Haze had the Makings of Greatness ...

Jack Patton of Bagogames: So, who remembers Haze? It's only one syllable, but it was the single greatest disappoint on the PS3 before Socom 4 trundled in. It was a disaster, but thanks to abundantly undeserved amounts of hype the game sold modestly well for an exclusive on a console that was only out for over a year and a half. Developed by Free Radical, the creators of the amazing Time Splitters series, Haze was dubbed as answer to Microsoft's stellar Halo franchise. I never bought into the hype, not even for a second, but somehow a lot of people did.

[liberator23]

I agree with this completely, it's sad that games like this end up with reputations for being so bad, especially when the developer is so good. Hopefully they learn from their mistakes for future titles.

[Bagogames]

Since they all got the can after it was made they freaking better lol.

[Wenis]

From what I've read, the reason why Haze turned out so bad was due to Ubisoft and not Free Radical.

[PirateThom]

Yeah, there was a really good article about Free Radical on here a while ago and publishers were basically screwing them over, both trying to control the output and unreasonable demands.

[humbleopinion]

The two main reasons from that interview (which was an amazing read) where:
1) Ubisoft didn't give them the time they asked for, but the game was still delayed eventually - only without a proper schedule set for it.
2) The exclusivity deal Sony paid for forced the studio to switch development to the PS3 - which was still a new and unfamiliar console at the time, all while the game engine itself was first and foremost developed for the PC and X360 for quite some time.

[egidem]

Wait...I remember Haze!

First saw the trailer at E3 2008 (I think) then later on there was a multiplayer demo/beta, which was OK, that was released shortly before launch.

If I'm not mistaken, it was anticipated as the Halo killer...whatever happened to Haze??

[Rediculamal]

It just, well, died. A couple of hundred thousand people bought it, realised it was terrible, and then nobody mentioned it again. Can't really blame them I suppose ...

[Gigawatt25]

It was a decent game. The Nectar use was pretty cool.

[pandaboy]

I loved the game, you just shouldn't take the game seriously in order to enjoy it. Possibly my favourite shooter this gen after killzone2.

[typikal82]

It had great concepts, the story just went off the tracks late in the game and the production was definitely rushed.

I hope they put the main Haze character in PlayStation AllStars, that would be awesome

[coolbeans]

Despite all of the poor review scores, I went ahead and bought Haze for $5 a few months back. To those who purchased this title Day 1: You have my deepest condolences.

[Bagogames]

I bought mine originally for £17.99, three weeks after launch. (In those days flops dropped THAT fast.)

I can't help but remember those cool little moments when I imagined all the good things you could do in the game if they were applied to a good game. In those days the only game that came to mind was Halo, now it's Crysis. A Crysis inspired Haze sequel would be the dog's bollocks.

[coolbeans]

Agreed.
There's dozens of recent FPS entries that I think are bad or average (just look at some of reviews), yet I would still keep an eye on their progress for their interesting nuances. I think Haze is horrible, but that doesn't mean I'll instantly turn a blind eye to a sequel announcement.

[Bagogames]

Every game has potential. Just some show it more than others. In Haze's case it was obvious that there could have been something really worth remembering in there, but they just didn't seem to do what we hoped they would. It was utter disaster of a game, but it did make me think that a sequel could have been so much better.

A bit like Homefront, which is getting a sequel by the people who made Haze...

Oh dear.

[Pintheshadows]

Thanks man.

[Raoh]

I liked it, the sony hate and the halo killer label really hurt it.

[GrandTheftZamboni]

... and the fact that they ditched 360 version.

To me it looked like they ran out of funding before the final polish.

[PirateThom]

Again, according to the article on, possibly, Eurogamer, the game never even ran properly on PS3, but Ubisoft promised it as an exclusive. The 360 version was there, but it was wasted work as it never got released.

[InTheLab]

Every Sony shooter gets compared to Halo and is labeled a Halo Killer. It's like the Madden curse but with Sony shooters instead of overrated athletes...

[Bagogames]

True, but in Haze's case it really was given the poster boy treatment which made it's flop all the more embarrassing. It wasn't until Too Human came out on the 360 that it was really forgiven, since the Xbox community then got it's first real taste of bitter grapes.

[SuperBeast811]

I'd say Perfect Dark Zero fit that role waaaay B4 Too Human

[DarkHorse]

The only good thing I remember about this game is my local games shop accepting it as a trade in for MGS4.Other than that I just remember it as the game that killed any chance of us seeing TimeSplitters 4.Screw you Haze!

[Bagogames]

Time Splitters 4 isn't legitimately cancelled...yet.

Just on 'indefinite hold' so to speak...

DON'T KILL MY DREAMS!!!! THEY'RE ALL I HAVE LEFT!!!

[WeskerChildReborned]

Man, they should know we all want Timesplitters 4 to be made so why they stalling?

[WeskerChildReborned]

I alway's thought the guy in the thumbnail looked like Ben Stiller.

[ChocolateGiddyUp]

I always see Joey Greco from that ridiculous show "Cheaters."

Related image(s)

[Oldman100]

He's the result of Ralph Fiennes and Ben Stiller's fusion dance. His name is Benalph Fienler.

[TheFallenAngel]

I actually kinda enjoyed it a little. It had that Resistance vibe in it.

[Donnywho]

Haze who?

[nik666uk]

They abandoned it totally which is why I've never bothered to play it!!!

[Ajoyshop]

Same here. This is the first I've really heard anything about it. :p

[Rediculamal]

Am I correct in assuming you didn't own a console in 2008 then? :p

I remember it being such a big deal for us Playstation users who were itching for a another decent FPS that we could call our own, we already had Resistance: Fall of Man.

It's sad that it turned out so, well, crap but the they're is right in saying that there was potential for a lot more. I'd love a Crysis inspired Haze game, soooo much.

[dorron]

I wasn't that bad. Sure, not a 60$ game, but if bought for 10-15$ it's ok.

[Knushwood Butt]

"Just an animal.".

[Rediculamal]

I remember buying this close to release. I enjoyed it in the sense as you'd enjoy something nobody else would, like a hipster would. It had a few things that are just good no matter how badly you mess them up, like Co-Op and L1/R1 aim and fire controls. So it wasn't a complete disaster, just a complete disappointment.