moon
10-10-2008, 12:06 PM
Well then, you've got to accept some big responsibilities and look after the little people.
That's were Too Human begins. You play as Baldur, son of Odin, saddled with finding out what is terrorizing the people of Midgard. Not exactly you persay, but your corporate affiliate called the Aesir. This is the unique thing about Too Human and it's presentation. While the material may be based on Norse mythology, a sci-fi twist is woven tightly within the core. The afor mentioned corporate theme keeps the game from being hokey and at the same time helps suspend your disbelief. Too Human is asking you to mix guns and technology with traditional Norse mythos. Yep, firearms intertwined with thousand year old works of literature. Sounds odd? It is.
Odd, that's a good term to describe Too Human. The game is basically an action rpg that puts the emphasis on controller bending gameplay. While the rpg elements are there. Most of these break down to setting up skill trees and properly equipping your character. Don't be fooled into thinking these elements are deep. Exactly the opposite is a better way to look at it. The real cinderella to the party is the combat. This is where Too Human stands out from the crowd. Innovates if I may say.
Innovates. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/innovates
Too Human is action heavy. You fight through 4 stages of assorted killer machines. The game sports a large number of enemies on the screen and gives you 5 classes to choose from. Each class has a unique style and makes replaying the game enjoyable. The overall subtlety of the combat is the driving force present from level 1 to the spine tingling conclusion. Take what you may know about past games and throw it away.
Throw away?
Too Human shines in the combat department. Use the r trigger to fire your guns. The L stick controls movement and the r stick aims your rifle, cannon, or pistol(s){dual wield L trigger}; whatever your taste. The other phase of combat involves using the r stick to make Baldur engage in close quarter battles. There are three melee types. These being a sword, staff, and hammer. The weapons may not seem large in number superficially. Then again, you have the inclusion of two handed weapons as a sub type. There's even dual wield sets. Going back to the combat.
As I was saying the melee action is controlled with the r stick. You simply point toward an enemy and Baldur slides in that direction. The monsters have a small blue ring underneath their extremities. This allows you to choose your target. You'll know which enemy your attacking as the blue ring turns green. There is a jump button when combined with the r stick allows Baldur to execute air combat manuevers. If you begin to become overwelmed by the constant onslaught(sometimes there can be a ton of baddies screen) Baldur has access to a ruiner. Basically, what you have is a room clearing spirit bomb. As you progress the power increases and as a result, so does the damage. Well, increase relative to how many skill points you spend. The ruiners are beautifully done and differ from class to class and alignment to alignment. Alignment? After the first mission you are given a choice to choose a cybernetic or a human path. Each one has it's own strengths and weaknesses. There is no definative outcome that makes you better or worse. Personal preference should and does dictate your decision. This, in it's self is a great thing. Too Human allows you the freedom to build your character and remains playable no matter how exotic the weapons or skills you select end up being.
Skills?
Too Human does have lite rpg facets. As you progress through the game your character will level(max 50) and earn skill points. These points can be placed on a skill tree, which helps you direct your character growth. Your alignment choice offers it's own unique path. The type of selections differ depending on whether you chose cybernetic or human. Like I said before, there is no wrong or right choice. Personal preference drives the rpg elements of Too Human. Everything from your skills, armor, weapons, abilities, and even colors can be personalized to fit your style. Want to wear the red, white, and blue; go ahead. Want to wear all black or a techno-colored rainbow; go ahead. Whatever your choice, you've got a ton to wade through. Now that your character is looking good it's time to kick some tail.
"I'm here to chew bubble gum and kick some ***...and I'm all out of bubblegum"-Roddy Piper, They live
Too Human has 4 levels to battle through. The four levels will take about 8-12 hours depending on how versed you are in gaming. Don't let the short story fool you. There are a huge collection of individual minutes that eventually lead to entire days being lost. The addictive gameplay is achieved through a simple but layered combat system and capped off by literally thousands of item drops. Everything culminates at the end of the game(level 50). By this time you've completed the story and done a bit of grinding. The only thing you have left is to score elite items. Item whores will absolutely love this part of the game. Rookies to action rpg's who don't posess a desire for "perfection or vanity" may find this aspect of the game strange. If you don't feel that spending five hours trying to get a rune which ends up being the crowning piece to your armor set is satisfying. Then the elusive 'fun' factor will expire and you will begin not 'enjoying' your 60$ toy. This usually causes a game to be shelved and collect dust or make an appearance on ebay. However, if you thrive on this border line obsessive complusive behavior then Too Human will sit upon a golden pedastal for years to come. At least until the sequel...
Bottom line-
Too Human is an innovative game that puts the emphasis on adrenaline pumping combat. There are light rpg elements and a tolerable story that leaves you frothing at the mouth for more. At end game there isn't much except to score reds or other armor and trick out your character. I should mention that there is a reward for this attention to detail. *Your character is rumored playable in round 2.*
If all this wasn't enough you get two player online co-op. When your ready, you can take your game online with a friend or stranger. Whether or not you like Too Human is anyone's guess. Do yourself a favor and at least rent this game. If you feel the addiction then turn the rent into a buy and join the rest of us virtual crack heads.
score-9/10
-good graphics with plenty of detail
-great sound to pump into your stereo
+missle explosions will have people in your house hating you
-addictive item grabbing gameplay
-satisfying combat
-co-op feature, bring a friend to the slaughter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiSkyEyBczU
*information on character accessiblity in sequel gathered from forum posts.
That's were Too Human begins. You play as Baldur, son of Odin, saddled with finding out what is terrorizing the people of Midgard. Not exactly you persay, but your corporate affiliate called the Aesir. This is the unique thing about Too Human and it's presentation. While the material may be based on Norse mythology, a sci-fi twist is woven tightly within the core. The afor mentioned corporate theme keeps the game from being hokey and at the same time helps suspend your disbelief. Too Human is asking you to mix guns and technology with traditional Norse mythos. Yep, firearms intertwined with thousand year old works of literature. Sounds odd? It is.
Odd, that's a good term to describe Too Human. The game is basically an action rpg that puts the emphasis on controller bending gameplay. While the rpg elements are there. Most of these break down to setting up skill trees and properly equipping your character. Don't be fooled into thinking these elements are deep. Exactly the opposite is a better way to look at it. The real cinderella to the party is the combat. This is where Too Human stands out from the crowd. Innovates if I may say.
Innovates. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/innovates
Too Human is action heavy. You fight through 4 stages of assorted killer machines. The game sports a large number of enemies on the screen and gives you 5 classes to choose from. Each class has a unique style and makes replaying the game enjoyable. The overall subtlety of the combat is the driving force present from level 1 to the spine tingling conclusion. Take what you may know about past games and throw it away.
Throw away?
Too Human shines in the combat department. Use the r trigger to fire your guns. The L stick controls movement and the r stick aims your rifle, cannon, or pistol(s){dual wield L trigger}; whatever your taste. The other phase of combat involves using the r stick to make Baldur engage in close quarter battles. There are three melee types. These being a sword, staff, and hammer. The weapons may not seem large in number superficially. Then again, you have the inclusion of two handed weapons as a sub type. There's even dual wield sets. Going back to the combat.
As I was saying the melee action is controlled with the r stick. You simply point toward an enemy and Baldur slides in that direction. The monsters have a small blue ring underneath their extremities. This allows you to choose your target. You'll know which enemy your attacking as the blue ring turns green. There is a jump button when combined with the r stick allows Baldur to execute air combat manuevers. If you begin to become overwelmed by the constant onslaught(sometimes there can be a ton of baddies screen) Baldur has access to a ruiner. Basically, what you have is a room clearing spirit bomb. As you progress the power increases and as a result, so does the damage. Well, increase relative to how many skill points you spend. The ruiners are beautifully done and differ from class to class and alignment to alignment. Alignment? After the first mission you are given a choice to choose a cybernetic or a human path. Each one has it's own strengths and weaknesses. There is no definative outcome that makes you better or worse. Personal preference should and does dictate your decision. This, in it's self is a great thing. Too Human allows you the freedom to build your character and remains playable no matter how exotic the weapons or skills you select end up being.
Skills?
Too Human does have lite rpg facets. As you progress through the game your character will level(max 50) and earn skill points. These points can be placed on a skill tree, which helps you direct your character growth. Your alignment choice offers it's own unique path. The type of selections differ depending on whether you chose cybernetic or human. Like I said before, there is no wrong or right choice. Personal preference drives the rpg elements of Too Human. Everything from your skills, armor, weapons, abilities, and even colors can be personalized to fit your style. Want to wear the red, white, and blue; go ahead. Want to wear all black or a techno-colored rainbow; go ahead. Whatever your choice, you've got a ton to wade through. Now that your character is looking good it's time to kick some tail.
"I'm here to chew bubble gum and kick some ***...and I'm all out of bubblegum"-Roddy Piper, They live
Too Human has 4 levels to battle through. The four levels will take about 8-12 hours depending on how versed you are in gaming. Don't let the short story fool you. There are a huge collection of individual minutes that eventually lead to entire days being lost. The addictive gameplay is achieved through a simple but layered combat system and capped off by literally thousands of item drops. Everything culminates at the end of the game(level 50). By this time you've completed the story and done a bit of grinding. The only thing you have left is to score elite items. Item whores will absolutely love this part of the game. Rookies to action rpg's who don't posess a desire for "perfection or vanity" may find this aspect of the game strange. If you don't feel that spending five hours trying to get a rune which ends up being the crowning piece to your armor set is satisfying. Then the elusive 'fun' factor will expire and you will begin not 'enjoying' your 60$ toy. This usually causes a game to be shelved and collect dust or make an appearance on ebay. However, if you thrive on this border line obsessive complusive behavior then Too Human will sit upon a golden pedastal for years to come. At least until the sequel...
Bottom line-
Too Human is an innovative game that puts the emphasis on adrenaline pumping combat. There are light rpg elements and a tolerable story that leaves you frothing at the mouth for more. At end game there isn't much except to score reds or other armor and trick out your character. I should mention that there is a reward for this attention to detail. *Your character is rumored playable in round 2.*
If all this wasn't enough you get two player online co-op. When your ready, you can take your game online with a friend or stranger. Whether or not you like Too Human is anyone's guess. Do yourself a favor and at least rent this game. If you feel the addiction then turn the rent into a buy and join the rest of us virtual crack heads.
score-9/10
-good graphics with plenty of detail
-great sound to pump into your stereo
+missle explosions will have people in your house hating you
-addictive item grabbing gameplay
-satisfying combat
-co-op feature, bring a friend to the slaughter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiSkyEyBczU
*information on character accessiblity in sequel gathered from forum posts.