Platinum makes good games: Bayonetta, Vanquish, Metal Gear Rising, like a 1-2-3 punch combo knockout. But now comes The Legend of Korra, a tie in to the excellent animated TV show that’s a disappointing, soulless cash grab.
It’s clear from the beginning that Platinum only put in as much effort and care as was required from the brief. Bland, repetitive scenery provides the background for meaningless, dull encounters with grunt after grunt, crescendoing unexcitingly towards a generic boss battle with some guys that want to kill you for mostly unclear reasons.
Vaguely following on from the plot of the series where rebels, neglected by a society built on being able to manipulate the elements, rob citizens of their powers the game then wilfully ignores much of what the show gets so right.
Why is Korra alone, when the relationships she builds are at the heart of the story’s appeal? Why no attempt at exposition? And why is the world reduced to insipid platforming and duff endless runner bits?
That said, the odd glimmer of Platinum’s brilliance still shines through the cracks. Its eye for genius combat systems is felt in the fairly stunning recreation of the element bending that functions as the cornerstone of the world. Water is long distance but weak, for instance, while earth is short range and heavy. All of this is told in flowing animations, as graceful as the aesthetic of the show.
We understand the need for Platinum to make games like this. To have creative freedom, you need money. This isn't the worst tie-in we’ve ever seen but it doesn't deserve to be called a Platinum game.
5/10
It’s clear from the beginning that Platinum only put in as much effort and care as was required from the brief. Bland, repetitive scenery provides the background for meaningless, dull encounters with grunt after grunt, crescendoing unexcitingly towards a generic boss battle with some guys that want to kill you for mostly unclear reasons.
Vaguely following on from the plot of the series where rebels, neglected by a society built on being able to manipulate the elements, rob citizens of their powers the game then wilfully ignores much of what the show gets so right.
Why is Korra alone, when the relationships she builds are at the heart of the story’s appeal? Why no attempt at exposition? And why is the world reduced to insipid platforming and duff endless runner bits?
That said, the odd glimmer of Platinum’s brilliance still shines through the cracks. Its eye for genius combat systems is felt in the fairly stunning recreation of the element bending that functions as the cornerstone of the world. Water is long distance but weak, for instance, while earth is short range and heavy. All of this is told in flowing animations, as graceful as the aesthetic of the show.
We understand the need for Platinum to make games like this. To have creative freedom, you need money. This isn't the worst tie-in we’ve ever seen but it doesn't deserve to be called a Platinum game.
5/10