LGC07: Lair Hands-on impressions
by Jem Alexander 
{ Aug 27th 2007 at 12:15PM }
We were immediately impressed with the visual quality of the game. The effort put into the character models and environments are evident, though there are occasional framerate drops. (We only noticed one framerate dip during the 20 minute play through and it was over within a second or two.) The detail in the graphics is most obvious when your dragon belly is scraping along the ground, or across the ocean.
As far as gameplay goes, we only had a chance to play a flying section, but it was very enjoyable. The SixAxis controls felt great -- which surprised us, since the controls had received the most negative press. Flying around as a dragon was incredibly satisfying as we could feel the weight of the creature when swooping down or pulling up further into the sky. It reminded us of the old DOS game Magic Carpet in how you had to compensate for momentum, lest you fly much further than intended.
As a result, the game features an auto lock-on targeting system. If your target is near the center of the screen then your fireballs will hone in on it, allowing you to concentrate on which attacks to make, not when to make them. The lock on also allows you to press the circle button and zoom towards your target, initiating close-quarters combat. An arrow in the top right hand corner alerts you to any nearby targets and a quick flick of the remote makes your dragon perform a mid-air U-turn, making maneuverability quite manageable.
Overall the demo was good fun, though there was no indication as to the length or depth of the final product. The one thing we're hoping for is that they change the voice acting before launch. Honestly, you may as well call it "Frat Boys On Dragons: The Game."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Shagittarius @ Aug 27th 2007 12:24PM
Good to hear it controls well, although I was hoping for analog controls with the extra time they added. I'm still very excited for this game though and I can't wait to pick it up.
dsub @ Aug 27th 2007 1:34PM
It's funny that joystiq says it controls well. That's the exact opposite of what was said in the reviews in EGM and PSM. It got 5/10.
washimul @ Aug 30th 2007 4:46AM
PSW gave LAIR 8/10
DOUCHE POLAND's no1 magazine gave LAIR 9/10
PLAY gave LAIR a 9/10
GAMEINFORMER gave LAIR an 8/10
GAMEPRO gave LAIR a 7.5/10 (gamepro reviewed the 1 year old build)
LAIR got 2 average/bad reviews from GAYGM and PSM
PSM is run by the former EIC of OXM (official xbox magazine)
EGM is run by BOTS---even a 5year old knows that
EGM, PSM (now) ,1up,EUROGAMER,GAMESPOT ----all these websites would always be giving ps3 games bad scores--we all know that
Anonim @ Aug 27th 2007 2:20PM
The game got delayed - so they could fix controls.
As you see they succeeded.PROBABLY ;)
Hashbrown_Hunter @ Aug 27th 2007 3:12PM
so what you're saying washimul is that it's a huge conspiracy?! That games for a system can be mediocre?! And people have opinions?!
....we're doomed.
megaStryke @ Aug 27th 2007 3:14PM
Actually, Game Informer gave Lair a 7.25. That's the official score. The Second Opinion is an 8.
Curmeo @ Aug 27th 2007 12:25PM
you were saying what, vidGuy? yup thats right, STFU.
mr nimblewick @ Aug 27th 2007 12:39PM
I thought we weren't supposed to go by one person's opinion?
Hypocrite much?
Ska Oreo @ Aug 27th 2007 12:41PM
No this is different. It's totally ok to go by one person's opinion when they give a good review to a ps3 game.
Curmeo @ Aug 27th 2007 1:06PM
what the hell are you two talkin about? or maybe you gotta stick up for your fellow Wiitard vidGuy.
mr nimblewick @ Aug 27th 2007 1:25PM
Good job Curmeo! If you can beat the logic, ignore it! Feign ignorance! Oh what's that? You aren't feigning? What a surprise...
Crono @ Aug 27th 2007 5:07PM
I vote ban. Anyone want to second it?
ReconDelta @ Aug 27th 2007 12:27PM
My prediction. Its going to be a 6/10 game, and subpar, but will look pretty.
Yet another BUST for the PS3.
Curmeo @ Aug 27th 2007 12:38PM
my prediction: you're an envious gamer who cant afford a PS3, and thus cant enjoy what looks to be a promising game.
Marty @ Aug 27th 2007 12:39PM
I agree... look more like "H • Y • P • E" to me.
Jamie @ Aug 27th 2007 12:52PM
my prediction: you're an envious gamer who cant afford a PS3
Gotta love how quickly people stoop to being petty. This is a gaming blog, not a battlefield.
I'm sure the good games will be coming for the PS3, but I agree with the OP that this probably won't be one of them. I've been unimpressed by what I've seen so far myself.
konajinx @ Aug 27th 2007 12:56PM
Oh, good old Curmeo, still resorting to last year's PS3 fanboy insults. You'd think that if the PS3 was so wonderful, all the people who supposedly couldd afford it would be buying them like crazy and you'd never see any in the stores. Sadly for the PS3 droids, this is not the case. The Wii continues to be unavailable and the 360 continues to groove along just fine. What's it like to always be in constant denial?
xXFenixKnight13Xx @ Aug 27th 2007 1:10PM
Konajinx your my Hero =)
dsub @ Aug 27th 2007 1:35PM
I already is.
PSM gave it a 5/10 and EGM gave it a 5/5.5/6 out of 10.
Justice @ Aug 27th 2007 12:31PM
Cool. If 1 reviewer says it wasn't great and these guys like it, goes to show never know if a game is good or not unless you try it.
Ska Oreo @ Aug 27th 2007 12:46PM
Well remember reviewers like IGN already have advance copies of the full game. Joystiq only has a demo. Trust me a game that seems like it could be fun for 10min, can be annoying for a game that's 10hrs.
Justice @ Aug 27th 2007 12:50PM
not saying it wont, but other reviewers like it. And they prob have the full version too. Some movies i like get the worst ratings on rotten tomatoes, it's all opinion based and different people= different opinions =different judging.
bl13 @ Aug 27th 2007 12:53PM
Did IGN already review Lair? If so a link is appreciated.
Jamie @ Aug 27th 2007 12:54PM
I never rely on reviews 100%. I could never put that much trust in someone else's opinion on entertainment. Thank goodness for demos and renting!
Vidikron @ Aug 27th 2007 1:01PM
Seems you guys are fogetting the game was delayed to tweak the controls after the early reviews. There's a good chance they played the tweaked version.
Myrpok @ Aug 27th 2007 1:38PM
bl13: you already have the link: IGN
just type it in you lazy bastard
Jake @ Aug 27th 2007 2:12PM
I don't think IGN specifically has reviewed it yet.
Lair and Heavenly are getting the same reviews, basically. They are complimented on graphics and criticized for gameplay.
Vidikron,
Not to call you out or anything, but will you ever take back calling me a ravenous fanboy for saying, over and over, I thought Heavenly and Lair looked shallow and unremarkable?
Or will you just figure I'm a blind fanboy and "got lucky" that the games turned out as average as I told you they would?
Vidikron @ Aug 27th 2007 3:05PM
@Jake
Actually, I called you on saying the combat system HS was shallow. I disagreed. I thought it was pretty intricate. Of course, then you attempted to morph your argument into saying that you actually meant you could get through the game using on a few select combos. But whatever. And I never said anything about LAIR. And the fanboy comment was more directed at yoru overall posting pattern. When I first started posting here you were much more objective. Over last couple of months you can't seem to resist bashing the PS3 every chance you get.
Trev @ Aug 27th 2007 12:33PM
Good. I was hoping for that since I heard about the "control problems" in other reviews.
It's a dragon not an apache helicopter, just like Agro (yeah, I remember the horse's name) in Shadow of the Colossus was a horse and not a dirt bike. It sounds really enjoyable. I can't wait to pick this up this weekend.
Word of the street. @ Aug 27th 2007 12:37PM
Seto Kaiba Aproves this game.
Please dont make me hype this game,Too late.I'm glad to hear the game now counts with improved the controls,If I ever buy a PS3 the first game I will buy is going to be this if its good.
hvnlysoldr @ Aug 27th 2007 12:50PM
Screw the money I have rules!
xXFenixKnight13Xx @ Aug 27th 2007 12:38PM
Im not gonna lie, it looks decent. Well better than decent but will this game be remembered?? Prob not. Example: Heavenly Sword, go read the reviews. So sad is the death of the PS3. Please PS3 fanboys come to the light, come to the joyness and funfilled gaming world that is me 360 =)
"With all due respect sir and I am saying WITH ALL DUE RESPECT! What you bought yourself is a frickin movie player!!" -Ricky Bobby
Trev @ Aug 27th 2007 12:43PM
But I can play Gears and Bioshock on my PC. Get back to me when there are more games I can't get somewhere else and the system doesn't keel over and die under normal operating conditions.
tamanchama @ Aug 27th 2007 12:44PM
and i say with respect, you bought yourself a toaster oven, cept a real toaster oven works.
i have both, i like ps3 more.
Justice @ Aug 27th 2007 12:43PM
There are more game to come, like Haze. =]Kinda sad how people are now-a-days with games. So sad. D': People please grow up.
TheGuy @ Aug 27th 2007 12:48PM
"Please PS3 fanboys come to the light..."
I can see the light...its so...so...red? The light is coming from a Red Ring of Death WTF?
Jokes aside, lets wait for more reviews of these games before we cast judgment. I've heard a few bad reviews for these games, but I've also heard some good reviews too. Let's wait for more reviews so we can see see the general consensus.
Justice @ Aug 27th 2007 12:48PM
@ Trev and tama- Just ignore him. Let people like that say what they want to say. I get called a fan-boy for defending something, when I defended it because I felt people just say stupid things. I defend my friends the same way. Let his igorance get the best of him, for PS3 is getting more games, so they can't use that excuse any longer.
xXFenixKnight13Xx @ Aug 27th 2007 12:54PM
@ Trev
PC? Ha!! Im not gonna be hunched over a freakin PC moniter to play games you idiot, and Im definately not going to be asking myself what all PC gamers think "oh I wonder if my rig can run it?" Im playing on my 56" 720p HDTV Slim DLP with a 1000watt Samsung Hometheater. Ive had my 360 since Launch and no RROD. Thats all you POS3 Fanboys use as amunition but too bad cuz it doesnt effect me. Im a gamer not a PC nerd. Go play world of warcraft you turd.
riggs @ Aug 27th 2007 1:13PM
hunched over your pc? how the fuck do YOU sit? somebody give this guy a bell that he can toll.
xXFenixKnight13Xx @ Aug 27th 2007 1:17PM
Riggs your an idiot. Just for asking that, your an idiot. Next!
>.> @ Aug 27th 2007 1:28PM
Yes, instead of asking "Will my rig run this?" you get to ask "Will my xbox turn on?" You could always call ahead so you have a coffin on hand.
KiraXD @ Aug 27th 2007 1:39PM
LOL @ fenix... sorry your TV sucks... but i play all my PC games on my 42' samsung HDTV @ 720/1080 im not hunched over a small monitor... too bad your TV cant do that... so now... what were you saying?
xXFenixKnight13Xx @ Aug 27th 2007 1:54PM
I was saying I play on a 56" Samsung 720p HDTV Slim DLP. Do you even know anything about TV's? DLP pictures and TV sets are the best for videogaming you morron. Go do your homework Jr. 42"??? No thank you. Mouse and keyboard?? Next!!!
URideKensNutts @ Aug 27th 2007 2:21PM
Gotta love the one thing PS3tards have to defend themselves... "Well you get the red ring death!!!"
Own 2 360's never had a problem with either.. MS gives you a 3 year warranty and they've fixed the problems.
Get some new jokes.. You are probably still wearing parachute pants and Kangeroo shoes..
I sure am glad Xbox people got over the Foreman Grill comments like normal people and know when a joke is played out..
Go back and watch some Blu-ray movies, jerk your SIXAXXIS with your constant framerate problems and screen tearing that plagues the joke that is the Cell processor.
PS - This game looks booorrrring as hell. PASS!
KiraXD @ Aug 27th 2007 3:24PM
LOL again @fenix oooooohhhhh you cant read very well can you... reardless of the size... im just pointing out that
1. i can play games at the same resolution as a 360 on an HDTV.
2. (actually GeOW is looking better on PC if you have a gaming rig -i do)
3. You must not have know that most newer HDTV have VGA.. go do your homework... son.
4. KB/Mouse? hmm actually i use a wireless 360 controller for most games that are out for vista...
5. you just made yourself look like a copmplete moron/fanboy
if you think that your little 360 is more powerful than a top-of-the-line gaming PC youve got a looooong way to go. lol!
elmersglue @ Aug 27th 2007 3:45PM
@tamanshama
I really don't see how anyone owning both at this moment in time can like the ps3 more. If you said that next year, i would have to look at the game lineup and then make my judgement, but at this point in time, I find that EXTREMELY hard to believe. Of course, there are other reasons to like the ps3 more, which includes everything the ps3 has to offer besides the actual games.
So if you're referring to the bluray player, the web browser, etc...then it seems like you're not comparing the two on the basis of what you should be comparing them, especially on a gaming blog....the games.
xXFenixKnight13Xx @ Aug 27th 2007 3:59PM
KiraXD
I DID know that Lcd's come with a VGA hookup. BUT I DO NOT CARE. I dont play PC games and I never will ok NERD. Your supposedly gaming rig is letting you play exactly what games on Vista? Shadowrun? WOW? LOL! I could give a sh*t Gears isnt even out yet and Ive conquered that game and you will have barely started playing it when its old and tired. Sure it has new content but dont think that it isnt coming out on the 360 as well becasue it is regardless of whats been reported. Hopefully you dont have to upgrade your little "rig". Especially for Crysis. You are truly the morron through and through. I hope your crappy little 42" TV doesnt burn out on you or give you the ghosting effect. Oh and even if you wanted to ever get the full effect of a 1080p game you need a TV 50" or bigger. To notice it. My 61" 1080p DLP Samsung in my Family Room looks great. If a PS3 game ever comes out to catch my attn and actaully buy it. Ill be covered. End of dicussion.
KiraXD @ Aug 27th 2007 4:45PM
lmao fenix. ive already conquered Geow on my elite 360 as well. i never said i dont own a 360 or PS3... in fact i own em all... but youre too much of a freaking fanboy to even look at something else outside of the 360... grow up bro.
calling me a nerd because i have a better computer than you? lol... ok bro. youre the one posting on a topic that has NOTHING to do with you(since you already said you dont have a ps3 yet - i do.).. from a ... computer possibly? lol youre making yourself look dumber and dumber with every reply... stop while youre behind.
hotnutz @ Aug 27th 2007 11:16PM
errr when you say "come to the light" do you mean that big red light? The one that looks like 3 red rings? ;)
tamanchama @ Aug 27th 2007 12:43PM
yea, it's in it's final build, GS has a street date of 31st, which is this friday.