Killer 7 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Games have been described as art in the past.A game that comes immediately to mind is Ico, which oozed personality and landscapes that were both etheral and were just like a painting.Not until this game have I ever played a game that was almost like interactive art.

As far as I can see, if there was ever a game that was pretending to be an art house film, Killer 7 would be it.From the stylized, psuedo-noir/comic book/anime inspired graphics to the dark, brooding, and sex-laden story and the weird gameplay, you have the makings of an art house video game, as strange as that sounds.But does it work?In a word, mostly.

Going back to the art comment, each level in this game and each presentation of idea screams art.It's like passing surreal paintings in a museum.You pass one and go "whoa, that's weird."And you might pass another one that makes you want to tilt your head so you can maybe understand it better.And yet, you come up with a hint but nothing concrete.This game is like that, except that each level, each character each piece of dialogue is connected in a way a wall full of paintings usually isn't.

Normally, when a game puts style and story over gameplay, bad juju occurs.For instance, Xenosaga II was a great movie, but as a game it was horrible.In this case, I've known from the beginning that the gameplay would be as equally weird as the storyline.Suda 51, the game's creator, had been asked when Killer 7 was first introduced via some strange cut scenes how it would play.His answer was he didn't know.They had spent so much time and effort getting the feel and story of the game down, that they had no clue how it would ultimately play like.

Truthfully, I shouldn't like this game.And yet, somehow I do.So, how does it play?In a move that is a throw back to some of the early Sega CD games I played, you push the A button to move forward.If you want to turn around, you push B to do a 180.When you get to a specific junction that allows you do something other than move (i.e. an object or different hallways or rooms), you tilt the controller in the direction you want to go and push A.When you hear the satanic laughter of the Heaven's Smiles, you pull the R trigger and enter a FPS mode when you aim and shoot at the approaching time bombs.Hitting them in a yellow weak area is an instant kill that gives you the most blood.

Yes, blood.In fact, an interesting strategy system for leveling up involves collecting blood from fallen enemies.As you kill enemies, you collect blood which can be used to level up each of your personalities in areas of power, aim control, speed, criticals etc.So, you want to hit the yellow areas for an instant kill and for the most blood.

Basically, that's the gameplay in a nutshell. You move around incredibly linear levels, on a rail, set path and blast any and all enemies you find.Along the way, you'll come across various puzzles that require you to use your brain and sometimes a lot of luck to figure out.Since this is a Capcom game, expect some Resident Evil (the earlier ones, not the new one) type puzzles.

The game can be difficult in places both for your brain and for your trigger finger.There are some enemies, the giant Heaven Smiles for one, who are difficult to kill.Other enemies have to be shot in specific places or its exploding time.Remembering the various enemy types and how to confront them adds an exciting and sometimes difficult strategy to the game.When one of the personalities die, their head is left at the scene.You then have to play as Garcian Smith to collect the head to bring it back to life.This makes the game pretty "easy" in that it's hard to truly have a game over.However, this adds to the backtracking/repetitiveness as you have to watch a cutscene of your character's head, then you're back in Harman's Room, you choose Garcian, run back to the body, another cutscene, then you're back at Harman's room again to choose your personality and then you're free to go play again.

Honestly, though, the gameplay is just there to differentiate this from being a movie.The best part is the incredibly bizarre and truly disturbing story.In a (dis?)Utopian society where the world has reached peace and missles are shot off into the sky at each other in a sort of celebration that missles are no longer shot at each other, a new terrorist organization has taken hold.The Heaven's Smile has members who seem perfectly normal until they explode.Only the group Killer 7 can truly see them for the evil they are and annihilate them.

What is the Killer 7?They are the personalities of a Mr. Harman Smith, a wheelchair bound guy who seems to enjoy rough sex.Each of the 7 personalities have their own strengths, weaknesses and special abilities that make them absolutely invaluable to the missions.For instance, Kaede (the sole female) slits her wrists and baths barracades in blood in order to destroy them.Mask De Smith performs wrestling moves on plywood blocking a door.Kevin Smith can become invisible and invincible.Coyote Smith can jump to high areas and open any lock.Did I mention Kaede who slits her wrists?

If the last paragraph didn't clue you in, this is a rated M game.Which means it was created for those over 17.Unlike games like Conker (a game I love by the way) that use their M rating for South Park style humor, Killer 7 has many disturbing moments.Running into talking heads in dryers and other assorted places is just the beginning.As the game progresses, you will see and hear many weird things, from the nurse/sex slave? Samantha and her sexcapades with Harman to a blinded kid to the head that tells of its former, death filled life involving the cutting off of certain body parts to a rainstorm of blood.And then there's the cursing, the countless uses of the F word and various other four letter words.This is not a game for children.

There are some genuine problems with the game, however.Yet again, Nintendo hasn't supported those of us who have High Def, a wide screen or surround sound.The game isn't presented in HD or in Wide Screen format.It isn't even Dobly Pro Logic II like some Nintendo games released.And it shows.If you have a receiver, it will be odd hearing sounds coming out of far spaced left and right speakers.The quality of the sound isn't too great.The voice acting is genuinely good, but sometimes it's set at a tone that is much quieter than the music.Add to the fact that there aren't any subtitle options (except the scene specific ones where the characters speak in semi-gibberish) and you have a problem; especially since it's such a story heavy game.Speaking of dialogue, another sore spot is the fact that some of the characters constantly repeat things.There are three main characters you see in every mission, a red dressed thing (can't remember it's name), Travis and the information seller.Each time you talk to them, they start off with the same dialogue.For instance, the red dressed thing always says "Master.We're in Trouble.Big Trouble." or "Master.We're in a tight spot.A very tight spot.I don't want to say what type of tight spot."Dialogue like that.The first few times, it's okay but when you're done with the 15 hour game you will really wish you could hit A or something to skip through some of the dialogue.As is, you can hit start and skip ALL of the dialogue but since puzzle pieces, story and boss strategies are given, it's not recommended.

There are only 3 options in the Options menu, rumble, invert aiming and stereo/mono (do people even play games in Mono any more??).The problem is, everytime I continue the game, I have to change the invert aiming for some reason.Mighty annoying.

Overall, I'm having a hard time explaining this game.I hope I gave enough to give readers an idea of what to expect if they decide to rent/purchase this unique game.It's hard to qualify it as anything but an artistic expression.One does not play art usually.One views it, tries to gather some meaning from it, and moves on either changed or unchanged.This game is like that.It's very difficult (impossible?) to fully explain in any lucid way what this is.Besides what I've written above, my best recommendation is to play it.You can't get a feeling for it without trying it.This isn't Halo nor Final Fantasy where I can say it's this or it's that.This is something completely and utterly different, comprehensible and yet totally the opposite.

This is a game that will go down as a love it or hate it experiment.If the mainstream video game audience even hear about the game, I will be surprised.The Electronics Boutique I got mine from only ordered two copies, both preordered.And, those who actually do play it will either love it for the chances it takes, or will hate it for having the stiff gameplay.I happen to love it and I can't tell you exactly why.The story is interesting and very post-modern which is partly why I like it.And, for some reason, the gameplay that is so stiff is also an addictive situation.Either way you look at it, though, Kudos to Capcom for taking the chance and creating this dark masterpiece and experiment.In an environment filled with sequels and movie to game licenses, I have to applaud Capcom for releasing such a different, yet enthralling piece of art.Yes, art.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Killer 7

Product Description:
Killer7 is the action adventure game of a hard-boiled taste. A player makes full use of small arms or special capability, making the character of seven "the professional killers with seven character" whom become hero Harman Smith and he has change, and confronts "man with hand of God" Kun Laon which aims at a national overthrow. They are the man who plans the world into fear of indiscriminate terrorism, the man who is going to stop the wave, and the revenge tragedy with which the life of two persons becomes entangled intricately. A view of the world thrilling at DAKU which the visual and individual character of art by cell shading performs, and the game style which was not until now are the new games of charm.

Get 4% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Killer 7 now ?