My Haze demo impression

[GoatMother]

It's up at the UK PSN (US on Thursday) and free. Took a LONG ass time to download..

Well I played through it once offline single player.

The good:
The gameplay feels good, weapons have a nice feel. Characters don't take a million shots to die. Basically used two types of rifles which really felt almost the same. Tried the pistol briefly, why is is so slow? Or am I doing something wrong.

Melee actually felt pretty good while on the nektar, like it had some weight to it. Didn't try without the nektar.

The Framerate is solid, never dipped even with a lot of guys on screen (not shocking though considering the static environment and average at best graphics). No screen tearing either.

Nektar graphical effect when overloading was kind of cool but would probabl get old rather quick. I could see it being fun in multiplayer.

The bad to not necessarily bad just not good:

Graphics = rather bland but long draw distances at least. Vegetation is lifeless, textures aren't that great aside from one log type that seemed higher res than the rest of the stuff. Even the color palette wasn't that great for being a jungle. Maybe I've just been spoiled by Uncharted, Halo 3's first level, etc but this is nowhere close. Weapons look last gen and pretty generic as well.

Level design felt almost felt like I was playing the Jungle level on 007, yeah that linear pretty much. Though 007 has better layout. Enemies are harder to spot, almost requiring use of the nektar to lite them up. Not really a fan of playing with the characters lit up either, just seemed gimmicky. Really over all it was just rinse repeat, rinse repeat similar to Halo campaigns. A.I. didn't seem anything special at all though I did get melee'd once at least.

The dialog was pretty stupid IMO, though I did laugh at dialog from the guy in the plane at the end, just because it was so stupid it was funny. I think I can say the second half without spoiling it nice pause for dramatic effect then "semi-pro" lol, that was the most memorable part

Overall the demo left me with little desire to play again. I hope that is just one level with poor level design.. I will try off and online co-op just to give it a fair shot.. In general I think multiplayer could still be a lot of fun as I do like the gameplay but unless they put something out for free to try that I'm not buying.

edit: for the demo they really should have demo'd a level that lets you use more weapons like the rocket launch, throwing knives, etc.. People love rockets and knives, those could help sell the game.

[namehater]

ive heard people saying that haze is just like halo as far as gameplay and speed are concerned, would you say that true?

[GoatMother]

Well it only felt similar in clearly out enemies then moving on, clearing out more than moving on. Though the A.I. in Haze doesn't match up at all. Of course they are both FPS's as well. Halo was much more enjoyable IMO and the level design in Halo far better, which I think is the biggest factor for me not really caring to play it any more of Haze. A demo of the first level of Halo 3 would turn you on to the game, the opposite is true of the Haze demo.. They should have chosen a level with variety in weapons, enemy placement, etc, Halo 3's level has that..


edit: actually walking around speed seemed similar as well.

[D_Litch]

This is downloading(slow as hell) right now. I tried getting it last night so Brad and I could try the co-op, but I got 30% in an hour and a half. Boo!

[GoatMother]

Dam, I thought mine was slow to download..

Co-op could be the saving grace. Or it could be that level just sucked. Really want to try out the other weapons and knife throwing. Why put out a demo and not show your goods..

[BiffCo]

I just saw that post over at AVS and was going to ask you to post it here. Guess I don't need to, now! It's weird, though. I set up my UK account last night and downloaded it. Took all of about 20-30 minutes. Installation took about 5.

Overall, I would completely agree with your assessment of the demo. For a game that has been in development for this long, I expected a little more. I have to remember that it's just a demo and my judgment will only count on the finished product, but the demo has left a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths.

I really did like the controls, though. They felt fluid and smooth, but aiming needs a little critiquing. I also don't like the fact that the nectar makes enemies light up bright red. It's cheesy and cartoonish to me. What you said about the graphics is spot on. I don't know how old the demo is, but it seriously looks like it was developed for the original XBOX at 480p. Tons of low resolution textures. Some pretty cool lighting, though, but Resistance looks better.

One really cool thing (and not related to the game) is that after downloading and installing the game, you now have access to it on any of your user profiles (I set up a new user account for the UK store). Same goes for themes and pictures that are downloaded. Pretty damn cool! Looks like I'll be creating a Japanese account as well for any future content that comes along.

-Brad

[D_Litch]

UK Themes rule!

[GoatMother]

Yeah, the entire nektar thing to see enemies as well as to be able to zoom more just seems gimmicky. I do like how it makes the melee attacks stronger, it was pretty cool to feel like the hulk but they need to be able use a fist as well and hopefully a stronger throw of the knive with it activated.

[DeputyDogg1985]

I was lucky enough to have the download and install done within 10 minutes total. The actual demo leaves me up in the air with this game, I was excited about 4 player coop but I may hold off on this one.

[GoatMother]

I finally played some 4 player online co-op. It was actually fun. Kind of amusing to watch team mates overdose. I want to try it on another level that isn't so linear. With all the other games on the horizon, plus games I'm still working on I would't be in any rush to pick it up which is good because it doesn't seem to be worth $60 based on the demo.

[Jon Liu]

I tried the demo and turned it off after about 5 minutes. I didn't care for it at all, and I definitely agree with your assessment of the graphics. Subpar at best.

[Christian Hometheater]

I tried it and think it's pretty good, not a Holo in anyway but I think its pretty cool.