Razing Storm is the second follow up game to the popular Time Crisis series, after 2004’s Crisis Zone on Playstation. Utilising the Playstation Move control system, the game represents one of the latest releases in the growing motion sensing games market. Departing from previous versions of the game, you have the option to play the game in story mode, off the rails, a first for the series.
The main elements of the story involve a troop of high-tech soldiers on a mission to take down terrorist enemies using their oversized weapons and skills of over-acting. The narrative is far from captivating, put simply the good guys have to take out the baddies. The main action you will be performing is pulling the trigger and shooting, even if you choose to play in the new first-person shooter mode and go “off-rails”, the game will not feel anymore inspiring, with the option to control character moving more of an irritating hindrance than a joy. The movement controls are difficult to operate accurately, as they are far too sensitive and can be unreliable at times, particularly when taking cover, as a downward movement can remove your soldier out of cover in to shoot mode, an action that is a little too easy to do accidentally.
The in-play graphics are typically retro and blocky, but really nothing to write home about. The cut-scene animations are perfectly acceptable, getting you in the mood for some if it moves, shoot it action. However the in game indicators such as the crucial red hairline target marker are far too easy to lose amongst all the mayhem, and can be confused with the danger markers, which are all red spots. The sound effects are great, lots of satisfying loudness and explosions and there is a nice range of sound across the different weapons. Hardcore metal forms the soundtrack, and compliments the bangs, screams and bad acting rather well.
The lack of any real variety in the gameplay means that the relatively short plot of the game is about all that can hold your interest anyway. The game features around an hour of non-stop play to complete, and whilst this jammed full of action, it is ultimately not satisfying enough to warrant repeat returns, the appeal soon wears thin, as frustrations with the control mechanism are hard to overcome. Indeed it will actually take you far longer than a few hours to get to grips with the controls in move mode, and this will slow down the play. Thankfully the game alternates between on the rails and move levels, so you do get some light relief from the control issues.
Razing Storm does not really break any new ground as the issues controlling the move mode go to prove that there is still much to be done before this type of game can successfully go off-rail. As such it will only really appeal to big fans of the series and doesn’t represent a particularly great investment for those looking for a long lasting game.