The great thing about Netflix is the ability to turn off a boring or underwhelming DVD without a shred of guilt. Buy the DVD, and you feel like you must watch the whole film just to recoup some measure of dignity. See it in the theatre, and it’s about getting some value out of the $50 you paid (and finishing the popcorn). With Netflix, when the movie just doesn’t cut it, you can send it back and try something else.
Gamefly is the equivalent service for video games, where the concept is even more appealing. Let’s say a game looks interesting and you want to give it a shot. The typical game these days can cost anywhere from $35 to $60. Sure, you can buy used games for less, but then you’re waiting for a copy cheap enough to justify the wait. Why not spend a fraction of the cost per month to test drive a game before buying it, used or new?
I’ve been using the service for more than two years now, and I’ve been very thankful for it. This game is the perfect example. It’s an attempt to take Ratchet and Clank concepts and meld it into the Star Wars universe. If there was nothing like a Ratchet and Clank game on the PSP, it might have fared better. However, having just played Size Matters, this game pales in comparison.
Ultimately, the game boils down to a strictly linear series of obstacle courses and shooting matches. Initially, given the graphics, this is fun. It quickly becomes repetitive and boring. By the time I began the Mustafar campaign, it was abundantly clear that the game wasn’t bringing anything new to the table and the story wasn’t nearly enough to keep my interest.
This game actually helps explain why I love playing RPGs. Action games tend to bore me unless the characters can evolve. That’s the payoff in an RPG: customization and evolution. As you grow more comfortable with the character, the character grows in turn, based on your preferences. Ratchet and Clank gives you that level of flexibility, within certain boundaries; Lethal Alliance does not. Some may find that kind of simplicity appealing, but I’d much rather play a game where I can immerse myself in the action on a more personal level.
Rating: 5/10
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