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Fun Controls and a Killer Bot Mode

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 21 / 24
Date: May 04, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I first rented and played Winback for the Nintendo 64. Since Koei, the makers of the popular strategy series Romance of the Three Kingdoms, had never made a shooter before, I wasn't expecting much, but, though it wasn't a great game, it was fairly good. Now Koei has released Winback on the PlayStation 2, and they've even added a few things.

The graphics in this Winback have been updated from the N64 version as you might expect; they don't take advantage of what the PS2 can handle, but they do look a lot better than before. Music isn't great either, but it does fit the game's situations, and when you take damage and are near death, the music changes and becomes faster to express the urgency. The story in Winback kind of reminds me of the movie The Rock: some madman acquires the use of a powerful weapon, and you and several other special forces units are sent in to attempt a forceful recovery of the weapon before it is put to use. Depending on how fast you are and how few times the weapon strikes, you will receive one of three endings. The story could have been better if the characters were developed, but they weren't, so every time a character is killed--and they are killed a lot--you don't really care.

The one-player Story mode in Winback is pretty simple. It is divided into 31 stages, where you basically move forward by eliminating enemies. Puzzle-solving is limited to involving the player in finding the key to a locked door or destroying the source of a laser trap that blocks the way. The rather dry simplicity of the gameplay, however, is made more enjoyable by the variety of moves you can perform. Imagine yourself with your back against the wall of some building. You slide along the wall, come to its end, and carefully peek around the corner. An enemy! You remain calm and check your surroundings. From where you stand you can only see a lone crate that may be of help. Suddenly, you swing around the corner, blast a couple shots at the baddy, and make a mad dash for the cover of the crate. By now the enemy notices you and has his gun aimed in your direction. You've almost reached the crate when you hear his gun go off, but a quickly executed somersault barely saves you from the fast approaching bullets. Keeping your head down behind the crate, you wait until the firing stops. Finally, silence. The enemy must be out of ammunition and in the process of reloading. You take this advantage and come out from hiding, prepared to take down the enemy. But as soon as you're about to take your shot, you spot two enemy reinforcements coming to their partner's aid. That's when you see it! A crate filled with explosives, right in the midst of the enemies. You pump it full of lead and watch the explosion as it sends your enemies to their feet. It's moves like these that make the game come alive.

In Winback there are two battle modes to choose between: Versus Mode and Bot Mode (added from the previous N64 version). Versus is a battle that can be played by 2-4 human players, in one of nine arenas, in any of six different modes of play. Among these modes, two worth mention are Death Match and Cube Hunt. The first is standard fair for multiplayer shooters: each player's objective is simply to eliminate the other player(s). In Cube Hunt, each player must collect seven different colored cubes; taking damage means losing a cube, which the player will then have to find over again. Bot Mode is only 1 or 2 players and is played the same way as a game of Death Match, except that there can be computer-controlled characters and there are always two teams. You can play this mode by yourself against an army of bots, or you can play on a team of bots against another team of bots. Two players playing Bot Mode can play against each other with an assortment of bots on both their teams, or they can work together on the same team (with or without bots) against a team comprised solely of bots. Sadly, Bot Mode only has five arenas, but they are different from the nine you can choose from in Versus Mode, and a couple are fairly large. Also, it should be noted that there are a good deal of options to customize your battles, from adjusting the strength of weapons, to changing the difficulty of bots; you can even choose from over 20 characters.

Winback may not be a Metal Gear Solid, but for Koei's first attempt in the genre, it isn't bad. Probably the worst thing in Winback is the artificial intelligence, especially in Story mode. An enemy confrontation typically unfolds as follows: you swing out from behind a wall and draw the bad guy's attention; you then swing back behind the wall for cover and watch the enemy stupidly discharge a magazine of bullets at the spot where your head was a second ago; a real person placed in the computer's shoes would next either close in and destroy you or seek cover for himself, but the sick AI continues to stand there like a sitting duck until a couple more stolen shots around the corner have finished him off. This isn't to say the game isn't a challenge; the enemies' unnatural actions just make it seem a little silly. Still, Winback is a good game and is probably one of the best that you can get for the PS2 to date. If you already have the N64 version, this is just one to rent, but if you don't, this is a solid buy.

A great game just like the N64 version only BETTER!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 11
Date: April 08, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This game is one of the greatest Third-Person shooter games available on any system. The PS2 just makes it better. The graphics are amazingly detailed and the sound effects are awesome! In the new feature, BOT Mode, you feel you are really in the game with all of the gunshots wailing past your head. It's one big shootout. This new mode is my favorite part of the game. It includes a custom version and challenges, which when you complete, characters become unlocked. It's a team version of the versus mode. The story mode has a great setting and for all beginners, a tutorial mode to explain the basics is available. You must take my word and buy or at least rent this game! It's a must-have for anybody!

It'll Tide you over Until Metal Gear Solid 2:Sons of Liberty

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 11 / 13
Date: March 17, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I have played both the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation2 versions of Winback. They are quite similar but just different enough for people to take a look. The graphics have been totally souped up making it look very nice. The controls are easy to use, definitely easier than the Nintendo 64s controls. If you have played and beaten Winback for the Nintendo 64 you might still want to give this game a try the easier controls make for an enjoyable gaming experience and with the improved graphics this is quite some eye-candy. The plot hasn't changed at all and is just a revamp of the one for the N64. PlayStation2 owners who are fans of the Metal Gear series will enjoy this game and it will get them ready for Metal Gear Solid 2:Sons of Liberty.

good idea, fell short though

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: March 21, 2005
Author: Amazon User

this game has a pretty good idea for the plot but the story sucks. the graphics were pretty good as well and some of the thing you can do are cool ex. hide behind walls and pop out and nail someone in the head. the lasers on some levels were annoying one hit from them and you're dead also they're HARD to avoid. there were also only 4 different weapons and all of them do the same damage. I wouldn't reccommend this game unless you're a real fan of shoot'em up games.

Remake of N64 Version

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 9 / 14
Date: February 19, 2001
Author: Amazon User

The PS2 version of Winback is really just a souped up version of the N64 game. It is not a sequel, the levels are similar, and most objectives are the same. The graphics are spectacular and the controls are easy to use. If you already own the N64 version, rent this one to compare the two. This game is very fun and addictive, and is a must try for hard core gamers.

Another worthwhile game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 16
Date: March 17, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Now this game orignillay was from the N64. It is a fantastic game with incredible moves. The only problem at the time was, it was not popular at all. I think KOEI CORP remaking and putting it on the Ps2 was a good idea. People now may look at it since it is one of the first games on the PS2. The graphical power is very good, not great but good. The music can get to you on Versus mode. Thou versus mode is the funnest to me, because you get a little more challenge with it. This game hopfully now will make it well known. I would rent it to be honest because the levels are incredinbly long and you might get a bit board. Just rent it so you can ... your brother or friend in versus. Have fun.

For a Tru Gamer. Best two player action game yet!!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: May 19, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Winback is basically the same game as on N64. How ever there are great differences in the two player bot mode. The one player story is no differet then the N64. It falls short to Metal Gear. However this game is one of the greatest two player games ever. You go head to head combat with the second player in a hide and seeker combat with a small varity of fire arms(Uzi, Shot Gun, Rocket laucher, and your standard 9mm). After that gets boring you can make teams 1st and 2nd players againest up to six ememys in a square stage but you get to chose how many enemys you think you can kill as to how many lifes you get, and with the PS2 power processor you can turn up the AI (artifical intelligence) of the enemys making then smarter. In turn makes the gamer extremely fun for a long time it will never get old. Trust me you must play this game in 2 player mode after you rent this your definitly going to but it! As for the rest of those people who say this game as bad control or the aimings off hhaaaa! Yeah right, its just they have no game!

WinBack: Best Game Ever!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: November 03, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This game is great. You get to do all the stuff just like the James Bond movies. The single player is a ok mode of play where you and a team of SpecOps guys try to take back(or Win Back) a base over run by terrorists. The multiplayer is probably the best mode of play. You can choose to play by yourself or with a friend. Also, there are plenty of characters to unlock in multiplayer which keeps you playing. Also, there are seven modes of play and three of those modes you need to unlock. The first is the story mode which is the main mode, then there is the bot mode(multiplayer and single player instant action). another mode is verses which is multiplayer. Then there is tutorial which is self-explanitory and there are the three modes you need to unlock but I will not spoil them for you. Overall I think it is a great game and was well worth my money.

great game w/ incredible bot mode and 2 player

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: June 24, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Well i would like to say this game rocks from the graphics to the game play to the verses mode to the bot mode.this game is up to 4 players (in verses mode) so if you have some friends over it is lots of fun.My older brother isnt that great at the game so he just watches me play.you can never run out of amo because yuor handgun never runs out but you only have certain amout for the shot gun (which kicks) and the machine gun (which also kicks).the levels are beatable but might take 2-4 times to pass them which is good because you arent really stuck on a level for a week usually so it doesnt get boring.I find it funny when they say danm or bastards or what the hell but i wouldnt recomend it for kids under 10 because the controlls might be to hard.

Solid...But Could've Been More

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 3 / 6
Date: September 01, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I got into this game when it first released for the Nintendo 64, but always knew that it never reached its full potential. Koei was gracious enough to remake this game for Sony's then-new console, but they didn't take enough time in some spots.

STORY
---It's not like this really matters, as is the case with most of Koei's games, but basically the terrorist Crying Lions take over a base that controls a weapons-satellite, and it's up to the SCAT Team to take them out. In the right hands, there's a good story buried here somewhere, but you could argue that about any plot. As Jean-Luc Cougar, you are separated from your team after a helicopter crash and take out an infinite number of enemies while reuniting with them. The presentation also loses a few points because even after the cutscenes with multiple characters, you will embark on the missions alone --- there's no team combat whatsoever. It's almost as if the story was injected after the levels were done.

GRAPHICS
---Thankfully much better. The models aren't very crisp, but the bolder and darker colors make this game look better than the N64's faded appearance. The character models move believeably enough, such as when Jean-Luc takes cover and aims with that tactical hotshot accuracy. There could've been more animations, plus the level design isn't much to brag about. Also, during cutscenes the characters' mouths don't move. Better than the N64 version, but a somewhat incomplete & minimal look.

SOUND
---The music is fitting, even though it's a little repetitive. None of the game is going to invoke an emotional response, but there are some cool techno beats that get the job done. The weapons all sound fine, but feel arcade-y as opposed to realistic. Then again, "Medal of Honor" had just broken the audio barriers a year before the N64 version was released. The voice-acting, however, is absolutely pitiful. Do I prefer this terrible acting over the N64's silent substitles? Well...yeah --- but only because it's so horrible that I laugh uncontrollable every time I hear it. The emphasis is on all the wrong words, and resembles a first-year foreign language course. Still, for pure camp value, I forgive the shortcomings. What can I say...it's a KOEI game.

GAMEPLAY
---This is where the game's strengths lie. You will engage in a ridiculous amount of shoot-outs with smart AI and backtracking...and you will probably enjoy all of it. Somehow, this repetitive & simple gameplay manages to keep the fun level high. Also, "WinBack" follows a timeless cliche' --- "If there are bad guys, you're going the right way." Because the game has a few weapons (each with its own strategic purpose) and AI that will not mess around with you, the intensity rarely lets up. There are some tough bosses, but the difficulty is challenging, as opposed to annoying. There are some control issues that were never resolved. In fact, I think the game is harder to play on the PS2 controller versus the N64 controller. The N64 had that genius Z-trigger button, but there is a tutorial that helps you play (along with more of that horrible voiceover work). What never worked out fine, though, was the close-up combat. It's clunky, unresponsive, and an absolute mess. Thankfully, you'll only be fighting hand-to-hand if you can't shoot fast enough, so take the CQC as your punishment for not avoiding it. There are a couple of multiplayer options, but none of them are truly great. Still, a solid single-player experience with some nice multiplayer fun thrown in.

OVERALL
---"WinBack" has always been a solid and fun experience. KOEI fixed the look of the game, as well as the sound quality (except for the voice-work). But it still doesn't feel refined enough to recommend a purchase. The game is too rough around the edges, and the gameplay doesn't have enough variety in it. There's simply no reason to buy it if you have any doubts whatsoever. Worth a rental, maybe even a purchase of 20 dollars or less, but don't rush to play it. "WinBack" isn't a great game, but it's slightly more fun than it looks.

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