EAT LEAD: THE RETURN OF MATT HAZARD
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Developer:Vicious Cycle
Publisher:D3
Systems: XBOX 360 and PlayStation 3
INTRODUCTION:
In all likelihood, you've never heard of EAT LEAD: THE RETURN OF MATT HAZARD. This is one of those small indie titles that slipped into the marketplace destined for a bargain bin in Walmart within the next six months. And yet, it is also going to be one of those quintessential reference point games that reviewers and fanboys will bring up in conversation for a variety of reasons. Its one of those games that is packed with great potential and is a perfect launching point for many strong industry-focused debates.
With that said, the story behind EAT LEAD is an interesting one. You play as Matt Hazard, an old school video game character (ala DUKE NUKEM), who has been brought into the modern age of gaming. Unfortunately, this story is a set up, and the developers plan to replace Matt with a new modern character. Before Matt is sent back to the mothballs, he is saved by a helpful game programmer who interrupts the game. At this point, EAT LEAD has evolved from being a run of the mill shooter sequel to a game about games within a game. Matt is forced to take on a variety of his old enemies while working his way to taking down a rogue developer hell bent on destroying his life. All the while he's cracking wise like Han Solo.
This review is of the XBOX 360 version. This game is also available on the PlayStation 3.
GAMEPLAY:
With all of the complexities of the storytelling and the depth of voice acting, Gameplay took a backseat in the development of this title. From the outset, EAT LEAD underwhelms in gameplay and never progresses further. It's a third person shooter and does nothing to innovate. Instead, it borrows from games, like GEARS OF WAR, with an active cover system. Unfortunately, EAT LEAD's cover system is often glitchy and mostly tertiary. Throughout the maps there are tons of redundant little islands to cower behind while traversing different settings. These ultra-mundane maps that look like they were designed in about a week. The maps are far to simple for a modern era shooter and fail to make this aspect of the gameplay entertaining.
In regards to other aspects of the gameplay, the upgrade system adds an interesting dose of variety that quickly devolves into being just extra damaging ammo. Players can choose between freezing their enemies or lighting them aflame. While this sounds cool on paper, it gets boring quickly and feels like a feature for a Nintendo64 game. Furthermore, the addition of an armor power-up fares even worse and looks and feels like a simple knock-off the earliest of video games.
Overall, there is nothing innovative in the gameplay department. For a game that gets its thrills from spoofing successful video games, EAT LEAD winds up as the butt of it's own joke. It is kind of difficult accepting a game as comedy when the gameplay is so obviously under-supported and paint-by-numbers.
Gameplay: 5.7/10
GRAPHICS:
Much like the gameplay, the graphics appear to suffer as an afterthought. With the lone exception of the character modeling of Matt Hazard, this game has the look and feel of the earliest launch titles for the XBOX 360. Basically, take the design elements and structures of the last generation and add some shine to the textures. The overall look of this game reminds me of a lot of PERFECT DARK ZERO except with even smaller environments. The graphics in this game scream budget title and you won't think otherwise.
Despite the overall poor graphics, the modeling of Matt Hazard is still impressive. His face looks cartoon realistic and the design elements of his outfit have enough detail to keep your eyes appeased. Unfortunately, this character model is wasted in a sea of duplicate enemies. In total there are perhaps 15 different enemies in this game, which some having 3-4 different variations of the same design. It is always a shame to see a gorgeous looking protagonist thrown into a sea of reduplication. Too bad that this game is no different.
Just like the gameplay, the graphics of EAT LEAD leave quite a bit to be desired. There are no fireworks to be had and nothing beyond a good looking main character to behold.
Graphics: 6.5/10
STORYTELLING:
Finally, it is time to take a look at the core selling point of EAT LEAD, the storytelling. Featuring the voice talent of Neil Patrick Harris, Will Arnett, and, my personal hero, Alex Desert (of SWINGERS, HIGH FIDELITY, and FLASH fame), EAT LEAD focused more on the actors than on the models that they voice. The script is sometimes funny (for a video game) and the storyline makes sense most of the time. There are numerous in-jokes that gamers will enjoy, specifically spoofs of HALO and CASTLE WOLFENSTEIN had me entertained. Unfortunately, the majority of the strong humor appears near the beginning of that game and dwindles off quite a bit further in.
The real shame about the storytelling in this game is the last of consistency. In the best games the quality level of the story and the script stays strong from start to finish. Look to BIOSHOCK, BRAID, and GRAND THEFT AUTO IV for good examples of consistency. Instead you'll feel left hanging with storytelling that is sometimes funny but not frequently to keep you engaged. In comparison, this would probably feel like a bad episode of KING OF QUEENS.
Don't get me wrong, I feel that the character of Matt Hazard has a lot of potential. It's just a shame that he fails to deliver from start to finish. Perhaps with a bigger budget or a stronger publisher this is a franchise with a better future ahead.
Storytelling: 7.2/10
FINAL VERDICT:
EAT LEAD is a leftover puddle of a game that deserved to so much better than it really is. The premise of the game is strong but the execution consistently under-performs. The gameplay was simple and derivative. The graphics were boring and plain. And, the voice talent was wasted by a lack of consistency. I would love to play a well executed version of this game someday. More than likely, this brand will die a quiet death and disappear into the depths of wikipedia and the waybackmachine.
Final Verdict: 6.4/10
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