So it's been ages since I have written a media review...
this is for two main reasons;
1) At this stage I don't think anyone actually subscribes /
reads this blog
2) I currently don't have sufficient money to buy a new game
to review each month. Yes I am well
aware that I don't have to review current games or even games at all but it is
the most relevant topic and also the most fun to review.
So why I am still doing reviews? Basically so that I don't
go rusty.
Alice: Madness Returns
The sequel to the original American McGee's Alice a game for
PC released in 2000, it markets itself
as a 'physiological horror' however it plays more like a platform-puzzler with
some very familiar elements of all the best bits of well loved retro
platformers mixed with challenging yet enjoyable 3D platforming.
I had played the original game as a teen and remember being
thrilled with the darker take on Alice's Adventures. So eventually I decided to treat myself to the
sequel after seeing the screenshots and being hooked by just how lovely the
graphics were... I admit that, while a game can be retro and not have amazing
graphics if it has a good storyline and smooth mechanics, I am a little bit of
a sucker when it comes to good graphics. Often this trait, given the state of
the gaming industry currently, has lead to disappointment.
With 'Alice: Madness Returns' however finally I have not
been disappointed! The story is intriguing
and polished, the yo-yo between 'real' and wonderland is all at once jarring and
smooth and wonderfully, utterly, creepy in some parts. The game weaves bits of reality into the explanation
of wonderland in a fascinating and meaningful way and you never quite know when
Alice will next plunge into madness. So
the story gets my approval, what about the mechanics?
Well this is a tough question. I do not (as much as would
like) have a gaming keyboard. So playing with a keyboard I decided to start off
on easy, thinking this would compensate for my keyboards age and breed... I was
pleasantly surprised to find that the actual default setup was very intuitive, comfortable
and flowing! In the past I have played games that actually hurt you to play
because of the keys required to complete actions. But on keyboard this game makes sense, it
feels right and good! However I was still finding things hard, I presumed my
lack of accuracy was because of being rusty using a keyboard to control the
game... this was until a one incident where, not pressing any keys, Alice
jumped herself off a cliff... My poor
'w' key so sick of being abused decided to exert its own freewill... My non-gaming
keyboard, when being asked to register more than two keys at time, was having
an aneurism! This resulted in death, multiple do-over's and some very funny incidences
(also the decision that when I have more cash a new keyboard may be a wise
investment) but ultimately a decision to plug in the x-box controller and give
my poor old keyboard a break... The game handles very well on a controller and
feels more nostalgic and classically game-y that way. I did keep the keyboard
nearby however as the game lets you use both, a feature that I found pleasing.
As long as you have a good gaming keyboard the game is easily and comfortably
playable on both keyboard or controller! A trait sadly more PC games do not
share...
So how good are the graphics? Well I find it hard to tare
myself away from the stunning environments and do things like drink and eat! Some of the locations are just so breathtaking
that it's almost a shame you have to leave them. Likewise some of the darker
and more twisted locals are jaw-dropingly detailed, so much so that you don't
know whether to flee or explore and even the 'real life' sections that are
mostly in sepia hues look gorgeous. The fact that it looks so good really
softened the blow for me when my decrepit keyboard had pitched a fit and walked
me off a ledge for the 10th time, It may have been annoying to walk all the way
back to the start of the platforms but at least the scenery was stunning.
So to sum it up it is a very good game! It has enough combat
and weapon choices to keep the fights entertaining (the weapons are brilliant
by the way) and enough hidden secrets and puzzles to keep my brain engaged. It
mixes some of the best elements of 2D and 3D platforming with a highly polished
story and visuals. So as a game its fun
and engaging and while the horror aspect of it is a little lost on me (not that
I don't love how dark and twisted it is, in fact that's maybe why) the subtle psychological
nods are very satisfying. Games as good as this I feel lend weight to the 'Games
are Art' argument...
