Haze (PS3)

Haze is proof of just how fickle hype can be. Every now a game will come along that's groomed for greatness, and should it live up to expectations, glowing media coverage usually grants it the final significant springboard to success. On the occasions when such a game falls short however, it must face the weighty scorn of a disappointed press and, by association, an apathetic gaming public. Haze, in the aftermath of its release and subsequent lynching, is not a bad game; indeed, it has a number of bright ideas, it's just it tends not to make good on them. Anticipation was high and for good reason; the most evident being that was the first (and as it would ...  Read the complete review

Haze is a highly anticipated shooter from the makers of the excellent Timesplitters series Free Radical. Hazes story follows you a soldier working for the Mantel Corporation Shane Carpenter, Mantel are using a drug called Nectar to control their soldiers and enhance their combat abilities. Eventually you see that and change sides in a plot twist to work for the rebels, it may have been unexpected but they gave it away on the back of the box! The concept of the story was interesting but it is executed rather poorly and it isn't very enthralling at all. The gameplay is fairly mediocre sadly, its standard first person shooting stuff but yet it nearly ...  Read the complete review

It sits there silently in the corner. A hunched down monstrosity; its one red eye intent on haunting my dreams. I often think I hear it call to me in the night, 'come play with me'. I refuse to succumb to its sick fantasies, what could we possibly play together? Why would I play with that when I can play elsewhere and Achieve so much more? No, there is only one way that this sleeping giant could force me to awaken it and that is through the power of one. One title that can only be played through it and nowhere else. Surely this exclusive visage would be tailor made to maximise both our pleasures? I don't remember going to the shop, I vaguely remember switching on ...  Read the complete review

Haze is a new first person shooter for the Playstation 3 and turns out to be a pretty good one but not the best. Visual Presentation Visually, the game is pretty good but nothing special. While action scenes are a joy to look at from afar, there is some lack of fine details which makes background settings appear bland. There is none of that brilliant shading or shadow detail in Haze that we've seen in some of Ubisoft's other titles for the PS3 such as Assassin's Creed. 6/10 Sound The special sound effects are realistic and quite good but the voice acting is really poor and repetitive. The music is typical of that of ...  Read the complete review

A brief warning, because of the nature of this game a discussion of its strengths and weaknesses requires divulging certain elements of its plot. However, as the developers saw fit to put one of the key story developments on the back of the box anyway I don't think I'm letting out a big secret. If you're planning on playing this game and would like to avoid any spoiling any surprises, don't read on (and stay well away from the back of the box.) I think no title on the PS3 has suffered from hype as much as Haze. An exclusive title during an intense dry spell for Sony's console, Haze looked like a beacon of hope. A title from one of the most original developers ...  Read the complete review