User Review : Too Human

Worth the Wait?

It has been almost ten years since we first heard about Too Human, not that it has been in development, or has been the same game for those ten years like some games (I'm looking at you Duke Nukem), but it seems that it is finally time for Too Human to grace us with its presence.

In Too Human you are Baldur, a god who has recently been rescued from the depths of hell to resume his rightful place in Asgard. This is made clear through the opening cinematic, which can only be seen by not skipping past the start up screens; Bringing to light Too Human's first major flaw, the story. After this appropriate in length, well directed scene Too Human thrusts you into the story with no proper background, expecting that you learn all the nuances of its Cyber-punk Norse mythology mash-up on your own. Not a difficult task, if presented in the right way. What Too Human chooses to do, however, is to tell its story starting from the middle, filling in the past with flashbacks; trying create a twisting story and keep you wonder what will happen next. This may work if set in an world that is easier to relate too, but in Too Human's world it paints a confusing picture only made clear midway into the game. It would work fine, if when it all finally clicks into place you thought, "That's it! that's what's been going on!" Unfortunately I met the realizations with lukewarm satisfaction that the story was not just a convoluted mess, and retained a mild desire to see it through to its conclusion.

If only that was the single problem with Too Human. Game play still needed a few tweaks before Silicon Knights unleashed it upon the world. Moving with the left analogue stick and attacking with the right is a good idea in theory; in execution it leaves the player with an imprecise aiming method when precision is needed. Any time that the player needs to use their guns, which is often since some enemies will explode or poison you when attacked with melee, I found that it was nigh impossible to target the correct enemy before they were too close for comfort. It also seemed that the game did not always register the motions I was making, leaving Baldur swinging at thin air while he was pummeled. This is greatly ineffective when coupled with the combo meter that seems forced into place. Not only that, but by not placing camera control on the right analogue stick and not offering anything other than a re-center button, Too Human suffers from a terrible camera system. This is not always a fatal flaw, but when a game throws waves, upon waves of enemies at you, and limits your health, a good camera is a necessity. Which also points out yet another problem with Too Human, the health system. The only way to regain health if you did not pick the Bio-Engineer class type who regenerates health, which I did not for my main character, is by a seemingly random drop from the enemies. Which would not be a problem if they dropped them when you actually needed it. This leaves you dead and forced to watch a, while well done, way too long re-animation scene every death. Cyberspace, Too Humans version of the Internet, also feels unnecessary outside of the puzzle solving mechanics with the levels; even those fell pasted on to add something where nothing needs to be added.

Too Human's one saving grace is its RPG elements. Too Human does a decent job of providing a skill tree that actually effects your character and each path down the tree shapes your character in a different way. This provides you with a few interesting combat aids: one of three spider bot enhancements and battle cries, a bonus to your ruiner, and an attack that sends your sentient sword (not actually explained to you in the story) attacking enemies on its own. The ruiner is a powerful attack that builds up energy through the combo meter. The only problem is that whether you want gun proficiency, air combat focus, or combo focus, you are shoved into the battle cry and spider bot ability in that path. This also almost negates whatever class you chose, after about level five the class lines (with the exception of the Bio-engineer since it heals and the Commander, which is terrible and gun based) blur together and seem insignificant. The second skill tree adds upon your abilities and is determined by which path you chose, human or cybernetic. Silicon Knights smartly chose to allow you to re-spec the skill tree at any time for a small fee of in game currency. The loot does not fare as well. Too Human shoves endless piles of loot upon you. I had to constantly go into my inventory or it would fill to capacity, it seemed, every half an hour. While the loot does seem to all look visual different, you are constantly gaining new, slightly better pieces; it takes away the significance of the pieces, making the loot lose its hard earned pride and making loot management a chore.

Too Human does provide the opportunity to tackle it with a friend over Xbox Live. While I wish there was split-screen co-op, or more than two player co-op; I'm satisfied with the experience that it provides. There are several shortcomings, as it seems they are sprinkled throughout the entire game. To enter Cyberspace, both players must do so; and there are no story elements at all, making it a lesser experience.

I wanted Too Human to be a fantastic game. What it has turned out to be is many interesting ideas all shoved together into a mediocre package. The story failed to provide an epic feel, coming off cheesy and confusing The game play is hampered with technical problems. It seems that the only redeeming qualities are the RPG elements and the Co-op play, but even those are not stellar. It seems that Too Human is a terrible game; but some how I kept finding myself drawn to it. I wanted to play more, to reach the next level. Through all the shortcomings I still had fun; I was left wanting more. I want a sequel. One that fixes the problems of course; if not then I will not be completing this trilogy; but I wanted one none the less. There is some fun to be had in Too Human and I encourage all to give it a go.