Killer 7
From Capcom
Killer7 is the action adventure game of a hard-boiled taste. A player makes full use of small arms or special capability, making the character of seven "the professional killers with seven character" whom become hero Harman Smith and he has change, and confronts "man with hand of God" Kun Laon which aims at a national overthrow. They are the man who plans the world into fear of indiscriminate terrorism, the man who is going to stop the wave, and the revenge tragedy with which the life of two persons becomes entangled intricately. A view of the world thrilling at DAKU which the visual and individual character of art by cell shading performs, and the game style which was not until now are the new games of charm.
- Amazon Sales Rank: #11081 in Video Games
- Brand: Capcom
- Model: 13388200139
- Released on: 2006-03-15
- ESRB Rating: Mature
- Platform: GameCube
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: .75" h x 5.50" w x 7.50" l, .34 pounds
An Art House Game?
Games have been described as art in the past. A game that comes immediately to mind is Ico, which oozed personality and landscapes that were both etheral and were just like a painting. Not until this game have I ever played a game that was almost like interactive art.
As far as I can see, if there was ever a game that was pretending to be an art house film, Killer 7 would be it. From the stylized, psuedo-noir/comic book/anime inspired graphics to the dark, brooding, and sex-laden story and the weird gameplay, you have the makings of an art house video game, as strange as that sounds. But does it work? In a word, mostly.
Going back to the art comment, each level in this game and each presentation of idea screams art. It's like passing surreal paintings in a museum. You pass one and go "whoa, that's weird." And you might pass another one that makes you want to tilt your head so you can maybe understand it better. And yet, you come up with a hint but nothing concrete. This game is like that, except that each level, each character each piece of dialogue is connected in a way a wall full of paintings usually isn't.
Normally, when a game puts style and story over gameplay, bad juju occurs. For instance, Xenosaga II was a great movie, but as a game it was horrible. In this case, I've known from the beginning that the gameplay would be as equally weird as the storyline. Suda 51, the game's creator, had been asked when Killer 7 was first introduced via some strange cut scenes how it would play. His answer was he didn't know. They had spent so much time and effort getting the feel and story of the game down, that they had no clue how it would ultimately play like.
Truthfully, I shouldn't like this game. And yet, somehow I do. So, how does it play? In a move that is a throw back to some of the early Sega CD games I played, you push the A button to move forward. If you want to turn around, you push B to do a 180. When you get to a specific junction that allows you do something other than move (i.e. an object or different hallways or rooms), you tilt the controller in the direction you want to go and push A. When you hear the satanic laughter of the Heaven's Smiles, you pull the R trigger and enter a FPS mode when you aim and shoot at the approaching time bombs. Hitting them in a yellow weak area is an instant kill that gives you the most blood.
Yes, blood. In fact, an interesting strategy system for leveling up involves collecting blood from fallen enemies. As you kill enemies, you collect blood which can be used to level up each of your personalities in areas of power, aim control, speed, criticals etc. So, you want to hit the yellow areas for an instant kill and for the most blood.
Basically, that's the gameplay in a nutshell. You move around incredibly linear levels, on a rail, set path and blast any and all enemies you find. Along the way, you'll come across various puzzles that require you to use your brain and sometimes a lot of luck to figure out. Since this is a Capcom game, expect some Resident Evil (the earlier ones, not the new one) type puzzles.
The game can be difficult in places both for your brain and for your trigger finger. There are some enemies, the giant Heaven Smiles for one, who are difficult to kill. Other enemies have to be shot in specific places or its exploding time. Remembering the various enemy types and how to confront them adds an exciting and sometimes difficult strategy to the game. When one of the personalities die, their head is left at the scene. You then have to play as Garcian Smith to collect the head to bring it back to life. This makes the game pretty "easy" in that it's hard to truly have a game over. However, this adds to the backtracking/repetitiveness as you have to watch a cutscene of your character's head, then you're back in Harman's Room, you choose Garcian, run back to the body, another cutscene, then you're back at Harman's room again to choose your personality and then you're free to go play again.
Honestly, though, the gameplay is just there to differentiate this from being a movie. The best part is the incredibly bizarre and truly disturbing story. In a (dis?)Utopian society where the world has reached peace and missles are shot off into the sky at each other in a sort of celebration that missles are no longer shot at each other, a new terrorist organization has taken hold. The Heaven's Smile has members who seem perfectly normal until they explode. Only the group Killer 7 can truly see them for the evil they are and annihilate them.
What is the Killer 7? They are the personalities of a Mr. Harman Smith, a wheelchair bound guy who seems to enjoy rough sex. Each of the 7 personalities have their own strengths, weaknesses and special abilities that make them absolutely invaluable to the missions. For instance, Kaede (the sole female) slits her wrists and baths barracades in blood in order to destroy them. Mask De Smith performs wrestling moves on plywood blocking a door. Kevin Smith can become invisible and invincible. Coyote Smith can jump to high areas and open any lock. Did I mention Kaede who slits her wrists?
If the last paragraph didn't clue you in, this is a rated M game. Which means it was created for those over 17. Unlike games like Conker (a game I love by the way) that use their M rating for South Park style humor, Killer 7 has many disturbing moments. Running into talking heads in dryers and other assorted places is just the beginning. As the game progresses, you will see and hear many weird things, from the nurse/sex slave? Samantha and her sexcapades with Harman to a blinded kid to the head that tells of its former, death filled life involving the cutting off of certain body parts to a rainstorm of blood. And then there's the cursing, the countless uses of the F word and various other four letter words. This is not a game for children.
There are some genuine problems with the game, however. Yet again, Nintendo hasn't supported those of us who have High Def, a wide screen or surround sound. The game isn't presented in HD or in Wide Screen format. It isn't even Dobly Pro Logic II like some Nintendo games released. And it shows. If you have a receiver, it will be odd hearing sounds coming out of far spaced left and right speakers. The quality of the sound isn't too great. The voice acting is genuinely good, but sometimes it's set at a tone that is much quieter than the music. Add to the fact that there aren't any subtitle options (except the scene specific ones where the characters speak in semi-gibberish) and you have a problem; especially since it's such a story heavy game. Speaking of dialogue, another sore spot is the fact that some of the characters constantly repeat things. There are three main characters you see in every mission, a red dressed thing (can't remember it's name), Travis and the information seller. Each time you talk to them, they start off with the same dialogue. For instance, the red dressed thing always says "Master. We're in Trouble. Big Trouble." or "Master. We're in a tight spot. A very tight spot. I don't want to say what type of tight spot." Dialogue like that. The first few times, it's okay but when you're done with the 15 hour game you will really wish you could hit A or something to skip through some of the dialogue. As is, you can hit start and skip ALL of the dialogue but since puzzle pieces, story and boss strategies are given, it's not recommended.
There are only 3 options in the Options menu, rumble, invert aiming and stereo/mono (do people even play games in Mono any more??). The problem is, everytime I continue the game, I have to change the invert aiming for some reason. Mighty annoying.
Overall, I'm having a hard time explaining this game. I hope I gave enough to give readers an idea of what to expect if they decide to rent/purchase this unique game. It's hard to qualify it as anything but an artistic expression. One does not play art usually. One views it, tries to gather some meaning from it, and moves on either changed or unchanged. This game is like that. It's very difficult (impossible?) to fully explain in any lucid way what this is. Besides what I've written above, my best recommendation is to play it. You can't get a feeling for it without trying it. This isn't Halo nor Final Fantasy where I can say it's this or it's that. This is something completely and utterly different, comprehensible and yet totally the opposite.
This is a game that will go down as a love it or hate it experiment. If the mainstream video game audience even hear about the game, I will be surprised. The Electronics Boutique I got mine from only ordered two copies, both preordered. And, those who actually do play it will either love it for the chances it takes, or will hate it for having the stiff gameplay. I happen to love it and I can't tell you exactly why. The story is interesting and very post-modern which is partly why I like it. And, for some reason, the gameplay that is so stiff is also an addictive situation. Either way you look at it, though, Kudos to Capcom for taking the chance and creating this dark masterpiece and experiment. In an environment filled with sequels and movie to game licenses, I have to applaud Capcom for releasing such a different, yet enthralling piece of art. Yes, art.
In the name of Harman... this game is great!
I'm not new to writing reviews. I've done quite a few, on Amazon and elsewhere. Usually it's pretty easy, but this Killer 7 review was actually very difficult, and took me a great deal of time to complete. There are NO WORDS that can adequately describe the Killer7 experience, and any real attempt to do so is doomed to become a rambling stream of metaphors and descriptions.
I can't in good conscience say "Buy this game right now", only in part because of the intense content. Most people I've talked to are pretty polarized about Killer7: they either love it to death or hate it intensely. I'm one of the former, so of course they're the correct group.
Killer7 is one of the strangest, darkest, most controversial (or it would be, if more people knew about it) and overall great games I've ever played.
STORY: Wow. Just... wow. Where do I begin? What can I possibly say? I can't pretend to even understand half of the story, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's incomprehensible. It's like Neon Genesis Evangelion, in that way; you sort of have to find your own meaning. What starts as the Smiths on just another mission to wipe out some Heaven Smile takes a turn for the (even more) bizarre, and... well, I'd have to start going into tedious details to elaborate any further. As you play through various missions, you realize that there is much more going on than simple terrorism. God-like beings, political scandals of global proportions, child organ trafficking and the true nature of the United States all have places in the story, as well as the twisted past of the Killer 7 and their entourage of Remnant Psyches (ghosts, for lack of a better description, who show up and talk to/aid/abuse you every so often.)
Though only two of the main characters have much of their pasts revealed, you will quickly come to know each of the 7 like family, albeit really scary and abusive family. Even the minor characters are unforgettable, though not necessarily in good ways. From the bipolar nurse Samantha to postal-worker-turned-cult-leader Ulmeyda to ever-present bungie-lovin' bondage fan Iwazaru, whose repetitive and eventually annoying monologues read quite a lot like those from the King of All Cosmos in Katamari Damacy. Except, you know, twisted and evil.
GRAPHICS: Stylin!
You might think that cel-shading would ruin the depth and seriousness of this game, but you'd be quite mistaken. These aren't disproportionate cartoon killers. The cel-shading simply helps add to the surreal feeling of the game. Sometimes it's a little hard to tell exactly what something's supposed to be, but that's not always a bad thing. Are you walking up a stairway in a narrow corridor, or over an empty space illuminated by a reddish-brown glow? Is there a difference? Does it matter?
And honestly, if this game were more realistic, it would cause vomiting. See "VIOLENCE"
MUSIC: Awesome!
I got the soundtrack. Need I say more? It's mostly techno, though there are some slower beats and jazz tunes thrown in.
GAMEPLAY: Also weird.
Killer7 combines elements of rail shooters, 3rd-person shooters and First-person shooters. Normally, your character runs at a set speed along a fixed path, you only determine the direction he runs in (forward or back) and whether or not he's actually running. Every so often you'll hit a junction where you get to choose a path. When you want to shoot something, you hold down R to ready your weapon and go into 1st-person mode. Hitting L "scans" for enemies, making them visible and vulnerable.
While the variety of characters and enemies spices things up, the gameplay can get rather repetitive at times. Run, listen for an evil laugh, scan, kill, repeat. It doesn't help that each character has a single line they say when hitting an enemy's weak point, so you'll probably hear Con Smith say "F*** you!" about a thousand times before you're done. There's a scattering of puzzles, but most are extremely easy and consist largely of having the right Smith active or item equipped.
Throughout most of the game, you'll have six characters available at all times. The seventh, Garcian, is the most important and can only be called from certain places. You won't want to use him much anyway; his weapon's a joke and if he dies, it's Game Over. Why? He's the only one who can bring the others back to life. Sometimes annoying if a Smith dies immediately after a tough foe that Garcian can't possibly beat.
Two other minor issues: Loading screens are frequent and about three seconds long each, and you can't fast-forward through conversations (though you can skip them.)
VIOLENCE: EXTREME
I know I probably don't have to say this, but Killer 7 is NOT FOR KIDS. I'm no Jack Thompson - indeed, I loathe the man - but the simple fact remains that this game is probably the most violent and twisted one I have ever played.
I don't think this game warrants an AO rating, but it's about as close as you can get.
Blood is a central part of the game. You collect it, use it, trade it. It leaks from monsters in far-flying ribbons and bursts from their bodies. You can shoot off heads, arms, legs, whatever. Worst of all are the cutscenes. Samantha abuses Harman in some pretty serious ways, people are blown to pieces, everybody cusses out everybody else. You may have heard of a "full-blown sex scene" in the game. That's actually a bit of an exaggeration; the scene in question contains no nudity or explicit depictions of sex, though it's fairly obvious what's going on, and I'm not sure I would really call the event in question sex.
The above "F*** you!" was only censored because this is a public site; nothing gets bleeped out in Killer 7.
Besides, the story is deep and complicated, politically charged, and not the kind of thing children are likely to comprehend or appreciate anyway.
If you DO buy this game for your preteen, that's either one freakishly smart, mature kid or someone needs to call the Smiths on YOU.
VERDICT: YES... Maybe?
I know this line is clichéd, but Killer7 really is more of an experience than a game. If you've got the brains to follow the story, the stomach to handle the violence and the right level of aesthetic sense and/or psychosis, you will adore this game to all kinds of pieces. You'll spend hours picking apart the nuances of the complex story and going over especially awesome scenes in your head.
If not? Well, I've done everything I can for you.
Brilliance. Pure Brilliance.
When I first saw this game on a gaming televsision program, I knew it was for me. The graphics are completely stylized. It's all pure cel-shading and Sin City style black and white. Like a western comic or graphic novel. The sound is haunting and blends perfectly with the eerie feeling of the atmosphere. The seven Smiths are all unique and free of game cliches. There's knife mastering albino, a magnum toting guy in a black suit, a blind man with duala fully-automatic pistols, a masachist girl with a powerful handgun, a masked wrestler with dual grenade-launcher handguns, a South American thief, and the man in the white suit with the silenced handgun. All the characters are fun to use and everyone will be able to find a favorite. Note that the game IS graphic and isn't for the kiddies. Wether or not a parent would buy it for their child is what they think of the child's maturity and ability to understand and handle these things. The story is rich with interesting plot twists and a great political feel. The thinkers will love this game. The "kill-everything-that-moves-without-any-thought" gamers will hate it. The rail system may seem to limit freedom, but it is easy to get used to it with a bit of playing. The true artistic minds and innovation lovers will adore this. Casual gamers may find it a bit unplayable. Still this is a wonderful game. As the tittle says, one word describes this game: Brilliance.
