Like blood from a stone...

By buzz_clik July 29, 2009 13 Comments

So, I've just finished Vampire Rain. When I first started playing it, I'd reported that I thought it was freakin' terrible. That's because the opening 6 levels are dire, plodding stealth affairs that don't want you to think outside the box. Level 7 sees the introduction of weapons, and even then you're not really encouraged to use them throughout the game. No, the makers of Vampire Rain loved their stealth element so much that they made it the primary focus for a considerable slab of the game.

As previously stated, I'm planning on writing a review for this game. I know, it's been out for ages and everybody knows it's not the most amazing title ever to grace Microsoft's machine. Hardly the most timely review, but I just want to get one under my belt. Funny thing is, my review of Vampire Rain isn't going to be completely damning; there are moments where it can be a somewhat enjoyable experience. The problem is that these moments aren't as often as one would hope, and even then most are bonus missions that are peripheral to moving the story forward. Uh, if you were not to skip some of the cutscenes as I did, that is.

But that's not the point of this blog entry. Nope, I'm just typing to have a little whinge about Achievement points. Yes, I'm one of those people. Y'see, after all my toil with this not-as-wretched-as-people-want-it-to-be-but-still-pretty-wretched game, I emerged with a paltry 50G. Ugh. Then I had a think about the other titles that have been measly with coughing up the Gamerscore goodness. Apart from Perfect Dark Zero (a launch title, so I'll cut it some slack), these are the other titles that I think have grifted me:

• Onechanbara: Samurai Bikini Squad

• Earth Defense Force 2017

The more astute among you may have noticed that these games, just like Vampire Rain, are el cheapo Japanese titles. I know, they're games that aren't considered to be top-shelf. As such, you probably think I get what I deserve for mucking around with such things (although I'll go three rounds of fisticuffs with anyone who thinks EDF 2017 isn't a fun game). But still, what conclusion are we supposed to draw from this? Japanese developers think you have to be punished for being a cheapskate?

No, I think the conclusion we should draw is that I can be a slut for the Achievements, and maybe that's where the problems start.

Anybody know any other titles that are tightfisted with the Achievements?

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