**Before starting to the review, I'd like to note that this review includes the patch, which allowed for an analog stick control scheme.**
Coming in after a rough start across the web, the PS3 needed a brand to make its expensive hardware show off what the machine is really capable of doing. With an interesting take on flight simulation, the developer Factor 5 (behind the famous Star Wars: Rouge Squadron series) behind the project, and early showings of some stunning visuals seemed like it would be enough for Sony to have its first flagship title for the PS3. Unfortunately, Lair actually had a countervailing critical reaction to what most were anticipating. Rather than being a must-have exclusive, Lair became one of the biggest pariahs to PS3 fanboys and flight sim fans alike. It is still dumbfounding to this day how a game with this much promise could've failed across so many boards.
The world of Lair takes place on a huge island, apparently being the only piece of landmass on the planet. Two divided kingdoms, the rough Mokai and the noble Asylians, which once thrived in unison, are now constantly fighting. The provocation for this fighting is found in the sightings of multiple volcanoes reaching all corners of their earth; which instigates one side to blame the other because they feel this is judgment from God. Enter a Burner for the Asylian Sky Guard named Rohn, the main protagonist. Having viewed the Mokai as enemies, Rohn begins to develop a clearer understanding for these people throughout his journey filled with religious schemes, loyalty, and redemption. Lair's story is told through greatly-rendered cinematic cut scenes and voiceover before selecting each battle. Overall, the story is essentially "bare-bones" without the great lore stacked behind it. I viewed the story/lore as a symbiotic relationship between the two (just go with it). In one hand you have the setting, scale, and general ideas while in the other you have masterful artists creating an awesome variety of beasts and locales that accentuate the diversity between the two kingdoms. This meshing of ideas makes me wish there's was more backing behind the plot; although, the fantasy felt so...real. To put a cap on this segment, Lair's story is good in the run. You may feel that it's constricted, but the creators behind the fiction seem to make the most out of what they've been given.
The stunning presentation that was displayed before the game was released is still in all of its glory throughout the game, in both the audio and visual aspects. Even in the opening cut scene, Lair wants to show graphical detail ranging from miniscule to mammoth. Details, such as the dragons scales, can be noticed right of the bat that show how much work went into the game's looks. To keep from going too much into detail, I'll just say this: IF every level was designed closer to the destructive beauty of Maelstrom (2nd to last map), this game would have probably unanimously received best console graphics awards of '07. The only problems found within the games graphics are closer to that of bug-related problems. Going through objects and nauseating camera shifts are the main fundamental visual problems to be found in the game.
Audio aspects of the Lair are of the best heard among it's time; unfortunately, it also seems like that was of the most paramount importance to the developers. With a boisterous chorus/orchestra created, Lair holds one of the greatest original soundtracks of 2007, if not THE greatest. Whether it's from the softer moments of taking in the scale to the all-out hecticism, Lair's range follows closely to that of Star Wars Episode I for the Mokai, while holding more genteel tones for the higher-caste Asylian. The only problem I had was how annoying the voiceovers would cut into each other during the action, sometimes repetitively cutting in on where to go and what to destroy. Overall, there's really no major fault in Lair's audio development and so many strengths.
As hinted in the last paragraph, fellow Lair players may come to an agreement with each other that the gameplay was not the first aspect that the developer focused on. Lair's initial emphasis on flying was coupled with the objective of making PS3's new SixAxis motion mechanic relevant with the system itself. In this also lie many of Lair's faults, one of them being bad motion controls. It's funny to think that the idea that seems to give the most freedom can also be the most restraining mechanic. It would be nice if I could label this steering design as arbitrary, but that's not the case since it was the only mechanic you could use at launch. Although a patch does include analog flying, it requires some finger dexterity to be able to steer and while in 'dragon vision'. As funny as it sounds, the only motion control aspects that seem to work are the ones that keep the dragon temporarily stationary.
Lair's overall structure will come off as familiar to you if you have played any of the Rogue Squadron games. Before each mission, you're presented with an overview of the story and what to expect from the map. The mission structure comes-as expected-with a directional arrow to guide you towards your next objective; built in with that comes "dragon vision". While holding down the UP D-Pad button, your screen goes into the dragon's eye, allowing you to see highlighted objects you either need to defend or destroy. Quick time events and duels with other dragons are some of the highlights of the gameplay implementing both SixAxis and face buttons whenever necessary. These sequences still contain errors in regards to the camera. The slow motion clips of destroying an enemy may be cool, but that also makes you lose sense of your direction. Lair's overall structure is sound until you put the game in motion. There are just too many inconsistencies in what mission is your first priority in defending.
Lair will probably be held on among the greats (or worst(s) depending on how you look at it) of "Most Disappointing New IP's". Never would one expect such a "grocery list" of problems to a game that looked spectacular upon announcement. On a personal note, this was my hyped game that would've made me purchase a PS3 around Lair's release date. To those who have yet to play, run in the other direction. For all of its marvelous technical design comes a short, unsatisfying flight game.
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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."
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 .
once Great studios getting destroyed is actually common. happened with ND and Last of Us2, Bioware and Mass Effect Andromeda/Anthem, Bungle and Destiny .
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.
For this Topic it says Good Studios that make bad games. Sonic Team hasn't been good in years.
A reimagining of 5 disappointing video games and the masterpieces they could have been underneath other studios.
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.
"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.
@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.
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.
FFXIV was already remade, and it's probably the beat thing Square has put out in years.
Every time sites need clicks. Just look at the obligatory: i wAnT cLIcKs tEh OrDer 1886 pIcTUrE.
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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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.
Problem was the repetitive boss fights. I liked the gunplay, cover system and somewhat the story.
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.
gameplay was meh but the world had potential, in my ideal world it'd have Mass Effect kind of gameplay
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.
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.
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!
The order should have had a sequel. The first one wasn't bad just needed a few tweaks.
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.
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.
Ridge racer for PSP was actually good and shouldn't be on this list. I think I'm the only one that enjoyed Haze.
When GamingBolt have to dig up PS1 & PS2 games you know Sony is doing something right.
The list is about the worst Playstation exclusives games OF ALL TIME...
Why wouldn’t they include PS1 and PS2 games?
That’s right, only PS4 games should be on the list of the worst Sony exclusive games of all time. /s
As much as I like PlayStation, there are plenty of stinkers just like on all platforms tbh.
Haha you completely missed or are willfully ignorant of the intent of this article. It clearly says worst PS Exclusive Games of All Time.
RR on Vita made the list, not the PSP version. RR on Vita was severely lacking content.
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.
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.
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.
When this piece of flotsam indicated that "Being a clone of GTA shouldn't be that hard" I just closed the window.
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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.
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)
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.
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.
Maybe not knack but it's understandable, its not the best game tbh. Dunno bout ridge racer.
Have to say that is a pretty crappy list. I remember being so pissed with Twisted Metal 3 after TM2.
You're doing Gods work. Many blessings upon the house of Gardenia.
Hope everyone enjoyed the review. Congrats for being more first Certified Rotten rating, Lair :P. Feel free to ask me any questions in the comment section or through PM.
Not entirely sure why you have 4 disagrees, but thanks for the read. I have never played Lair and was always intrigued as to weather i would like it. Surely one could learn the controls even though they are bad?
I enjoyed Lair, maybe I'm a too big of Dragon lover, or something like that, but I do not agree with 3,5
But good article nonetheless
I remember when I first heard about this game. It looked so promising, and I was shocked to hear how bad it was when it released. I ended up getting Warhawk instead, which actually wasn't too bad with motion controls, but I sticked to the analog controls for that. The idea is great though. I hope one day in the future, Sony looks into creating another game with the same idea, but better executed.