I have to preface this preview with the following caveat: I don't find the "Gangsta" culture appealing in any way. This is not to say that I don't and haven't enjoyed Rap music since its inception, but just as I like Star Trek I cannot be called a Trekkie. You may want to consider this when you read my preview of 50 Cent's latest title, 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand.
The follow-up to 50 Cent: Bulletproof, Blood in the Sand casts our hero in war torn country in the Middle East. He has gone to perform a concert but after the performance, finds no payment forthcoming. In true 50-style, he is going to get his money any way he can...
Through 6 distinct areas that cover 20 areas, 2 that include driving and 1 flying, 50 exacts retribution on an entire city for doing him wrong. Drop in co-op allows familiar faces such as Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks and DJ Whoo Kid to join in on the action. Even when playing alone, your favorite member will be watching your back to ensure you get every combo and multiplier available.
Delightfully over-the-top arcade action makes Blood on the Sand all about getting the highest score possible. Your score results in more money. More money results in power-ups, upgrades, weapons and anything else that will allow you to increase your score so you can earn more money to buy more power-ups...
Using an over-the-shoulder perspective gives a great feel for your environment but also for being 50 Cent. With more than 20 basic weapons in 4 categories to choose from before upgrades, the visual cue of carrying a basic sub-machine gun in the back of your belt to a rocket launcher over your shoulder while you're fighting off three enemies with your fists can be rather satisfying.
You won't just be racking up score along the way but powering up your "Ganster Fire" meter. Once this fills the world goes into slow motion with 50 moving in real time, able to surgically remove any obstacles in his path. Counter kills will also activate this mode. These are perfectly timed, single button strikes against an opponent that are violent takedowns indicative of the pace and fury of the title. Pulling one off gives quite the payoff.
While the story is linear, the path is not. The environment can be used to solve many problems. Though the most gratuitous route to victory may lie with the run and gun method, the highest score may be through the use of a well-placed grenade toppling structures and racking up twice the points for twice the enemies. Mini-scripted plots occur throughout allowing the chance to win unique items for play — extra ammo or a unique single-use explosive.
The gameplay itself is well-done, fluid and frenetic. It was only upon entering a shot-up bazaar that I started to squirm (and not for the first time). Signs on the wall appeared to be in Arabic (they were not — but they were intended to look as such). I asked specifically if there was any concern about representing a Middle Eastern country in this light considering the political climate. I didn't receive a response as such.
Just last night I was watching for the umpteenth time, the film True Lies. I remarked to a friend how much I really enjoyed it. He agreed and said what a shame it was that the sequel was scrapped after 9/11, but to quote James Cameron, "Terrorists simply aren't funny anymore."
Well, yes they are. We simply lost our sense of humor. And if this game is any indication, we've also lost our sense of tact.
Video games are frequently, and unfairly, decried as lacking a moral compass. A game can't have a compass but the people who make it surely can. This game has good, engaging gameplay that was designed well for its target audience. I believe it will be fun. However, it is incumbent upon those who decide our entertainment to be responsible.
There are no Twin Tower games for a reason. This story was better left untold for precisely the same reason.
I'm a mother of two boys, ages 7 and 10 and live in the chaos that ensues. I've a permanent disability that keeps me homebound, so books, kids, games and books are my constant companions. Oh, and books, too. *grins*
My children both play games so I often play them first, getting to know exactly how something may effect my sensitive and easily stimulated older child vs. my stoic and imperturbable younger.
I like games for games; for the pure enjoyment of them and believe that no game is wholly bad, though some are real stinkers.
I also have the dexterity of a camel in mittens so find playing FPSs difficult (and I also don't like the gore) and RTSs at times can stump me. I just can't seem to move quickly enough to keep up with them. Some of my favorite games are arcade games and I'll spend 3-5 years on the same 5-6 levels because I just never get any better. But, I have fun.
