Undying is the best Clive Barker game I have ever played.
It is also the only Clive Barker game I have ever played, and judging from what I've seen of Jericho and the two Nightbreed games, as well as the fact that Demonik never actually got released, it will probably stay that way for a while.
But that's not to say I didn't enjoy Undying. Not at all. Far from being a typical FPS, Undying mixes some very creative elements in with all the shooting and running around finding keys.
Positives:
-Interesting story based around diverse characters with plenty of fragments of exposition scattered throughout the world for those interested.
-Spells add not only tactics to the combat but also puzzles and additional information on the story - with good effect.
-Well paced gameplay for the most part, with interesting battles and puzzles that aren't too easy.
-Sound design is very atmospheric and adds to the immersion considerably.
Negatives:
-Graphics look dated - for those who never played games back when this was released, it will all look very blocky and angular. For those who remember when games were like this, nostalgia allows one to look past such things.
-At times the game felt a bit directionless, with some sections having me wandering around the map in circles aimlessly.
-The final boss battle. What was up with that?
I've never really been a fan of horror stuff, but Undying doesn't really come across as a pure horror game, thankfully. Depsite having some creepy parts, it is still quite accessible to those not overly fond of the genre.
If you want a good, creative FPS with a very low price that doesn't need a super high end machine to run, Undying is a beautifully atmospheric tale, with plenty of action to boot.
4 comments:
So glad I'm not the only that remembers this game. I had read tons of reviews and played the demo to death back then and thought it was a masterpiece. Never managed to play the full thing unfortunately, but I'm pretty sure I'll like it.
Ah, I thought this would appeal to the nostalgic readers - and indeed, buying and playing through this has awakened the nostalgic person inside me and has seen me trying and buying a few different games from around this era!
I'd say: If you find a cheap copy (which doesn't seem overly hard), it's well worth getting for that sunday some time when you really feel like a good horror-esque time.
I remember walking toward a mirror, seeing something behind me, spinning around, and seeing nothing there. I don't think any game had me so spooked until System Shock 2.
Hah, yes, that was a good bit!
System Shock 2 is on my list of games to get - eventually!
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