Burping, farting and badmouthing its way to the top, Epic’s new shooter is filthy in a tongue-in-cheek way
Format: PS3 (version played), Xbox 360, PC Dev: People Can Fly / Epic Games Pub: EA Out: 25/02/11 Players: 1, 2-4 online
I know what you’re thinking: Another first-person shooter… yawn. To pigeonhole this game simply as a FPS would be a mistake. It is so much more than that. Upon release it seems to have been overshadowed by fan behemoth Killzone 3. If you like to search for alternatives to the big blockbuster games, Bulletstorm may well be the one for you.
A notable characteristic that sets Bulletstorm apart from other FPSs, such as Call of Duty and Killzone, is that Bulletstorm doesn’t take itself that seriously. Entertainment and fun is paramount; realism and calculated war tactics have no place in this game.
The context runs thusly: It is the 26th century, humans have colonised the solar system. Following an ill advised, alcohol-induced revenge plot on their commanding officer that goes awry, protagonist Grayson Hunt finds himself stranded on the hostile planet Stygia with squad member Ishi Sato after crash landing from space.
The two soon realise that Planet Stygia is far from hospitable and begin to plan their escape. However, they soon become aware that their adversaries from above have also crash landed on the planet, thus increasing the number of people out for their blood.
Luckily, Grayson Hunt remains in possession of his trusty assault rifle, a gun which you will find yourself depending on throughout the game. Further in you acquires a pistol and a launcher that omits two grenades interlinked by a chain – enjoy wrapping these around enemies and experimenting with the results. The final key item is the leash, which Grayson utilises in order to aid him in his blood ridden escape. The leash is used to pull enemies toward you from a distance, who can then be volleyed with a swift kick from Grayson’s gravity boot. It is this process that enables you to explore creative and often insanely brutal methods of killing enemies.
Bulletstorm’s defining feature is clearly the ‘skillshot’ system, which encourages the you to ‘kill with skill’ and endeavour to be innovative and creative with the process of eliminating enemies. There are literally hundreds of different ways in which you can punish the crazed psychopaths and monsters that attempt to take you down. From feeding them to giant Venus Flytraps to shooting them in the nuts and then ripping their heads off, variety truly is the spice of life and you will earn more points the more creative you are. The leash and volley system is integral to this skillshot system; simply shooting at the enemies will earn you minimal points. Points equal currency, which the player can use to acquire ammunition, bigger clip sizes and special, devastating alternative fire shots for their weapons.
Bulletstorm definitely took me by surprise, and has restored my faith in FPSs. It is unflinchingly badass and provides a fresh alternative to the standard offered by Call of Duty and the like. Aside from the campaign, extended hours of gameplay can be found in multiplayer, and Echoes, in which you attempt to set new high scores on small segments of the game. Undoubtedly a sleeper hit, Bulletstorm desires your attention if you’re tired of the same old space marine nonsense.
Andy King
Tags: bulletstorm, ea, epic games, fps, sci-fi, shooter
This game is the nuts. In the middle of campaign on very hard, and it kjicks ar*e. Plus you get the Gears of War 3 Beta. So muich better than the boring same old FPS.