Giants: Citizen Kabuto

Finally, with this next generation of console systems it has become possible to play all those PC games that, before, were too much for the Playstation to really do justice to. No longer will us console owners be forced to gaze longingly at the PC games that needed a state-of-the-art computer rig, while those dirty PC owners got all the best console games. One of the first wave of PC conversions is Giants: Citizen Kabuto, a game that I've been hoping to play since last year. And for the most part, this game lives up to all the hype from its PC days, albeit looking a tad dated by today's standards.

One of the first things you should know about Giants: Citizen Kabuto is that it is one of those "hybrid" games that have become all the rage these days. By that I mean that the style of this game falls somewhere between action/adventure and strategy, while not truly committing itself to either camp. Now we've all seen this sort of approach to game making, sometimes with worthwhile results, sometimes not. Fortunately, Giants: Citizen Kabuto manages to tread that fine line, find that balance, and do just about everything right. Just about.

To begin with, the game involves a conflict between three (very) different factions. The gun toting, high-tech Meccs, the magic using, spiritual Delphi, and the all around enormous, unstoppable tower of pain, Kabuto. Each of these three races has their own campaign, which for the most part involve equal parts action/adventure (usually the first levels, as a sort of primer to introduce the various weapons and actions) and the later strategy levels, which are the real meat of the game. One of the first things you will probably notice once you load the disc in your sleek, black PS2 is the graphics. Since this game was released on the PC last year and the visuals have been only lightly touched up, this game may look a bit dated, and it certainly doesn't push your PS2 to its limits. Of course, as is usually the case, there is a flip side to this seemingly sour note. In return for the stunted graphics you get huge levels, filled with many sights to see, from indigenous birds pecking the ground for worms, to tiny villages nestled off in some valley. Not only is the level design top notch, but the mission types are as varied as any game I've ever played. The sound is very well done, and goes a long way towards immersing you in this little gem. The AI pathfinding can be a little suspect, especially when commanding multiple allies. The missions involve a surprising amount of variety, and you will find yourself doing everything from racing to platforming, and thanks to the mostly smooth frame rate and the surprisingly intuitive controls, you will look fairly competent doing it. Oh yeah, and you'll probably have a blast as well.

As the back of the box claims, Giants: Citizen Kabuto has won multiple GAME OF THE YEAR AWARDS, and its not hard to see why. A few hiccups in framerate, occasionally average graphics, and a distinct lack of multiplayer do little to mar a great game. The amount of variety found here is rare in a single game, and thanks to some excellent coding, is fairly easy and accessible for anyone, making this a game worth looking into no matter what genre you like.  

Gameplay: 9.6
There is a ton to do here, and three different races to play as. Few games pack as much variety and innovation onto one disc, and thanks to the excellent level design, you will never find yourself bored or frustrated.

Graphics: 8.6
Unfortunately, I had to take a few points off for the dated graphics. Fortunately, the level design and huge amount of background details really help to overcome this, and there are few times when you will really notice the graphical shortcomings, being too busy doing other things.

Sound: 9.1
The many and varied ambient sound effects really help to immerse you into the world of Kabuto, and the movie quality score and humorous dialogue keep you coming back for more.

Difficulty: 9.2
The difficulty level ramps up fairly evenly, and you will rarely find yourself stuck and frustrated, or unsure of what to do next.

Concept: 9.4
Great concept, engrossing story, and near perfect execution. There is not much higher praise I can give to a game, and the best part is that it all pulls together so well, you will feel you are a part of this world.

Multiplayer: N/A

Overall: 9.2
The huge amount of variety, great storyline, and intuitive gameplay makes this game one that fans of just about every genre should check out. There is something here for everyone, and a great experience that will make you glad you gave it a try.