Some info and impressions based on the demo that came with ZOE HD

First things first Im playing the Xbox version and the demo that came with ZOE HD collection is on a separate disc. Its a pretty short demo that you can beat in less than 10 mins if youre good. There is also an interesting tutorial area as well.

Now for a few quick points
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-You can slice enemy rockets out of the air in blade mode, automatically deflect bullets when ninja running
-Almost certainly going to more weapons than just the sword since there is an in game menu to select a main weapon, sub weapon, and custom (which I dont know what that is)
-No lock per say but you can designate which target you want your homing attacks to go toward
-No dedicated blocking or dodging actions. There is a wonderful parry system though that works brilliantly (think Bayonetta's Moon of Mahaa-Kalaa). Ive seen people on the boards complaining about the parry and politely can only suggest that they are awful at action games. You can parry at any time including while in the air. Its very possible to beat the whole demo taking zero damage
-Can use a rocket launcher and grenades, very limited ammo
-There are health recovery options and they work just like rations in MGS.
-Can go into blade mode at any time and use the right stick to aim or use the buttons in blade mode. Blade mode is unlimited but the powerful slow motion cutting is limited and must be refilled. Can move the camera and blade in blade mode so there is a lot of potential for accurate slicing.
-The slicing and grabbing of enemy spines that you see in all the videos is optional. It will refill health and blade mode but if you dont grab the spine will lay on the ground and you can run over it to pick it up for full effect with out the mini cutscene
-At certain points enemies with enough damage (gekkos) will have limbs become highlighted showing they are ready to be cut off
-Many of the moves are based on double tapping in a direction: Ex; up up X, up down X, down down X, etc.
-Runs buttery smooth and animates brilliantly
-Some of the music has lyrics which surprised me
-A certain attacks and moments the game screen edges turn blue briefly indicating that going into blade mode will wreck things. This usually happens after a powerful attack
-A few QTEs. Similar to bayonetta but less frequent
-3 Enemies (boss, soldiers, gekkos)
-Full codec system used like previous MGS games
-You save through the codec like previous MGS games


Alright, that alot I know but Im very excited for the game and even more so after the demo. I'll try to answer any questions as well.


Also: Here is the control system:
X = Wide attack
Y = Strong attack
B = Stealth kill and grab spine
A = Jump
Select = bring up codec screen
Start = pause
RT = Ninja Sprint
RB = Switch lock on
LT = Blade mode
LB = Use sub weapon
(Note the shoulder buttons and blade mode aiming can be configed in the options menu IE: Type A is default, Type B swaps LB and RB, etc. Face buttons dont appear to be changeable)

-You can cut off a guys leg and he will crawl after you still attacking. You can then cut off both of his arms and he just ... lays there.
-Stealth kills are still very much in and possible on all enemies except the boss. All stealth kills end a blade mode opportunity. Quite of few of the enemies can be stealth killed but the stealth AI isnt that good.
-If I had to take a guess Id say the upgrade system or currency is based on 'parts' which are collected after cutting things (ex after cutting a rocket in half you get 2 parts, just destroying a random bridge will give you parts, etcs). There is also a blade points which I dont know what they do.
-Fairly linear
-Still has a radar and a new view system that highlights all enemies in the area that is quickly turned on and off by tapping up on the D pad.
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I suppose you could never explain to the most ingenious mollusk that such a creature as a whale existed-Emerson

A little more about the lock on. The game automatically highlights enemies as target with a small hud indicator and your attacks will gravitate toward them. This changes as you move around however. If you press RB thought the hud indicator changes color and all your attacks and the camera will center on the target regardless of other enemies. You lock on to them. You can change this quickly though as needed. It sounds weird but works quite well.
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I suppose you could never explain to the most ingenious mollusk that such a creature as a whale existed-Emerson

slickstur posted...

Great info, how would u compare this game to say Ninja Gaiden 2 not that piece of trash 3 ...is it fun,fast and satisfying unlike my sex life?

Hey bud. Sorry for the delay in responding. I was personally not very big on NG2 despite being a die hard NGB fan. Just based on the demo it looks like projectile combat is less important in MGR but again its a demo. So far in my biased opinion MGR blows NG2 out of the water. Ive sank probably a literal 5 hours into this 10 minute demo and am still enjoying replaying the same small sections over and over. Its very fast and very very satisfying. It sounds absurd to say but just the demo of MGR is one of the best action games Ive ever played. I still find new little things about it. It really has its own identity as well. It doesnt just feel like Bayonetta (which is so far the best action game out there IMO) with Raiden.


A few more tidbits:
-There are multiple stages of a parry. If you parry at just the right time you will immediately counter and take no damage, if your parry is just a little too early then you just block/parry and receive no damage
-You can blade mode cut the shurikens that the final boss of the demo throws at you
-There is a kitty cat on the beach that successfully dodges all of your attacks...>_>
-You seem to refill a little bit of blade mode after some combos and hits
-In the tutorial section there is a secret box you can hide in like the old MGS games.
-Fairly significant portions of the environment are choppable. For instance if an enemy is on a bridge above you, then you can cut the column of the bridge and the bridge will collapse and they will fall down to your level. It doesnt kill them as far as I can tell
-Ive definitely noticed my accuracy with Blade mode increasing. Before getting used to it I would some times not get the angles I wanted on cuts. After spending time with it Ive gotten way better at getting the precision I want (Im a sucker for single slices of limbs and heads)
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I suppose you could never explain to the most ingenious mollusk that such a creature as a whale existed-Emerson

OniChaoSiselite posted...

Not sure if mentioned or obvious but you can move in blade mode by holding down the left thumb stick.

WOW! I just threw in the disc to give this a try and what a tremendous find. This opens up A LOT of new gameplay possibilities. I havent seen anyone using this in any videos, so I wonder how many people even know about it. Great job on figuring this out.

For people that dont understand what Im getting at: When normally using blade mode the camera is controlled using the left stick and the blade direction with the right meaning that Raiden is firmly planted in that position. Therefore, if you go into blade mode when out of reach of the enemy I thought you just had to leave blade mode, re-position and then go back into blade mode. This new discovery means that now you can change your actual position without ever leaving blade mode. Its a game changer.
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I suppose you could never explain to the most ingenious mollusk that such a creature as a whale existed-Emerson

vazurahan posted...

So that's pressing on the stick?

Yes. In a much better and concise description: When in blade mode you are no longer stationary, if you click and hold in the stick.
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I suppose you could never explain to the most ingenious mollusk that such a creature as a whale existed-Emerson

Bump.
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I suppose you could never explain to the most ingenious mollusk that such a creature as a whale existed-Emerson