290°

Lair Dev: Give the Motion Controls a Chance

Matthias Worch, Game Designer/Technical Art Director at Factor 5, gives his thoughts of finally finishing development on Lair and the positive and negative reviews it has received thus far:

"I'm aware of the reviews, of course. Some are very positive, some are not. The common complaint in those bad reviews seem to be the controls - putting the dragon steering on the motion-sensitive SIXAXIS controller doesn't sit well with some of the experienced gamers. First of all: try it out yourself, give it a chance!

And if you want my side of the story, I will share a simple anecdote: Victoria's family, lead by my 83-year old grandfather in law was able to pick up Lair in less than 5 minutes, fly around with the dragon and play the first mission of the game. That experience right there beats anything that the reviewers can say.

I enjoyed the experience and have tons of ideas on what to do next. In other words, I have already moved on to the next project... :)

P.S.: Hope you like the new vegetation in the final build :) "

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langsuyar.com
Watkins6108d ago (Edited 6108d ago )

I'm saying the same. Why is it so great to use motion controls with the Wii and not the PS3? There's not that much difference, except that the Wiimote looks like a wand and might feel more natural to swing around. Other than that ... ?

I'm not a very big fan of motion controls myself, and I've never found Wii that much fun to play, but I still think the same chance should be given the PS3. Not that I won't like Lair because of the controls. But it has to be executed in a way that feels natural, else it's just confusing. I bet Lair will achieve a natural feel, I just hope that you won't have to swing the control all over the place.

Anyways, I'm most likely gonna pick up this game when it hit the stores. A refreshing idea worth a shot.

InMyOpinion6108d ago

Because the Wii is designed around motion sensing. For the PS3 it was thrown in as a last minute resort cause they did'nt get rumble.

"First of all: try it out yourself, give it a chance!"

Kinda sad to see a developer begging for you to play his game. Let it speak for itself. If it's good it's good. If it's not, deal with it.

nasim6108d ago

day 1 purchase for me.

I am a graphic whore ....and LAIR is just my eye candy.

cant imagine what it would be like to battle 1000s of highly detailed dragons per screen.

FU** gayGM

Coffin876108d ago

this game is a day 1 buy.
too bad i'm german, and we didn't get a date yet, but i'm soo utterly excited about this game...
at the launch in march i only bought resistance + motorstorm, and these are the only ps3 games i own so far. this will be more than a worthy addition!!!

seriously, CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

larry0076108d ago

GAME ZONE gave LAIR 9.0

GAME PRO gave LAIR 7.5

EDGE gave LAIR 9.0

PLAY gave LAIR 9.0

GAME PRO has given LAIR a very good score .
LAIR lost points just because of CONTROLS....i mean on AIR u are allowed to use only the SIX AXIS which takes time to get used to.

GAMEPRO review below

GAMEPRO - 3.75/5 (A)

Pros: Gorgeous graphics, amazing orchestral soundtrack, dragon based action is fun.

Cons: The decision to use a SixAxis only control scheme hurts more than it helps.

Some random quotes from the review...

ON THE CONTROL SCHEME ISSUES:

"To be fair, the motion sensing is pretty accurate but requiring you to constantly move your hands around while fiddling with buttons over the course of a fairly long game is asking too much. It's unfortunate that the game relies so heavily on a gimmicky feature that no one has been able to get a true grasp of (pun intended)."

ON THE GOOD QUALITIES:

"At it's best, the dragon-based combat of Lair is pretty damn awesome. Soaring around majestically in the sky; raining hot fiery dragon-breath death upon your foes' heads; grappling with other dragons and clawing their eyes out; leaping onto an enemy dragon-rider's back and hacking at him with your weapon; swooping down onto the ground and rampaging around like Godzilla--there's no shortage of thrills to be had."

SOME ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

"I should point out that we were playing an early review build and Factor 5 will probably make tweaks up to the moment the gold master goes off to the mastering lab, but the core gameply mechanics are already in place and there's no denying that it's flawed. I expect many fans will be disappointed thanks to all of the hype that's built up around the game, but the inevitable complaints about the control scheme will no doubt be warrented. Despite all this, Lair still manages to be a decent title that all PS3 owners should look into but you may want to reserve your true excitement for the day when the other hotly anticipated PS3 titles like Heavenly Sword arrive."

ON THE GROUND CONTROLS:

"The Sixaxis-only control scheme that plagues the game is noticably absent when you land your dragon on the ground as the analog sticks take over, making it easier to wreak havoc."

all sites except GAYGM gave LAIR bad scores.

BTW..what else do you expect from 1up/EGM/EUROGAMER and other 1up affiliated sites

shysun6108d ago

He's not begging you to like the game. He's simply saying just because one guy gives it a 5/10 review because of the controls, doesn't mean you'll hate it too. Case and point 9/10 from another website. Just give it a chance and maybe you'll find a gem!;)

techie6107d ago

"Let it speak for itself. If it's good it's good. If it's not, deal with it." Isn't that exactly what he said? You can't see whether it's good unless you try it and give it a chance....uh

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 6107d ago
CourtesyFlush6108d ago

would be open minded to new control schemes that may take time to learn. It might not be as "natural" as the analog sticks that we've become so accustomed to, but that is how technologies evolve—through experimentation.

I don't know if there will be an option to defeat the motion control or not, but I'm looking forward to giving it a try. Heck, I used to move my hands all over the place playing Ace Combat, as if the added movement enhanced the analog sticks. So this should prove interesting.

Captain Tuttle6108d ago (Edited 6108d ago )

Most people don't want to pay $60 for an experiment. It's a big enough gamble buying a game with regular controls. I'd really be hesitant to buy a game like this if you can't revert back to a traditional control scheme.

Edit: Good point hella whip, good point. But causal gamers and non-gamers think the Wii is fun. If Lair is fun, there won't be a problem. From what I've seen though it doesn't look that innovative, aside from a tacked on sixaxis control scheme. Just my opinion though.

I think Lair will fly off the rental store shelves and that's it.

hella whip6108d ago

@2.1 Haven't 8 million people paid £179 for a "experiment" (Nintendo Wii)

Lumbo6108d ago

A Demo has been announced for it already, so there isn't even a need to rent it, just download the free demo when it hits the PSN

hazeblaze6108d ago

I can say that after playing Warhawk for a month, it definitely takes time to get used to flying using the motion controls... but once you do it's AWESOME! And there are definitley more controls to use in Warhawk than Lair.

I think the difference is that Warhawk did offer the option to use the analog stick for those that couldn't get used to motion controls. But overall, I don't think motion controls will be a problem at all for me!

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Snake_Doctor6108d ago

The graphics warrant a rental so we shall see if it is worthy overall.

RadientFlux6108d ago

I agree, rental only for me. Honesty I never thought Lair would be my cup of tea. I hated Rogue Squadron series on the Gamecube, I was just hoping that Factor 5 would learn from their mistakes.

LSDARBY6108d ago

I was a bit skepticle about the controls i still am. But like he said ill have too try them out.

TheExecutive6108d ago (Edited 6108d ago )

yup yup... lets give it a shot. I bet most gamers, after getting used to it, will find it more enjoyable than analog. It may take some time, but i see nothing wrong with a learning curve. It makes your acheivements within a game more...well... rewarding.

PS- I think in the end, when we have finished the game, we will look back and say we wouldnt have it any other way... but that is just an opinion as of now...

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270°

Top 10 Bad Games by Good Studios

Alex S. from Link-Cable writes: "When shopping for new video games you can often trust the name publisher or developer on the box to be an indication of the quality of the game. Names like Nintendo, Square Enix, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Capcom, Xbox Game Studios and Sega are world famous because they helped shape the industry by releasing some of the most defining video games of all time. Though sometimes even these great gaming houses stumble and put out a stinker."

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link-cable.com
Gamerking821385d ago (Edited 1385d ago )

Splatterhouse remake . Loved the og’s at the arcade growing up . Hell the best thing about the remake was the og,s were included . And left alive by Square . That game had so much potential , but the gameplay was worse horrendous .

Game-ur1385d ago

once Great studios getting destroyed is actually common. happened with ND and Last of Us2, Bioware and Mass Effect Andromeda/Anthem, Bungle and Destiny .

BeRich2331385d ago

Fuse should have been on that list (Insomniac Games)

Yui_Suzumiya1385d ago

Splatterhouse remake kicked ass

merryja1385d ago

I personally don't like these games.

East76lands1385d ago

I'm pretty much certain that any Sonic game that comes out will be terrible, I've not enjoyed one since the original side-scrolling days of the MegaDrive.

HarryMasonHerpderp1385d ago

Then you might like a recent sonic "sonic mania".

jaymacx1385d ago

For this Topic it says Good Studios that make bad games. Sonic Team hasn't been good in years.

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300°

5 Disappointing Games and the Great Studios That Should Remake Them

A reimagining of 5 disappointing video games and the masterpieces they could have been underneath other studios.

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findyourinnergeek.ca
FallenAngel19841862d ago

How often do disappointing games get remakes

darthv721862d ago (Edited 1862d ago )

well... if disappointing movies can get remakes then why not games? some of these have really good premise but somewhat disappointing execution. In the right hands they could be great.

I quite enjoyed lair (after the patch), too human and the order 1886. I'd even add in quantum break and recore as disappointing but with a good premise.

gangsta_red1862d ago

"well... if disappointing movies can get remakes then why not games?"

But how many disappointing movies actually get those? I'm still waiting for a remake of Howard the Duck.

darthv721862d ago

^nothing disappointing about howard the duck. It is cheesy 80's goodness.

gangsta_red1862d ago

When you're right, you're right.

rainslacker1861d ago

@Gangsta

Wasn't there a rumor that they were looking at making another Howard the Duck? He had a cameo in GoTG2.

Love that movie for how bad it was. That and Garbage Pail Kids.

DrumBeat1861d ago

The Order was a fresh experience. Not the most compelling game, but I didn't want to put it down, and platted it. Good for what it was.

Quantum was something different as well, but a little less fun to actually play, imo. The 'acting' was done in a cheese factory too. Completed one path and never returned to it.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1861d ago
pietro12121862d ago (Edited 1862d ago )

FFXIV was already remade, and it's probably the beat thing Square has put out in years.

notachance1862d ago

yes, I was giving an example of disappointing games remade to be a great game

thorstein1862d ago

Every time sites need clicks. Just look at the obligatory: i wAnT cLIcKs tEh OrDer 1886 pIcTUrE.

JonathanHarris1861d ago

It's really not super often, but it does happen!

Mostly we see cult favorites come back around but in the recent case of Shaq-Fu we really saw a truly awful game see new life (not great life but at least new).

It's something I'd love to see a lot more of.

Thanks for reading my article!

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1862d ago Replies(4)
NarutoFox1862d ago

Too Human yeah I remember that game smh😂

Inzo1862d ago

The Order has its faults yes but it had a fantastic atmosphere and some great gameplay. A game with enormous potential and far from disappointing. I say give Ready at Dawn another crack at it because I think they created an diamond with some rough edges that just needs some tlc.

Dreamcatcher451862d ago

Problem was the repetitive boss fights. I liked the gunplay, cover system and somewhat the story.

hulk_bash19871862d ago (Edited 1862d ago )

It did have fantastic atmosphere, I'll give you that. But gameplay pretty much played out like short gunfire segments interlaced with walking/sneaking + QTE events. Gameplay was the weakest point of The Order because RAD prioritized world building and graphical detail. Ut was disappointing because it didnt live up to the massive potential it haf. If they were given another shot at a sequel, I hope they can learn from their mistakes.

notachance1862d ago

gameplay was meh but the world had potential, in my ideal world it'd have Mass Effect kind of gameplay

Prubar1862d ago

I waited till The Order was discounted and went in with certain expectations and wasn’t disappointed. Just like Quantum Break. Great concept just needed a little extra meat on the bones.

rainslacker1861d ago

I had high hopes before it released. They were curbed some by the early previews, and while I found faults with the game, and it was obviously released unfinished, I still enjoyed it. The lore, acting, graphics, and world itself were excellent.

JonathanHarris1861d ago

I agree that it had some awesome atmosphere and the gameplay wasn't awful, but that potential is exactly why I put it on this list. I actually loved playing the game (same as some of the other games I put on this list such as Army of Two) But I would just love to see what could happen if it fulfilled some of that potential, ya know? Could have had the next incredible Sony franchise to rival God of War.

Thanks for reading my article!

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1861d ago
TheEnigma3131862d ago

The order should have had a sequel. The first one wasn't bad just needed a few tweaks.

robtion1861d ago

I would love a sequel to The Order. It is still a great game.

Lair had a great concept and could be amazing with the current technology available. A Lair-like ps5 game could be incredible.

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700°

15 Worst PlayStation Exclusive Games of All Time

PlayStation’s strong and impressive lineup of exclusives is probably the biggest edge it has over its direct competition in the market- a fact that has been true for as long as anyone can remember.

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gamingbolt.com
TheEnigma3132149d ago

Ridge racer for PSP was actually good and shouldn't be on this list. I think I'm the only one that enjoyed Haze.

Mr Pumblechook2149d ago

When GamingBolt have to dig up PS1 & PS2 games you know Sony is doing something right.

PygmelionHunter2149d ago

The list is about the worst Playstation exclusives games OF ALL TIME...

Why wouldn’t they include PS1 and PS2 games?

Prince_TFK2149d ago

That’s right, only PS4 games should be on the list of the worst Sony exclusive games of all time. /s

Dragonscale2149d ago

As much as I like PlayStation, there are plenty of stinkers just like on all platforms tbh.

hulk_bash19872149d ago (Edited 2149d ago )

Haha you completely missed or are willfully ignorant of the intent of this article. It clearly says worst PS Exclusive Games of All Time.

2148d ago
UltraNova2148d ago

A Haze 2 or reboot would be nice!

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 2148d ago
NonShinyGoose2149d ago

RR on Vita made the list, not the PSP version. RR on Vita was severely lacking content.

Knushwood Butt2149d ago

They tried something new and it failed.

The initial price point was low but a large amount of content was locked behing DLC

These days you often pay full price up front and get the same concept.

Darkwatchman2149d ago (Edited 2149d ago )

Didn’t the list just have ridge racer on Vita? Because the Vita ridge racer was a dumpster fire at $40 with next to no cars or tracks. It was such an incomplete experience. As the article states, it felt more like a full priced demo than an actual game. Psp ridge racer had so much more to it.

SierraGuy2148d ago (Edited 2148d ago )

All early ridge racers had next to no cars...game was great because of its graphics, controls, fun factor. Nothing could touch it on PS1.

mrdeli2149d ago

When this piece of flotsam indicated that "Being a clone of GTA shouldn't be that hard" I just closed the window.

2149d ago Replies(4)
Liqu1d2149d ago

The most disappointing game I have ever played.

madforaday2149d ago

Socom 4, I guess you could say that was an AWFUL/TERRIBLE Socom game. BUT it was an okay game if it didn't have the word Socom in the title.

Gardenia2149d ago

To save you from clicking those annoying slides:

HAZE (PS3)
LAIR (PS3)
KNACK (PS4)
RIDGE RACER (PS VITA)
TWISTED METAL III (PS1)
LAST REBELLION (PS3)
BRAVO TEAM (PS4)
BASEMENT CRAWL (PS4)
MORTAL KOMBAT: SPECIAL FORCES (PS1)
GANGS OF LONDON (PSP)
LITTLE DEVIANTS (PS VITA)
PLAYSTATION MOVE APE ESCAPE (PS3)
APE ESCAPE ACADEMY (PSP)
KUNG FU RIDER (PS3)
EYETOY: OPERATION SPY (PS2)

solideagle2149d ago

thank you for the list. I believe he should listed PSVR titles as VR....

yeahright22149d ago

I love when people do this to sites that try to artificially up their clicks by forcing one click per entry. But I will say maybe let's leave off the first entry so they get the one click. Both so N4g gets whatever they're due for pushing traffic to their site and to send a message to the site that you only get one click.

Gaming_1st2149d ago

Well everybody should have gamingbolt blocked anyways.

Dragonscale2149d ago

Don't need to. I avoid it like the plague regardless lol.

Hardiman2149d ago

When certain sites have articles on here I just look at the comments.

FinalFantasyFanatic2148d ago

Sites are lucky if I click once or twice, half a dozen or more clicks is more effort than I'm willing for a list that may or may not suck.

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Gaming_1st2149d ago

I feel Knack or Ridge Racer shouldn't be on there.

Dragonscale2149d ago (Edited 2149d ago )

Maybe not knack but it's understandable, its not the best game tbh. Dunno bout ridge racer.

SierraGuy2148d ago

Ridge racer should never be on a worst list. FU gaming bolt crap.

Stogz2149d ago

Cant argue with Bravo Team, that game really did suck.

GBG_Jason2149d ago

Bless. I stopped after 1 because of it.

KwietStorm_BLM2148d ago

Have to say that is a pretty crappy list. I remember being so pissed with Twisted Metal 3 after TM2.

OffRoadKing2148d ago (Edited 2148d ago )

You're doing Gods work. Many blessings upon the house of Gardenia.

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