ShankarSome Things Are Sadly Forgotten
June 11th 2008 18:59
Hopefully Oblivion Hasn't Been Forgotten
Trying a new thing can pay off amazingly, like in the case of the open world titles like The Elder Scrolls series, and Grand Theft Auto. But it can also fail, in the eyes of the general public, even if the game has a ton of value in being a noteworthy gaming experience. My case in point today, PS2’s The Bouncer.
The combat system isn't perfect, but does remain fun.
What Squaresoft did here was a huge risk, an action/adventure fighter with RPG undertones. Unfortunately due to lackluster success, and even more lackluster staying power on the console, most people don’t remember this title. Which is in a way sad, because it can be an awesome experience, and if nothing else a very unique one.
If you’re a fan of anything Squaresoft, as many gamers are, you’ll immediately notice the standards of their style, such as character design, and the futuristic elements of the environments found in The Bouncer. More importantly another standard of Squaresoft is also present, in the emotionally driven story following the main character Sion and his fairly enigmatic companions. As it is Squaresoft after all, the main story follows Sion chasing through the bad guys after a girl, but as the game continues, the elements evolve beyond that.
You start to learn more about Sion, and his friends, about their pasts and how it’s affected their identities now. The game draws parallels between good and evil, and how the lines can be blurred at times, but through the blurring of both sides the differences still remain brightly evident.
Honestly, as a fault to the game, the combat isn’t spectacular. The engaging appeal of the old school brawler on a bigger scale, wears off a bit too quickly, which is probably why most weren’t inspired to carry through to the game’s final credits. But The Bouncer doesn’t have an awful combat mechanic either, and besides if you stick it out you get to take the full ride through the fantastic story.
Not to mention all the crazy environments and settings that can be found the further you journey into the game.
So give it a shot, and you can be surprised how much a brawler can make you feel and consider. The message that is carried across comes through incredibly clear, and you’ll be amazed a fighting game had so much to tell.
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Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
I played it a little and the fast-travel system, though convenient, destroys the feeling of being in a world.
Comment by Gamerchip