Trailer Review - Heavy Rain

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For years, video games have relied heavily on movie like aspects. For example, Wing Commander over a decade ago had professional voice and character actors. That said, while this undertone existed none have really embraced their movie like quality. Heavy Rain is set to break that barrier, by ushering in a new type of game. Think choose your own adventure meets Hollywood.

So, finally acknowledging their movie roots, the Heavy Rain trailer plays more like a movie trailer than a game trailer. We start out with narration from one of the main characters. I say one, because this game has 4 main characters.

The antagonist in this game is a serial killer, known as the Origami Killer. He has taken a boy, and the narrator is that boy's father. While none of this is explained by the trailer, you need to have this background to understand what is going on. Que the shot of the boy and his father.


Of course the whole family has to be involved.


If you're like me, you'll recognize that this film style seems to be in vouge right now, showing several angles a the same time.

Although it doesn't show it, use of the motion control and quick time events are required to "watch/control" this movie. A main character can even die, and the story will continue skipping that character in future chapters. Que the diving save.


The story line appears intense and the characters draw you in, even in the trailer. This is more than just a movie, you want to save the child.


This game looks great from everything I've seen. It is done by a French gaming comapany Quantic Dream.


Word of warning though, this is rated M and does include nudity. Games are pushing the edge of the ratings finally, but that's another post.

So time for the scores.

• Explosions - No
• Game Play - Yes & No (Game is all about the video)
  
• Pre-rendered Video - Yes (But that's the whole game)
  
• See the trailer - Yes
  
• Overall Rating 14/15
  

Buy, Rent or Skip the game - Buy (for now)

Trailer Review - Final Fantasy XIII

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Once again it is time for a trailer review. This time it's the new hotness known as Final Fantasy XIII. They decided that title fit on the box better than "Consume Every Free Moment of Time in My Life for the Next Three Months."



After the requisite title screen we get a nice intro from our MC for this trailer.



Next we get a little information about the characters, first comes the heroine, lighting.



Next is snow. At this point I'm wondering which character will be "Heavy Drizzle".



Then they seem to break from the theme with a spice like name, Vanille (Extract?).



Finally, we're introduced to Hope. Wait, I thought someone else brought us hope, with change we can believe in.



Like it says, he's sensitive. Don't make fun of his weight, he'll start pouting in the corner. Once again they say they changed the battle system. To me it looks like an incremental improvement.



Finally, we get to the explosions. It seems every trailer needs one of these.



The battle commands stack up and are removed right to left as your players beat on those nasty beasts.



The next image is why I say this is an incremental improvement. They still have the same hand pointer that's been used for years. You mean you couldn't find a better way of highlighting the command yet?



Of course there's riding the bird. I'm surprised PETA hasn't taken Square-Enix down.



Finally, the piece everyone was waiting for, a release date for the US.



So time for the scores.

• Explosions - Yes
• Game Play - Yes
  
• Pre-rendered Video - Yes
• See the trailer - Yes
  
• Overall Rating 13/15
  

• Buy, Rent or Skip the game - Buy (for now)
  

Trailer Review - Modern Warfare 2

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What is a trailer review?

Since this is the first one I feel an introduction is in order. As it stands now, there's a better chance of winning the Powerball than getting a game early to review here, so instead we here at Full Frontal Gaming will be reviewing the latest trailers and telling you which ones to watch. Oh and don't take this too seriously, this meant to be fun.

Onward to the review!

Call of Duty 6 - Modern Warfare 2

Producer - Infinity Ward

This trailer starts off showing a smart bomb camera going down, transitioning into a pre-rendered explosion of a building. Next you see guys getting into Humvees and manning the minigun on top. The vehicular scenes continue blowing up what looks to be houses in suburbia America. There's a flash of an airport and then back to suburbia where you see houses on fire.

As this jumbled train wreck of pre-rendered video continues you see helicopters taking off, characters fighting in the tundra, scuba diving, guys fighting with night vision googles and people reloading their guns. Finally it seems we get to our first look at non pre-rendered video but still no actual game play.

It appears to be a squad defending an airfield against terrorists. Followed by a tunnel collapsing on you and your fellow squad members.

Despite the fact that all you've seen are jumbled images put to music the trailer continues on to rocket launcher on pillars and then back to snow mobiles on the tundra. After you watch the snow mobiles explode you see guys launching rockets from a castle and guys using a riot shield to deflect bullets. Back to the airfield, suburbia, and then outer space as you watch a space station blow up.

Once the second of space video is done, on to the jet skis and then the airport again. The repetition continues until you see a guy with green flares. Start the explosion scenes. You see at least three helios go down, with big explosions. Then the cut back to the title.


Overall, I say skip the trailer it'll only confuse you.

• Explosions - Yes
• Game Play - No
• Pre-rendered Video - Yes
• See the trailer - No
• Overall Rating 6/10
  

• Buy, Rent or Skip the game - Buy