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WEEK IN REVIEW
Friday
Armed man shot by deputies in Arlington
Police ID make of vehicle in fatal hit-and-run
Boeing's 6-month tally: 1 net order
Thursday


One fire rips through $2 million home, another ...
Swine flu claims 2nd victim in Snohomish County
Jetty Island firefight continues; hot weather ...
Wednesday


Fire District 1 negotiates to take over service...
Snohomish County population rising fast since 2...
Honey's owners indicted by feds
Tuesday


Mobile home tenants along Snohomish River told ...
Lincoln to leave Everett in 2013
Put on your sailor's cap and explore Naval Stat...
Monday


Disabled people will be left without a ride
You'll soon have 4,500 reasons to trade in that...
Pay hike deserved, Monroe chief says
Sunday


1,670 local students in county are without homes
Monroe's business gets done in secret
$9 million to be sought for U.S. 2 in federal t...
Saturday


Use of local parks spikes
Gay-friendly shift at 2 churches
Racist graffiti scrawled on cars in Everett nei...
 

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"Too Human"
 
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CONTACT THE HERALD
Melanie Munk, Features Editor
munk@heraldnet.com
 
Published: Monday, August 25, 2008

Big Game Hunter: "Too Human"

"Too Human" is a victim of its own hype. After 10 years of developmental limbo, after 10 years of reviewers playing snippets of the game and declaring it an unqualified success, after 10 long years, Silicon Knights has finally released "Too Human" to the fawning masses.

Personally, I would have gladly waited 10 more if that meant Dennis Dyack would get it right. Right now, "Too Human" is Too Bad.

Too Human is an RPG style "brawler" that re-envisions Norse mythology a la Tron, as the gods themselves are cybernetically enhanced beings who must repel a machine invasion that threatens the realms of man. As Baldur, you are able to select five skill trees to customize yourself: berserker, defender, champion, commando and bioengineer.

Graphically it is superior and makes the most of the Xbox 360's hardware, but the game play -- if not the story -- are simplistic at best and underdone at worst. While there may be five classes in the game, the mobs you fight are all dealt with in the same manner no matter what class you may be.

Perhaps the most annoying feature of this game occurs in death, which triggers an insufferably long resurrection sequence as a cybernetic Valkyrie comes to give you a new lease on life.

This cannot be skipped.

Another aspect that annoys me is the controls. Combat is basically controlled by the right analog stick of your Xbox 360 controller. Yes, when you move the stick, you attack. Is it me or is that just a little too simplistic? Why not just slave combat controls to the start button? Hit start = you win.

Manual dexterity and skill don't seem too important when you can play this game with your feet.

This game is a rental at most and at the very least a pass. I would recommend it only to people who have cut me off in traffic or talk during movies.

Price: $59.99

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