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Worth the wait

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: July 07, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Killer 7 is one of those unique games that comes around every few years. One of those game that turns heads, and even pulls a few fresh faces into the video games scene. The kind of game that people talk about for hours. In short, a masterpiece. Mind you, i've only had the game for a few hours, but what I have played, I think is fantastic. The graphics are crisp and very stylish, and set the mood of a classic Noir film with a David Lynch type twist. The backrounds are full of color, and subtle little details that make you feel like you are in a sort of crazy comic book reality. The plot seems interesting enough: Mixing modern day politics with a science fiction edge, it holds some valid points and opinions, and seems to put a new perspective on modern day rulings. The action is fast paced and swift, and unless you get really stuck, you won't find yourself getting bored. And as i'm sure you've heard, this is NOT a game for kids! It may even disurb some adults. The content is graphic, the language is harsh, and the gore and creepiness hold a pretty strong postion as well. The game requires stradegy, and guts and brains to play, so...keep it above 16, like the rating says. All in all, a very solid game from what i've played. I can't wait to see what happens, so, check it out, and see what you think.

Simply Ama7ing

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 7
Date: July 08, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This game is God (yes, that says ama7ing). It is unique in every manor possible to the human mind. It was well worth the wait, as the previous reviewer said. Violent to the extreme, gory, sexy, unique, long, hard, and full of fun!!!! Get this game. Although some people may not like it because they won't get swepped into the experience as did I. Give this game time to soak into you, and I promise you won't be disapppointed. yeah, pretty much.

An Art House Game?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 42 / 47
Date: July 10, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Games have been described as art in the past. A game that comes immediately to mind is Ico, which oozed personality and landscapes that were both etheral and were just like a painting. Not until this game have I ever played a game that was almost like interactive art.

As far as I can see, if there was ever a game that was pretending to be an art house film, Killer 7 would be it. From the stylized, psuedo-noir/comic book/anime inspired graphics to the dark, brooding, and sex-laden story and the weird gameplay, you have the makings of an art house video game, as strange as that sounds. But does it work? In a word, mostly.

Going back to the art comment, each level in this game and each presentation of idea screams art. It's like passing surreal paintings in a museum. You pass one and go "whoa, that's weird." And you might pass another one that makes you want to tilt your head so you can maybe understand it better. And yet, you come up with a hint but nothing concrete. This game is like that, except that each level, each character each piece of dialogue is connected in a way a wall full of paintings usually isn't.

Normally, when a game puts style and story over gameplay, bad juju occurs. For instance, Xenosaga II was a great movie, but as a game it was horrible. In this case, I've known from the beginning that the gameplay would be as equally weird as the storyline. Suda 51, the game's creator, had been asked when Killer 7 was first introduced via some strange cut scenes how it would play. His answer was he didn't know. They had spent so much time and effort getting the feel and story of the game down, that they had no clue how it would ultimately play like.

Truthfully, I shouldn't like this game. And yet, somehow I do. So, how does it play? In a move that is a throw back to some of the early Sega CD games I played, you push the A button to move forward. If you want to turn around, you push B to do a 180. When you get to a specific junction that allows you do something other than move (i.e. an object or different hallways or rooms), you tilt the controller in the direction you want to go and push A. When you hear the satanic laughter of the Heaven's Smiles, you pull the R trigger and enter a FPS mode when you aim and shoot at the approaching time bombs. Hitting them in a yellow weak area is an instant kill that gives you the most blood.

Yes, blood. In fact, an interesting strategy system for leveling up involves collecting blood from fallen enemies. As you kill enemies, you collect blood which can be used to level up each of your personalities in areas of power, aim control, speed, criticals etc. So, you want to hit the yellow areas for an instant kill and for the most blood.

Basically, that's the gameplay in a nutshell. You move around incredibly linear levels, on a rail, set path and blast any and all enemies you find. Along the way, you'll come across various puzzles that require you to use your brain and sometimes a lot of luck to figure out. Since this is a Capcom game, expect some Resident Evil (the earlier ones, not the new one) type puzzles.

The game can be difficult in places both for your brain and for your trigger finger. There are some enemies, the giant Heaven Smiles for one, who are difficult to kill. Other enemies have to be shot in specific places or its exploding time. Remembering the various enemy types and how to confront them adds an exciting and sometimes difficult strategy to the game. When one of the personalities die, their head is left at the scene. You then have to play as Garcian Smith to collect the head to bring it back to life. This makes the game pretty "easy" in that it's hard to truly have a game over. However, this adds to the backtracking/repetitiveness as you have to watch a cutscene of your character's head, then you're back in Harman's Room, you choose Garcian, run back to the body, another cutscene, then you're back at Harman's room again to choose your personality and then you're free to go play again.

Honestly, though, the gameplay is just there to differentiate this from being a movie. The best part is the incredibly bizarre and truly disturbing story. In a (dis?)Utopian society where the world has reached peace and missles are shot off into the sky at each other in a sort of celebration that missles are no longer shot at each other, a new terrorist organization has taken hold. The Heaven's Smile has members who seem perfectly normal until they explode. Only the group Killer 7 can truly see them for the evil they are and annihilate them.

What is the Killer 7? They are the personalities of a Mr. Harman Smith, a wheelchair bound guy who seems to enjoy rough sex. Each of the 7 personalities have their own strengths, weaknesses and special abilities that make them absolutely invaluable to the missions. For instance, Kaede (the sole female) slits her wrists and baths barracades in blood in order to destroy them. Mask De Smith performs wrestling moves on plywood blocking a door. Kevin Smith can become invisible and invincible. Coyote Smith can jump to high areas and open any lock. Did I mention Kaede who slits her wrists?

If the last paragraph didn't clue you in, this is a rated M game. Which means it was created for those over 17. Unlike games like Conker (a game I love by the way) that use their M rating for South Park style humor, Killer 7 has many disturbing moments. Running into talking heads in dryers and other assorted places is just the beginning. As the game progresses, you will see and hear many weird things, from the nurse/sex slave? Samantha and her sexcapades with Harman to a blinded kid to the head that tells of its former, death filled life involving the cutting off of certain body parts to a rainstorm of blood. And then there's the cursing, the countless uses of the F word and various other four letter words. This is not a game for children.

There are some genuine problems with the game, however. Yet again, Nintendo hasn't supported those of us who have High Def, a wide screen or surround sound. The game isn't presented in HD or in Wide Screen format. It isn't even Dobly Pro Logic II like some Nintendo games released. And it shows. If you have a receiver, it will be odd hearing sounds coming out of far spaced left and right speakers. The quality of the sound isn't too great. The voice acting is genuinely good, but sometimes it's set at a tone that is much quieter than the music. Add to the fact that there aren't any subtitle options (except the scene specific ones where the characters speak in semi-gibberish) and you have a problem; especially since it's such a story heavy game. Speaking of dialogue, another sore spot is the fact that some of the characters constantly repeat things. There are three main characters you see in every mission, a red dressed thing (can't remember it's name), Travis and the information seller. Each time you talk to them, they start off with the same dialogue. For instance, the red dressed thing always says "Master. We're in Trouble. Big Trouble." or "Master. We're in a tight spot. A very tight spot. I don't want to say what type of tight spot." Dialogue like that. The first few times, it's okay but when you're done with the 15 hour game you will really wish you could hit A or something to skip through some of the dialogue. As is, you can hit start and skip ALL of the dialogue but since puzzle pieces, story and boss strategies are given, it's not recommended.

There are only 3 options in the Options menu, rumble, invert aiming and stereo/mono (do people even play games in Mono any more??). The problem is, everytime I continue the game, I have to change the invert aiming for some reason. Mighty annoying.

Overall, I'm having a hard time explaining this game. I hope I gave enough to give readers an idea of what to expect if they decide to rent/purchase this unique game. It's hard to qualify it as anything but an artistic expression. One does not play art usually. One views it, tries to gather some meaning from it, and moves on either changed or unchanged. This game is like that. It's very difficult (impossible?) to fully explain in any lucid way what this is. Besides what I've written above, my best recommendation is to play it. You can't get a feeling for it without trying it. This isn't Halo nor Final Fantasy where I can say it's this or it's that. This is something completely and utterly different, comprehensible and yet totally the opposite.

This is a game that will go down as a love it or hate it experiment. If the mainstream video game audience even hear about the game, I will be surprised. The Electronics Boutique I got mine from only ordered two copies, both preordered. And, those who actually do play it will either love it for the chances it takes, or will hate it for having the stiff gameplay. I happen to love it and I can't tell you exactly why. The story is interesting and very post-modern which is partly why I like it. And, for some reason, the gameplay that is so stiff is also an addictive situation. Either way you look at it, though, Kudos to Capcom for taking the chance and creating this dark masterpiece and experiment. In an environment filled with sequels and movie to game licenses, I have to applaud Capcom for releasing such a different, yet enthralling piece of art. Yes, art.

Sweet Christmas, this thing owns.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 7
Date: July 11, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I could do this whole review by just saying "buy it", but that wouldn't be fitting. This game is unique, beautiful, emotionally touching, and a little creepy. And VERY fun. This is a must buy for any GCN or PS2 owner.

For fans of this, I also recommend Resident Evil 4, Motion City Soundtrack's "Commit" album, GoldenEye for the DS, and the show "Invader Zim".

One of the most Unique games since Shenmue...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: July 13, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I can't remember when was the last time I played a game as unique as Killer 7(other then Shenmue)but I will tell you, this game proves to be the perfect example of "a hate it or love it" game, and it proves that Capcome does try to do different things then make rehashed sequals like most game companies(GTA, HALO, Ratchet ect)and just proves(I'm too lazy to explain it or type it out)that video games have gone VERY mainstream. Killer 7(as the previous reviewer said)is like an ART house game. First off let me get this right off the bat.....the gameplay is not "terrible" or does not "Suck" as most game mags and sites seem to say it(Gamepro can kiss my..)just because they acctually played a game that is "different" doesn't mean it "sucks". 90% of the people who gave this game an average or below average score(not fans, Game sites/mags)were probably expecting fast paced action with lots of drugs/sex and everything GTA had!!!...Well it isn't, to anyone who is thinking about getting this game...if you're use to things like killing, killing and running around and more killing(like HALO2) DO NOT NOT EVEN TOUCH THIS GAME..Cause this game will make you use your brain(unless you use a stradigy guide)...Do you remember some of those annoying yet very rewarding puzzles in the original Resident Evil games?....EXPECT SOME OF THOSE, yes this game is pretty linear(obviously it was set that way)but the puzzles make up for that...And they really do make you think but you'll eventually figure it out and for people who don't like backtracking, THIS GAME ISN'T FOR YOU.

Let me be the first to say(or 4th)that the gameplay is very, very unique and cool(especially the heaven smiles, I don't know were capcom came up with a name like that, but I think it's brilliant). Especially the Rail track like gameplay, which is pretty cool but the best part about this game is the puzzle solving and the awesome First person shooting aspects(which I can't stop saying they pulled it off so well)were you have to scan areas to find the Heaven Smiles(those things are so disturbing).

Visually the game is very beautiful and some of the areas you're in just make you awe in amazement especially the cutscenes..they are just...beautiful, did I mention the character modeling is just fantastic? The way Capcom pulled off the Cell shaded/anime like characters just look great. And my lord the sound in this game is very disturbing(especially when you hear the Heavens Smile laughs)and those Robotic-like jibberish you get from the 3 helpers that guide through out the game. Some of the music in this game is also very cool, it sometimes has that "anime" feeling to it. As far as the storyline goes, one of the previous Reviewer tells it out very well so there is no point on me repeating what it's about.

Now let me tell you this....if you thought Manhunt was a very disturbing game, you haven't played KILLER 7, this whole game is just one dark, bloody masterpiece. From beginning to end you have this "tention" that the game brings to you that just gives you the creep, especially some of the stories you hear, like early on in the game you find a head in a dryer that tells you some pretty disturbing things but that's not it, you still have people like Travis(another person who guides you in the game)and another person that tells you some disturbing stories.
Now most games(like GTA)now I for one for the first time in a long time have to say this games theme is so dark and disturbing little kids shouldn't even play this...The game truly deserves it's M rating for Stylized Violence with limbs and heads being blown off in very anime/stylish like ways, Strong Language and just listening to some of those stories makes this game deserve its 17 and over rating!!! This game isn't for little kids....Now lets get to it

The Good
-Very unique and original
-Very cool gameplay
-First Person shooting aspects are just awesome
-Very disturbing and brilliantly original creatures
-Some of those "Resident Evil" like puzzles
-The violence in this game(sorry if I sould like some 13 year old who thinks Grand Theft Auto San Andreas is the greatest game ever)is very cool and sylish, I really liked the way Capcom did it, especially when you get a one hit kill
-The way you upgrade your characters by using blood from the creatures you killed, and turning it into serum is just very cool(I've been using that word alot in this review)
-Gamecube version runs much smoother with slightly better visuals and sound(plus I feel as if I have to say this but it just seems like a Gamecube game..)
-The storyline(though at times is confusing and needs some thinking)is pretty cool and involves some POLITICAL THEMES(acctually "some" is the worst way to describe it!!!)
-Using different Personas to solve some puzzles are very cool
-Spanning 2 discs, expect to spend more then 10 hours on this game

The Bad
-WHY CAPCOM! WHY!!! This game would have made an amazing Gamecube exclusive and another reason why you should own a GC!!
-The backtracking does get annoying at times...
-It gets a bit annoying when you die and have to resurect your your personas
-You either hate it or love it(I donno why I'm posting it on here)

Overall Killer 7 was a very big surprise of 05. It's very unique, original and just darn disturbing and creepy(this game ain't for the lil' ones). Though the story may need some putting together(even though you could just read the back of the games cover to know about it, but there is just MORE to it)it's very original. The gameplay is solid(no it doesn't suck)and the cell shaded/anime like visuals fit so well with the game.....did I mention the puzzles have some sort of "Resident Evil 1 2 and 3" feeling to it?...Overall I really liked this game it was one of the most unique games I've ever played since the original shenmue..I give this game a

4.4 out of 5

An experience than a game but what one it is

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 8
Date: July 14, 2005
Author: Amazon User

There's an interview floating with Suda 51, the main man behind one of 4 formally Gamecube Capcom games(the other 3 being PN.03 which is only Gamecube so far, Viewtiful Joe which is multisystem now and Resident Evil 4 which has a PS2 version soon). The game was called Killer 7 and Suda answered a question about the gameplay: "I don't know yet". It was built from the ground up with the story/presentation and the gameplay came last, which is a big no-no in game development. May not be a typical game but boy is it something to be seen.

Story: This is near Evangelion confusing, people(maybe less so). Basically in the year 2003, nuclear energy is banned, missiles destroyed and radioactive materials are disposed of. It's a time of peace but a group called the Heaven's Smiles are here to stop it. Freaky looking monsters roam the cities and they actually explode, making kamikaze-like soldiers. In comes Harlan Smith, a man in a wheelchair who has the ability to physically conjure up his 7 personalities(think the movie Identity) who have special abilities. So Harlan must battle the Heaven's Smiles and it's leader.

Graphics: Outside of the game's great anime cutscenes, the graphics almost look poor compared to Capcom's Resident Evil 4. Hell even Viewtiful Joe. But it has a look on its own, going for a cel-shaded look but a bit less polished. Best way to describe them is stylish, not stunning on a "wow" scale but more on a unique one.

Sound/Music: The music in the game is basically ambience-like with some more ambitious ones thrown in. The voice acting is really superb, on par with the Metal Gear Solid games, it's just the repetitiveness might drive you nuts. Every critical hit(details on that below) and the character does a catch phrase. While it's cool to hear them going "hurts, doesn't it?" or the soon-to-be fan favorite "you're ****ed", they say EVERY time you get a hit. Also the laughter has the creepiness to it but not in a flesh crawling way, more in an impending doom way.

Gameplay: The gameplay in this game, among other things, is going to have some big debate soon. Best way to describe it is an exploration rail shooter. Basically you have a map and you walk around this map, however only on predetermined paths. Meaning you can't go anywhere, only certain areas. You press A to walk forward, if you hit a junction where you can go left or right, click which way you want and you go that way. Pressing B turns you around.

While advancing, you might hear laughter. That's your cue to stop, press R to go into first-person and press L which'll "scan" in front of you, revealing the enemy(ies). Some have distinct ways on killing them. For example you have to shoot one in the arms so he'll turn and his back'll have the weak point allowing you to kill it. Others have heavy armor requiring the big character. They all have certain areas which'll net instant kills, giving you blood which comes in thick or thin, thin being more for health recovery and special move meter while thick is a "levelling up" method.

All this talk and I don't mention the 7 characters, how silly of me. There's Garcian Smith, who can resurrect your dead party members but beware, if he dies, game over. Dan Smith can use powered up bullets for that extra kick. Kaede Smith, the only female, probably has the weirdest ability. She slits her wrists and can break down barriers or reveal secrets. She comes in handy as her gun as a scope, allowing for snipe kills. Con Smith is incredibly fast and can fit in areas the others can't, also he's blind but he has a Daredevil-like ability to find proper and hidden paths.

Coyote Smith is a former thief so he's great at picking locks. Not to mention he's an incredible jumper, reaching incredibly high areas. Kevin Smith(no, not the Mallrats director) can turn invisible and throws knives. And finally Mask de Smith, a big pro wrestler who wields grenade launchers and break down walls and obstacles.

One last thing before I close, this is NOT a game for kids. Violence and gore, sexual themes and swearing are very prevalent in this.

After Grand Theft Auto came out, there was a lot of free-roam games that came out like Destroy All Humans. Halo came out and all of a sudden we're getting those commando-like games where you're with your own army/group. Killer 7 is probably the most unique game I've seen in quite awhile. Don't let the weirdness fool you. You have to try this. At least.

Totally amazing

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: July 22, 2005
Author: Amazon User

When I bought the game a week ago, I had my doubts. I red some reviews and They were telling that the game was good but the control......, The control? Let me tell you that it was absolutely GOOD. It was the first game that I ever played with this kind of control and I learnt to deal with it in just five minutes. The game is very good, a lot of scary moments for me at least, challenging puzzles but easy, lots of entertaining nights and a story that to this day I don't know what the hell with it. Forget about the story, the game is 5 stars to me and A and 10 and 100 in every grading aspect.

craptabular

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 1 / 40
Date: July 23, 2005
Author: Amazon User

i dont even have it but it is so retarted. my friend has it and thinks its amasing, even though he dosen't understand it. i tried it one and i want those few minutes of my life back.

Quite possibly the worst game ever!

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 5 / 38
Date: August 02, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This game will make you beg for a copy of bionicle. I played this game hoping for something similar to 13, but man was I in for a rude awakening. Art house craptacular. This game would be perfect if I decided to drop some LSD and blow my brains out after attempting to comprehend a pile of poop. "Hello master...you want to find some blood and soul bullets to make butterfly work for you." Beware! Buy only if you are a sadist!

The first of its kind

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: August 08, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Killer7 is about an assassin named Harman Smith, although you don't get to play as Harman that often you do get to play as one of his seven personas. The first is Dan Smith who uses a revolver and is a well balanced assassin. The next is Kaede Smith she is smaller and has less health than the others, but uses her blood to break barriers throughout the game. Next we have Coyote Smith a small time crook who can pick any lock and jump to uncany hieghts. Con Smith is the youngest of the 7 and also blind, he uses duel semi-auto pistols and has such great hearing that he can see rooms that others can not with his sonar like abilities. Mask De Smith is an ex-wrestler with duel grenade launchers and can blow holes straight through certain walls. Kevin Smith only has a knife, which might sound crazy, but if things get to tough he just turns invisible and go right around the danger. Now we get to Harman Smith he is old and has to use a wheel chair to get around, but don't let that fool you he has the powers of a 'God Killer' and is the only person capable of seeing the 'Heaven Smiles'. Garcian Smith is the 'Cleaner' of the group not best for the acctual missions, but if one of the other members dies, he can resurrect them, so he could be the most valuable player on the team. Heaven Smiles are your main enemy which are invisible to the naked eye, but Harman can spot them with out a problem. This is just a little taste of the game, to truly enjoy and understand what I am talking about you'll have to play it for yourself. Which I ensure you will not be a waste of your time.

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