Joystiq hands-on: Haze

by Jem Alexander { Mar 17th 2008 at 1:15PM }

The last time we saw Haze, it was being shown off at the Leipzig Game Convention and, not too long after, the Penny Arcade expo, with both appearances garnering mixed receptions. Seven months and a long delay later, the public were finally able to get their hands on the game again at the Play.com Live event in London. With eight pods for the game set up in two groups of four, Ubisoft missed a trick by not linking them up to show off the much-anticipated co-op play. Instead, the company presented an underwhelming single-player demo which never managed to really amaze. With so much time out of the public eye and with a less-than-stellar last showing, Haze needed to impress.

We spent the majority of our time inside one of the game's vehicles, driving around some sparsely populated cavern environments whilst avoiding explosive mines and enemies. Using Nectar -- a drug ideally suited for this kind of trip -- we were able to see the mines more clearly, making them glow against the dull texture of the rocks.The environments didn't seem particularly inspired and boasted only a minimal level of destructibility. Knocking over fences (evil fences, possibly) was the best we could manage.

Gallery: Haze

The vehicles themselves looked like they'd be great fun with a full team in co-op mode. One person drives, one takes the turret and two sit in little hollows at each side. Unfortunately, we couldn't experience the vehicular combat first hand, since our AI team mates had clearly had a bit too much Nectar. We either had to drive ourselves, or call for a cab.

Non-vehicle parts of the demo were much better, however, with Free Radical doing what it does best: Engaging firefights. The Nectar system also works nicely and incorporates some great graphical effects, with the drug adding some awesome tactical potential to the game. It's quite the tightrope to walk, as the improvement to your senses and abilities could just as easily let you topple into a dangerous overdose.

Haze still has potential, but failed to wow us. With two of the game's big pulls being the 1000-page story and four player co-op, neither of which were shown off at Play.com Live, this could just be the fault of a rushed demo. The Ubisoft representative did mention that "as far as they know" the game will be PS3 exclusive, but until we see the finished product it's difficult to say how much it can add to the system's 2008 lineup -- especially with two high-profile and exclusive first-person shooters (Killzone 2 and Resistance 2) on the way.

With three months of development between the version shown and the final build, there's still time to get some issues sorted. With no other events between now and release (Ubidays happens at the end of May, but Haze should be out by then) this is the last chance for people to hear how the game is progressing until the review code gets sent out. Regardless, the sooner Haze comes out, the sooner Free Radical can focus on Timesplitters 4. Then everyone will be happy.

Tags: Haze, Play.com-Live-08

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

gameplayFanBoy @ Mar 17th 2008 1:24PM

With all the negative press this game has gotten, I think it would be fitting if it turned out to be awesome...but I won't hold my breath.

Marty @ Mar 17th 2008 1:27PM

Maybe they're trying to underwhelm the press so they can avoid the negative effect of the hype machine?

Or maybe the game's just turning out to be the generic FPS trash that it's looked to be from the start.

NATO_Duke @ Mar 17th 2008 1:28PM

What!? I thought this was supposed to be teh best game evar!!! :P

Maurice M @ Mar 17th 2008 1:30PM

The story's premise has me very interested, but I really haven't seen any gameplay yet. I'm hoping this one pulls through as a good title to pick up.

Co-op? First I've heard of it, and it really pushes this game up my "want" list that's for sure.

Dahk @ Mar 17th 2008 2:17PM

D'eeeeer. This game is BUILT off co-op play lol.

It's like 4 person coop if I'm not mistaken. Thats why there's four slots in the vehicles, so all four of your buddies and indulge themselves in mindblowing nectar doses =P.

That's what turned me on initially. So I'm still hoping that mechanic still plays out nicely.

Ace b @ Mar 17th 2008 1:31PM

it's prob gonna be like resistance:with drugs.and will prob look a little prettier.it wont be horrible,but it wont be great either.soo sad.

xFenixKnightx @ Mar 17th 2008 1:37PM

Timeshift Part 2, already? Wow and they even have the nerve to rename it! >:(

License to ill @ Mar 17th 2008 1:38PM

I never had any interest in this title it looked meh from the bits that ive seen...

dgonchild @ Mar 17th 2008 1:47PM

So...after reading the article the only negative I can spot is the fact that the demo had no co-op...And some dull textures on some rocks. OK...Then he goes on to praise the non-vehicle part...and with the only negative in the vehicle part being the fact that it wasnt co-op, I fail to see whats so bad about the game/demo.

dgonchild @ Mar 17th 2008 1:47PM

Trev @ Mar 17th 2008 1:43PM

Unfortunate that they left out the two things they'd been talking up: story and co-op.

Good to know that the firefights are fun and that the nectar mechanic is well implemented and can be used tactically (instead of just taped-on, rock-paper-scissors puzzle stuff like time control in TimeShift).

Sounds like most of the failure to wow came from them giving you a demo that didn't have the parts you wanted to play.

Anticrawl @ Mar 17th 2008 1:51PM

HAZE?!?!?!? Who the fuck cares about Haze? Vegas 2 is out!!!

Maverick Saturn @ Mar 17th 2008 1:57PM

Meh, dissoppointing :P Was looking forward to a good fps, theres still time, but I think they've shown all they needed to.

Hopefully the unseen bits will make up for the seen bits, what this game lacks is an exciting story plot, if not that, some particular addition of innovation.

xFenixKnightx @ Mar 17th 2008 2:10PM

Charles Barkley did a preview of this game and he said it was "turrible, just plain turrible"

Tyler @ Mar 17th 2008 2:22PM

"Turrible...just plain turrible" LOL, I love it when Charles Barkley says that. Know what's funny too? When Frank Caliendo does that impression in front of Barkley on TNT. Absolutely hilarious because Charles Barkley seems dumbfounded...

Donald @ Mar 17th 2008 2:11PM

So is it going to be worth the week rental I'll be doing at EBGames?

Cian @ Mar 17th 2008 3:32PM

Pity it's not looking so good. I've loved everything else Free Radical has done. Wish it would come to 360 though since I'd at least get to form my own opinion on the game. =(

umm....hello??? @ Mar 17th 2008 3:40PM

am still looking forward to this game....however, it looks like a game I'll just rent until I beat it.

dantebk @ Mar 17th 2008 4:06PM

It sounds interesting, but I'm not sold. Hopefully we'll see a demo on PSN soon. That "1,000 pages" of story actually makes me wary, as I've found most FPSs wear out their welcome after 8 or 10 hours. I don't need another 20 hour FPS, thanks much.

-Dante
http://www.gamestache.com/