Post by Scarface on Apr 25, 2008 19:42:57 GMT -5
2nd Review
Enjoy!
Of course, if we're being fair, it's actually hard to accept one of those final conclusions without accepting the other. Truth be told, Appaloosa's JAWS Unleashed embraces both of those justifications rather symbiotically (much like barberfish and hammerheads do in real life). Though it's correct that JAWS does suffer from a number of bothersome glitches, numerous camera issues, and sometimes-infuriating lock-ups, it also benefits from a number of gruesomely satisfying missions, a large environment to play around with, and unique combat maneuvers that you just can't do in any other game. Of those, which sounds more tolerable?
But let's start with the basics: what is JAWS Unleashed anyway? In the simplest of terms it's yet another entry in the increasingly popular line of genre-blending "sandbox" games. In other words, the development team has given you an entire world to explore and now it's your job to go out and play in it. And play in it you can! There are three major coasts around Amity Island with multiple environment types in each area (swampland canals, ship graveyards, traditional beaches, etc), and a number of destructible objects can be found in all of them (harbors, boats, jet skis, animals, you name it). Moreover, players can also opt to take part in story-based missions or unrelated sidequests whenever they want and continue to go on with things even after they've finished they game.
But what's that I said? "Story-based missions?" Believe it or not, JAWS Unleashed does try to tell one... painfully generic and short as it may be (the abbreviated plot: everyone wants to kill the shark... surprise!). Uninspired yarn aside, the narrative does provide the means for our friend Bruce (that's the shark) to get into some pretty interesting situations. A rampage through a Sea World-like theme park, the destruction of a pollution-causing chemical plant, and cool boss battles against things we only wish we'd see on Animal Planet (Great White vs. Orca baby!) are just a few of the circumstances you'll find yourself in.
JAWS Unleashed is one of those difficult kinds of games to pigeonhole because it has such strong plusses and minuses. What it really boils down to is "What kind of experience are you're looking for?" Are you a "My ocean is half-full" kind of a guy or a "my ocean is half-empty" sort of person? From our perspective, we tend to lean in the more positive direction because the destruction and people-eating is just so dang fun despite all the camera problems. Overall JAWS Unleashed is a very cool, fun, game.
9/10
Enjoy!
Of course, if we're being fair, it's actually hard to accept one of those final conclusions without accepting the other. Truth be told, Appaloosa's JAWS Unleashed embraces both of those justifications rather symbiotically (much like barberfish and hammerheads do in real life). Though it's correct that JAWS does suffer from a number of bothersome glitches, numerous camera issues, and sometimes-infuriating lock-ups, it also benefits from a number of gruesomely satisfying missions, a large environment to play around with, and unique combat maneuvers that you just can't do in any other game. Of those, which sounds more tolerable?
But let's start with the basics: what is JAWS Unleashed anyway? In the simplest of terms it's yet another entry in the increasingly popular line of genre-blending "sandbox" games. In other words, the development team has given you an entire world to explore and now it's your job to go out and play in it. And play in it you can! There are three major coasts around Amity Island with multiple environment types in each area (swampland canals, ship graveyards, traditional beaches, etc), and a number of destructible objects can be found in all of them (harbors, boats, jet skis, animals, you name it). Moreover, players can also opt to take part in story-based missions or unrelated sidequests whenever they want and continue to go on with things even after they've finished they game.
But what's that I said? "Story-based missions?" Believe it or not, JAWS Unleashed does try to tell one... painfully generic and short as it may be (the abbreviated plot: everyone wants to kill the shark... surprise!). Uninspired yarn aside, the narrative does provide the means for our friend Bruce (that's the shark) to get into some pretty interesting situations. A rampage through a Sea World-like theme park, the destruction of a pollution-causing chemical plant, and cool boss battles against things we only wish we'd see on Animal Planet (Great White vs. Orca baby!) are just a few of the circumstances you'll find yourself in.
JAWS Unleashed is one of those difficult kinds of games to pigeonhole because it has such strong plusses and minuses. What it really boils down to is "What kind of experience are you're looking for?" Are you a "My ocean is half-full" kind of a guy or a "my ocean is half-empty" sort of person? From our perspective, we tend to lean in the more positive direction because the destruction and people-eating is just so dang fun despite all the camera problems. Overall JAWS Unleashed is a very cool, fun, game.
9/10
