Game Reviews

Review: Child of Eden, What the Kinect Are You Waiting For?

 
[image_border img=”http://empyreanedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/child4.jpg” /]

 
As far as games go, Child of Eden was definitely an unexpected hit for me. Personally, if it was not for the 10 dollar deal Best Buy had last week I would have never bought this game on my own. Sure it looked cool, but at the same time I don’t really use my Kinect that often and I have never played Rez (Tetsuya Mizuguchi’s previous hit) so I had no reason to be hyped about this game. With that being said, I am pleasantly surprised by the sheer joy that I got from playing the emotionally engaging game.
 
Child of Eden is a remarkable on-rails shooter. It’s visually appealing and leaves you desiring more when the game comes to an end. I found myself engrossed in the music as I played along, losing myself to the world around me. This game is an experience. From the moment you meet the main character Lumi in the opening cinematic, it’s clear that this game wants to take you on a journey and give you something to think about long after your adventure is complete.
 
[image_border img=”http://empyreanedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/child2.jpg” pos=”left” /]
The story in itself was quite unique and interesting. In the distant future, the internet has evolved into an archival system named Eden. Eden is so advanced that scientist began trying to create artificial life within the system. Lumi was the first human child born in outer space. And after her death, Lumi’s memories were archived and her body was later preserved. In the 23rd century, scientists began Project Lumi in an attempt to recreate Lumi as an artificial intelligence within Eden. Unfortunately, Project Lumi becomes attacked by a powerful virus, which you will witness in the opening cinematic. Your objective is simple: expunge the virus from Eden by ‘purifying’ objects and save Lumi.
 
Child is comprised of five missions or archives as they are called in the game. Each archive contains a separate theme which utilizes the unique shapes, neon colors, and enemies. As the game progresses to the end of an archive mission, the music also evolves becoming faster paced therefore increasing the intensity leading up to the climax. The game’s main weapons are the Lock-on Laser and the Tracer. The rapid-fire Tracer cannon is the weaker of the two weapons, but is the only way to defeat certain purple colored enemies. There are also a limited number of Euphoria bombs, which do a certain amount of damage to everything on screen, and are activated by throwing both arms into the air.
 
Much like its predecessor Rez, Child also features an interactive soundtrack and rewards players with more points and stars (to unlock later levels) for firing weapons and obliterating targets in time with the beat. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the score in this game. If I had to describe it I would put it somewhere between Techno and House. Upbeat, easily puts you in a happy mood, and flows well with the game which makes you want to dance in lieu of shooting at objects.
[image_border img=”http://empyreanedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/child-3.jpg” pos=”right” /]
 
All in all Child of Eden is one of those games you have to experience to understand. If you are like me and never played Rez the first go around, then this is a game that you do not want to pass you by. So dust off your Kinect and give it a whirl, you might be as surprised as I was to find out how much fun a Kinect game can actually be. It’s memorable, rewarding, and exactly what your Kinect needs.

 

 

 

I did have a few Cons, although they should not hinder you from buying the game:

1. It’s short. Don’t expect to spend countless hours playing through the campaign which can be beaten in a single sitting (or standing).

2. Watch your form. My arm hurt for an entire day after I played through the game. So be careful.

 

 

 

 

My Rating:

 
 
 

 8 out of 10