GameSpot editors' review
-
CNET editors' rating:
stars
Good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 02/24/2009
- Updated on: 02/25/2009
- Released on: 02/06/2009
- Originally published on GameSpot: X-Blades (Xbox 360) Review
X-Blades comes so close to being a great action game. It encompasses most of the elements that you would demand from the best games in the genre: diverse combat with tons of unlockable moves, impressive visuals that optimally frame the frantic fights, and a long quest with plenty of creepy monsters and gigantic boss encounters. But for every step forward that X-Blades takes on the road to action nirvana, it takes another step in the opposite direction. The depth of combat is too often compromised as hundreds of enemies flood the screen, the striking visuals lose their luster as repetitive environments make things predictable, and the boss battles are wars of attrition rather than tests of skill. However, despite the game's problems, it's still a fun action romp. But what could have been a thrilling, vicious battle against dark forces becomes an all-too-predictable foray into senseless hacking and slashing.
Ayumi's special attacks leave little to the imagination.
Ayumi is your typical treasure-hunting heroine except for one major visual distinction: She is not wearing any pants. As you run through the crumbling ruins on your quest to rectify the wrongs that you have caused, you will be staring at her unclothed backside, wondering why she decided to fight a horde of angry creatures without durable fabric protecting her from their vicious attacks. You will have to play through the entire game to unlock a pair of form-fitting pants, so leave your modesty at the temple entrance if you want to guide Ayumi through these haunted ruins. The story is largely forgettable, chronicling Ayumi's quest to drive off the dark side that she has unleashed onto the world.
The frantic combat will make you forget about the scantily clad protagonist for a little while. You have three attack types at your disposal--melee, guns, and magic--and you'll obtain plenty of unlockable moves and combos throughout the adventure. You can mow through the early enemies with little more than your titular blades, but most of your foes require a more thoughtful approach to dispose of them. Elemental attacks are your main tool, letting you quench the heat of a fire creature with an icy blast or neutralize a dark baddie with a burst of pure light energy. Given that multiple types of enemies will fill the screen, you'll have to smartly switch between different attack types to survive, creating dizzying encounters that require raw button-mashing prowess with clever magical use.
The problem is that many of these battles lack the sophistication needed to push this complex combat system to its full potential. Levels are often overrun with so many enemies that it's all you can do to spam with your swords, toss in the occasional area attack, and hope that your merciless pursuers relent for just one moment. X-Blades all too frequently relies on this mechanic, and though it can't completely destroy the deep combat system, it does lessen the impact, making duels far more repetitive than they should be. You won't have to deal with an abundance of enemies during boss duels, but these too come with their own set of problems. Bosses are generally immune to every type of attack except for one from a specific element. Once you figure out their weaknesses, you'll simply need to continually pepper the bosses from afar while you easily avoid their weak attacks. These battles creep towards frustration because of the sheer endurance needed to complete them, but they are predominantly forgettable and uninspired.
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X-Blades (Xbox 360):
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