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Saturday 9 February, 2008
GAMEPLAY
This time around my missions were all involving protecting either a bridge or a stage coach from attacking Apache tribesmen. I died several times while attempting separate parts of the mission, leading to quite a bit of frustration. The main problem is that I was to protect a bridge from being blown up by the Indians (as they had placed TNT on it). However, due to my own clumsiness I continually shot the TNT, failing the mission. It was pretty frustrating and I was pretty close to just stopping the game right then. Instead, I kept trying and when I eventually won, there was a great sense of satisfaction of having beaten this difficult little mission. Also, I got a tomahawk to replace my knife!
Also this time while playing I accidentally started a gunfight in town. I was testing out a new gun I had just acquired by firing it randomly into the street in a circle. I figured I wouldn’t hit anything, and if I did, nothing would happen. Turns out someone started shooting back and as the fight drew on a meter appeared titled “Town Patience.” I suppose this is an example of Gun’s more sandbox type of qualities. You can kill random people and possibly benefit, but must skirt the law as you do so.
DESIGN
Overall, I’d have to say that Gun has some pretty good design. As an action game, it’s pretty easy for it to set up conflict and challenges. However, the rate at which the missions come at you is quite rapid; you’re always facing a new group of enemies. It gives the game a great sense of tension that really adds to the feeling of the game’s environment and narrative. The narrative is also well presented through voice-acted dialog in most, if not every, interaction between the player and NPCs.
So far the level design has been pretty good and varied. Though I’ve only played for a short time, I’ve already had several fights on horseback, shot down enemy ships with a cannon on a steamboat, escorted a stage coach, and other varied combat situations. Aside from just fighting off enemies, so far there has also pretty much always been a second aspect to keep in mind, such as protecting your friend Jenny, being careful not to shoot barrels of TNT, etc. This can lead to quite a bit of frustration though, because it usually requires a bit more thought than just “kill all enemies.” You have to pay more attention to which enemies need more attention and plan strategies around it.
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