The cutscenes are long, like really long. Some of the longest cutscenes I have seen in a xbox video game since 2024 and they do not give you much information. At one point I got up and washed some dishes while the cutscene was playing. Should you skip the cutscenes? Yes, no, maybe. I did not get much context from them at all. In my first play session I go a hang of the game, first playing on normal then rolling back down to "Easy". I do not have time for bad camera and cheap enemies. The frame rate was bad at first but you get accustomed to it. Its almost like a stylized bad frame rate like in No More Heros. Yes, its a very HMH kinda game.
The cutscenes in this game go on and on and on. I think 80% of this game is cut-scene. I am finding the game to be very repetitive, even while playing on easy there arent enough enemies to really get accustomed to the mechanics. I will have to replay an older stage to see how it is. So far I am just cruising through the game on Easy.
Towards the end of the game the cutscenes start to make more sense and the action scenes get more intense and wild. I think to myself I probably would never be able to see these awesome scenes if I had played the game on normal. Its a tough game with some awesome set pieces that will blow you mind.
Conclusion
Lots of cutscenses and a deep beat-em-up system. I played on easy so no chance to really dive into the combat system but can feel the depth and the madness of it. The set pieces and environments are impressive - certainly full of spectacle. I give the game a 7/10. Its good but only play it if you like beat-em-ups. The story is wild and spectacle is turnt to 100.
Strategy
Play the game on easy. you will thank me later. The game is hard and the camera is wild but the graphics and the weirdness makes it worth the trip.
I dont get to go to half-way-tree very often. I simply do not have any reason to enter that chaos. Though it might be the perfect place to make street photos its a case of just it being out of reach for me. But every now and then I get a little slice of life.
I get a silent hill vibe when I look back at these photos. The emptiness of the fog is surreal. There are sunny stages which I try to include but the real draw of this game is the fog, rain, weather effects. Some stages are permanently night and do not allow a day light option but I can see why they did that. Sometimes you got to go hard. I wish every game from this time period allowed screenshots.
The game is slick as I have come to expect from Platinum Games. The title screen is slick, the menu is simple and the music bombastic. The controls are simple and makes sense compared to Bayonetta.
I played the jetstream dlc sidequest and it was fun. It reminded me of No More Heros on the wii - simple controls in a chaotic battle space. I fought with the camera alot and died 39 times. The fighting system is weird but because the controls are so simple I am slowly getting the logic behind it. Even though I am playing the game on easy - which provides autoblock - I am starting to see the situations where normal might be the better setting. "Autoblock" stops you from hacking away while jumping.
The more I play this Rising (2013) the more it reminds me of NO MORE HEROs(2007). I am not sure who copied who but the slow walking phone calls and the flashy finishers all scream NMHs.
Even though I am playing on easy the game forces you the player to learn its parry system - I died multiple times in my first big boss fight (or was it the second?). You do get more powerful as you buy upgrades with in game currency so the first play though might be more challenging than the second.
Definitely feeling the NMH vibe in the fast action then slow down to play a mini game on every enemy feels like entering a cheat code. The cut scenes are long, not as boring as bayonetta but long. The story is interesting so far, not sure where its going but it is interesting.
Playing this game at a high level is no joke. My hand is fully cramped after a VR mission using Jetstream. I know there is a easier way to kill these enemies but I haven't figured it out yet.
I like how they implement the DLC into this game. Plus the fact that the DLC is free which is besides the point. The main point is that the DLC is a separate game that ties into the main game with being a pointless side quest like the Catwoman DLC that was constantly shoved in my face in Arkam City. Playing the DLC first actually help you enjoy the main game more.
Conclusion
8/10 Hack on slash wii sports. pretty awesome, pretty slick game. Would recommend. The game is short so take you time playing through it.
Strategy
Play the free jetstream dlc before starting the main game. Then use the points to upgrade raiden for the main story play through. Play on easy to feel like a badass all the way through the game. Customize everything to max out your power level.
