 3D playfield which is a nice feature, but sometimes it can be frustrating. Given that, the game has Contra-like shooting where you can’t block bullets, which puts you in a position where you have to dodge every single shot. It does reward you with random weapon upgrades that have limited ammo -- A laser beam and a flamethrower that always come in handy.
http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/1174/mhbbbscrn090930print2fnp.jpg
The graphics were nice, as it gives of a rich-smooth layer of epicness to the game as it makes killing the baddies all the more fun. Blood spilling everywhere, making an enemy explode will cause him to go flying onto your screen, and the ragdolls makes this game all the more satisfying. It also comes with a more than useful meter. By killing enemies without dying, you’ll see that your meter starts filling up. Once filled up, this meter can be used to become invincible for a short period and it makes your current weapon upgrade shoot in three directions at once. “It’s Hazard Time!’’
I did have a problem with the controls though. Using the left thumbstick happens to be you’re walking and shooting button. It made it hard to shoot something while walking towards it. Soon after I realized there was another button to have you stand still. Either bumper will let you stand in place so you can get the desired shot you want. As I did get used to it after a level or two a laser would have been an improvement so you can actually see what you’re aiming at. A dual stick system would have been the right way to go.
http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/4184/mhbbbscrn09093039602398.jpg
Some of the levels in the game looked recognizable from other games. It has you go through a Mirror’s Edge, Bioshock, and even a Mario stage with each level containing its usual boss battle at the end. These level bosses range from a walking lighthouse, a gigantic rhino, and even a metal scorpion. Some boss battles are trickier than others, but if you look closely you’ll find an easy way to destroy them.
http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/9705/mhbbbscrn09093013587283.jpg
The game does a great job being a side scroller, but it does lack a few key points that will make the game much more enjoyable although it doesn’t take the fun out of the game. Unless you are playing the hardest difficulty which is right to be called F*** This S**t! Mind you, The co-op play I did not even try. I don't get why this game doesn't have online co-op. It would have been much more fun having an online buddy playing along through the story with you. Shooting into the 3D playfield gives the game much more of a wide variety than the usual 2D scroller, but it would have been more comfortable if it had much better auto-aim.
Overall, Matt Hazard: Blood Bad and Beyond is much more tolerable than it’s previous: Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard. With the game making fun of itself at every corner and having jokes that consist of different games always gives out a laugh. Sure this has been done before, but the corny jokes and it’s unique style of humor makes the game enjoyable. The game may not be worth the full $15 it charges, but it sure comes really close.
+ Great humor
+ Smooth blend of graphics
+ Enjoyable Gameplay
- Overwhelmed too much by enemies
- No online co-op play
- Not a dual-stick shooter
Overall Score
7/10
It’s Hazard time! Or is it? Matt Hazard: Blood Bath and Beyond is D3 Publisher’s latest game. You may remember him from a little game called:Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard. Yes he is back. This time around he’s in a 2D side scroller playground. Limited from his full on array of jokes – the story being told is now in text - along with still images that follow it. According to a joke in the game it tells us they had budget cuts and bad reviews previously. This just makes the game’s text and images usage somewhat boring, as opposed to the usual cinematic storyline.
You play as Matt Hazard who is not voiced by the funny Will Arnett this time around, but they do sound quite similar and it still gives the game its “machismo” appeal. You go along the story chasing down his arch nemesis, since he evidently went back through time and stole 8-Bit Matt Hazard. Then…nope, that pretty much sums it up. Most of the achievements you’ll get through your first playthrough. While others you will need to continue racking up points for or go back to level select once you beat the game.
Click here for some gameplay footage. (http://www.viddler.com/explore/TheXboxDomain/videos/4/)
One thing I did not expect was this to game to be so difficult as the game decides to charge you with an overwhelming display of enemies. They tend to shoot at you from all directions and even into the 3D playfield which is a nice feature, but sometimes it can be frustrating. Given that, the game has Contra-like shooting where you can’t block bullets, which puts you in a position where you have to dodge every single shot. It does reward you with random weapon upgrades that have limited ammo -- A laser beam and a flamethrower that always come in handy.
http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/1174/mhbbbscrn090930print2fnp.jpg
The graphics were nice, as it gives of a rich-smooth layer of epicness to the game as it makes killing the baddies all the more fun. Blood spilling everywhere, making an enemy explode will cause him to go flying onto your screen, and the ragdolls makes this game all the more satisfying. It also comes with a more than useful meter. By killing enemies without dying, you’ll see that your meter starts filling up. Once filled up, this meter can be used to become invincible for a short period and it makes your current weapon upgrade shoot in three directions at once. “It’s Hazard Time!’’
I did have a problem with the controls though. Using the left thumbstick happens to be you’re walking and shooting button. It made it hard to shoot something while walking towards it. Soon after I realized there was another button to have you stand still. Either bumper will let you stand in place so you can get the desired shot you want. As I did get used to it after a level or two a laser would have been an improvement so you can actually see what you’re aiming at. A dual stick system would have been the right way to go.
http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/4184/mhbbbscrn09093039602398.jpg
Some of the levels in the game looked recognizable from other games. It has you go through a Mirror’s Edge, Bioshock, and even a Mario stage with each level containing its usual boss battle at the end. These level bosses range from a walking lighthouse, a gigantic rhino, and even a metal scorpion. Some boss battles are trickier than others, but if you look closely you’ll find an easy way to destroy them.
http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/9705/mhbbbscrn09093013587283.jpg
The game does a great job being a side scroller, but it does lack a few key points that will make the game much more enjoyable although it doesn’t take the fun out of the game. Unless you are playing the hardest difficulty which is right to be called F*** This S**t! Mind you, The co-op play I did not even try. I don't get why this game doesn't have online co-op. It would have been much more fun having an online buddy playing along through the story with you. Shooting into the 3D playfield gives the game much more of a wide variety than the usual 2D scroller, but it would have been more comfortable if it had much better auto-aim.
Overall, Matt Hazard: Blood Bad and Beyond is much more tolerable than it’s previous: Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard. With the game making fun of itself at every corner and having jokes that consist of different games always gives out a laugh. Sure this has been done before, but the corny jokes and it’s unique style of humor makes the game enjoyable. The game may not be worth the full $15 it charges, but it sure comes really close.
+ Great humor
+ Smooth blend of graphics
+ Enjoyable Gameplay
- Overwhelmed too much by enemies
- No online co-op play
- Not a dual-stick shooter
Overall Score
7/10