BLACK on PS2 (2006)

Good stuff

A customer from london , 19/05/2006

Loved it! Ignore the press stuff which paints this as an all-out, guns blazing shooter - it's alot more tactical than that. Think 'Medal of Honour' for grown-ups. The graphics are incredible, with only occasional slow-down (on PS2) - environments are excellently realized, albeit within a fairly limited range. Think east-european spy films. The weapons are a cut above the usual FPS fare, in terms of their look, the reloading, the dramatic effect they have on scenery and the SOUND! Full marks to the sound department, who ensure that explosions, gunshots, enemy chatter and so on are suitably loud and atmospheric. I'd love to hear it on a 5.1 system. Other reviews have complained about the numerous shots needed to fell enemies - they go down in one if you get a clean head shot. Otherwise, it's actually alot more realistic than other shooters, as you need to hit enemies lots of times - as they do you - before either party actually pegs out. Makes the 'run-and-gun' approach possible, but not advisable, as you stay alive longer if you plan your attack and take the time to line up shots. The levels are linear, but well-designed, so you actually feel as if you have relative freedom to explore, rather than just following corridors and so on. The only complaint is that the game doesn't offer up a great deal new the longer you play. I can see how this would be a problem if you charged in letting off rounds like a lunatic for every single level, but played with an eye for subtlety it becomes a bonus - engrossing and tense, as you waited for the next enclave of enemy soldiers to start taking pot-shots. Not having a radar works well for this reason, as you have to genuinely proceed with caution and approach it more as a real-world situation. Anyway, enough prattling; not for everyone, but can be fantastic if you enjoy FPSs. And the exploding rubble/walls/scenery is VERY satisfying.

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Single minded destruction

Niki Jones from London , 02/03/2007

Games don't come much more single minded than Black. Run, shoot, hide, shoot, run, that's pretty much it. However if that's your bag you'll have a lot of fun with this one.

The environments are very realistic with every piece of scenery reacting to your gunfire, sometimes to your advantage. Seeing and hearing bullets whistle past your head really gets your heart racing, and there's little more satisfying than picking off a soldier at a distance with a single headshot. I can't claim to be a gun expert but the weapons here seem weighty and realistic making it all the more enjoyable.

Be warned though, the game is tough, I have to admit to giving up after many attempts at the final level. That said it's incredibly rewarding when you find a better way of tackling the level than you did the last time, making you use your surroundings and weaponry more effectively.

You already know if you like games like this, and if you do you'll love this one.

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Excellent

A customer from Sussex , 22/05/2006

If you like shoot em ups, rent this, its bloomin marvelous. Realy enjoyed it.

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The best

Luke Gilks from Norwich, England , 04/09/2006

Simply the best game i have ever played just try it

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OK but far from great

A customer from Wiltshire , 09/05/2006

I tend to agree with the previous review. The graphics are pretty good but the gameplay could do with a fair bit of refining. The controls do not seem very responsive.

I found it very frustrating. I'm sure at one point it took 10 direct shots to fell an opponent.

This is the type of title that is worth renting but not buying.

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Good stuff

A customer from london , 19/05/2006

Loved it! Ignore the press stuff which paints this as an all-out, guns blazing shooter - it's alot more tactical than that. Think 'Medal of Honour' for grown-ups. The graphics are incredible, with only occasional slow-down (on PS2) - environments are excellently realized, albeit within a fairly limited range. Think east-european spy films. The weapons are a cut above the usual FPS fare, in terms of their look, the reloading, the dramatic effect they have on scenery and the SOUND! Full marks to the sound department, who ensure that explosions, gunshots, enemy chatter and so on are suitably loud and atmospheric. I'd love to hear it on a 5.1 system. Other reviews have complained about the numerous shots needed to fell enemies - they go down in one if you get a clean head shot. Otherwise, it's actually alot more realistic than other shooters, as you need to hit enemies lots of times - as they do you - before either party actually pegs out. Makes the 'run-and-gun' approach possible, but not advisable, as you stay alive longer if you plan your attack and take the time to line up shots. The levels are linear, but well-designed, so you actually feel as if you have relative freedom to explore, rather than just following corridors and so on. The only complaint is that the game doesn't offer up a great deal new the longer you play. I can see how this would be a problem if you charged in letting off rounds like a lunatic for every single level, but played with an eye for subtlety it becomes a bonus - engrossing and tense, as you waited for the next enclave of enemy soldiers to start taking pot-shots. Not having a radar works well for this reason, as you have to genuinely proceed with caution and approach it more as a real-world situation. Anyway, enough prattling; not for everyone, but can be fantastic if you enjoy FPSs. And the exploding rubble/walls/scenery is VERY satisfying.

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