I KmaC I
August 27th, 2008, 12:32 AM
Too Human is the ultimate combination of Norse mythology and science-fiction. You play as a god, Baldur, a protector whose duty is to ensure humanity survives using your cybernetically enhanced body and mind to unleash powerful abilities. The primal enemy, Loki, and his army of machines will stop at nothing to continue their ongoing onslaught.
http://www.readyuplive.com/postpics/1348b4d73427573.jpg (http://www.readyuplive.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=201)
The action picks up quick, and so does the repetition
As Baldur, you're given four chapters to complete in a roughly ten-hour campaign with a storyline that isn't at all intriguing. If you're expecting a script that will blow your mind, please look elsewhere. Too Human's story has several loose ends and gaps which you are required to tie and fill up, and that's where the problem lies. Instead of Silicon Knights having to present a story with solid information and background information on Norse myhtology, they expect the player to learn these things for themselves. Some might continue to wonder and wonder what's going on and some might be utterly confused. If you've experienced Mass Effect's beefed up story (and the plethora of information on Prothean technology given to you), then you are surely aware of what a science-fiction RPG should offer. Sadly, this much anticipated title does not deliver that true cinematic, flowing experience that grips the player's attention.
http://www.readyuplive.com/postpics/1348b4d784aa009.jpg (http://www.readyuplive.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=202)
Yes, there's an achievement for dying 100 times. It takes roughly 15-20 seconds for the Valkyrie to pick you up. Do the math.
The gameplay is fairly straightforward, tedious, and ridiculously repetitive. Did I mention that it was repetitive? From start to finish, you are put on a linear and wide path where you'll have a group of mechanical monsters and their leader. Fight them and you'll have a few trolls along their way, you can kill them as well as jump on their back with every troll you encounter and endure than same finishing move animation every single time. Then there will be another group of goblins. Finish them off and get to the chapter's end boss. You're done. Rinse and repeat until the game is over. Without a doubt this game is purely hacking and slashing all the way through. What makes Too Human all the more repetitive is the lack of a variety of enemies. You'll face groups of goblins and undead enemies, maybe some Elite goblins and Elite undead, then there are the trolls, a couple other different enemies, and that's about it. Aside from following that same, massive path to the finish line, there are certain areas where you can salvage hidden gold, weaponry, or new armour. There are also things called "wells", which you use to teleport into cyberspace and activate doors or buttons. In all honesty the wells are completely unecessary and don't add quite as much depth to the gameplay and story. Again, not much variety for an RPG.
Despite Too Human's major downfalls and disappointments, there are some aspects worth mentioning which some may find quite enjoyable. Firstly is the artistic style of the game and the graphical presentation overall. The game might not have the spectacular HDR lighting or motion blur seen in many games, but there is some artistic appeal included in its presentation of Norse myhtology. Another important part of the game many seem to enjoy, including myself, is the online cooperative play. Hacking and slashing with a buddy is surprisingly fun and a blast to play, especially when taking all those RPG elements into account. That being said, a single playthrough of the game would not suffice, as the coop experience is much more enjoyable. The only downside is that if you are paired up with a coop partner whose level is much higher than yours, you might as well sit back, watch, and try not to get killed, as the enemies' difficulty level will be higher than your coop partner's, leaving you with some serious competition. Too Human also withholds some great RPG goodness which some can find to be addictive. Collecting money and leveling up your character online while sculpting the best armour suit and weaponry can go a long way. Nearly hundreds of customization combinations are feasable in Too Human, from your helmet to the gloves and footwear, to your rifle, pistols, axes and swords. There are beyond several items to try and play with. Combine all of this customization with online coop, large groups of enemies and utter mayhem, and you just might smile a few times while playing.
http://www.readyuplive.com/postpics/1348b4d82d6b152.jpg (http://www.readyuplive.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=203)
Coop is a blast to play, assuming your partner's skill level doesn't overshadow your own.
Overall, Silicon Knights' Too Human is a sheer disappointment considering the wide range of errors and lack of polish. From the terrible menu navigation, awkward camera angles, frustrating deaths to the glitches, repetitive gameplay elements and lackluster storyline, this game is truly unbalanced. Worth buying? Absolutely not. A great rental? Possibly. Too Human had a lot of potential and unrealized possibilities, it only makes me think, "if they just did this right, what a game it would turn out to be."
Final Score:
6/10
NOTE: Legend of Myth is working on a video review of Too Human (at least I think he his), so check back here soon for it!
http://www.readyuplive.com/postpics/1348b4d73427573.jpg (http://www.readyuplive.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=201)
The action picks up quick, and so does the repetition
As Baldur, you're given four chapters to complete in a roughly ten-hour campaign with a storyline that isn't at all intriguing. If you're expecting a script that will blow your mind, please look elsewhere. Too Human's story has several loose ends and gaps which you are required to tie and fill up, and that's where the problem lies. Instead of Silicon Knights having to present a story with solid information and background information on Norse myhtology, they expect the player to learn these things for themselves. Some might continue to wonder and wonder what's going on and some might be utterly confused. If you've experienced Mass Effect's beefed up story (and the plethora of information on Prothean technology given to you), then you are surely aware of what a science-fiction RPG should offer. Sadly, this much anticipated title does not deliver that true cinematic, flowing experience that grips the player's attention.
http://www.readyuplive.com/postpics/1348b4d784aa009.jpg (http://www.readyuplive.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=202)
Yes, there's an achievement for dying 100 times. It takes roughly 15-20 seconds for the Valkyrie to pick you up. Do the math.
The gameplay is fairly straightforward, tedious, and ridiculously repetitive. Did I mention that it was repetitive? From start to finish, you are put on a linear and wide path where you'll have a group of mechanical monsters and their leader. Fight them and you'll have a few trolls along their way, you can kill them as well as jump on their back with every troll you encounter and endure than same finishing move animation every single time. Then there will be another group of goblins. Finish them off and get to the chapter's end boss. You're done. Rinse and repeat until the game is over. Without a doubt this game is purely hacking and slashing all the way through. What makes Too Human all the more repetitive is the lack of a variety of enemies. You'll face groups of goblins and undead enemies, maybe some Elite goblins and Elite undead, then there are the trolls, a couple other different enemies, and that's about it. Aside from following that same, massive path to the finish line, there are certain areas where you can salvage hidden gold, weaponry, or new armour. There are also things called "wells", which you use to teleport into cyberspace and activate doors or buttons. In all honesty the wells are completely unecessary and don't add quite as much depth to the gameplay and story. Again, not much variety for an RPG.
Despite Too Human's major downfalls and disappointments, there are some aspects worth mentioning which some may find quite enjoyable. Firstly is the artistic style of the game and the graphical presentation overall. The game might not have the spectacular HDR lighting or motion blur seen in many games, but there is some artistic appeal included in its presentation of Norse myhtology. Another important part of the game many seem to enjoy, including myself, is the online cooperative play. Hacking and slashing with a buddy is surprisingly fun and a blast to play, especially when taking all those RPG elements into account. That being said, a single playthrough of the game would not suffice, as the coop experience is much more enjoyable. The only downside is that if you are paired up with a coop partner whose level is much higher than yours, you might as well sit back, watch, and try not to get killed, as the enemies' difficulty level will be higher than your coop partner's, leaving you with some serious competition. Too Human also withholds some great RPG goodness which some can find to be addictive. Collecting money and leveling up your character online while sculpting the best armour suit and weaponry can go a long way. Nearly hundreds of customization combinations are feasable in Too Human, from your helmet to the gloves and footwear, to your rifle, pistols, axes and swords. There are beyond several items to try and play with. Combine all of this customization with online coop, large groups of enemies and utter mayhem, and you just might smile a few times while playing.
http://www.readyuplive.com/postpics/1348b4d82d6b152.jpg (http://www.readyuplive.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=203)
Coop is a blast to play, assuming your partner's skill level doesn't overshadow your own.
Overall, Silicon Knights' Too Human is a sheer disappointment considering the wide range of errors and lack of polish. From the terrible menu navigation, awkward camera angles, frustrating deaths to the glitches, repetitive gameplay elements and lackluster storyline, this game is truly unbalanced. Worth buying? Absolutely not. A great rental? Possibly. Too Human had a lot of potential and unrealized possibilities, it only makes me think, "if they just did this right, what a game it would turn out to be."
Final Score:
6/10
NOTE: Legend of Myth is working on a video review of Too Human (at least I think he his), so check back here soon for it!