» Wed Sep 01, 2010 5:51 pm Brink isn't a 10 however it is highly underrated!
Since I have actually owned a copy of this game from it's release and have been playing the game daily (unlike many reviewers), I think I can now offer a truthful review on what makes Brink a fun game to me as well as address some missing parts.
First Look:
Brink feels really new and fresh at first. There's the S.M.A.R.T. movement system which is certainly a highlight, unique graphic design of characters, detailed character customization, and objective-based gameplay. Of course... you have already heard about all of this if you have been following the game. These elements were all a part of the game HYPE that is Brink.
I wonder if all of the "Hype" is what led to such bad reviews?
Here's the truth!
S.M.A.R.T. MOVEMENT - Is actually really cool! This element ADDS TO THE GAMEPLAY. It's a great step in a good direction if you ask me. Slide into action, around corners, or into cover to kill your enemy then Dash to the nearest ledge and disappear if you want. Or retreat to teammates and dive behind cover or jump to safety when you are in danger. The S.M.A.R.T. system works!
CHARACTER CUSTOMIZATION - Okay... the character and level design are cool. I don't have anything to take away from that. However! The promise of "near limitless customization" is beyond an overstatement. The truth is that there is really nothing wrong with the customization unless you heard the hype and were expecting more. There are several different appearances to be unlocked. You can combine any appearance together that you want, I suppose adding to the number of combinations, but really you will find that most "outfits" only make sense if you equip the same jacket and pants as your face gear or helmet. So customization was a letdown for me only because I was EXPECTING MORE. Truthfully I was disappointed from the beginning that you had to choose from preset facial structures.
OBJECTIVE-BASED GAMEPLAY - Great FUN!... but again, it's the hype that leads to letdown. Brink claimed that this game was going to be "the end of genre". The idea is that the single player and multi-player would be "seamless". I don't exactly know what the intended message was about being the end of genre, but once again, the hype has overshadowed the product. The gameplay is actually quite fun, especially if you are a fan of the Battlefield series, Star Wars Battlefront, or Team Fortress. Why? Because eventually once you are past some of the flash, you realize that it's the same gameplay as these other titles. If you enjoyed any of those games, you will love Brink. I won't go into what I like about each of the classes, but just know that each is quite distinct and allows you to experiment with multiple styles of attack and defend.
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT:
- Brink lacks an effective "party system" and playing the game with friends can become frustrating.
- The "Objective" game mode in multi-player is still quite unplayable due to lag. However the "Stopwatch" multi-player is fine.
- The campaign and multi-player are the exact same thing. Campaign mode just means that you play maps in order and you will unlock videos and audio logs. (Will need a new map pack sooner rather than later.)
- Limited or NO Voice communication in public game types. It's interesting that a game that is centered around cooperative gameplay does not support public VOIP except for in specific game modes.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- S.M.A.R.T. movement really adds to strategy when playing Brink. It's fun to experiment with and easy to master after a little practice.
- Objective Gameplay allows for many play-styles. You will find yourself experimenting with multiple classes until you find your favorite. Then if you are like me, you will have alternate characters to support alternative styles. (I have 3 so far)
- Flashy! The game itself is flashy in a gritty cartoon or almost graphic novel style type of environment. I love seeing my character in the cut scene at the end of a successful mission with all of my customizations armed with the actually weapon I was just using to mow down the enemy.
- Weapon customization is acceptable. The truth is, unlocking weapons and weapon upgrades is surprisingly easy when you compare it to COD. All weapons and upgrades can be unlocked before you reach level 4 or 5 just by completing all the challenges. Finding the right weapon with the right upgrades for your style of play is the fun part.
Summary:
Overall Brink is a fun title. I will be playing Brink for a long time to get my multi-player fix. If you enjoy Team Fortress or Star Wars Battlefront, this game should be in your collection despite what all of the other reviews have said. Most people are just disappointed because of unfulfilled promises from Splash Damage. It's a shame that such a fun game will continue to be subject of criticism because of "over-campaigning" or "over-hyping" of the games features.
Please like and dislike accordingly. It lets me know someone is reading!
-Moor
