Question-based Bladestorm Review

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Question-based Bladestorm Review
Topic Started: Aug 17 2008, 02:34 AM (216 Views)
Yosei	Aug 17 2008, 02:34 AM Post #1
Joan of Arc's guardian and mentor Posts: 194 Group: Members Member #17,482 Joined: August 13, 2008	Yosei's Bladestorm Review Bladestorm is a strategy war game with some elements of an RPG made by Koei and developed by Omega Force. It's interesting to note that this is Koei's first historically-themed game that has been based outside of Asia. This review will be based on my personal experiences as what it means to be a gamer, and how this game satisfies my criteria for being a fun and fulfilling game. To me, games can never be important in relation to "other things". Here's an over-the-top example: I'm a student of religion. Religion deals with the death of a child, or with the question of human evil, and the possibility of a holy life. A video game doesn't deal with pretty much anything in the real world except gamers looking for fun. So it must deal with itself, in the sense that every new game opens up some questions of how fun it is, what is unique about it, et cetera. It's these questions that are the most important for the success of the game. Whether or not we gamers are wasting our valuable time hinges on these very important "in-game" questions. The most simple but crucial question is whether you're wasting time by playing this game. I believe that when it comes to Bladestorm, the answer is: A big fat no. Question: Is the story good? Is the plot immersing? This question will depend on whether or not you are inclined to enjoy historically-themed games. I personally can't stand science fiction in general, so unfortunately, I avoid playing/reviewing many of them because I don't want to bring my own inclinations and preferences into what will essentially be an already biased mindset. Anyhow, supposing you are at least open to the idea of the Hundred Years' War and the idea of being a mercenary and meeting dramatized versions of historical figures, yes, chances are you'll find the story at least half-engaging. Well, that's a start. As the central theme of the game is that of a "mercenary", a concept often stressed is that you can contract your services to either side with no real fear of 'disloyalty'. I think a hidden gem about this game is eventually you DO start to develop loyalties. You DO find yourself enjoying the English characters more, or you start hating the French characters. Personally I enjoy the characters from both sides, although my liking for the French characters exceeds that of the English, hence I probably will always choose to fight for France. I think the game is implicitly designed for this. Why else are there two final story battles, one for the French, one for the English? Why else do characters start to trust you with important things (i.e. Edward and Joan)? Of course, you can try to play it as neutrally as possible, and fight for England and France half-half, but to me, this game has an immersing plot because you start off as a mercenary hoping to survive and make money, and eventually end up with a personal bond to either side. Nutshell answer: Yes to both. Question 2: Is the gameplay fun? Is it repetitive? I've heard that the gameplay is similar to Kessen. I haven't played Kessen before, so either way, yes, the gameplay is unique. It's by no means easy. There are so many weapon and sub-weapon types that provided you are inclined to enjoy commanding different kinds of troops (which is what the game boasts of being able to have your character do), the fun quickly catches on. Granted, gameplay CAN be repetitive. To keep things interesting, patience is the key. Funnily enough, the fun of gameplay can depend on whether or not you enjoy the story and its characters. I really find Magnus, Marc and Marc's brother really boring characters, and hence, I dislike their missions. They feel repetitive and lame. I'm a Joan of Arc fanboy, so every mission that remotely involves her is a joy to play. As the AI utilizes the same system of squads and teams as you do, the question of gameplay is universal. Nutshell answer: Yes to both. Question 3: So, would you spend a lot of time on this game? Generally, if you like the plot and gameplay, everything pretty much falls in line. I'm not reviewing the graphics and sound, because unless they're systematically atrocious, they tend to be secondary concerns to me. I mean, the best strategy game I've ever played on the PC was Dungeon Keeper, and that game's... ancient. It dates to 1997, but it's still unsurpassed for me. Now, to be fair, it's a pity your character doesn't actually "say" anything. In the cutscenes, all he/she does is nod, give suspicious people like Gilles de Rais dirty looks, etc. All physical movements, which for some who expect a more RPG-style game might blunt the immersion of the game. Yes, it's a pity. I sort of wish my beloved mercenaries weren't essentially mute outside of the battlefield. But nevertheless, at least some characters actually speak directly to you, rare as it is. It does tend to make you feel like your services are acknowledged! Nutshell answer: Yes. By its nature this game requires you to spend at least 1 hour to familiarize yourself with. After that hour, generally people will have gotten a rough idea whether or not they want to spend 50+ hours on one character, and maybe another 50+ hours on another mercenary they want to make. It's a question of how much you enjoy interacting in the world of Bladestorm. And that is the answer. To enjoy playing in the Bladestorm world is the true Achievement of choosing this game to spend hobby time on, and in that sense, that's really the only reason why anyone chooses any game to take home, I guess.
	Heaven's Mandate - completed! Heavenly sig made by God-Like Phoenix!


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