Xena ps2 game review

The downside to using it is that Xena is defenseless while the weapon is in the air, so you've got to use it wisely when you're under fire from archers perched up above or from multiple opponents on the ground. You use the chakram to flip switches, cut chains, and pick off opponents from a distance.

These opponents sometimes become tougher targets because of the hostages they keep so near to them. There are minor puzzle-solving and platform-jumping sections in Xena: Warrior Princess, but the game camera keeps both from being much fun. The camera has a mind of its own at times, swinging this way and that in some situations while taking too long to catch up to your character in others. On top of that, the controls that let you adjust the camera manually feel backward and the perspective shifts too slowly to be much use in tough situations.

The camera system does some things right, though, like causing obstacles and even Xena herself to go translucent when they're in the way of the action.

This is one of the few pluses concerning the game's graphics. The characters in X:WP all look very blocky, and the backgrounds are basic and sparse. You'll fly easily through this title if you can find the motivation to attempt it, the hardest tasks being those set by working with the camera. There are a few points, such as battling the Cyclops on the beach, that break up the monotony of the hack-and-slash nature of the game, but they're exceptions, not the rule.

Ultimately, X:WP feels as though its developers were focused so intently on making the title carry mass appeal that in the end, the result is a watered-down, thin, sorry state of a game barely deserving of a rental, let alone a purchase. Like Xena? Stick to the TV show and put this one out to pasture. Upvote 9 Leave Blank. About the Author. Joe Fielder. The way that the story progresses is very much like how a series pans out also meaning that the depth within the game although seems lacking and docile to some actually is subtle enough for most people to enjoy the story whilst not becoming too involved.

Its relaxing yet interesting and that's the whole point, though at some points the game tries to be serious, a lot of the comments and events are tongue n' cheek allowing you not to take things too over the top. A nice balance and a great offset too. Whilst many people will judge the games graphics harshly, you have to remember that this is an original play station game, before the likes of PS2, so there bound not to be the standard of some.

However, to be honest the graphics are quite timid at times, not really pushing boundaries, but instead keeping things simple and what is the bare necessity. Character models are in block form and look a bit unrealistic with rough edges and lines and even more disgraceful facial features.

Although Xena looks like the shows hero, you can tell the graphic designers haven't really tried but the game was obviously on a low budget. Still it would have been nice to see a more smoother design because at times the graphics become muddled and mix forming all sorts of weird shapes.

These glitches do let the game down I'm afraid and it's annoying when it happens. The settings again seem to be bland in design with each level all being created from the same set base design, but because there is a diversity of locations within the game, its easy to forget about the rough outlines and enjoy the atmosphere created, whether or not its thrashing your way through Amazon jungles or scrambling your way around the labyrinths of Hades itself.

Animation is a little irregular at times and though most of it is not smooth, it is not awful either. Characters move with some grace and fluidity but you can obviously tell its not top notch. Add this with heavy use of pop-up and you end up realising that visually, Xena Warrior Princess could offer so much more.

FMV cutscence aren't badly developed though mixing great use of lighting with a smooth look. I think that the problem with it is that the developers were obviously headset on using fully rendered 3D environments there just seemed too much to fit in. Atmosphere is heavily increased by the background music played throughout each level. Sound bytes of highland music mixed in with battle themes dominate throughout and it works really well, matching the typical music you would hear from the show.

Aurally its great as it reminds you of the Ancient Greek style the show tries so hard to create in a camp way. Different variations of the tunes play out depending where you are in the game, with more echoic sounds reverberating throughout the underground levels, where a more light and airy feel in jungle levels. The obvious sound effect are included with sword clashing and arrows swooping through the air, but more famously is the grand Xena cheer that belts out at times of special combos and great victories.

It is so rewarding to hear honestly, but it makes you wonder who voiced it because despite the cheer the voice acting is quite bland also. Terra Allen voices Xena throughout the game rather than Lucy Lawless and even though you can tell it is not Lucy herself, Tera does not do an awful job and at times, you will hardly notice simply because of the little script the game has.

Fans will be treated to exact real theme tune after you complete the game though as a nice reward. At its base, Xena Warrior Princess is a Hack n Slash action adventure but it does have a nice balance of puzzle solving and platform elements.

Although the puzzles are not necessarily difficult, it's nice to have diversity to the gameplay. Overall though you will spend most of your time slashing and kicking your way through level after level, and as repetitive as it sounds its has a nice simplicity to it.

Truthfully its not God of War, but the combinations available to perform different moves are simple yet thorough meaning you can mix and match techniques al the time and in a few levels you can play with different weapons. Justifying it as a plat forming game, there are plenty of level designs which require you to jump and jump and jump and collect pick ups, such as freeze spells or lighting bolts, including two secret scrolls that are placed in all of the 21 levels.

This isn't exactly enjoyable but part of the experience nonetheless. Enemy A. Isn't exactly breakthrough but still challenging as you get further and further in the game facing differing opponents that increase in difficulty.

Whether its the barbarians, giant spiders, amazon warriors or druid priests each ones have different abilities and therefore require different approaches so simply slamming the buttons down all the time will not get you to the end of the game.