Gaming Target - Xbox: New Legends

Written by Nick Doukas on March 14, 2002

Full Review: Unfortunately, Sun Soo is no fun too.

Every once in a while a video game comes along that challenges all conventions and makes the industry sit up and take notice. When a game like this is released, it makes the gaming world a better place and gamers everywhere revel in their good fortune. However, New Legends is not that game. Sub-par graphics, weak control, along with confusing and uninspired mission design add up to one frustrating experience. It's too bad, really, as it seems possible that there was potential for a great game in here somewhereЕunfortunately it just didn't happen that way.

Developed by Infinite Machine and published by THQ, New Legends places you in the role of 25-year-old Sun Soo, the heir apparent of the Royal family. In the backcountry of China, the Soo clan remains standing, one of the few still doing so after the brutal campaign by the evil Xao Gon and his minions. China, having previously been brought together by Emperor Roa Khan, was torn asunder when Xao Gon betrayed the Emperor, forming an alliance with a demon from the Otherworld. It's up to you, as Sun Soo (hey, that rhymes) to take on Xao Gon and restore freedom to China. You must defeat hordes of foot soldiers, Ninjas and 5 enemy Generals (AKA:bosses) who each embody an element (water, fire etc.) on which their attack is based. You are also aided in your quest by various nondescript warriors, as well as several other characters, the most interesting of which is Boo Foo Woo (Boo for short), a tremendous half demon/half Human warrior who could eat The Rock and Triple H for brunch, then use their bones to clean his teeth. There are several other story elements tossed into the mixЕunfortunately you just don't care. The story, although filled with promise, falls flat and is left severely underdeveloped. Cool characters that could have been used to greater advantage are mostly Уleft on the cutting room floorФ and the end result is very little incentive to continue play based on the story. Not once did I feel compelled to keep playing to find out what happened next.

Upon booting up the game, one is greeted by lackluster graphics that look dated and cheesy. Although the CG cut scenes look exceptional, in-game graphics leave much to be desired. Textures are generally clean and decently presented, if somewhat utilitarian in appearance. However, it's obvious that the team didn't push the Xbox to anywhere near it's potential. During the first level I passed an old man pulling a cartЕand watched the wheels clip halfway into the ground!! Other clipping issues present themselves throughout the game, as well as a seriously misbehaved camera. Collision detection is not great either and frame rate problems are abounding as well, for example: witness as the game freezes up for a second or two at random intervalsЕnot good. There is one thing, however, that is presented well -- the fighting

Sun Soo's Martial Arts animations are a sight to behold and connecting a string of flashy combos together to shatter an enemy soldier is deeply satisfying. It's all downhill from there though. Character movement is achieved via the left analog stick while the camera is controlled with the right. Jump with A, block with Y. X and B handle left and right hand attacks, respectively. Use the right trigger to strafe and center the camera behind Sun Soo and the left to switch to a first person view (a cumbersome process at best). Weapon select with the D pad and pump the attack buttons for combos. Admittedly, the weapons are cool, as is the fact that Sun Soo can wield two-handed weapons with ease. Running the gamut from melee to ranged, the armaments include blades, staves and steel claws, as well as shotguns, power bows and the Lions Fury, which is, in actuality, a rocket launcher. Of note are the Forbidden Blades of Heaven, carried by the generals, each of which you will acquire at the time of their defeat. These include General Kuun's Axe Hammer and General Toc's Razor Saw.

The HUD is a standard affair with a gold coin representing Sun's life meter. As you take damage, the coin drains of color. When it becomes necessary, health can be replenished at shrines or medical carts. Chi power can also be harnessed by defeating enemies. This allows the player to perform special attacks. Since the game is mission based, you can only save your progress at the beginning of each levelЕ die at the end of the board and you go right back to the beginning. Not fun, since the fighting, as well done as it may be, eventually degenerates into nothing more than repetitive button mashing. There's simply no need for this kind of inherent frustration factor. Note to developers: gamers do not find great replay value in cheap deaths and endless repetition of the same tasks. Please don't pad the length of your product with these kinds of shenanigans. Quantity does not always equal quality. Speaking of which, the game clocks in at around 5 hours of play and this, along with the lack of any extra features, leaves it with virtually no replay value.

The missions themselves are forgettable and boring. Search for controls to lock the gateЕ hack, slash and then find the controls to unlock the gate. Please wake me when it's over. Although the game does try to introduce platform elements, the only one of these which is exceptional features Sun and Boo racing down a mountain slope just ahead of an avalanche. Everything else is tired and clichщd. A mission critical compass is featured, but this tends to cause more confusion, as its implementation is labored and unclear. The music in New Legends fits the mood of the game well, but is used to little effect and disappears entirely for long stretches throughout the adventure. Sound effects are solid and well done, from the clang of blade against blade, to the sharp report of firearms. In the end, though, there's little to get excited about here. Infinite Machine is certainly capable of better products. Let's hope they'll learn from the error of their ways and do better next time out. As it stands, New Legends barely makes a satisfying lunch specialЕ and it's one that comes with a bad case of food poisoning to boot. Caveat emptor.