The first batch of reviews for the oft-delayed Haze are in. Sadly, so far signs suggest that the delay hasn’t done the game any favours with a current average review score of 55% on GameRankings. This includes a poor 4.5 from IGN who claim that the story is weak, the AI poor and the visuals are hampered by glitches. They take particular dislike to the flamethrower, which apparently emits flames resembling those found in first person shooters from around 10 years ago. It’s like Lair all over again!
Japanese magazine Famitsu gave it a glowing review though, as did an Italian PlayStation Magazine. One of those “exclusive†reviews, no doubt. Free Radical’s Rob Yescombe remains positive: “Haze has had mixed reviews, but even GoldenEye got a 4/10 when it first came outâ€.
I don’t recall GoldenEye ever getting a 4/10.
That IGN review is shockingly bad though, with choice quotes like “while the weapons have distinct sounds (such as the loud crack from a pistol versus the rapid pops from the machine guns), the vehicles all seem to recycle the same generic horn sound, which is rather poor.”
They think the game having “generic horn sounds” for the vehicles is a mark against it? You could probably say the same about 99% of video games, I don’t see why that even needed mentioning.
The writer is clearly a work experience boy.
That said, the rest of Haze’s reviews don’t bode well, it doesn’t look like it’s going to be the AAA title they were hyping it up to be. But IGN’s review is clearly over the top negative bullshit.
GamesRadar have given it a 7. You’re right though – pointing out that all the horns are the same is just…stupid.