Lair swoops into stores a day early

[BrewCityUpstart]

While there was some confusion about just when Lair was actually going to be shipped out, we have gotten confirmation from multiple sources that it's actually in the stores right now. That's right, you can go out and get your dragon on immediately. It's a little odd that it was released on a Thursday since almost all retail games go on sale on Tuesday, but why look a gift horse in the mouth?

If you do go out and pick up a copy of Lair today, why not come back here and leave your impressions. The reviews have been pretty controversial so far, so it would be nice hearing what the fans themselves think.


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Some stores had it lthis last Tuesday.

[Dom]

Hmm weird sometimes happens dates get mixed up, anyhoo cool But im guessing it aint out in europe yet, As we 99% of the time get it up the ass with release dates -.-

I'll give this a rent before I consider buying. Cheers for the update.

[Calypsi]

Ok so quick review, as I purchased it yesterday. I played through about the first 5 or so levels. I mainly wanted to get the the level that the IGN guy said was such a pain for targeting. And well, I beat it the first try, and it wasn't hard at all. One thing you have to remember is that your dragon is more of a glider then a jet plane, so flying out then doing the 180 move to come back is helpful at times.

The level with the Toros where the IGN reviewer was complaining soo much about, you actually dont have to pick them up you can land and just flame them if you want. I killed them in about 3 differnt ways, pick up and throw, fireball from the air and then flame on the ground. I found it fairly easy and think he probably just sucks so like so many kids these days if it is hard they don't like it

Controls are pretty responsive, but quick jerky movements may not work as intended. The 180 move and the shake up and down to clawing is the only stuff I did fast.

So far I am enjoying it quite a bit, but I have only played the first few levels. My only complaint is there isn't an in game gamma as some stuff looks darker on my plasma then I think it should. It just tells you to adjust your TV which is kinda crappy if you have it already set for everything else.

The graphics are pretty good with alot of stuff on the screen at once. Alot of time you are so far away from like troops that hey look like specs until you land then they have more detail. The only slower framerate I have seen was in the first level.

There is alot of stuff going on at once, you may have a mission to destroy incoming dragons , then a couple minutes into that here will be another threat come, like the toros, but the dragons are still coming too so inbetween turns you shoot down dragons and then go back to toros after you turn around ect..

So in summary I give it an 8/10 so far. I haven't hit any frustrations yet though so hehe I can see if you do where it may suck. You get 3 lives to use per level and only 2 levels did I even use 1.

[Dom]

Great news, im glad its a good game IMO only way to do a fair review magazine wise is multiple skilled level players testing the same game, argueing with the others in a section of it. This way you can tell like you said "he proberly just sucks" a good player will say its good, he'll dislike due to difficulty.

I'll be renting this since I dont know if its a game with good re-play value.

[BrewCityUpstart]

Nice review, Cal. Make sure to check your PSN messages.

[Joe Sacto]

I picked this up the other day and got some play time in today.

I can understand why the reviews are so mixed. First off the level that the IGN reviewer said he had a problem with...the one with the rhinos and toros on the bridge..was not hard at all. I beat that easily but the lock-on function does get wacky in the heat of battle. The problem is that there is so much going on that the lock-on function will target dragons, catapults, soldiers etc at random while you're trying to complete an objective.

Here's a couple major issues I have with this game.

-The cut-scenes as cool as they are just interrupt your gameplay way too often. It's like just when you start enjoying what you're doin' it yanks the perverbial "dragon reins" out of your hands and goes into FMV mode. Many missions abruptly interrupt your gameplay with these intrusive sequences.

-Motion control will not work in the same way for everyone! People are going to move the controller in their own way. However, if these were button presses there would be only ONE way to push a button...I often find my dragon doing some damn thing I didn't intend it to do.

-Mission Objectives feel mediocre. Escort some shipment. Blow up some ships. Flame some dragons. Land on ground and kill soldiers. Rinse and repeat...rinse and repeat.

I can't help but feel that if this game use the sticks and went with rumble instead of motion that it woulda been more of a solid experience. It's almost a chore to flail about waving the controller around and even then your dragon is not always obedient to your gestures.

[MadBryan]

Well thats one thumbs up and one thumbs down (why isn't there a thumps up do jiggy)

[BrewCityUpstart]

Originally Posted by MadBryan

(why isn't there a thumps up do jiggy)

[MadBryan]

stupid beer made my brain fuzzy

[Joe Sacto]

I'm bout halfway through the game now.

The down button on the directional pad has been a godsend, it highlights enemy objectives in red. Alot of times there is so much happening on the screen things get absolutely confusing. It's complete mayhem and it really is impressive. I also just figured out that if I pause it shows a map of objectives.

There were two levels that were fantastic and they were called Ravine of No Return and Firestorm. Basically this was when I first actually started to enjoy this game. The level after those was even better, so I'm hoping since I already spent my $60 that this game continues to get better and ends in a bang.

The reason I think reviewers have a problem with the lock-on is b/c you have to be quick to fire when your objective is highlighted. So when there is hundreds of things happening at once it can be troublesome.

Does this mean the 4's that this game was given were unfair? In my opinion... Yes.

[BrewCityUpstart]

Nice, dude. Now I cant wait to get it next week.

[Calypsi]

Yeah I kinda figured out that if you get a lock-on you weren't going for that it is still a viable target you should kill so just fire a fireball and keep going hehe.