Factor 5's
Lair is getting a rather
timely update. As reported by
IGN in a rare moment of headline snark ("Will this push the score past 5?"), the game will finally support analog controls. The patch, coming out in Japan on April 17 (and likely everywhere else, too), also includes DualShock 3 rumble support, the appearance of a targeting icon and the ability to download the Wind Dragon and Poison Dragon for use in all stages.
As the old adage says, analog controls don't grow on trees. Well, it turns out they do, and that's why it took until Spring to see them bloom and the update to arrive. We expect a resurgence of interest in the title starting ... um ... guys? Are you still here?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
NATO_Duke @ Apr 10th 2008 10:31AM
Oh wow, just in time.....for what I don't know.
Bleu @ Apr 10th 2008 10:43AM
I really liked lair I am in to those dungeons and dragons type of games. The controls just took some getting use to, after that it was a synch. People really complain too much about nothing have patience will ya?
NATO_Duke @ Apr 10th 2008 12:32PM
"People really complain too much about nothing have patience will ya?"
WTF are you addressing that to me for? have patience with what? What complaint for the game did I make?
Here - let me answer for you. I made no complaint of the game and there was no need to tell me to have patience.
If you are saying I, or anyone else, should have patience re this game being patched to allow the sticks to be used - It had an August 30, 2007 release date. People sitting with that game for 8 months have been pretty damn patient already.
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Apr 10th 2008 4:41PM
@NATO_Duke
Welcome to the world of leeching, even more despisable than Firsting.
Basically instead of replying to the article the normal way, you reply to the first poster so that your post would be seen on the first page.
baby sea tuna @ Apr 10th 2008 10:31AM
Drop that price while you're at it and I'll think about it.
FOXHOUND @ Apr 10th 2008 10:44AM
...srsly.
I'm gonna have to check the used section for it, 'cause I'll be damned if I pay full price for this.
xFenixKnightx @ Apr 10th 2008 10:58AM
Oh hell yea, drop the price $20-$25 and with this patch Ill probably be checking it out! Like Big Earl from Starsky and Hutch, Im a sucker for Dragons! =P
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f116/jcfajardo/BigEarl.jpg
Carlos @ Apr 10th 2008 10:36AM
I will give it a try once the patch is out. I did preorder it when it first was coming out and cancelled my preorder for Warhawk after all the reviews.
Lars @ Apr 10th 2008 1:12PM
OK, wait... you canceled your pre-order for Lair or Warhawk? Just curious because Warhawk is pretty sweet.
You know reviews can't be trusted. Companies often bribe for better scores and sometimes resort to harassment. The only scores I make any decision on are below the halfway mark. Anything above that I'll read what real people are saying about it, not reviewers.
umm....hello??? @ Apr 10th 2008 4:01PM
his post says he cancelled his pre-order of Lair in order to get himself a copy of WarHawk instead of Lair, based on the reviews the game was getting.
indeed, WarHawk is a pretty sweet game.
phobic99 @ Apr 10th 2008 10:37AM
So umm.. is this the patch that makes the game fun?
Matt B @ Apr 10th 2008 10:38AM
Possibly.
Kewlrats @ Apr 10th 2008 12:06PM
Only if the patch comes with a refund for the game.
Yes, I said it.
PWN me.
ViagraFiend @ Apr 10th 2008 10:37AM
Actually, Im probably going to get it. I saw a buddy playing it and the game looks pretty badass. I just didnt want the motion controls. I will still wait for a re-review though. Just because they are adding analog controls, doesnt mean they cant screw that up too.
tmmoore_nc @ Apr 10th 2008 10:42AM
Depends on how much it fixes everything, and not just controls.
Residentevil72501 @ Apr 10th 2008 10:45AM
lair was a decent game, i rented it and the controls really were not bad at all I never had response issues except in one level, but i think it was just poor level design really. The game is pretty good, and I would actually consider buying it now possible >.> i dont know at least rent it and try it if you have not played it yet its really not that bad.
Verde @ Apr 10th 2008 10:46AM
Once the patch is released and if people's reactions are positive, I might just get Lair. That's assuming the price drops.
Always been a little interested in this game but I hate Sixaxis tilt controls.
GoonieGooGoo @ Apr 10th 2008 10:46AM
So what is the SIXAXIS good for now ?? Sony should give us DUALSHOCK 3s for free
FrankTheCrank @ Apr 10th 2008 11:03AM
Free beer and pizza too while your at it.
6axis good for your opponents.
ViagraFiend @ Apr 10th 2008 11:26AM
The Sixaxis is cool when its used right. Subtle things like the grenade throwing in Uncharted or the guiding of arrows in Heavenly Sword. Just dont base a whole fucking game around it.
Vidikron (FU) @ Apr 10th 2008 12:05PM
When used properly it's can be very nice. For example, see how it was used in Ratchet & Clank. It was only used in a few places, but it worked very well where it was used. See also Warhawk... using motion controls for the actual Warhawks is the only way to truly maximize their effectiveness. It can be difficult to master, but those that do are rewarded. See also the PSN game Blast Factor. Use of the motion controls is abolutely critical to your success... and the way it is used feels completely natural. There's actually quite a few examples of places where it's used effectively. It's just a game like Lair where they attempted to beat you over the head with it that it failed.
Lars @ Apr 10th 2008 1:17PM
Motion controls HAVE been used very well in some games, everyone just thrives on negative feedback so all you hear about is the bad.
Maverick Saturn @ Apr 10th 2008 10:48AM
Lair who?
drdre74 @ Apr 10th 2008 10:50AM
I played the game with the patch back at GDC and the controls felt pretty good for the short time that I played it. I'll add the game to my gamefly account.
Phranctoast @ Apr 10th 2008 10:52AM
Saw a preview from 1up on Wipeout HD, and they were talking up the motion controls. They were even saying that it should be the only option to force people to use it.
Well we saw how that approach worked with Lair.
FrankTheCrank @ Apr 10th 2008 11:05AM
The guys at 1UP were talking about a much more refined control system found in WipeoutHD.
I can't wait to check out WipeoutHD now. I'll definitely scope out a cheap version of Lair now.
baby sea tuna @ Apr 10th 2008 11:11AM
Who said that, Shane? He would, like, *marry* the SIXAXIS if it were legal in Califoria.
xFenixKnightx @ Apr 10th 2008 11:11AM
"scope out"
lol havent heard that in a long ass tyme!
FrankTheCrank @ Apr 10th 2008 11:18AM
Yah, I must scope out teh ladies.
Scope out my cahrrrr.
Whatever...scope it out.
AcidMonkey @ Apr 10th 2008 10:59AM
Not even worth a rental to me until this patch comes out.
ViagraFiend @ Apr 10th 2008 11:28AM
Follow only if ye be men of valour, for the entrance to this cave is guarded by a creature so foul, so cruel that no man yet has fought with it and lived! Bones of full fifty men lie strewn about its lair. So, brave knights, if you do doubt your courage or your strength, come no further, for death awaits you all with nasty, big, pointy teeth.
Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994) @ Apr 10th 2008 12:41PM
really with your avatar you should just change your name to Tim
AcidMonkey @ Apr 10th 2008 1:47PM
Yeah, I tried that lol... I have no clue how. I'll figure it out tho.
Is it behind the rabbit?
It IS the rabbit!
ViagraFiend @ Apr 10th 2008 2:26PM
Click on your name, then enter your password and click on change profile. Then you can change your name.
I vote "Tim the Enchanter"
;)
Matt B @ Apr 10th 2008 2:28PM
Look at the bones!!!
AcidMonkey @ Apr 10th 2008 2:59PM
Lol... noted. Anyone else want to vote, while I'm at it? jk
Bring out the holy handgrenade of Antioch!
Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994) @ Apr 10th 2008 3:53PM
i'd either go with
"tim the enchanter" (good call viagra)
or just
"there are some who call me... Tim?" though that's a bit too long
Sinnix @ Apr 10th 2008 11:13AM
That's great news! When I finally get around to buying a PS3 I'll totally consider Lair.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Apr 10th 2008 11:19AM
It sure seems like there's going to be a bit of a relaunch of PS3 next week.
New store.
New content.
GT5P release.
Possible Home release.
Game patches for this, and it looks like Burnout:Paradise.
Resistance 2 trailer.
Dual Shock 3 launch remember, all the ones out there are before the street data, although with Sony's blessing.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a big marketing blitz, including Resistance, Ridge Racer and maybe Lair starting off a "Greatest Hits" $25 series of games.
All of this leading into the GTA IV release, which I'm sure Sony hopes to capitalize on.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Apr 10th 2008 1:26PM
Oh yeah. And I'd give it us a 40% chance of getting in-game XMB next week too.
Nate @ Apr 10th 2008 11:20AM
I would totally pay $40 for the game... I'd like to give my money to the developers, but I'm guessing the price won't drop, so eBay it is.
Lars @ Apr 10th 2008 1:23PM
It was just on sale at GameCrazy for $29. Not sure if it still is. I was always planning on getting it when it dropped to a decent price, just haven't jumped yet. I know there's been a lot of negative reviews, but there's also been a lot of good reviews from general consumers. Plus, a gorgeous game with dragons is just about enough to sell me on it alone.
deaftly @ Apr 10th 2008 11:23AM
$34 on gamefly, still seems like a bit much.
ComicShaman @ Apr 10th 2008 11:28AM
I found Lair to be an appalling train wreck of a game. I know there's a peculiar but vocal Lair Defense Force that likes to come out and say, "No no, once you get used to the controls, it's great!" I found this not to be the case at all. I played through all the tutorials and got through half the game before giving it up for a loss.
It was not just the motion controls, though Lord knows those were bad. Level design got to be atrocious, with an abundance of "guard your helpless sitting duck allies"-style missions (if you hate escort missions or protect your your ally missions, you should consider Lair to be radioactive). You have a ton of fellow dragon riders who do precisely nothing except bellow at you ever five seconds, bitching about what you're supposed to be doing. The game includes a number of rudely interruptive animation sequences that do nothing but throw you off your stride during a mission.
Yeah, analog would help. But not enough for me to take this ill-behaved dog for another walk. I'm done.
(And for the record, I should've been dead center in the target market. I completed 100% of both Drakengard games and have played through Drakaan several times. These are not great games, but my love for dragonriding is enough to make me forgive many flaws. Many... but not as many as Lair has.)
Kayel @ Apr 10th 2008 11:36AM
You nailed it, the game was awful. People were just so turned off by the controls that they never really got into it to see how awful it was aside from that.
baby sea tuna @ Apr 10th 2008 11:47AM
:(
I can't wait until games reach the point where your allies' AI is smart enough to make escort missions fun.
I mean, say what you will about Ashley in RE4, but at least she has the sense to duck if you aim your gun in her direction, which is more than I can say for 90% of the games out there.
el serpiente @ Apr 10th 2008 12:28PM
I would have bought Lair, in light of the new controls, but I HATE THE FUCK out of "protect the convoy" missions, ever since the early Factor 5 star wars games. Is it really that big a part of the game? Every other mission?
ComicShaman @ Apr 10th 2008 12:50PM
@el serpiente
Let's see... I got through half the game before I came to my senses, and there were four out of eight missions with some element of "protect the convoy." So yeah, at least half, though I can't speak for the later missions.
And boy, your convoy members are dumber than bricks. They consist of these flying manta things that move like glaciers and go directly into the heaviest crossfire, where they promptly explode after a few attacks from enemy dragons and artillery.
All allies in Lair are terrible. The most fun I had on any mission was a solo night infiltration mission. Yes, it was awkward to control and hard to see and a pain to complete your objectives, but at least it was just me. No allies to protect or bitch at me or anything. If the whole game was like that, it MIGHT be worth checking out with better controls. Maybe. It still had a ton of problems.
Lars @ Apr 10th 2008 1:28PM
"...if you hate escort missions or protect your your ally missions..."
Those are my favorite in WoW because they're actually challenging. I also loved the "protect the convoy" missions in the Delta Force games.
Hmm, maybe I'm the target audience. I'll probably snag Lair next week and see how it fares. I'll keep y'all posted.
Leilock @ Apr 10th 2008 11:45AM
PATCH NOTES: You can play the game now.
I'm waiting for a game that releases without the ability to "turn left" and patches it later.