The Official Lair Thread - Update with Analog Control + DLC on April 15

[quote name='Rei no Otaku']This is exactly the problem. I had no trouble controlling the dragon, and I went through flight training completely. Flying around was easy, and fun. It was the horrific lock-on that killed the game for me. No matter how much you like the game you have to admit the targeting system sucks ass.

It would be like me not admitting that DW: Gundam can get repetative.[/QUOTE]
You just have to know how to work it. From what I've noticed is that it'll lock on to whatever the most important thing is on the screen. For example if there are Rhinos/Tauros on the battlefield it'll lock on to that if it's in you field of view over other dragons or whatever else.

Also if having trouble with lock-on I thought it was easiest just to go to rage vision. That usually worked to take out a group of dragons/cannons/whatever.

It can get annoying, but if you aren't locked on to what you want to be locked on to let go for the lock-on button and try again.
 
[quote name='-Never4ever-']Aren't you the person that actually liked Sonic 360?[/QUOTE]

Aren't you the fucking tard who thinks Zelda is a RPG? Yeah thought so. :roll: Dude just STFU while you are ahead. He is aloud to like Sonic for whatever system he wants. Also I am pretty sure he doesn't like it for 360, I think he likes it for PS3 there tard. Since oh ya know he doesn't own a 360. Lol wow.... you win the tard of the day award. Congrats! :applause:
 
[quote name='whoknows']I'm going to go ahead and call you a fucking moron for bringing that up since I don't know how many times you have, but it has been a lot. I'm allowed to like it, and there are WAY worse games out there that sell amazingly well, but I don't go attacking people for buying/enjoying them.

LAIR is a fantastic game, people just don't like not having the choice of controls, and the motion controls do work, and pretty well as a matter of fact.

Played through LAIR a second time and still enjoyed it.



It's more like people don't want to accept motion control with the PS3.[/QUOTE]

It's okay to call me names, it just severely hurts your argument. I've pointed out quite a few times that you like games people like myself do not like (aka "shitty"). I used your past judgment as a basis for your opinion on Lair. It's not my fault your taste in games isn't up to par with mine.

Your notorious for being a big flaming Sony fan-boy (I think only Mana "I-would-cut-myself-for-Sony" Knight has you beat), as well as liking some of the most ill-regarded games in history. It's safe to say your opinion is pretty damn moot at this point.

I was considering giving this a rent, but again, I have two other systems with a plethora of games to get through. Metroid Prime 3, Blue Dragon, Jeane De Arc, Phoenix Wright 3, Super Mario Strikers, Strangle Hold (drops this week), Two Worlds, Warhawk and this is just *NEW* titles that I could come with in a span of minutes (not to mention a Backlog that has games from 2004 that i *still* need to get through). With so much AAA++++ games to get through, why the hell am I even going to bother with what is quickly becoming this years Drakenguard?

Maybe if they drop a demo (and soon), but as someone else said earlier, that might do more harm than good.

[quote name='whoknows']

It's more like people don't want to accept motion control with the PS3.[/QUOTE]

It's not that people don't want to accept it, just that it very rarely works. It's a poorly planned, and thus poorly implemented feature. Not liek it matters, it seems like Lair has a good number of other problems than just "OMFG STFU YOU JUST DON'T KNOW HWO 2 PLAY PS3 NERD TARD~!11!!!1"

[quote name='Silent Assassin120']Aren't you the fucking tard who thinks Zelda is a RPG? Yeah thought so. :roll: Dude just STFU while you are ahead. He is aloud to like Sonic for whatever system he wants. Also I am pretty sure he doesn't like it for 360, I think he likes it for PS3 there tard. Since oh ya know he doesn't own a 360. Lol wow.... you win the tard of the day award. Congrats! :applause:[/QUOTE]

Most games in the Legend of Zelda series are Action-RPGs. If you want to think otherwise, go ahead.

You calling me a "tard" that's hilarious. If it didn't look like someone who has Down syndrome wrote that post, perhaps I would feel hurt.
 
[quote name='-Never4ever-']It's okay to call me names, it just severely hurts your argument. I've pointed out quite a few times that you like games people like myself do not like (aka "shitty"). I used your past judgment as a basis for your opinion on Lair. It's not my fault your taste in games isn't up to par with mine.

Your notorious for being a big flaming Sony fan-boy (I think only Mana "I-would-cut-myself-for-Sony" Knight has you beat), as well as liking some of the most ill-regarded games in history. It's safe to say your opinion is pretty damn moot at this point.

I was considering giving this a rent, but again, I have two other systems with a plethora of games to get through. Metroid Prime 3, Blue Dragon, Jeane De Arc, Phoenix Wright 3, Super Mario Strikers, Strangle Hold (drops this week), Two Worlds, Warhawk and this is just *NEW* titles that I could come with in a span of minutes (not to mention a Backlog that has games from 2004 that i *still* need to get through). With so much AAA++++ games to get through, why the hell am I even going to bother with what is quickly becoming this years Drakenguard?

Maybe if they drop a demo (and soon), but as someone else said earlier, that might do more harm than good.



Most games in the Legend of Zelda series are Action-RPGs. If you want to think otherwise, go ahead.

You calling me a "tard" that's hilarious. If it didn't look like someone who has down syndrome wrote that post, perhaps I would feel hurt.[/QUOTE]

:rofl:

Please claim your award. Kthxbi.
 
[quote name='-Never4ever-']It's okay to call me names, it just severely hurts your argument. I've pointed out quite a few times that you like games people like myself do not like (aka "shitty"). I used your past judgment as a basis for your opinion on Lair. It's not my fault your taste in games isn't up to par with mine.

Your notorious for being a big flaming Sony fan-boy (I think only Mana "I-would-cut-myself-for-Sony" Knight has you beat), as well as liking some of the most ill-regarded games in history. It's safe to say your opinion is pretty damn moot at this point.

I was considering giving this a rent, but again, I have two other systems with a plethora of games to get through. Metroid Prime 3, Blue Dragon, Jeane De Arc, Phoenix Wright 3, Super Mario Strikers, Strangle Hold (drops this week), Two Worlds, Warhawk and this is just *NEW* titles that I could come with in a span of minutes (not to mention a Backlog that has games from 2004 that i *still* need to get through). With so much AAA++++ games to get through, why the hell am I even going to bother with what is quickly becoming this years Drakenguard?

Maybe if they drop a demo (and soon), but as someone else said earlier, that might do more harm than good.[/QUOTE]
The fact that you constantly bring up me liking Sonic does make you a moron. Get over it. I like enjoy it and have fun playing it. I never said it was an amazing game, I just said I liked it. So again, get over it.

I wouldn't call a single game you listed AAA. Maybe MP3, but thats it. Blue Dragon isn't anywhere near AAA, it's just a cookie cutter J-RPG. Jeane De Arc, haven't played it, but judging by reviews, also not AAA. Two Worlds? No, Phoenix Wright? No, Warhawk? Nope. Mario Strikers? :lol: Stranglehold? not AAA either.

In any case, I wouldn't say my tastes aren't "up to par" with yours, since you seem to like the more generic games. Enjoy only playing games that other people approve of you playing.

And you say based on past experience of me liking awful games? What else besides Sonic have you called me out on?

It's not that people don't want to accept it, just that it very rarely works. It's a poorly planned, and thus poorly implemented feature. Not liek it matters, it seems like Lair has a good number of other problems than just "OMFG STFU YOU JUST DON'T KNOW HWO 2 PLAY PS3 NERD TARD~!11!!!1"
It works great in LAIR. I played it, my friend played it, my sister played it, my mom played it. I don't know why people are having huge problems with the controls, but I'd really like to watch those people play it. The only way I can think of them having such big problems with it is if they're having a seizure while playing.



Most games in the Legend of Zelda series are Action-RPGs. If you want to think otherwise, go ahead.

You calling me a "tard" that's hilarious. If it didn't look like someone who has down syndrome wrote that post, perhaps I would feel hurt.
It was shown in the other thread that Zelda is not an RPG, and then you resorted to namecalling. I'd say you're the tard.
 
The Wii has horrible controls on most of their games, people accept motion controls there because they barely have any other choice. On PS3 being forced to use motion controls is worse, because our controller designs allows for gamers to have a choice. That's why people aren't as willing to accept full motion controls on PS3, because the controller still allows for basic controls. I bought 60 warhawk, and 30 dollar tekken, so I'm out of my allotted video game funding... I'm going to try out lair, and get used to the controls so I can enjoy motion controls.
 
Interesting that this game can be played via remote play on the PSP....
 
[quote name='whoknows']I'm going to go ahead and call you a fucking moron for bringing that up since I don't know how many times you have, but it has been a lot. I'm allowed to like it, and there are WAY worse games out there that sell amazingly well, but I don't go attacking people for buying/enjoying them.

LAIR is a fantastic game, people just don't like not having the choice of controls, and the motion controls do work, and pretty well as a matter of fact.

Played through LAIR a second time and still enjoyed it.



It's more like people don't want to accept motion control with the PS3.[/QUOTE]Never4ever or whatever his name is, he's been on my ignore forever, since I learned long ago he's ONLY in the Sony forum to troll (He said once he wants Sony to die), like a few other certain people.
[quote name='Silent Assassin120']Aren't you the fucking tard who thinks Zelda is a RPG? Yeah thought so. :roll: Dude just STFU while you are ahead. He is aloud to like Sonic for whatever system he wants. Also I am pretty sure he doesn't like it for 360, I think he likes it for PS3 there tard. Since oh ya know he doesn't own a 360. Lol wow.... you win the tard of the day award. Congrats! :applause:[/QUOTE]Lol, yeah, he's just saying crap again to cause trouble. I liked MS Saga a lot on PS2, and oh course it got bad reviews.
 
[quote name='Thomas96']LOL that's a good point I forgot.. I remember when I played Mario 64 for the first time, (first time I used analog controls) I thought I was never going to be able to use the analog controls. But analog controls were meant to be a primary control scheme. On the ps3 I think people like it more as a secondary function - (ex. Folklore's use of the motion controls to pull souls from enemies) but like you said... it could turn out that people will be more accepting of the PS3 motion controls. Its probably already accepted... by fans.. only reviewers hate the game; if this game was on the Wii w/ the same control scheme... how would it be rated / accepted?[/QUOTE]Yeah, because when Mario 64 came out, I knew many who became frustrated with balancing on a tiny edge.
[quote name='whoknows']I'm going to go ahead and call you a fucking moron for bringing that up since I don't know how many times you have, but it has been a lot. I'm allowed to like it, and there are WAY worse games out there that sell amazingly well, but I don't go attacking people for buying/enjoying them.

LAIR is a fantastic game, people just don't like not having the choice of controls, and the motion controls do work, and pretty well as a matter of fact.

Played through LAIR a second time and still enjoyed it.



It's more like people don't want to accept motion control with the PS3.[/QUOTE]Never4ever or whatever his name is, he's been on my ignore forever, since I learned long ago he's ONLY in the Sony forum to troll (He said once he wants Sony to die), like a few other certain people.
[quote name='Silent Assassin120']Aren't you the fucking tard who thinks Zelda is a RPG? Yeah thought so. :roll: Dude just STFU while you are ahead. He is aloud to like Sonic for whatever system he wants. Also I am pretty sure he doesn't like it for 360, I think he likes it for PS3 there tard. Since oh ya know he doesn't own a 360. Lol wow.... you win the tard of the day award. Congrats! :applause:[/QUOTE]Lol, yeah, he's just saying crap again to cause trouble. I liked MS Saga a lot on PS2, and oh course it got bad reviews.

I heard the Firmware 1.92 update now makes the SIXAXIS controls more responsive. If anyone has Lair, did you notice a difference since the update?
 
this is the interview that EGM did with Factor 5 President Julian Eggebrecht -

EGM: Lair supports only motion-control in-flight. Why not at least give players the option to use the analgo sticks?

JE: We debated that a long time, but we didn't want to offer worse controls - and Lair does control worse and less precisely with the stick control for the air. It also destroys some of the connection to the feeling of gliding with a living creature.

EGM: Despite the objective-highlighting Rage Visition and mission arrow it can still be tricky to figure out what you're doing and discern enemies from allies. Why not just go with a radar system?

JE: We really did not want to turn this into a craft game. Lair is about a living creature, and a radar pulls it way too far into tech territory. It destroys the sense of natural flying.

EGM: The lock-on system is complex and seems to have a mind of its own sometimes. Why not opt for a simpler system?

JE: It is quite simple - hit L1 or R1 and you lock an enemy that is lit. You can also hold the buttons to lock, but I prefer the quick tap of the button.

EGM: And finally, why does every beast in this game explode? Seriously, do they all have nitroglycerin for blood?

JE: Hydrogen, Its like zeppelins from the 1930s, and they blew up all the time.
 
Anyone knows what happens if you use a third party controller when you play Lair, does it default to the analog sticks.
 
[quote name='kube00']Anyone knows what happens if you use a third party controller when you play Lair, does it default to the analog sticks.[/quote]Yes, it's been stated in the thread as well.
 
[quote name='Thomas96']this is the interview that EGM did with Factor 5 President Julian Eggebrecht -

EGM: Lair supports only motion-control in-flight. Why not at least give players the option to use the analgo sticks?

JE: We debated that a long time, but we didn't want to offer worse controls - and Lair does control worse and less precisely with the stick control for the air. It also destroys some of the connection to the feeling of gliding with a living creature.

EGM: Despite the objective-highlighting Rage Visition and mission arrow it can still be tricky to figure out what you're doing and discern enemies from allies. Why not just go with a radar system?

JE: We really did not want to turn this into a craft game. Lair is about a living creature, and a radar pulls it way too far into tech territory. It destroys the sense of natural flying.

EGM: The lock-on system is complex and seems to have a mind of its own sometimes. Why not opt for a simpler system?

JE: It is quite simple - hit L1 or R1 and you lock an enemy that is lit. You can also hold the buttons to lock, but I prefer the quick tap of the button.

EGM: And finally, why does every beast in this game explode? Seriously, do they all have nitroglycerin for blood?

JE: Hydrogen, Its like zeppelins from the 1930s, and they blew up all the time.[/quote]

Interesting read, so it sounds like they were SOL on control mechanics anyways with regards to keeping it "realistic"

I like the last Q&A heh heh, I'd like to see them explode, reminds me of the beasts with the big ass flaming gun in Resistance. I loved killing those guys, their deaths were surprising and neat.
 
[quote name='whoknows']Finished my 2nd playthrough. Good stuff.

There is only 1 level I got annoyed with, the rest are awesome.[/quote]It true that controls are a little better with the update?

I don't see how but many credible people are saying so.

i replayed the search lights level and yes, the controls ARE improved, before i got caught 29304839204832 times, this time? not once, i had full control over what i was doing.
 
[quote name='dallow']It true that controls are a little better with the update?

I don't see how but many credible people are saying so.[/QUOTE]
That's the level I was talking about :p

And no, I haven't really noticed a difference.
 
[quote name='The Mana Knight']
Never4ever or whatever his name is, he's been on my ignore forever, since I learned long ago he's ONLY in the Sony forum to troll (He said once he wants Sony to die), like a few other certain people.
Lol, yeah, he's just saying crap again to cause trouble. I liked MS Saga a lot on PS2, and oh course it got bad reviews.
[/QUOTE]

LOL, I never thought I meant so much to you.:lol:

I don't go anywhere to troll. Trust me, if I wanted to troll, you would have quit coming here ages ago (ignore system be damned).

Again, just because you liked a game, does not mean it's good. I liked tons of games I know blow chunks. If all anyone said on this thread was "Lair has such & such flaws, and it kind of sucks, but I really like it anyhow" I wouldn't have a problem. But the ongoing consensus from the Sony Defense Force is to praise everything released on PS3 and unanimously bash everything on other systems / any publication that disagrees with them.

For the record, my opinion of Laur is ______. I've yet to play it, and I'm withholding final judgment until I do.
 
[quote name='snakelda']you beat it twice already?Is it really short?[/QUOTE]
It must be, if he's only had it since Friday evening.
 
It is a short game. You can beat Gears and GodofWar in about the same amount of time.

What game nowadays last for much longer other than RPGS?

Whoknows has been playing it nonstop as well.
 
Gears has multiplayer to keep the replay value high; God of War, I don't know, I hated that game, but GOW2 took me about 10-12 hours.

I really can't buy games without a solid multiplayer experience (unless they are fantastic, ICO & SotC), even a game like Bioshock I'm already done with and wish I had not bought it. I need to get a Gamefly account.
 
Yeah, Gears has multi.

GoW is about 6 hours if you're quick, takes a little longer the first time through, just like Lair.

I don't need multi, but it's nice.
I have tons of short games that I've probably paid too much for.
 
[quote name='snakelda']you beat it twice already?Is it really short?[/QUOTE]
I think theres 14 levels maybe?

It's not too short, it's just all I've been playing. Flying over a battle where thousands of soldiers of fighting is just awesome.

Gets even more awesome when you land in a group of them and start taking them out like they're nothing :D
 
[quote name='zewone']Gears has multiplayer to keep the replay value high; God of War, I don't know, I hated that game, but GOW2 took me about 10-12 hours.

I really can't buy games without a solid multiplayer experience (unless they are fantastic, ICO & SotC), even a game like Bioshock I'm already done with and wish I had not bought it. I need to get a Gamefly account.[/QUOTE]

My major problem is games with a lot of unlockables. I just have to unlock and perfect everything. That usually takes forever, so by the time I'm finished, the game is totally boring to me. I never want to get online for even one second after that. I play on LIVE from time to time. I think if there is going to be single player only, then a lot of unlockables is ok. Otherwise, I think it sucks.

I like playing FPS on my PC online when I get an itch to go online gaming. I just grew up playing PC games online, so it's just awkward playing console games the same way. The last game I played online a lot for a console (like hours upon hours) was PGR2. I thought PGR3 was trash.
 
[quote name='opportunity777']I like playing FPS on my PC online when I get an itch to go online gaming. I just grew up playing PC games online, so it's just awkward playing console games the same way. The last game I played online a lot for a console (like hours upon hours) was PGR2. I thought PGR3 was trash.[/quote]

Heh heh heh, same here. I'm always just a couple clicks away from playing CS Source :p

Last console game I ever played on-line extensively was Halo 2 about 4-5 years ago.
 
I'm looking at frames at this website, frameusa.com.

And one of their products is imported, but their picture for it looks kinda.. well...

NotInUSA.gif
 
[quote name='Thomas96']I think I might trade Madden 08 in and get Lair...[/quote]

I am still trying to rent it lol Gamefly is out of stock...blockbuster here I come.
 
[quote name='Inf^Shini']Heh heh heh, same here. I'm always just a couple clicks away from playing CS Source :p

Last console game I ever played on-line extensively was Halo 2 about 4-5 years ago.[/quote]
You played Halo 2 two years before it came out? ;)
 
[quote name='FriskyTanuki']You played Halo 2 two years before it came out? ;)[/quote]
Yes I did, I had a hook up ;)

j/k, guess I was thinking of CS Source, which I started playing about 5 years ago.

Halo 2 was about 2 1/2 years ago then :p, and I played until my xbox live subscription ended. I never re-activated it b/c I was tired of all the modder out there, they pretty much ruined the game for me and more and more kept appearing. I was even in parties with modders, so that annoyed me as well.

Going out of maps and exploring was pretty fun though and I knew a bunch of tricks/glitches. Shoot, a group of us even came up with a clan and went from level 1 to 18 in about 2 1/2 hours I think, meh, it was fun while it lasted.
 
[quote name='Fuzzibunny']I am still trying to rent it lol Gamefly is out of stock...blockbuster here I come.[/QUOTE]

Hell, my Blockbuster only has it for sale... not for rent. I need to call them tomorrow to see if they're ever going to get it in.
 
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/24533.html

Watched it in motion, not impressed. Weirdly enough, all I could think about while watching that review was Sonic 360 :lol:

I just sent back a bunch of games to Gamefly, and this is actually in my top Q. Learning that Lair is incredibly short actually helped along my decision to try and rent it. Even if it turns out to be terrible / mediocre, I won't have to spend much time with it.
 
Played all the tutorials and the first four or five stages today.

There is no way this game is a 4.9. That score to me is them buying into the hype and then trying to make a silly fourth grade statement. I'll also throw out that the game has some problems and is no way a 9. I think about a 7.5.

Controls were fine for me, my main gripe is framerate issues and some weird camera controls here and there. I actually found the dragons quite easy to control, I don't see what the big deal is. Targetting was fine too.

It was purchased using Enchanted Arms credit so in the end I'll probably beat it and trade it in for the $36 that Blockbuster will probably give for it and use it for a AAA title, without really losing any cash.

Just wanted to throw out another opinion for those on the fence. Not a great game, but a decent game that with a few tweaks could be fantastic. You could do a lot worse and the game doesnt belong in the company of a lot of the games that are reviewed that poorly.
 
I dont know exactly how much Lair costs to develop, but I'm sure its in the millions... 10, 15, 20, ... etc. If your game gets reviewed, and at least one person says hey, this might be better using the analog pad. Instead of defending the choice to only use motion controls... add analog controls to the game as an option. Why run the risk of losing money and having the game end up in the bargin bin in 2 weeks, when you can improve implement controls that might be more accepted. - overall.. factor 5, just patch the damn game, and ask the media to give the game another review. [not that I really give a damn about reviews... ]
 
^^

They should have just delayed the game and fixed/tweaked everything. Shoot, put out a demo, wait for feedback, then go from there even. If I was spending millions on developing a game, I'd make damn sure people are feelin' and lovin' it.

Hopefully (well maybe for some not), they might come out with a Lair 2, revamp/overhaul the engine and definitely work out the kinks with the locking and motion control system, and just put analog controls for those who don't fancy motion controls at all.

That's just based opinion from everything I've heard and read so far, but I have yet to play the game.
 
They did delay the game.

They should have added analog controls as an option. I'm not a fan of any motion controls.
 
They should have pushed this game to next year...

The only problems are things that could be fixed. Bugs, framerate, interface and controls.

It seems like the core designers did a great job but the ending QA and smoothing the game out was rushed.

They should give a year to solely smoothing it out.
 
I wanted to love this game so much, but on the second level I was just flailing around like crazy trying to kill things but it wouldn't lock on or hit what I wanted and things kept dying and I'm surprised I even got through it.

Then I downloaded the update and came back and played with a cool head, and I can do it. You just got to calm down, this isn't Ace Combat. Also, you can just destroy tons of ice dragons just by looking at one and pressing O, which seems pretty broken to me.

I guess I'm not going to return my rental just yet.
 
[quote name='ReaperZER0']I wanted to love this game so much, but on the second level I was just flailing around like crazy trying to kill things but it wouldn't lock on or hit what I wanted and things kept dying and I'm surprised I even got through it.

Then I downloaded the update and came back and played with a cool head, and I can do it. You just got to calm down, this isn't Ace Combat. Also, you can just destroy tons of ice dragons just by looking at one and pressing O, which seems pretty broken to me.

I guess I'm not going to return my rental just yet.[/QUOTE]
When you see a group of them, a way to quickly take them down is hold down on the dpad and then shoot a bunch of fireballs. They automatically lock on.
 
[quote name='zewone']They did delay the game.

They should have added analog controls as an option. I'm not a fan of any motion controls.[/quote]

I know they delayed it, what I meant is what DarkNessBear just said, push the game back and fix what they can and throw in analog controls to appease the non-motion control crowd
 
Over at IGN, from Eggebrecht:

"The Sixaxis motion control itself feels a lot more organic and free-form than the rigid controls of other flight games and does much better for casual players, as we saw in focus tests. It does seem to alienate some reviewers who are at the top of the hardcore crowd and seem to have a passionate hate for all things motion, be it Wii Sports with sometimes absurdly low scores for what might become the defining game of this generation, or Lair as their newest poster child of evil. It's an unfortunate development that, if the players themselves listen too much to the motion-hatred message, will divide the gaming community. Our potential for growth as an art form for the mainstream is in the easier-to-access control schemes that might be less precise but a lot of fun."

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/818/818294p1.html

Guy's got a good point. Personally, I think the controls could have been tighter, but IMO, it's a better game than the higher-scored Heavenly Sword.
 
[quote name='trq']Over at IGN, from Eggebrecht:

"The Sixaxis motion control itself feels a lot more organic and free-form than the rigid controls of other flight games and does much better for casual players, as we saw in focus tests. It does seem to alienate some reviewers who are at the top of the hardcore crowd and seem to have a passionate hate for all things motion, be it Wii Sports with sometimes absurdly low scores for what might become the defining game of this generation, or Lair as their newest poster child of evil. It's an unfortunate development that, if the players themselves listen too much to the motion-hatred message, will divide the gaming community. Our potential for growth as an art form for the mainstream is in the easier-to-access control schemes that might be less precise but a lot of fun."

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/818/818294p1.html

Guy's got a good point. Personally, I think the controls could have been tighter, but IMO, it's a better game than the higher-scored Heavenly Sword.[/QUOTE]


I agree with him in the that "potential growth as an art for from the mainstream is in easier-to-access control schemes" however, I strongly disagree with "less precise but a lot of fun" Precision is of utmost importance... if you get mainstreamers into the games, soon they're going to want more something more precise, and then its... "oh sorry we're making it more fun and less precise for people who haven't fully embraced video games.' Don't sacrifice gameplay to satisfy anyone... becuase then you're limiting your art work.
 
[quote name='bstan21']Played all the tutorials and the first four or five stages today.

There is no way this game is a 4.9. That score to me is them buying into the hype and then trying to make a silly fourth grade statement. I'll also throw out that the game has some problems and is no way a 9. I think about a 7.5.

Controls were fine for me, my main gripe is framerate issues and some weird camera controls here and there. I actually found the dragons quite easy to control, I don't see what the big deal is. Targetting was fine too.
[/QUOTE]

I agree with you. Here's my take on it:

Lair mini-Review (I'm about 7-8 levels in thus far) [On a 5 point scale]

Graphics - 4 out of 5
Beautiful. Very nice. The cut-scenes are considerably nicer than in game, I would assume because of the scope of everything going on. In game is nothing to sneeze at though. It is impressive swooping down to land and there is an entire battle going on with hundreds of troops that you can get in the middle of and wreak some havoc.

Sound - 4 out of 5
Excellent score. Has a LOTR vibe and works really well with the dragon theme. It doesn't have a memorable theme, but the score during battle makes it feel epic. Sound effects are average, but the score makes up for it. Voice acting is decent but nothing noteworthy.

Story - 3.5 out of 5
Solid. Two warring factions the Asylains and Mokai are at odds with each other. At this point the Asylains (me) have been mostly been defending the city from the raids of the Mokai. After a half dozen levels, a peace treaty was drawn up but something went wrong and there was some backstabbing. Now the Asylains are on the offensive and heading into enemy territory.

Control - 3 out of 5
The one everyone wants to know. Are they THAT bad? In a word, no. They aren't great either, just kind of 'there.' I have had almost zero issues controlling my dragon. I've only died once because of the controls, and that was mostly due to it being a 'quicktime event' that caught me off guard when I thought it was a cut-scene. Since this is my first real experience with the Sixaxis, I'm not sure if it is programming, but the Wiimote is far more responsive. As for the actual fighting, it is pretty good. You can lock-target and fireball away at the enemies, or fly in close to trigger an actual mid-air fight where each face button is a different action and the R buttons are defensive maneuvers. Much more action than I anticipated.

Overall - 3.5 out of 5
Overall, I'm liking it, just not loving it. I do want to get back and finish it, as the controls have not turned me off as it apparently did for almost every reviewer out there. I wholeheartedly believe that this game's review scores are based solely on the controls, as every other aspect of the game is pretty solid. I think it would definitely scored much higher if it had a traditional analog control scheme, or at least an option to choose, ala Motorstorm. There are some framerate and clipping issues, but none so bad to ruin or tarnish the experience.

The comparisons to Rogue Squadron are very justified. Barring controls, if you liked those games, Lair will be right up your alley. The missions are eerily similar. Escorting, taking out turrets, dogfighting, it's all pretty much the same in a new setting. Some of the screeching dragons even sound like a screeching TIE coming toward you. lol The replay value stems from the same setup as the RS series, which consists of medals you received based on your perfomance. I can't imagine someone going for the gold in this game like Rogue Squadron. It just seems more tedious in Lair.

I'd say the game is definitely worth a rental, but I'd find it hard to justify a $60 investment. If you buy cheap, I'd wait for a price point around $20-$30. I'd say the $40 deal at CC is still pushing it.
 
bread's done
Back
Top