- Platform: Xbox.
- ESRB Rating: T - Teen.
- Genre: Action, Action, Adventure.
Vehicle combat games have typically made up a good chunk of any
console's library, but in the case of Blood Wake, the combat is
taken to an atypical arena--the sea. Set against the backdrop of
an Asian-themed locale where three different groups are vying
for power, Blood Wake is a boat combat game that features
good action, great graphics, and some of the most impressive
water effects ever seen in a game.
Playing as Shao Kai, you are betrayed by your brother and left
for dead. After being rescued by a rival warlord, you swear
allegiance to that warlord and join forces with him. The story
and setting are pretty original for an action game, but the
animated cutscenes aren't as engaging as they should have been;
after watching the first few, you'll find yourself skipping them
and jumping straight to the missions.
Thankfully, Blood Wake scores big in this area. The missions run
a wide gamut and will have you defending convoys, attacking
enemy cargo ships, and collecting "payments." And though the
missions are well designed, occasionally combat can degenerate
into you and the enemy turning in circles in an effort to gain
the best firing angle.
Over the course of the game you'll have access to over 10
boat variations, each armed to the gills with a wide variety
of weapons. Though you can't choose which boat you'll use
before a mission, the game does a nice job of giving you the
boat that will best serve your purposes. Controlling the boats
is fairly straightforward; but, since you need to contend with
the physics of the water, some gamers may find the controls a
little frustrating at first, especially when turning and moving
forward after being stopped. Fortunately, after a few missions
gamers will get their sea hands and the controls will become
second nature.
Graphically, Blood Wake is extremely impressive. The boats
feature lots of little details like cannons ejecting shells, the
pilot moving in his seat, and the wood of the boat
splintering damage as you take hits. The most impressive thing
about Blood Wake, however, is its depiction of water. Waves
c over your boat, wakes impact how you steer, and
torpedoes will send up a massive wave that will toss you into
the air. It's not just fancy special effects; the water actually
dictates how combat unfolds. When fighting in choppy seas you
need to make sure you fire when you're at the top of a wave,
otherwise your bullets will simply hit a wave in front of you.
This is a nice touch and really show the a of thought that
went into Blood Wake's development.
Because of its fun gameplay and solid multiplayer component
(four multiplayer games are included), fans of vehicle combat
games owe it to themselves to try out Blood Wake. --William
Harms
Pros:
* Water effects are very impressive
* Fairly original setting
* Awesome graphics
* Lots of fun gameplay
Cons: * Gameplay gets a little repetitive
* Animated cutscenes aren't particularly engaging