Jericho (PS3)

A finger-blistering -- but far from bloodcurdling -- waltz into the world of first-person shock (or is that schlock?) horror...
2/18/2008 12:00 AM | 0 Comments | Page 2 of 2

Certainly, as a run-n-gun blaster fan, you'll find more than your fair share of frenzied combat here, with speedily moving or flying foes largely relying on sheer numbers to overwhelm. Highlighted visuals are pretty darn impressive too, with crackling flames, gloomy corridors awash in shadows and fog, gooey blood spurts that splatter the screen, light-trailing bullet traces, and woozy blurring effects all part of the frantic danse macabre that combat quickly becomes. (PS3 owners will be especially delighted to note that colors tend to pop more and skin tones do appear more natural than on the Xbox 360, making the former platform tops from a graphical standpoint.)

What's more, there's even a slight strategic element to the proceedings, with players granted the ability to command allies (teams can be told to hold, retreat or advance) via a simple d-pad order system. (Though, honestly, whether your entire crew or individual groupings hunker down, assume defensive positions, or just come rushing along seldom seems to make a major difference on a skirmish's outcome.) In short, the game's designed to throw so much at you -- tapping the A button lets you resurrect fallen buddies on command (a favor they'll return when you croak, too) -- that it's hard not to be at least mildly amused by the button-mashing proceedings. Even if, that is, you'll struggle a bit more with tactile feedback when it comes to popping off shots or possessing buddies using the Sixaxis controller versus the Xbox 360 gamepad.

Then again, speaking as an experienced fan of horror movies/novels, the title simply lacks the literary depth and catchiness of competing properties, i.e. BioShock, though it does beat out, story-wise, other PS3-specific outings such as Resistance: Fall of Man. It doesn't help that the military-meets-paranormal plotline's been done to death, either. Nor does the featured cast of characters (including the Doc Holliday-voiced, vice-prone preacher; mile-a-minute-talking female 'reality hacker;' and Sumerian-speaking token ethnic stereotype) exactly heighten suspension of disbelief.

Leaping between themed historical eras -- for example, World War II and the Crusades -- and being subjected to occasional clever storytelling devices (killings viewed through the eyes of the slain, doomed encounters with former allies and loved ones) that help flesh out the plot does add impact. But really, what you get here is basically just an in-your-face -- but still mostly clich&eacure;d -- splat-'em-up with solid handling, a wide selection of weapons, a large gross-out factor, and an interesting supporting gimmick. To put it in terms that even casual ambulance chasers can understand, it's more the interactive equivalent of author Dean Koontz's mildly amusing page-turner Phantoms than, say, a truly groundbreaking work like Stephen King's It.

Compared with recent stunners on rival systems like Halo 3 (single-player campaign only, natch), the outing still fares surprisingly well -- a testament to the degree of polish and tender, loving care invested into the project by its creators, and lack of competing properties on the PS3. But even with several sweat-inducing moments and ever-present options to hop between frantically twitching bodies faster than an eager porn star, let's just say this: Jericho's amusing, true, and a fine rental, but chances are you'll find it to be nowhere near the heart-stopping thriller we've all been waiting for.

This review is based on a retail copy provided by the publisher.