Binary Domain - Demo Review

BLAM Sucka!!!

I had the opportunity to sit down and play the demo for "Binary Domain" this weekend. I was pleased and displeased at the same time. It was like watching a trailer for an action movie, only to find that all of the good stuff was included in the trailer. I'm not saying I was completely bummed over the demo, but I am saying I was expecting more out of the demo.

I am a believer that demo's for games never do them justice. Let's hope I am right about that belief for "Binary Domain". The demos main menu has the typical SEGA feel, being designed really well. It's extremely crisp, quick, and very simple. There are two stages to choose from; both are very short, and straight to the point. The first stage starts with the player controlling the main protagonist of BD, Dan Marshall. He is tasked with splitting up with his unit, and choosing two other operatives to assist him. His choices are "Big Bo", a heavy weapons expert who is known for his high stamina and fire power; "Faye", a recon soldier who has excellent marksmanship with a sniper rifle; "Charlie", a tactical specialist that focuses on close quarter combat; or "Rachel", who specializes in demolitions.

While this robot is pretty huge, it doesn't even come close to some of the other "boss" robots in the game!

I picked "Big Bo", and "Faye", and started exploring the streets of a futuristic Tokyo. It wasn't long before we ran into trouble, of course. Dozens of robots began pelting us with bullets. The thing I did like about this demo is that I could literally shoot away every plate of armor the robots were carrying. If I shot at a robots legs, the armor would deplete first, and then the layer of metal below it would blast off from the impact of the bullets. Even though the robot couldn't walk anymore, it would roll over, and begin shooting at me while crawling. If it got close enough, it would grab your leg and try to attack you that way. It felt as if I was in the movie "I-Robot", which I loved, and I've been waiting for a video game to come out that was similar to what is portrayed in that movie.

Everyone deserves a hug, right? Nah. Just blow a hole in it's metal head!

The graphics in BD are good, but aren't anything I haven't seen already. While the overall setting of the game is clean, and carries an overall tone of whites and greys, I wish there was more color involved. I think of the future being more colorful, and not so dull. While the gameplay mechanics are decent enough, the dialogue between Dan and his troops is extremely cheesy, and not well thought out. It also can become very repetitive, and obnoxious. Something that BD introduces to the third person genre is the ability to have consequences that involve your teammates. Whether you are in combat or not, you are able to give voice commands that make it feel more like you are barking out orders, and casually complimenting Faye's curvy body with Big Bo. If you shoot a team mate, it will effect their overall trust in you as a commander. While this may sound cool, and realistic, the demo didn't really prove it to be as such. If I gave an order to cover me, or to fire at the enemy, it always seemed that they would reply with "That isn't possible!", or "I can't!". Another thing that really bugged me is that my teammates would run in front of me with no warning, even if I was in the middle of shooting an enemy. So while the AI the enemy displays is decently intelligent, Dan's teammates isn't. I always felt like I was doing all of the work, even when I would give out orders for support.

The second stage of the demo jumps right into the action. Dan is automatically given a white robot named "Cain", and "Faye" as teammates. I was tasked with fighting my way through robots in a subway station. One thing I didn't mention is that when I would get shot to the point of death, I could choose to heal myself with a shot of antidote, or ask for a teammate to come to my aid. While I slowly began to bleed out on the ground, I waited for a team mate to make their way to my body, and could shoot the enemy with my pistol in the mean time. There are a number of weapons to choose from including an assault rifle, a rocket launcher, frag grenades, sticky grenades, and heavy machine guns. On occasion I could approach a "shopping station" that would enable me to upgrade my teammates weapons, as well as my own. I could also purchase more weapons, abilities, and medical supplies. At the beginning of the demo I was given 3,000 credits to purchase these items, and was able to earn more credits by taking down some robot bad guys. The way I earned more points was for better performance, like head shots, and such.

Flippy, Flippy, Flippy!

Over all the demo was a decent experience. I didn't walk away from it wanting to buy the game, but I'd say it'll be worth a play through once it hits shelves in the U.S. on February 28. I'm giving this demo 3 out of 5 stars for it's new consequence mechanics, decent graphics, easy gameplay, and customization. If you want to check it out for your self, this demo is available on the Xbox 360, and PS3!

Until next time, keep on gamin' on!