POSTED 12/11/10


VANQUISH

SEGA

“Yeah”, we thought, with imaginings of careening about in an Aston Martin full of yummy V12 goodness. “Bugger”, we thought, upon realising this particular Vanquish had nothing to do with an English supercar. “Ooh”, we exclaimed upon actually playing it and realising that despite a distinct lack of four wheels shod in rubber, this Vanquish handled quite sweetly.

Earth. Future. Staccato. Sentences. The Cold War’s alive and kicking, as the US goes all space stationy to harvest the power of the sun, and those pesky Russkis intervene with a rain of deadliness that renders innumerable US citizens deadski. Who can save the day? Howsabout Sam Gideon, who bears the decidedly unfortunate acronym ‘ARS’ emblazoned across his more than ample chest? Apparently standing for Augmented Reaction Suit, let’s just simplify things and say he’s the guy you control, and he has hyper butt-booting powers. We’re talking pulp folks, and it’s ace.

This ARS system not only involves rocket booster doobries in Sammy’s four lengthiest limbs, but also gives a heads-up as to wherever new power-ups may be. All this, wrapped up in an experience not a million miles removed from Gears of War, means third-person cover-based shooter joyfulness with a healthy injection of Japanese off-kilterness. This latter ingredient may just be down to one Shinji Mikami, best known as the creator of the Resident Evil series of games. Cred much?

When it comes to gaming fun, jetpacks never lie (erm, actually, we can think of a few shit jetpack experiences, but we’re on a roll (hold the mustard)). When combined with super-engaging weapons systems that once learned allow both innovative and intuitive combat it makes for a stonkingly enrapturing experience – even if there is too much movie and too little action at times.

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