Chrome

[Happy lil Elf]

This game has been out for awhile now and since my computer can now run it, I was just wondering if anyone has picked it up and think it's worth plopping down the cash for. Just got done playing the demo and it ;looks like it might be at least somewhat entertaining.

[Fragmatic]

It's ok, I picked it up cheap, but it ran shite.. since upgraded, so I might install it in a min and give you a quick review, ok?

Edit - Patched and ready to roll...

[Happy lil Elf]

Thank ya, Frag :love:

[Fragmatic]

Ok, sorry it's an hour late, but I needed "thorough testing" ;)

Basically, if you can't be bothered to read the below, the game is so-so.

Graphics - 4.5-5
The graphics look great, very impressive game, considering it is based on java (gasp) and using direct x 9. The outdoor environments are large and dense with vegetation, whilst buildings seem cramped. Texture detail isn't so high, but everything looks smooth as a whole. Some weapons have digital readouts, which give a nice touch, and sniper scopes sometimes fuzz up (electronic, not optical scopes). Lighing effects are impressive too, be sure to turn up your gamma though, most of the areas are pretty dark, although it adds atmosphere. :p

Sound - 3-5
Guns sound like toys, and the voice acting is pretty corny, overall, not as pleasant on the ears as it is the eyes.

AI - 3-5
Again, only a moderate score for the AI. Enemies will react to sound and vision, and they're all pretty accurate with their weapons. Thing is, you can snipe one guy in, say a group of 2, and half the time, the other guy will run away, or he will search for you. The AI feels too computerised, it doesn't seem as lifelike as other games on the market.

Gameplay - 3-5
The problem with Chrome, is that it doesn't know what it wants to be.
It's biased towards a tactical gameplay type, IE, taking out enemies stealthily and swiftly... not charging in like Rambo. The problem is, alot of the time, you will be asked to clear out enemies in an open area, or a building, and it's pretty challenging to kill a group of enemies, especially when it doesn't take much to kill you either.
Never fear though, there are various devices to help you on your way, such as heavier weaponary (rocket launchers, for instance), personal cloaking devices, cluster grenades, and even implants (Planetside anyone? ;)) Missions are pretty standard, "rescue this", "snoop about and find out about that", all what we expect to see from an FPS game. The missions are broken up into different sections, which gives you an oppurtinity to save your progress.

Performance - 3-5
Again, an average score. Chrome will run like a dog on non DX9 cards (I used to have a Ti4800, and it would lag alot, now I have a Radeon 9600XT and it runs smooth as silk). Loading times are extremely long as well, 2 minutes or so for a mission, which is terrible for any modern game.

Multiplayer - 3-5
Can you see where I'm going score wise? ;)
Multiplayer has all the usual modes - Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Capture the Flag. There are other game modes, such as Total Domination, in which you have to capture bases around an island. The maps are large scale outdoor affairs, with a few buildings thrown in for all you CQB lovers as well. There are vehicles to get you and your team around, such as buggies with machine guns, hoverbikes, mechs, and even a massive APC for the team conscious. There aren't many servers around for the game, and most players don't actually seem to know what they're doing. Netcode isn't too smooth either, vehicles look extremely jerky on multiplayer, which is a dissapointment.

Summary - 3-5
Yep, 3-5's, an overall average game. This is more for fans of games such as the Rainbow Six series, or Ghost Recon, but who also enjoy the Sci Fi genre. Not a game to be ripped off the shelves, but more so for the budget/bargain bin crowd.

I didn't get that much playtime, 1 hour single player, 1 hour multi, but, first impressions are everything, and my first impression of the game was "average".
It's not a bad game at all, but there's room for improvements.

(sorry for the poorness of this review, it's 7am and I haven't slept)

[UncleDynamite]

Frag's got it right: Chrome is a pretty average game, FPS-wise. It's one of those products that you play when you've beaten all your current games and you're just waiting for some better ones to come out.

[Hamma]

Played the demo it was ok - gfx were win

[Happy lil Elf]

Meh, I'll wait then. Since I just got the SS2 dl and the texture update that should stall me until Chrome drops in price.

*Edit* Much :love: for the advice ;)

[Dharkbayne]

The gameplay was kinda, bleh, GFX are nice though. The one CTF map with the big field of grass you can hide in owns, they need that in Planetside

[Fragmatic]

It's funny seeing people spray n' pray online, and you pop em off with a couple of shots :P