Bullet Witch

[Gabriel]

I decided to rent Bullet Witch over the weekend (GAH! Rentals have gone up to $7.). For some reason, I thought it might be interesting, despite my not not really liking this sort of game and the low review scores. I thought it might also be prone to giving me the motion sickness feel, like practically all FPS and TPS games do from Doom to Halo and GTA. Instead, no motion sickness, and I was having all kinds of fun.

 

One big thing that makes the game more enjoyable to me is not having to worry about limited ammunition. It always struck me as odd in these types of shooters that the player should be deprived of his ability to shoot because of shooting too often. Realism be damned. Plus, I'm definitely one of the people who uses the "ass staring defense". It's boring watching some big burly dude run down the street shooting things. I find it much more appealing to watch Alicia run along with her kooky gun.

 

Of course, there are some bad things. Aiming is a little bit imprecise. It's easy to go right past your target when trying to aim. The game is really dark. There have been times I just can't see anything due to the areas being so dark. I find myself often aiming at enemies based on their muzzle flash. There are a couple of really cheap things. First off there are these types of monsters who hurl cars at you. They particularly like to grab cars which are behind you and hit you in the back when you're not looking. This is often instant death. There are also snipers. When snipers target you, you see a laser moving through the air until it locks onto your head. Once it's locked on, your only defense is to use your magic to summon a wall of defense. Or, you can try to kill them before they fire.

 

Another irksome, but not game wrecking thing is the lack of a map. During the second level, there were often times when I had no idea where I was supposed to go. I'd just have to wander around aimlessly until I found some new enemies or I'd accidentally discover a checkpoint.

 

So far, I think I'm going to buy this one. I'll probably order it online, though. Local stores have it priced at $60 and I'd have to pay tax on top of that, while internet stores have it marked at a little under $50 (and no tax).

[xenomorpher]

I've been thinking about getting this. Games like this I really liked were GunGrave and GunGrave Overdose. It would be nice if they bundled this and Earth Defense in the future for under $40 someplace.

Edited April 2, 2007 by xenomorpher

[JB]

I've already got it... now I just need a 360.

 

Yes, I'm a bit of a cavia fan. They seem good at making technically flawed, but really fun, games.

[moycon]

I want this one as well. I always thought the videos of the game in action I saw looked pretty good. I'll probably snag a copy as soon as I find one for around $30.

[Gabriel]

It kind of reminds me of Alisia Dragoon. Not much in gameplay, of course. It just gives me the same feeling.

 

Back when my Genesis was new, I bought Alisia Dragoon because it was cheap. The description on the back seemed interesting (and I didn't have a whole lot of money, but wanted a new game), so I picked it up. I got really into it, and I liked the sorceress's lightning power and her choice of pets. Plus, each level I progressed to really felt like an accomplishment for some reason. And, finally, there were the cheap deaths which made me memorize things to try again

 

Bullet Witch has the same vibe to it (to me anyway). I like the magic spells, and I like the "don't spare the ammo" shooty stuff. The world reminds me of pen & paper RPG scenarios me and my friends used to often play. And there are still the cheap deaths.

 

The cutscenes are really cheesy. Luckily, they can be skipped. I'd like to download the new costumes, but I just have a Silver membership right now.

[moycon]

I thought you could download content with a Silver membership.

Cant you just go to the marketplace and snag them like you do the Arcade games?

[Gabriel]

I thought you could download content with a Silver membership.

Cant you just go to the marketplace and snag them like you do the Arcade games?

 

I can download missions (which are 20 points a pop), but the manual makes it sound as if they can't be played until you beat the game. Since I haven't beaten the game yet, it's kind of pointless to download the missions.

 

The costumes are free, but are downloadable by Gold members only.

[JB]

I thought you could download content with a Silver membership.

Cant you just go to the marketplace and snag them like you do the Arcade games?

 

I can download missions (which are 20 points a pop), but the manual makes it sound as if they can't be played until you beat the game. Since I haven't beaten the game yet, it's kind of pointless to download the missions.

 

The costumes are free, but are downloadable by Gold members only.

Good job, Atari...

Missions were free in Japan. And I think the costumes were available to anyone on Live.

 

http://www.sekiria.com/gameon/2007/03/01/28/ has instructions to use the J files.

Sadly, it requires an extra hardware purchase, which renders the point moot.

[moycon]

Yeah I wonder why the made them 20 points!?? What is that, like a nickle? Seems like they would have made them free.

[JB]

Yeah I wonder why the made them 20 points!?? What is that, like a nickle? Seems like they would have made them free.

Why give away that which you can charge for?

 

I'm surprised the costumes remained free, honestly.

[Gabriel]

20 points works out to a quarter. I have an odd number of points right now, so it doesn't bother me much. Since I don't have an amount easily divisible by 400, I'll need to download some pictures or other pay content anyway.

 

I'm more irked about the costumes being for gold members only. But, then again, since I'm waiting on the secretary on catholic schoolgirl outfits, I can wait.

[Bill Brasky]

Where are rentals $7? Ballbuster Video?

[MCHufnagel]

Where are rentals $7? Ballbuster Video?

Actually BB is now higher than $7. My local BB is now $7.49 for 5 days on new-gen games. Last gen games are 2 games for $10 for 7 days. This is why I just download demos for the Xbox 360. I don't have the time to beat a game in 5 - 7 days anyway and a demo gives a pretty good feel for the game.

[Bill Brasky]

Where are rentals $7? Ballbuster Video?

Actually BB is now higher than $7. My local BB is now $7.49 for 5 days on new-gen games. Last gen games are 2 games for $10 for 7 days. This is why I just download demos for the Xbox 360. I don't have the time to beat a game in 5 - 7 days anyway and a demo gives a pretty good feel for the game.

 

Plus they won't give you any directions for any games. What a huge rip-off. They must be trying to make up for lost movie rental revenue.

[Gabriel]

Where are rentals $7? Ballbuster Video?

 

Hastings books and movies. I was a bit surprised by it too. On the good side, it's a 7 day rental.

[Lord Thag]

Just picked this up tonight on a whim. I must say, I am having WAY more fun than I was expecting. I really dig this game. It's got over the top action thing down combined with a neat visual style. I like the chick's weird guns, and the enemy design is pretty cool. The pulsating brain guys and the giant gun things are freaky. In some ways, it reminds me of Serious Sam (minus the goofiness), with the large, wide open levels and hordes of enemies. It's very intense, and I love the addition of the magic. The telekenisis and ancient wall powers kick ass. Lightning is just sooooo satisfying, and probably the first time I've ever had a lightning power in a game that made it seem like your actually bringing down the wrath of nature. It's very satisfying to blaze through hordes of nasties, and the dialog is suitably cheesy and over the top as well. Damn good stuff, and way better than some of the more expensive titles I've played.

 

Hell of a fun time, even if it lacks a bit of polish. We need more games like this.

[Gabriel]

The Secretary outfit was made available to everyone today. I need to get back to playing now.

[moycon]

The Secretary outfit was made available to everyone today. I need to get back to playing now.

 

Wasn't there some other new content released in the last few days as well?

I just got my copy of this game today. Dunno whther to continue trying to beat Earth Defense on Harder, or start Bullet Witch.

[Pengwin]

I'd read some bad reports about this game in a couple of magazines, but reading this thread, I may be tempted to get myself a copy.

[JB]

I'd read some bad reports about this game in a couple of magazines, but reading this thread, I may be tempted to get myself a copy.

People still read game magazines?

[Pengwin]

I'd read some bad reports about this game in a couple of magazines, but reading this thread, I may be tempted to get myself a copy.

People still read game magazines?

 

My net connection was down for a day...so I had to do something to pass the time

[moycon]

I still get EGM, I take it to work with me and read it when I can't really surf the game sites.

Plus that Jennifer Tsao (EGM editor) is hot (Even if she did just have a baby)

Edited May 18, 2007 by moycon

[Pengwin]

Well, I bit the bullet (so to speak ) and bought a copy. Now all i got to do is wait for the little one to go to bed.

[moycon]

I have to say I'm completely under whelmed by this game.

It's pretty short, but because it's so repetitive it seems to last forever.

Repetitive CAN be fun, I love games like Gauntlet.... Check out Earth Defense Force 2017 to see repetitive done right.

Anyways,

You are a witch and you have some cool spells at your disposal, but really you can pretty much get through without using them. Good thing too, if you could mix up your attacks easier this might be fun and we wouldn't want that.

As it is the spells are clunky to use and you really don't need them much.

The camera is too close to your character and you can't change it (except to zoom it in closer when aiming )

You turn too slow. (You can adjust turn speed tho, I didn't try to)

The graphics are below average.

The story takes itself WAY too seriously and is poorly written.

 

It's not as bad as some of the reviews I've seen (some reviews are brutal) but it's far from great.

I just can't recommend the game for more than a rental or maybe a $20 purchase if you must own it.

[JB]

Most accurate review I've seen was basically this.

 

"Early on, you'll find a gas station full of bad guys. If you instinctively unleash lightning on the station and raze it to the ground, you'll probably have a lot of fun with the rest of the game. If you start shooting at stuff, this game probably isn't for you."