Haze » ChannelFlip

games: Haze

June 19 2008 | WilHarris

Haze is a title that has really split opinion. On the one hand, its a decent-looking shooter, highly anticipated, and a Playstation 3 exclusive. A decent premise and an interesting twist mean that it’s not an average FPS.

On the other hand, it doesn’t necessarily bring anything new to the FPS genre, and the Nectar - the military stimulant that is the game’s hook - can feel a little contrived.

For my opinion on the game, check out the video and do leave your own opinions in the comments.

-Katharine

comments

Norbit

June 19th, 2008 - 6:29pm

I think the issue with the dead soldiers is a really funny one because it caught out some reviewers who clearly hadn’t bothered playing it properly lol

http://www.gamer20.com/gamehub/haze-ps3/review/1282

Jack Vykios

June 19th, 2008 - 7:08pm

Something’s up with the sound. Everything aside from the happy little screen doing front flips is real quiet.

Anyway, good review. It wasn’t really a game I followed too much, simply because the way it was promoted didn’t give me any reason to. If the story - or, at least, the concept, not the execution - is its main drawing point, then I feel as if I know it already, at least, for the most part.
It was advertised ages ago that you would split sides at some point in the game, and all the effects of Nectar - disappearing bodies and such - was already revealed.

But, in any case, there aren’t many FPS games I follow much, anyway. The main drawers are Half-Life, Resistance and Killzone (only because I want to see if it really lives up to expectations).

I’m curious, how do you get your games in order to review them? Do you get them straight from the companies, or do you have to buy them? In which case, can you import?

Jack

Ryuzaki

June 19th, 2008 - 10:22pm

thats what they get for canceling the pc and 360 release of this game.

KatharineFletcher

June 20th, 2008 - 10:30am

Lol Norbit! It’s a shame because once you get to the switch you change your perception of the previous section of the game, which is an incredibly brave and interesting thing to do. The game has its flaws, but I do think it’s been treated rather more harshly than it deserves by some of the press, and the things about it that are praiseworthy have often been ignored. And it is incredibly unfair to the game if this is not just a freak of disparate opinion, but because of lazy research.

KatharineFletcher

June 20th, 2008 - 10:52am

Hi Jack, thanks for the comment. I’ll let Arnold know about the sound issue.

When I review I try to treat the game in isolation, but it is a fair point about the marketing strategy. It’s a difficult one to balance though; certainly all the mystery around Assassin’s Creed made me really want to play it more, but then there were some who felt they got something they weren’t expecting because the plot twist wasn’t heavily/officially publicized. It feels like either way it’s a minefield for the people putting together the publicity.

As for sourcing games, where possible I talk to games publishers and get press review copies of games sent over, but there are occasions when the right people in a company are difficult to get hold of or won’t deal with newer sites, so then I need to rent or buy them. I prefer not to import as, not only is it expensive, this is a UK based show and while we love our non-UK viewers, I don’t want to start reviewing games that aren’t easily available to the majority of our viewers. That said, if you do have something in mind you want me to review, drop me a line and I’ll have a look. Cheers, K.

tom s williams

June 21st, 2008 - 2:43am

Hello Katharine Iwas wondering if were interested in reviewing old games as well as new? I would love it if you could review KISS PSYCHO CIRCUS THE NIGHT MARE CHILD!!I would love to here youre review on it and maybe you could let the viewers in on a great game!!!! great review on haze and keep up the good work as always!!! tom s williams

KatharineFletcher

June 21st, 2008 - 10:27pm

Cheers Tom, interesting idea to do occasional retrospective reviews if other people are interested too (if anyone has an opinion on this please do post). I’ll have a chat with Wil and Justin and see what they think.

tom s williams

June 22nd, 2008 - 2:59am

Hello Katharine, I sent an e-mail to justin about sponcering YOU and I havent heard anything yet? I was wondering if Will or you could post the infomation on the website. Im sure im not the only one that would love to keep you on the site.Also would you be interested in doing a special apperances at a video game store in the near future ?[you know before you get to famous ? ]Ill be waiting to here from you Katharine cheers and dont work to hard ok? tom s williams

KatharineFletcher

June 23rd, 2008 - 11:03am

Hi Tom, thanks for getting in touch, Justin hasn’t received your email, please can you resend it. His and Steve’s addresses can be found on the ‘about’ page and they deal with site/show sponsorship.

As for ’special appearances’, thanks for suggesting it, but I think that would be a little over the top! I’m just a journalist; appearances at video game stores are for people who have achieved something special in the video gaming world - e.g. top designers, writers, animators, voice-actors. These are the people games fans want to see, and from the shop’s point of view, the ones who can promote a particular product. My job is to cover and showcase that talent to bring it to the attention of as wide an audience as possible, and to offer thoughtful and unbiased criticism of products to allow consumers to make informed decisions, not to become a pseudo-celebrity!