Great...While it Lasts
I actually like Q Entertainment's games. Rez was great. E4 was phenomenal. And Child of Eden is great.
It's just that all of their games are so short with so little in them.
CoE has you trying to save Lumi (first person born in space) in Eden (the internet) as you try to eliminate viruses that are attacking her. It is a gorgeous title with visuals that are second to none, a lead NPC that you can actually feel a connection with, and controls that work quite well. But you only get 6 levels and only one of them goes longer than 15 minutes. The game is basically over in 2 hours. And the levels don't change with replays --- enemies appear in the same positions, with the same patterns, and the same number of enemies.
It is really fun to play. The Kinect controls are shockingly accurate, easily the most accurate this side of Kinect Sports. You can also play with a controller and both work equally well. The controller, naturally, is more accurate but the Kinect allows quicker response time --- both of which are vital in the last 2 levels which get moderately challenging. The game's controls are easy --- one hand/button handles lock on targeting, your other hand/different button handles rapid fire shooting, and a motion unleashes Euphoria which is the traditional smart bomb that have been in shooter for darned near ever. The game controls, for wont of a better term, like a Q game. Their games all have similar feels and basic gameplay styles to them (fire with the beat of the music and you will do better). If you like their prior work --- which, again, I very much do --- this game will fit into your wheelhouse.
The game is all about the atmosphere. It is the spiritual successor to Rez that nobody ever figured would be released. Sadly, there isn't a lot of substance to work with. The levels, again, are short. Saying it lasts for 2 hours on a single playthrough is probably a bit generous. The game's length is based primarily upon the need to replay levels ad infinitum (minimum 12 times each to unlock all items). While I do enjoy the game, it seems like a fairly shallow manner to increase the length. It is a fun game to replay --- but it feels to not fit a retail priced release. This would be one of the truly great XBLA/PSN titles ever released yet we are expected to pay $50 for this? I feel the price is the ONLY real fault with this title. At $20, its the ultimate no-brainer purchase. It's almost "art", except not all that pretentious.
Child of Eden is a game you truly should play. It is so much fun to play. It controls expertly. Everything about the game is amongst the most artistically impressive and enjoyable experiences this generation. It just isn't a real retail-style release. But it is easily the best Kinect game this year until Kinect Sports 2 and Dance Central 2 are launched. Like Dance Central and Kinect Sports, it shows the promise of the Kinect --- and it is an unexpected usage of the technology that worked so much better than I assume anybody thought possible.