Plot: What’s it about?
A Kinect based shooter was inevitable, but does Blackwater deliver the goods? If you’re expecting Modern Warfare with Kinect controls, you won’t find that here. But you will find a brisk, fun shooter that proves there is still life left in an arcade style, on the rails shooter. The decision to put Blackwater on rails was a wise one, as it allows the controls to focus on combat and not awkward moves just to get to the next firefight. You use a system of gestures to take down your enemies, lobbing grenades, firing off rounds, and nailing quick-time events for the more cinematic moments. You’ll feel like a squad leader throwing out hand signals, which fits the game’s tone, but I still wished for a physical gun to hold at times. Blackwater also tasks you to not just eliminate waves of enemies, but to do so in a precise, focused fashion.
So while the screen might have numerous enemies around, some are more valuable than others, thus earning you more points for your efforts. You’ll learn to spot these priority targets quickly and burn them down, which helps you progress and also boosts your scores quite a bit. Some of the gestures are less than ideal, but all of them seemed to work fine, with minimal issues as far as the sensor’s tracking and recognition. There will probably be a learning curve for most players, but that is understandable, given the nature of the mechanics. But the crisper your movements are and the more accurate your choices are, all the more success you’ll have in your battles. As you duck for cover, toss grenades at enemy forces, and unleash bullet hell on your foes, Blackwater really lets you feel like you’re on the battlefield.
You’re also able to rotate between four members of your squad, which add some welcome variation. Each soldier has their own perks and weapons, so replay value is there and you can use some strategy to plan out the most efficient use of your squad. You’re able to swap between soldiers whenever you want too, so you can go wild and experiment with various loadouts, or maximize your battles with pinpoint swaps that make the best use of your resources. While the game is designed for Kinect (and is the most fun when played as such), there is a standard controller option. I don’t recommend it, since most of the game’s draw is the Kinect use, but it is there if you should want to sample it. Blackwater might not be the best shooter out there, but it is fun and offers a kind of experience we don’t see often these days.
Video: How does it look?
The graphics are kind of a throwback to the arcade rail shooters, but with enhanced design and detail. This isn’t on the same as Battlefield 3 obviously, but it still looks quite good. The levels have good depth, with a lot of detail that helps immerse you in the game’s environments. The character designs are solid as far as Kinect games go, while the guns and other weapons look good also. Not a dynamic game in terms of visuals, but rock solid.
Audio: How does it sound?
The main elements here are the guns and the explosions, both of which sound fine. I wasn’t rocked by the kick from the weapons, but they’re acceptable. The voice work is decent, the music provides good atmosphere, and sound effects are effective, if a little on the thin side.
Supplements: What are the extras?
N/A
