In the Name of Harman...

OK a break while finished coursework (still no results), but as a treat bought (pre-owned online for £3 from Gamestation) and started (once coursework was finished) the awesome PS2 game Killer7.

Firstly, this PS2 version is supposedly inferior (in terms of graphical resolution and controllability) to the Gamecube version (also playable on Wii, so I did think about that).  Eventually the cheapness of the PS2 version, due no doubt to the deadness of the PS2 as a console, won the day, and I'd have to say it's controllable enough, and looks fine so no big loss.

The game was created by Grasshopper Manufacturing main man Suda 51.  I'm contemplating getting his latest Wii game No More Heroes, but will wait and see, also make up my mind re the US version as opposed to the UK/Japan one.

What kind of game is it?  Well primarily it's a first/third person action shooter, with some puzzling.  It has been criticised for being completely "on rails", which is true - your only movement options are forward on pre-designated routes or turn 180 degrees back the way you came.  While this limits your chances to explore the game's "world", it does away with any camera dilemmas, and you get no "white wall screen" or "I can't see what's coming towards me 'cos the fecking camera points the wrong way".  So my take is that while what you're left with IS linear, it also works as a pseudo-interactive Anime movie, and is way more involving that other "on rail" shooters I've seen.

The plot is as bizarre and somewhat impenetrable as any anime I've seen.  You play assassin Harman Smith and his seven split personalities (all with Smith names of their own) who have been made flesh to combat terrorist forces.  The main opponents are the "Heaven Smile", virus infected humans who have become suicide bombers.  It is bizarre, but great, a real overlooked gem.  Puzzles are nicely placed (if linear), enemy balance is good, the controls take some learning, but once you're there, they work intuitively, and the cel-shaded in-game graphics are really nice IMO.  The anime cut scenes are really good too, if you like that world.

Last thing is it IS an 18, features scenes of violence and a sexual nature, so keep the kids away.  Nothing you wouldn't expect in a Tarantino movie though, so not too perverse.

There were comic tie-ins planned (shelved after 3 issues as the game just didn't sell), figures (pictured) and there is a thriving online community (here (Japanese), here and here last including fan-fiction here and here) [sorry about annoying audio clips on some of those sites, it does slow them down a whole lot], as well as Suda 51 writing a book to explain the pre-game relationships between some in-game characters (text version here).

On the whole, I'm hooked (Con and Dan are my two favourite characters) and would recommend it to any GC/PS2/Wii owner over 18 into Tarantino splatter and Japanimation. Clips follow (Trailer, then a gameplay clip which includes spoilers if you're going to get the game, so think on).

"Good night child, it's past your bedtime"