Killer 7 Kewl
I finally got around to finishing Killer 7 for the Gamecube. It didn't take me so long because I found it too difficult, or frustrating, or boring, or that I just didn't like the gameplay. It took me so long because my partner could stand the repetitive cackles and Fuck you!
everytime I killed someone, so I had limited play time.
Having completed it, I can now give an informed opinion about Killer 7. I know you're looking forward to it. I also have some playing tips.
It's no secret that gameplay for Killer 7 came second to visuals and story, and this has generated some debate over the rail-shooter gameplay. I personally think gameplay works great. At no point did I feel my enjoyment was restricted by the rail-shooter system. I'm actually glad it wasn't a FPS. But at the same time, you shouldn't be playing this game for it's gameplay. It is only a vehicle for the surreal environments and mind-bending story. But it's still a very satisfying vehicle. I admire Capcom for the risk they have taken with this game and personally think it was worth it creatively speaking (perhaps not financially speaking though).
I read a couple of reviews of Killer 7 and whilst they were mostly positive, some made some negative comments about some minor issues. I think it was Gametrailers.com that criticised that when you get to a path selection it can be difficult to choose the correct one because the difference of the angle between the paths is so minor. This is a half truth. If you stop walking once your presented with a path choice, yes this might happen, but keep walking and the path choices will seperate more. It was a poor criticism and can be safely ignored.
As for the adult nature of this game — it has some very strange things going on. Yes, there is, at a point or two, sexual material but less than we would seen in your typical horny, teen flick. Yes, there is violence, and the mercilessness of murders would be disturbing to many. But it's the underlying theme that really got my attention. Murders were vivid, cold and unsympathetic, but it was the willingness of characters to be killed that stuck in my mind once I completed Killer 7. I'm not sure if it's some cultural thing in Japan where death is seen as inevidable and willingly accepted or requested (I've noticed similar themes in other Japanese games). Perhaps this is beause of the belief in a afterlife, because most characters you interact with are dead already. But I enjoy being disturbed and getting an insight into a world I don't yet understand or could never imagine.
The great thing about stylised games like this is that the graphics will never look dated. The only signs of aging will come from lack of HD resolution and surround sound. I think more games should abandon visual realism for visual surrealism. It worked wonders for Darwinia.
I only have two criticisms, both I didn't see any other reviewer address. The first is the lack of surround sound. A couple of times I was killed from behind because I didn't know where the enemy was coming from when it cackled. Surround sound would have helpded in this situation. The second is that the game doesn't remember your preference for reversing game controls so Up is Up (instead of Up is Down). Everytime I started the game I had to remember to change that option. There is no changing options once the game has started and the only way to get out of the game is to reset the Gamecube.
Now for some tips (Fear not — no spoilers):
- B is your friend. When targeting it will automically aim your gun at the heaven smile. You won't use it very often so it's easy to forget it's there, but it will help when you hear the cackle but don't know where it is coming from.
- I found Con Smith the most useful character. He get's you from A to B the fastest, shoots the fastest and reloads the fastest. Other characters can be rather slow to reload which can cost you your life. Con also get's some very useful abilities if you upgrade his skills enough.
- Don't be afraid to let have your character killed. It's rarely difficult to collect his/her head and ressurect him/her again. It's certainly faster than reseting the game (terrible habit of mine).
- I'm normally super conservative with resources in games, but in Killer 7 I would revive my health freely. There is always more thin blood around the corner.
- Don't exit a level until you've gathered and processed so much thick blood that the machine on channel B breaks down.
If you've ever watched a movie and at the end said "I don't know what they hell was going on, but goddam it was sweet", then this game is for you. Anyone who doesn't at least try this game is missing out on a true experiance.
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