Doing it Wrong - Obscure: The Aftermath

I can't say this was the best $10 I ever spent. If nothing else, though, Obscure: The Aftermath (for the Wii) perfectly illustrates a concept we've discussed in class: the difference between giving players a choice and a problem.

I haven't played the original Obscure (or the other sequel I think it had), but The Aftermath is basically a decent survival horror/adventure concept that turned into a campy horror flop. It's not totally awful, but there is a lot wrong with it; too much to go on about here, so I'll cut to the chase.

One of the key mechanics in this game is its system of teamwork. You have a cast of characters at your disposal, each with unique abilities that can help you progress. The game's central campaign is more or less a single-player one, but it encourages you strongly to try 2-player co-op. Otherwise, you'll be playing one character while the second follows you, occasionally switching between them.

Here's the trouble: each of the 4 or so characters (I think you meet as many as 8 later in the game) has a unique ability that you need in order to pass certain obstacles or solve certain puzzles. So, whatever problem lies in your (completely linear) path determines what 2 characters you choose to be active characters. If you choose wrong, or more likely encounter a barrier you didn't expect, you'll have to go back to the group, pick a new 2-person party and retrace your steps. You know what's virtually never fun? Having to run through the same empty halls over and over.

Plus, that's the only thing that distinguishes how the different characters play. They all run the same speed. They all swing melee weapons the same awkward way. They all are awful shots with a gun. The only thing that might make a player want to choose one over another anyway would be personal preference (they all at least have some personality), but as I said, that gets trumped by whatever barrier or puzzle is in your path. Hence, teams in this game are not a choice; just a problem.

As much as I lament that mechanic, though, this game may yet be salvageable from the sea of crap games to the land of mediocre, or even decent. I'll probably revisit it in a future post after I've played through further.