Enclave

"Good looking but gameplay needs work."

Once again we’re all faced with another prospect of a fantasy slash em up. Set somewhere in the Middleages and in a parallel universe or something similar. Your job being to firstly join the good guys in a fight against, yup you guessed it ,the bad guys (yawn). Ok predictable plot aside, what you’ve got here are some extremely atmospheric locations displaying the raw power of the Xbox’s graphical clout. Id even say the overall look is almost on par with the likes of Halo.

Gameplay wise its a mixed bag you’ll either love it or hate it. The problem lies in a limited control system which generates a somewhat random affair where your not sure if the giant double edged axe with the double whammy is actually going to connect slash after slash. Also trying other moves seems like suicide when you can complete the game using basic moves and less deaths instead. On a plus point you can choose from a varied selection of characters with each displaying their own set of skills to the game. This adds some well needed tactics for example using the archer is more stealth orientated than say the knight who uses in your face tactics. Each character can get the job done but some are harder than others. This is a good feature because it adds some depth and replay value.

You can purchase items/weopons by searching for hidden cash littered about the levels (not too hard, the game is about brawn over brain here). You are also able to replay a level as often as you like with any character that you have unlocked, so you can go back a collect any gold that you might of missed first time round. Enclave also uses a clever camera system whereby you can switch from 1st person to 3rd at the touch of a button. I found that both styles had their own merits and faults but its a good option to give the player.

So what we have here is a good game that could have benefited from a 2 player co-op mode or deathmatch scenario. This is however made up for in the choice of good and bad missions that you can choose to play and varied characters to choose from. The combat system can be fiddly and some might argue that the game lacks any real depth. In its favour Enclave does boast awesome graphics with the use of some impressive locations and FX. If your after a title that you want to play for short periods with a high action emphasis then Enclave is your master. If not then I would suggest Morrowind for that depth you may seek. Now be gone adventurer your quest awaits.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 06/09/03, Updated 06/09/03