• December 6, 2006    Home > Game Reviews > Verdict

    GUN Showdown

    How does Neversoft's western survive on PSP?
    Version
     PSP    		Developer
    Rebellion Studios    		Publisher
    Activision    		Genre
    Action

    Page: 1  2  3 

    Page 3

    Visually things are better but not by much. Average graphics and textures are matched by occasional polygon tearing and pop-up. Enemies also spookily slide to face you as animations are seemingly missing, making you wonder whether you are in a ghost town or a frontier town.

    "Despite a seemingly open game-map, invisible walls play a large part with certain areas."

    And despite a seemingly open game-map, invisible walls play a large part with certain areas deemed out of bounds which you are thus simply restricted from entering. Yet again an easy way out for the developers but frustrating for the player. And lets not mention the AI with enemies conveniently standing still, waiting you you to reload so that you can pump them full of lead again.

    As should be evident by now, gameplay-wise GUN is lacking. In terms of story and plot though, things again are significantly better - no doubt due to the professional scriptwriters and big name voice-actors. The game is composed of an over-arcing story, consisting of many smaller task-based missions - some of which are optional whilst others are compulsory.

    The compulsory missions obviously drive the story forward and involve diverse tasks such as protecting a stage-coach from marauding Indians, preventing said Indians from destroying a bridge or wiping out an enemy gang. Whilst varied though these often border on the tedious with enemies appearing from nowhere, with no warning and simply attacking in waves - once you have wiped out one wave, a new wave will appear from around the corner.

    With so may hang-ups it becomes difficult to play this title with any prolonged sense of enjoyment. In parts it is fun but these are few and far between. In fact, the most best components of the game can be considered to be the cut-scenes and the voice acting. Yes, the non-interactive movie parts.

    And if that's the case then there are many far better Westerns out there to watch - ones which don't involve having to fight with the controls to get your 5 minute fix of enjoyment before repeating the process again. Unforgivable really.

    Graphics Sound Gameplay Depth Presentation OVERALL
    5.5 7.5 5.0 6.0 4.5 5.0


    THE VERDICT:     Despite initial promise this soon dissipates once the cumbersome control method become apparent. Other factors such as poor AI and average graphics prevents the player gaining any sort of momentum and enjoyment. With some more tweaking, things could have been very different and instead of riding off into the sunset, GUN Showdown becomes a let-down.

    Page: 1  2  3 



Kikizo:

Kikizo Classic:

Entertainment:





Kikizo Archives
The Top 50 Names in Games We Ever Interviewed
We Name the Top 65 Games of the Noughties

Archive Highlights

Satoru Iwata Video Interview - the late Nintendo president spoke with Kikizo in 2004 as 'Nintendo Revolution' loomed.


Kaz Hirai Video Interview - the first of Kikizo's interviews with the man who went on to become global head of Sony.


Ed Fries Video Interview - one of Xbox's founders discusses an epic journey from Excel to Xbox.


Yu Suzuki, the Kikizo Interview - we spend time with one of gaming's most revered creators.


Tetris - The Making of an Icon: Alexey Pajitnov and Henk Rogers reveal the fascinating story behind Tetris


Rare founders, Chris and Tim Stamper - their only interview? Genuinely 'rare' sit down with founders of the legendary studio.


The History of First-Person Shooters - a retrospective, from Maze War to Modern Warfare