Watchmen "The End is Nigh"

[electro]

http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=60230

Anyone played this game yet? - I was going to purchase it just for fun & because i can't wait to see the flick tommarow but, was stopped by the enourmous price of 1600 Microsoft points ((thats 25$ to get that many points)) for the game "ouch" - So i'll not let my want to see the movie overide my judgment on a downloadable Only game that i'm sure is very lacking - For 15$ I might've been swayed for this Final Fight style brawler

[UnkoMan]

Oh man... I hope nobody asks Alan Moore what he thinks of this.

[TheMarvell]

I played the demo. It was kind of fun. Pretty neat to be playing as Rorschach and Nite Owl. But for $20, you could do a lot better. Plus, apparently everything in the demo is pretty much featured in the whole game, except the one boss at the end. I love beat-em-up brawlers, but the hefty price, short play time, and lack of variety is keeping me back.

a lot of people think a Watchmen game being a brawler is somehow blasphemous, but, isn't Watchmen about superheroes who, you know, beat up bad guys? I would think it would be the only option...

[detourne_me]

is it x-box only?

[Midnight]

There's a PC iteration.

It's pretty. That's it.

[daerdevil]

Looks like the best way to release a movie based game to me.  At least they're not expecting you to pay  $50+ for a half-baked, rush to release with the movie, game.  $25 is still a bit steep, but the demo sounds like a must have.

[TheMarvell]

It's on Xbox360, PS3, and PC.

[tommyboy]

I just played the demo on PC.
I actually like this type of game, and it seems pretty well done.
Yes, it amounts to repetitive button mashing as you move from place to place, but I have no problems with that.
I can see me getting this, I'm a sucker for 3rd person strolling beat-em-ups.
I don't feel it's overly "sacriligeous" to the original comic, any more than making Watchmen meshes for FF would be. But I'm prejudiced about that
Anyway, if you like beat-em-ups, the demo is worth a look. It's not brilliant, or revolutionary or groundbreaking, but is pretty well done and an enjoyable romp.

[detourne_me]

I actually just joined up with steam just for this game.  i bought it and im not disappointed at all for 20 bucks worth. it's a mindless beat em up, but its pretty cool.

[BWPS]

There are two buttons from what I can tell. It seems pretty much like the world's most boring game. I also think the freedom force-style cutscenes are stupid for a watchmen game.

[tommyboy]

There are two buttons from what I can tell. It seems pretty much like the world's most boring game. I also think the freedom force-style cutscenes are stupid for a watchmen game.

You are mistaken.
There is a "light attack" and a "heavy attack". These can be used separately, or together, or in combos and in context sensitive ways.
Additionally there is a "throw", a "dodge" and two "special" attacks. That is six "combat" buttons, plus a "use" button you can pick up weapons with.
So whilst it is not the most elaborate and complex game ever, it has the standard sort of depth that these types of games have.
I agree that the cutscenes are dubious. I don't quite know if I dislike them, or find them just about bearable. It does seem odd that with a perfectly serviceable in game engine they could have used for cutscenes they chose the slightly odd looking 2-d versions.

[BWPS]

There are two buttons from what I can tell. It seems pretty much like the world's most boring game. I also think the freedom force-style cutscenes are stupid for a watchmen game.

You are mistaken.
There is a "light attack" and a "heavy attack". These can be used separately, or together, or in combos and in context sensitive ways.
Additionally there is a "throw", a "dodge" and two "special" attacks. That is six "combat" buttons, plus a "use" button you can pick up weapons with.
So whilst it is not the most elaborate and complex game ever, it has the standard sort of depth that these types of games have.
I agree that the cutscenes are dubious. I don't quite know if I dislike them, or find them just about bearable. It does seem odd that with a perfectly serviceable in game engine they could have used for cutscenes they chose the slightly odd looking 2-d versions.

True. I played through the demo and I can see that it has some depth. I still don't think this game has enough to it to be worth buying (for me). I would rather play Xmen Legends/Ultimate Alliance type games where there are more characters/powers/etc. A Watchmen action game isn't really something I think should exist anyway, or it would have to be a "Dr. Manhattan goes to Vietnam" to up the fun factor.

[tommyboy]

There are two buttons from what I can tell. It seems pretty much like the world's most boring game. I also think the freedom force-style cutscenes are stupid for a watchmen game.

You are mistaken.
There is a "light attack" and a "heavy attack". These can be used separately, or together, or in combos and in context sensitive ways.
Additionally there is a "throw", a "dodge" and two "special" attacks. That is six "combat" buttons, plus a "use" button you can pick up weapons with.
So whilst it is not the most elaborate and complex game ever, it has the standard sort of depth that these types of games have.
I agree that the cutscenes are dubious. I don't quite know if I dislike them, or find them just about bearable. It does seem odd that with a perfectly serviceable in game engine they could have used for cutscenes they chose the slightly odd looking 2-d versions.

True. I played through the demo and I can see that it has some depth. I still don't think this game has enough to it to be worth buying (for me). I would rather play Xmen Legends/Ultimate Alliance type games where there are more characters/powers/etc. A Watchmen action game isn't really something I think should exist anyway, or it would have to be a "Dr. Manhattan goes to Vietnam" to up the fun factor.

Yep, it lacks the "depth" of the MUA XML games (and they aren't exactly famous for their depth and complexity). But then I only paid £12 for watchmen, and MUA cost £30 or so.
And although I too am skeptical about a Watchmen game per se, I have to say it's kind of enjoyable. It fits in with the book at least in terms of canon, if not in terms of the spirit of the book.
If you have to have a tie-in, it might as well be a relatively cheap to buy one, rather than a disappointing full-price game. Ideally it would be a great full price game, but it would be really hard to do that in this case, kind of like trying to make a great "apocalypse now" videogame, or a great "the piano" videogame.
As it is it's quite pretty, free of obvious major bugs, the characters "feel" kind of right, and if you can stomach final-fight type repetitive gameplay I've paid for worse.
Other characters would have been a nice addition (maybe a chance to play as nite owl1 and the comedian, or silk spectre and hooded justice.), but it is what it is.

[detourne_me]

Have you beaten it yet Tommy?
I'm on Chapter 4 right now with Rorshach.
I also noticed that this is labeled episode 1. maybe there will be sequels starring other characters?

[tommyboy]

Have you beaten it yet Tommy?
I'm on Chapter 4 right now with Rorshach.
I also noticed that this is labeled episode 1. maybe there will be sequels starring other characters?

Yes, I have.

Spoiler

It took 3-4 hours, and I found Nite Owl easier to play with than Rorschach.
Both were fun, but Dan's electric powers (don't ask, I don't know, its his suit apparently) were so useful in crowd control that he cut probably 2 hours off my overall gametime.
There is a difference in style of play depending on who you pick, and in single player, when they split up you see slightly different bits of the level depending on whom you chose. Nite owl occasionally uses his grapple gun (he hasn't made one for Rorschach at this point in time) to access rooftops, Rorschach can use weapons dropped or taken from foes. Both are well animated and modeled (dammit! I was hoping I could say mine are better, and they aren't). In single player mode the other character is AI controlled and this works well. He fights enough so you know he's there, but not so much that you can stand back and let him do it all. I never once saw any AI get "stuck" behind or in anything, though at one point Rorschach did look like he was doing a contemporary dance class after a big fight, as he stood crowbar in hand crouching in a sort of melee idle, then turning, crouching etc. Happened one in 3-4 hours.
Archie looked fantastic in-game. I'm definitely going to have to make him.
Overall, I liked it, and will play through again. The graphics were good, the voice acting by actors from the film amongst others, and was excellent. The combat system, with extra moves and powers unlocked as you went, and with "cinematic" finishing moves was as good as these things get. The overall production values and quality was very good.
The 2-d cutscenes weren't completely terrible, but weren't that great either. They did their job of telling the story and moving it along, but I found them too different from the in-game engine. It just about works in FF because the cutscenes were better rendered "comic art" anyway, and the FF engine is quite lo-poly and cartoony, so it's not too jarring. In Watchmen EIN, it is just weird to go from these often not well drawn or animated cutscenes into the relatively realistic gritty in-game engine.
The storyline itself was pretty good. I could see the twist coming, but that's because I'm so familiar with the book. Len Wein co-wrote it, and its solid enough to not be cringe inducing.
One thing to mention is the language. The people you fight have potty mouth. This gives a vaguely "adult" feel to things, but if you have kids or are sensitive to this, be warned.
Yes, you probably could beat much of it by blind button mashing, but by act 3 I found I needed to start thinking a bit strategically so as not to get swamped by thugs, so it's not completely mindless.
It is, apparently the first in a series which if I read correctly will take the story in it further. The story, and characterizations are pretty true to the book in terms of not contradicting the timeline of events, obviously less so in capturing the literary merits of the book, which no game could do.

[daerdevil]

Have you beaten it yet Tommy?
I'm on Chapter 4 right now with Rorshach.
I also noticed that this is labeled episode 1. maybe there will be sequels starring other characters?

Astute observation.  I noticed that myself.  I'm hoping for some cool stuff.  I played the demo and actually enjoyed it immensely.  Lots of cool combos.  The only thing I really disliked, was the excessive use of foul language.  A bit over the top and repetitive.  I'll probably be making the purchase later on.

[AfghanAnt]

So I played this over the weekend and it was ok. The graphics were sort of meh but then again I shouldn't expect much from a comic movie video game.

[JeyNyce]

FYI: 1600 MS points = $20

I got the demo, it looks good.  The review here sums it up nicely:

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/watchmen/review.html?tag=topslot;thumb;5

[electro]

nope 1500 points = 20$ to get 100 more you have to pony up a for another pack of 500 points before you can play it - Anyway I played it and love the game

[detourne_me]

i do really like the game,  however, i guess im not as good a gamer as everyone else,  i'm only on the last bit of chapter 5 now.
I do have some control issues though,  but maybe its my gamepad (listed as generic usb gamepad) on my computer,
i just dont have the control to do the Rorschach lockpicking minigame.

[JeyNyce]

nope 1500 points = 20$ to get 100 more you have to pony up a for another pack of 500 points before you can play it - Anyway I played it and love the game

  They went up in price????  I can go down to Target or Bestbuy and get 1600 points for $19.99.  WOW!, the money crisis is hurting everybody....

[electro]

Thanks JeyNyce i'll definelty look into getting my points from Target if what you say is true - I've always gotten mine from the marketplace as listed below

OK heres the low down on Point cost

500    = 6.25
1000   = 12.50
2000   = 25.00
5000   = 62.50

So theres just no way to get the game without shelling out the 25$

[lugaru]

I hate points, Microsoft should do everything in Cash. When I'm done with the fallout expansions I'm going to have like 150 points left over...

[daerdevil]

Electro:  Buy point cards at retail establishments, as they are cheaper per point than xbox marketplace or M$ direct.  Plus, they go on sale sometimes, or you might get that rare $5 off coupon...I actually snagged some 1600 point cards from Target on sale for $15 with a $10 coupon for $5 total!

Lugaru: Don't forget, you can also purchase points from Zune, which sells in increments of 400 and 800, so you can make exact change.

Alas, the lengths we have to go through just to pay for DLC.

[electro]

Cool sounds like everyone wins with this idea of cheaper points at retail stores - I'll keep my eyes peeled for those deals & when I see one I might as well drop 100$ & really stack the points

[TheMarvell]

yeah it's a stupid trick Microsoft pulls to try to get you to spend more money on more points. If you get them at the store, you can get an even amount, but if you want the convenience of buying them online through the market place, you have to spend more on more points that you probably didn't care to have.

So $5 = 400 points.

However, the marketplace only sells in bundles of 500, so if you want a 400 point game, you have to spend $6.25 and have a left over 100 points to either waste, or save when you buy your next group of points. It's too bad you couldn't use points to buy more points... 

[JeyNyce]

Okay, are we all clear on the MS point system?  Good, let's get back to the game.

I got it this weekend and I like it.  I like the way the camera moves around to give it that drama effect, but it can get out of hand every now and then.  Don't expect a storyline, because it's a weak one.

[Sledgehammer]

I got it and I played it through with Rorschach.

I like it. The graphics are quite pretty and fluid, and the general gritty feel matches the graphic novel nicely. I heard a lot of criticism regarding the fact that Watchmen can't be turned into a beat 'em up, but I don't have major complaints. It's not ideal, but it's not the end of the world either.

The gameplay is very violent, and it's fun, if repetitive after a while. The different types of attacks add to some versatility, and it's actually important to learn and master them in order to advance. This first episode is not too long, and the story isn't even close to Alan Moore status, but works.

Voices are top notch, provided by the movie actors. However, I'm not a fan of profanity, and this game is full of it (from the thugs). The 2D comic-like cutscenes don't match the game style very well, but I didn't hate them.

All in all, I enjoyed it. It was fun. I would have liked to play as other characters (the other Watchmen, or even the Minutemen), and I was hoping that Part 2 would solve that, but I guess that isn't the case: From what I've read, both Nite Owl and Rorschach are returning in a story that involves tracking down a villain who has molested a pornstar. No nudity, only some moaning and suggestive dialogue. Gameplay is nearly identical.

[daerdevil]

Voices are top notch, provided by the movie actors. However, I'm not a fan of profanity, and this game is full of it (from the thugs)....

Yeah, I was a little put off by the excessive profanity.  It's a bit over the top, and really seems out of place to me.  Sure there's a 4 letter word or two in the original story, but this just seems like a cheap way of trying to make this a "mature" game.  In actuality, it makes it immature, like the kid who thinks he's a grown up because he uses grown up words.

All in all, I enjoyed it. It was fun. I would have liked to play as other characters (the other Watchmen, or even the Minutemen), and I was hoping that Part 2 would solve that, but I guess that isn't the case: From what I've read, both Nite Owl and Rorschach are returning in a story that involves tracking down a villain who has molested a pornstar. No nudity, only some moaning and suggestive dialogue. Gameplay is nearly identical.

Man, I was hoping at least to have the Comedian join the fray.  Would love to see him and Nite Owl taking on a whole city of rioters.  Still, it sounds like episode 2 might be fun.  I hope they add some new features like finding clues, tracking your subject, or interrogation mini-games, but just having a beat-em up is still fine by me.