Endgame

"Not too bad but lacks the quality to be considered an essential purchase"

This game is a re-make of a Japanese lightgun game, and let's face it, most re-makes that've been released on Ps2 have failed. The one genre that lacks quantity in Ps2 games is the LightGun game. Time Crisis, Silent Scope etc. have all managed to create a LightGun game that includes decent looks and overwhelming gameplay. Silent Scope was great because it was the only one of it's kind, it was the only Sniper game on the market. Time Crisis succeded because it was the definitive LightGun game, and still is. Many have tried to de-throne Time Crisis but they have failed. Look at Resi Survivor, it was a flaccid piece of game which was ugly and extremely repetitive. EndGame has tried to de-throne Time Crisis, but has it succeded?

THE GOOD:

Jade, the heroine of the game, is decent enough and Cunning Developments haven't "done a Dead Or Alive" and tried to make her as slutty as possible (which probably would have boosted sales - for obvious reasons.) What we have here is an unattractively-fresh lead character, and that is a good thing, it means End Game has the guts to try and sell itself using good gameplay and not eye candy.

There is a nice bonus game named Mighty Joe Jupiter. And this time speed plays a major factor in the game (you recieve a different ending due to how quick you were.)

THE BAD:

The problem which lets the gameplay down most is the speed of the game. Most of the levels will take you the time it takes you to drink a can of coke and the speed of the action is so mediocre that it makes the levels seem even shorter. Those problems are slightly solved by Boost Mode, which is available once you recieve a kill quota, and End Game turns into fast, fun action. But the Boost mode only lasts a short while and then you're back to snail-speed gameplay.

End Game is also terribly predictable. If you are heading down a corridor and you see a door, it's gauranteed a villain while come through it.

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So all in all Endgame is pretty disappointing, but of course - compared to Resi Survivor - it's worth your purchase. The LightGun genre isn't exactly brimming with quality titles. So, if you're looking for a lightgun experience and you find End Game at an agreeable price it really is worth a purchase. Just don't expect a Time Crisis beater.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 06/05/04