Killer 7: I think this game really deserves more respect

[Himuro]

I hope we all know about Killer 7 and it's controversial, messed up, and or unique gameplay/story/whatever. To keep the story short it's an on rails action adventure with fps combat. The game pits you behind the mask of a psychotic assassin who sports multiple identities which you can manipulate.

The result is one of most charming and inspired games last generation. It's quite a game, and I don't understand the hate. Yes, it's on rails, but what exactly is wrong with rails? Have the detractors of the game ever played a shmup? Or Panzer Dragoon? Or Rez? Or even Time Crisis? On rails gameplay is unique so that it constantly offers the game a good amount of action. This keeps Killer 7 from being boring in the gameplay department; the level, enemy, and character variety makes it even better. Furthermore, despite being on rails, the game does the same thing you'd do in most modern action adventures. The difference being you can't exactly move where ever you want. Still, pressing A to go forward is no different from pressing up to go forward. Pressing B to turn around is no different from pressing down and going backwards, and best of all, K7's control scheme is so smooth I don't see how it's a problem in the first place really.

And then there's the story. This game is exactly how I like my game plots: mature, unique, with extemely varied themes and topics; K7's ensemble ranges from rape, organ trafficking, corporate commercialism, and politics in general. It's a pretty beefy story, and the best part is that it doesn't shove a cutscene down your throat every 5 minutes, it paces itself ever so softly, while feeding the player bread crumbs to keep them going and yet..it still has impact. Killer 7 packs some extremely questionable content and makes me wonder why other games haven't brought up the topics it mentions, and even though it has such debatable content, it never lets go of the humor in it's dialog. The other great thing about the story is that it's like a puzzle: half the fun of the game is figuring out what the hell is going on and yet, the story isn't too overly convoluted when you come down to it. Let's just say that Killer 7 has a really smart story and put it at that.

Each level (chapter) feels like it's very own episode. This game is like Cowboy Bebop the game for me, where every episode is not related but still offers something to the grand scheme of things. As you continue through the game, engaging with NPC's you unravel the plot ever so slowly, and it keeps the player always guessing. I like this a lot and it gives me more anticipation the more I continue through the game.

It is a shame that this game is as under appreciated as it is, because it's too good to warrant the scores it received. The fact it bombed so hard that I bought it for 9.99 NEW is even more sad. While I will definitely say it's probably hate it or love it, the amount of people that love Killer 7 is such a small number and I really don't understand why.

So, for the sake of debate here, what exactly is wrong with Killer 7 and why was it not so accepted by the mainstream press and the public? Is it because it's too wierd? I'd actually consider that a reasonable argument as some may find it way over the top, but I haven't gotten that feeling with the game and I actually like how weird it is. People often say "great experience, but bad game" but I don't understand that, because it's fps combat and boss battles are some of the best I've seen from most games lately, extremely clever stuff, definitely more creative than 99% of the fps' on the market. The puzzles that are featured in the game are Capcom staple puzzles, and anyone who has played a Capcom game since Resident Evil knows the drill: find puzzle pieces to stick into doors and the like. It's really only there in this game to give breathing room between battle gauntlets though, and they're definitely less nonsensical than what we've become accustomed to in past Resident Evil titles.

I guess some games just aren't destined to be appreciated by the masses, but I definitely think K7 deserves better. It's like I'm the only person who likes this game.

Because watching a video can say just as much
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She knows stuff.