All you haters take note: Too Human is a blast!

Almost ten years in the making, Too Human has seen its fair share of development troubles. First announced for the original Playstation, moved to the GameCube and ultimately finding a home on the Xbox 360, the game has been a lightening rod for criticism and controversy. But, as the old saying goes, the proof is in the pudding, and while it's not perfect, Too Human definitely has enough going for it to silence its critics. Read on for our review of the Xbox 360 exclusive title, Too Human!

It may look like a straightforward action game with an RPG twist, but the truth about the opening chapter of Silicon Knight's planned trilogy is much stranger. Here's an Xbox 360 exclusive that proudly wears its lofty ambitions on its sleeves, and yet sometimes seems bent on self-sabotage. That it's so relentlessly addictive despite its aggravations is something of a minor miracle.

Laser rifles are pretty, and do more damage the longer you soak an enemy with protons, but slug weapons are more satisfying to fire.

Laser rifles are pretty, and do more damage the longer you soak an enemy with protons, but slug weapons are more satisfying to fire.

Gods and Monsters

Too Human takes the rich world of Norse mythology and catapults it into a distant future where bloodthirsty machines stalk humanity, and even cybernetically enhanced gods like the Aesir struggle to keep the ravenous flesh shredders at bay. Why are the machines so intent on harvesting our meaty bits? As the youngest and least augmented member of the clan, Baldur might seem like an odd choice to lead an expeditionary force to the ancient Hall of Heroes to investigate, but between his amnesia and the death of his wife, the guy's got a drive that self-important thugs like Thor lack.

Baldur maybe a little bland and walks around like he's got something pointy in his boots but put a crowd of enemies in front of him and he suddenly turns into an Olympic speed-skater. With simple rotations of the analog sticks, you can send Baldur flying across the screen like an angry hornet, doling out punishment with bright sparks and the satisfying clank of metal on metal. The combat system is pretty slick, letting you launch guys into the air and then juggle them with gunfire to rack up combo points for devastating "ruiner" attacks, or leap up to get out of the fray and bash them silly. I personally loved every minute of it. The targeting system is less helpful when using guns because it stubbornly "sticks" to one particular enemy when you're frantically trying to target another, but the action is intense and enjoyable nonetheless.

PROS: Absorbing mix of melee and gunplay; unbelievable depth to character and equipment customization; online co-op; tons of gorgeous gear.

CONS: Senselessly long resurrection time; difficulty and balance issues; crappy automatic camera; uncooperative ballistics targeting; worthless cyberspace sequences.

The battle's not over yet! Click here to read the rest of our review!

The Berserker class can dual-wield special melee weapons that no other class can touch, making him the master of close combat.

The Berserker class can dual-wield special melee weapons that no other class can touch, making him the master of close combat.

Let a Defender get in nice and close with his weapon and shield, and a Commando can fill the fool with pain from a distance. This is just one of many effective partnerships in Too Human.

Let a Defender get in nice and close with his weapon and shield, and a Commando can fill the fool with pain from a distance. This is just one of many effective partnerships in Too Human.


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Comments [249]

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sportsorviolence21

The demo really turned me away from this game. But I might have to rent it now.

artsaber

Oh Yeah, tell that to all the C- and 6.75/10 scores floating around out there. No thanks Gamepro, you already shafted us with a loft score for Halo3. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. This game is a RENTAL. I will still play it, but giving the barometer of the webtraffic coming in about this game, there is more disappointing news than reassuring news. Nice try though. Flame on.

sportsorviolence21

denveraic Posted at: 08/18/08 at 6:12 PM PST First. Love this game's demo.
FAIL. You are 3RD!!!!!! *gasp*

denveraic

Well, either way, I can say I will certainly be getting this tomorrow. I really enjoyed the demo, I breezed through it. I'm surprised Gamepro came down on the controls, I kinda liked the scheme, it was refreshing. I will say though, controls nowadays can really turn away what we call "Casual" gamers. Like Madden for instance, it's like being a QB in the NFL, you need to learn a lot to really be good at that game.

hiphophippy27

Oh Yeah, tell that to all the C- and 6.75/10 scores floating around out there. No thanks Gamepro, you already shafted us with a loft score for Halo3. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. This game is a RENTAL. I will still play it, but giving the barometer of the webtraffic coming in about this game, there is more disappointing news than reassuring news. Nice try though. Flame on.
Don't forget the 7.8/10 on IGN.[p] And btw, SCREW YOU DENVERIAC I'm FIRST![p] Ha just kiddin[p] Eh, if GamePro says its good I'll try it out.

ETito

Artsaber has no idea of what a great game is. If you hated Halo 3 you should sell your system and your tv and take up Go Fish.

denveraic

Saber IGN did give it a 78 of 100 or is that 7.8 of 10? Either way about on par with Gamepro's review. Sounds like a good game that is over ambitious. But thanks Artsaber, we all enjoy your shitty attitude anyway.

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