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Killer 7-The Review Thread; In the name of Harman....I review this SUDA 51 masterpiece.
Topic Started: Aug 27 2011, 06:05 PM (134 Views)
Chompman Aug 27 2011, 06:05 PM Post #1
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The Jaw-ggernaught of Justice.
 Before you read this review, I want you to do something for me. Close your eyes. Now forget everything you know about video games. Forget the cliched storylines. Forget the intuitive characters, power-ups, and everything of that nature.

Now, imagine this; one title that might as well change the way we even think about video games. One that challenges what a video game can and should do. One that should intrigue and frustrate you. After all these years, we might have finally encountered one such title that meets all these requirements.

That game...is Killer 7.

Killer 7, released in July of 2005, was created by Capcom, and directed by Suda 51, of whom you might know from The Wii titles No More Heroes and NMH: Desperate Struggle.

Killer 7 takes a very different approach to graphics, portraying everything in cell-shaded graphics, ala The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. However, It also takes more of an anime film-type approach in certain cutscenes. This game is the very first video game art film of it's kind.

Ok, with graphics out of the way, let's talk plot. The game centers around a group of assassins known as the "Harman Assassins." There's seven in all, hence the title Killer 7, and each of them brings something different to the table. They have many different abilities. You'll find yourself switching to them in certain situations. For example, if you find yourself needing to unlock a door that's padlocked, you need to switch to Coyote Smith, to unlock it.

Which brings us to the characters in the game. First off, we have Dan Smith, who is the Clint Eastwood of the Seven. His special ability is using a special attack known as a "Demon Shell" (More on that later,) in which can destroy most enemies in a single shot, or can destroy most obstacles for that matter.

Next up, We have Con Smith. Con is sort of like the Punk of the whole team. However, he has incredible speed, and can run as fast as a certain blue Hedgehog we all know and love. Perfect for long treks.

Kevin Smith is a bit of a mystery. However, he has one useful trick up his sleeve, and that's the power of invisibility. When invisible, Kevin can slip through enemy detection and through most laser defense systems (Won't be telling you where they are though).

Mask De Smith is sort of like the heavy hitter of the whole team. He can get rid of obstacles that the other six can't otherwise.

Coyote Smith, as I mentioned earlier, can pick any Padlock, and more. He can jump amazingly high, in which you'll need that skill often (Again, not telling you when and where.)

Kaede Smith is the only Female team member of the killer 7. However, Her ability can come in pretty handy; She can take down barriers with her own blood. Yes, you've read that correctly. Also, she can absorb blood as well, revealing hints that's you'll need to utilize in order to move on.

And this brings us to the final member of the Killer 7, which is Garcian Smith. Garcian is different than the other 6. He refers to himself as a "Cleaner" to the team, and can revive any fallen team member. However, Garcian isn't very well-versed in combat, and may not be the choice for some players (Just warning you now lolz.)

Now, this brings us to the gameplay. Killer 7 blends rail-based shooters, A little bit of RPG action, some puzzle games and some FPS gameplay as well. Your enemies are creatures known as "Heaven's Smile," Zombie-like Abominations that will explode on contact if you let them get too close. However, they're not easy to get rid of. In order to kill them, you first must listen for some laughter. Then you need to ready your weapon by holding in the R Button, then scanning your surroundings by pressing the L button, and then firing your weapon by pressing the A button until they're dead. You can kill them in one hit if you aim at a glowing spot somewhere on their bodies. It takes practice, but you'll pick it up really quick, I'm sure of it.

Now, killing them gives you blood. As gross as it is, This comes in handy. Blood comes in two types-Thick Blood and Thin Blood.
Thick Blood serves as your "Currency" in the game. Meaning, you can use it to upgrade your characters, making them more deadly in their fight against the smiles.

However, Thin Blood is the opposite of Thick Blood. Thin Blood serves as Health Replenishment for your characters when they take damage by a smile. In addition, it also serves as "Currency" in its own right, when using a powerful charge shot (in which Every character is capable of doing, BTW) or when using some of the character's special abilities, Like Kevin Smith's invisibility, or Dan Smith's "Demon Shell" Shot.

Speaking of the Smiles, They come in many different varieties, each one more deadlier than the last, for instance one is capable of producing eggs that hatch into smiles, in which you must kill while you try to kill that particular smile itself.

Smiles are not the only Enemies you'll be killing. There are also marked targets in which need to be eliminated as well, in order to progress the story.

Other Elements of gameplay mix puzzles and item collection. One recurring theme in each mission is the collection of "Odd Engravings," Items that serve as "Keys" that unlock a certain door in the level, or gets rid of certain obstacles that the killer 7 are incapable of getting past otherwise.

Another item that's recurring in each level are "Soul Shells," Items that are mandatory to collect in each level, in order to get to the room containing a mini-boss, then the level boss.

Other items consist of Mystical "rings" that you pick up throughout the game. These rings each have a special ability, and need to be used in a certain puzzle in order to use them. For example, in one level, you use a fire ring to activate a sprinkler system, and to solve a candle puzzle.

Finally, the overall appearance of the game. Since this is an M-rated game, be prepared to encounter some extreme violence and language. Also, the game come in two difficulties; normal, in which hints for completing each mission is plentiful, and the enemy AI is at an average level, and hard in which hints are limited, not to mention the enemy AI is also ramped up a considerable bit, in which one hit from them, can kill you instantly.

Also, If you manage to bet the game on one of those two difficulties, you unlock something special, though I'm not telling you what it is. However i can tell you this; if you want a challenge, it's worth unlocking and playing through.

Finally, my overall opinion. Killer 7 is a masterpiece in which every gamecube (or wii user) should have, although it is very hard to come by. I was lucky to track a used copy down. And let me tell you, It wasn't easy to get. I had to get it shipped to a local Gamestop store. And with the newer european wii models losing their BC with 'cube games, it'll behoove you to keep your current wii, in case it decides to come here to the States.

I'll warn you, The overall plot of Killer 7 is not easy to understand. I won't tell you exactly what happens, but if you were to piece it all together, it still won't add up. You've been warned.

In the Name of Harman.....Get this game, play it, and be amazed.

Aaron Kunai
Edited by Chompman, Aug 28 2011, 02:05 PM.
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The Dark Jaws of Justice. My bark is as equally deadly as my bite. I'm CHOMPMAN!

Everything you need to know about me....right in here!!!
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Captain Olimar Aug 27 2011, 08:15 PM Post #2
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Mushroom Hill Act 2
 What would be the limit for how much you reccomend I spend on this?
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Chompman Aug 27 2011, 09:44 PM Post #3
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The Jaw-ggernaught of Justice.
Ghirahim
Aug 27 2011, 08:15 PM
What would be the limit for how much you reccomend I spend on this?
well i got mine used for $5.99, but beware, cause it wasn't an easy task of finding it. I had to get mine shipped from another Gamestop to the one i was at.
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The Dark Jaws of Justice. My bark is as equally deadly as my bite. I'm CHOMPMAN!

Everything you need to know about me....right in here!!!
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