If you are looking for a game packed with non-stop adrenaline from all the running about, explosions and bullets whizzing past your head, then you definitely, definitely need to give 2010’s Vanquish a shot!
Directed by the legendary Shinji Mikami, developed by Platinum Games and published by Sega, Vanquish places you as Sam Gideon, a DARPA researcher equipped with the cutting-edge Augmented Reaction Suit (ARS), who has been sent to join the Space Marines mission in recapturing an US space station which has been overrun by a Russian splinter group – and whose solar energy drive has already been used to fire on and decimate San Francisco!
A third person shooter, Vanquish hits the ground running and you literally don’t get any breathing space as the game hurtles from stage to stage, throwing all manner of both human and mechanical opponents at you, as you and your squad mates (well they are with you for most of the first half of the game anyway) move to dispatch everything in your sights, using a combination of classic and rather futuristic weapon systems.
The big innovation of Vanquish comes from its sliding ability, which allows you basically to power slide all around the stage (until your suit overheats and you have to rest to recover), meaning that tactically you can literally slide into a firefight, get some hits and then dive for cover, or alternatively get the hell out of there if a particular corner gets to hot. In addition to this, you have the ability to heighten your reflexes, essentially slowing down time and allowing you to do a whole lot of explosive battering before your suit overheats again.
To match this frenetic pace of the gameplay, Platinum Games have come up with a stunningly beautiful, detailed and stark game world, as well as some superbly smooth character animations to back up their already fantastic character designs. Complimenting all of this is a massive selection of finely crafted CG segments, which does a lot to show off Sam and his suit in action, though at times the action is taken just that little bit too over the top, almost a little Devil May Cry if you know what I mean.
Aurally both the soundtrack and vocal cast are simply put, polished, with each suiting their respective roles beautifully.
In summary, this is one third person shooter which you would be a fool to pass up on, especially if you enjoy your action shooter games. The pace is frenetic, the explosions huge, the story fantastically engaging and to be frank, just a thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyable game experience.
Well worth picking up if it crosses your path then!
Related Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanquish_%28video_game%29