Brink is an immersive first-person shooter that blends single-player, co-op, and multiplayer gameplay into one seamless experience, allowing you to develop your character whether playing alone, with your friends, or against others online. You decide the combat role you want to assume in the world of Brink as you fight to save yourself and mankind’s last refuge. Brink offers a compelling mix of dynamic battlefields, extensive customization options, and an innovative control system that will keep you coming back for more.
I had the fortune of never paying attention to--or really noticing, for the most part--Brink as it was under development. Sure, I read one or two summaries, but I never had some high and mighty expectations for the game. So, come its release, I was neither bummed nor overjoyed at its less than stellar response by many people. Nevertheless, I was intrigued by its elements, and I found it somewhat alluring, in a way.
I had, years ago, played the game Shadowrun, which is basically the same old song and dance: class-based multiplayer game focused on objectives that didn't have enough bang for the buck. Maybe it was the fact that I never paid $60 for the game, instead opting to rent it, but I found Shadowrun to be an absolute blast to play--and I did so many times over. As for the popular game Team Fortress 2, I never really did get into it. I don't know if it was the far-too hectic combat, or the complete lack of skill that I had upon my first few playthroughs, but I found it very hard to jump in without frustration and annoyance. As for the game Call of Duty, I thoroughly enjoyed the first Modern Warfare, was severely disappointed by the stagnation of the second, and realized the series had reached ennui by Black Ops; still, though, the gameplay was worth of being applauded.
So a week after Brink's release, I had found myself still very interested in its concept. I have always loved customization in games. I feel much more connected to my character, and feel as though I am creating something of my own personal hero that can be anything I want him to be. Brink, having something of a combination between all of these good games with other good extras thrown in, was quickly gaining height on my wish list. Yes, I have heard the issues with the game, and yes, I have heard there's not much incentive to keep playing--but all of these, I can only assumed, can be addressed by updates and DLC--DLC that will all be free, mind you.
So, I finally decided to give the game a try before I took the plunge to buy the game. I am a PC gamer, and I know the game runs much better on a PC, but seeing as how the only legal way to play without buying it is to rent it, I opted for that scenario. After renting it and trying a few different classes and abilities out, my mind still wasn't made up. And it won't be made up for a little while longer; here's why: the game is actually very, very fun. The customization options, while somewhat scant for its promises of many abilities, were still very numerous, and enough to make me giggle with delight in all the different ways I could make the character truly mine. The story, though interesting, is a bit of a flop. You are thrown into what is seemingly a multiplayer match right off the bat, and only after it is over do you realize that you completed part of the campaign. The gameplay, however, is what really shines. The SMART system works wonderfully, making the combat more fast-paced and hectic, while still giving you enough slowdown to keep your focus clear. The variety of different class options and things to do is a fresh breath of air in a genre that is quickly deteriorating into Call of Duty clones. Sure, the AI is iffy, but that's nothing that should keep a person from wanting to play the game--especially a game such as this that is meant to be online.
A true gripe I had was the complete lack of a tutorial. I realize they show videos, and maybe I accidentally skipped some, if that's the explanation, but I was just sort of thrown into the action without one word of advice other than pop-ups on the screen--all during a game that literally cannot be paused mid-action to read them. There are objectives that you can't quite follow, even when they point them out to you. Still, it takes a few plays to really get a hang of what's going on, and for a dedicated gamer, this difficulty curve shouldn't be a problem in getting into the game.
So why am I still withholding my purchase? Two reasons: for one, I want to see a community develop. The problem with Shadowrun was that, while it was a fun game, it quickly lost its shine and fell into a gamer-less abyss quite quickly. I wouldn't want my purchase to be rendered meaningless. The other reason is that, to put it simply, it's true that this game has substantially little to offer. It has the formula right, and there is definitely possibilities for the game that could be seen to in new DLC, but for now, I can't risk the possibility that it will lose the developer's attention.
All in all, I understand how people feel about the game, and I completely understand the reviews it is getting. In all fairness, 6's aren't bad scores. It's the terrible rating system we have set up for games that makes this one look so terrible. Being stuck in the clouds with 8's and 9's really ruins the entire reviewing system when almost every game is given a score in said range. However, people have their reasons for feeling let down. The Fable series was a letdown. Dragon Age II was a letdown. To follow a game that promises a new experience and have it be a disappointment in comparison is not a pretty thing--especially when you pay $50-$60 for it.
So let that be a warning to anyone hoping to buy this game: rent it, first. Make sure it's a game for you, because it's certainly not for everybody. If it is to your liking, then still make sure to hold off until you're absolutely sure you want to make the plunge. An objective-based game such as this can only stay fresh so long as more maps are made. Without strong maps meant only for deathmatches, the game could possibly wear out sooner. Always be sure of what you're getting into beforehand.
Critical Review :
Where to start....first off, this game offers nothing new. Customization of weapons amounts to nothing and adds no value to your weaponry. Medics are useless, both AI and real life teammates. It takes an entire magazine to take someone down, are you kidding me? Grenades do almost no damage and are completely useless. Lag issues galore online, you skip and stutter around the entire time, it makes you want to headbutt your dog you get so pissed. Very short, uninvolved gameplay, you don't feel tied to the plot at all. The missions are the same on each faction, either you defend or attack the exact same thing depending on your faction. Very short campaign, as in 10 missions lasting only 15 minutes or so a piece. Objectives are very lame, "fix this", "plant bomb here", which essentially amount to you throwing yourself at the infinite amount of enemies repeatedly in the same fashion until you overpower them long enough to fix some dumb piece of machinery. The world consists of either some futuristic looking shopping mall, or walled garden type slums, there is no variation.
