Shadows of the DAMNED // EA + Mikami + Suda + Yamaoka

[abbatoo]

This game is pretty much Dante's Divine Comedy + Machete LOL. Not saying it's not awesome though.

You pretty much nailed my thoughts on this game.
Mind if I quote you in our SoTD ad campaign?

Also:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S9OmicnoFk

[Smiley]

I was the only one at my Gamestop who had this preordered. Sounds like this will get the Haunting Ground treatment of being underrated.

And I took a look at the credits. For being an RE/MGS fan I was surprised at the VA cast. Directed by Kris Zimmerman was a good start.

Should have realized Steve Blum was Garcia, but I'll admit the accent threw me off. Greg Ellis (Who Enetirnel is a fan of since his Ricardo days in Haunting Ground) plays Johnson. And WTF..... Leon Kennedy's VA Paul Mercier plays Fleming the Lord of Demons!?

[Canas Renvall]

^ Really? I forgot to preorder mine and I had to get the display copy (the brand new copy that they gut to show the box for) because they were almost cleaned out of preorders and new copies.

And some of the VAs were pretty surprising to me too.

I beat the game and... wow. That box isn't lying when it says it's a Suda51 trip. It's hard to even describe all the mixed emotions throughout the game.

There's the comedy side which is pretty obvious, such as Garcia explaining how he met Paula for the first time. Then as it progresses you can really see that despite the PMS jokes and hilariously lewd references he really does love her. It's amazing how this game can weave together comedy, drama, and horror so perfectly. It really hits all the right notes.

This of course is aided through the chilling atmospheric music brought in by Akira Yamaoka. Even from the opening credits you can hear Yamaoka's influence through music, and it remains a strong presence throughout. Much like his other works, none of it is happy. It ranges from scary to sad, and mixes the two in different variations. And it works beautifully.

Also... Mary Elizabeth McGlynn. <3 I want this soundtrack now.

But overall, while the shooting mechanics may not be the most original, the entire experience as a whole is fresh and exciting. The story, the music, the atmosphere, the jokes, it all comes together in a neat little package.

So far, Game of the Year 2011 for me.

[aris13]

I want this soundtrack now.

Full soundtrack will be released this August.

[Canas Renvall]

Well I did use a YouTube downloader for the time being, now... when you said the full soundtrack, are you saying the preorder soundtrack isn't the full one?

[aris13]

are you saying the preorder soundtrack isn't the full one?

Yes.

[Canas Renvall]

Oh thank god I love it but it just felt too short! Thanks for the info. Now I'm excited. XD

[Beanovsky Durst]

You pretty much nailed my thoughts on this game.
Mind if I quote you in our SoTD ad campaign?

Also:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S9OmicnoFk

Sure, go ahead. This game is pretty good. As always I'm impressed with Mr. Yamaoka's work. The guy is genius.

[CrimsonElder]

The game is ok, Its a one time playthrough kinda game for me. Glad I rented this one because I was considering buying it. Been playing for about an hour and am kinda bored. Sorry to anyone who is enjoying it but it's just not my kinda game is all.

[Canas Renvall]

To be fair, it does start a little slow, so give it time. I dunno about an hour though... Sad to hear, 'cause right now at least this stands at Game of the Year 2011 for me. The whole experience is just so... different. Yes, the shooting mechanics are standard FPS but as a whole it's just something really fresh and exciting. Leave it to a trio like Suda51, Mikami and Yamaoka to do that.

[BBboy20]

Oh my god. I've been playing for only about two hours now, and I just started Act 3, and I gotta say I love it so far. You can hear Yamaoka's musical influence almost immediately, and you can see Suda's humor right off the bat. And I'm sure Mikami had a little to do with this tiny spoiler in Act 2-3:

Spoiler:

show spoiler

In the graveyard, where you see the giant bloody X in the middle, you hear Johnson say "Who did this? Mr. X?"

I lol'd.

Spoiler:

show spoiler

Or the fact that they modeled the generic beheaded heads after his face.

Seriously, Akira really is that versatile, coming from Spanish folk to orchestra to musical directions I've never heard him do before to hard rock to Silent Hill inspired music to even Resident Evil inspired music, it's beyond insane.

Full soundtrack will be released this August.

Good because the pre-order offer does not does the game justice since I noticed plenty of tracks are missing.

Also... Mary Elizabeth McGlynn. <3 I want this soundtrack now.

That what surprised me the most: Troy Baker; I didn't know he can sing. Maybe Matt Baker and the Major should team up one day.

[Beanovsky Durst]

Just finished the game. I'm kind of pissed that the difficulty achievements don't stack up.
Spoiler:

show spoiler

Fleming was a bitch on Legion Hunter, being specific the third part of the boss fight. Fucker just wouldn't stay still when he breaks up into pieces... And the ending pretty much sets a sequel huh? Someone explain me please, is Paula supposed to be the maiden of Johnson's tale? I didn't get that part...

[Mr. Spencer]

I'm glad this game got mixed reviews, I was getting sick of all the bootlicking people gave to Suda51 and Shinji Mikami, as though neither of them could do any wrong. Don't try and pin this one on EA either, that boat has already sailed.

[Zombie Fred]

Because reviews determine if a game is not fun and not going to be liked by anyone? I guess I should throw away Deadly Premonition and Nier then!

I think I already determined what game has the best soundtrack of 2011, because Akira Yamaoka did an amazing job (sorry Michael Mccann, you have oyur work cut out for you)

[Mr. Spencer]

I'm just tired of all the arse kissing that a lot of people do for Suda51 and Mikami, like they're gods of gaming or something retarded like that. Warren Spector for example doesn't get half of the attention that those two do, is it because we're all a bunch of weeaboos who think that the Japanese can do no wrong?

Granted, Spector dropped the ball with Invisible War but we don't talk about Invisible War.