Bethesda's foray into the first-person-shooter genre, Brink, has hit the shelves, so let's see what reviewers are saying about it.
Ars Technica is taking a principled approach, stating that because they cannot play the online portion of the Playstation game (due to PSN being down), and because PC review copies aren't available until launch, only the XBox version is available for review. Ars found the 360 demo version very rough and almost unplayable in muliplayer.
IGN reviewer Peter Eykemans gives the game 6/10, stating "With some good ideas, Brink borders on fun, but its repetition, lack of depth, and graphical problems keep it from being a real contender."
Destructoid's Jim Sterling gives the game 7.5/10. "As much as I'm complaining, I want to stress just how much I have adored my time with Brink. Even among my favorite online games, I've not played one so intent on encouraging players to work together, have fun, and feel like they're contributing. My frustration with this game lies within this very brilliance and how it's juxtaposed with bizarre ideas such as grossly imbalanced multiplayer and the imparting of almost all content within the first few hours of play. I love this game, I truly do, but I have a list of agitated questions for the developers as long as my arm."
Joystiq's Griffin McElroy assigns only 2/5 stars, stating "There's something inherently topsy-turvy with its core game design: Despite its focus on rapidly-changing objectives, it rewards mindless dog-piling on the primary goal. It punishes players who invest in a single class that resonates with them. Its moments of triumph are unsatisfying, and far outnumbered by its moments of crushing frustration. At every turn, it doesn't just settle for mediocrity -- it runs towards it with ramming speed."
GiantBomb's quick look video review states that "All the pieces are here for Brink but they just don't fit together in a particularly exciting way."
RSS
I was hoping for so much more. It is a shame. I would say that I was disappointed, but I kind of expected this to not go well.
Imagine that. Another craptacular FPS. I fear the Duke will suffer the same fate.