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| Obviously Duracell batteries in this flashlight | Now for a manic light show |
So what is an 'Other'? Well they basically have the ability to use magic and are inherently aligned to Light or Dark. This game derives from the Russian movie Night Watch so there’s no real surprise when you see it’s based in modern day Moscow.
Both sides of the conflict realise that either alignment is as strong as the other so they make a truce pact. To make sure the terms are kept in check the 'Night Watch' and 'Day Watch' are both created. So the story opens with our character about to assassinate some girl conveniently hanging around her apartment window perfectly still. After a quick crisis of conscious two Dark henchmen pop around the corner and attempt a little persuasion.
This is when we first see the magic abilities of characters such as Olga, a Light Other. She materialises to stop you from being recruited into the Day Watch. Voice-overs are okay and not unbearably stiff in anyway though some of the actual dialog itself seems a little forced. You’ve just seen some women materialise and kill a guy in seconds; I think that might call for at least a drink …or two before jumping two feet first.
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| Magic imbued chocolate anyone? | English text could do with tightening up |
If you’re a fan of the film or willing to forgo the slightly weak dialog then you can happily press on. Movement revolves around the power of the mouse, click left here and you’ll go there – nice and simple. Camera movements are just as easy to manipulate to better inspect your surroundings.
Combat changes the game from real-time to a turn-based style with character action point pools dictating turns. Every attack carries a cost in AP and when this runs out you must end your turn so the AI can have a go. There’s also a variety of attacks depending primarily on the three classes available to you.
Right now though there’s still a lot of polishing to be done. Graphics seem to run high at one time then almost crash annihilating a respectable frame rate. Then there are the translations of Russian into English which aren’t quite hammered out. Otherwise the effects from spells and the environments are done well.
Night Watch has a nice blend of RPG though only three classes are available; there is enough diversity within each class to make up for it. The engine itself is simple and easy to operate but many might find it hard to enjoy as I couldn’t quite decide if it made or hurt the game overall, perhaps the retail version could help clear that up.
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| Rage against the man! | Your first Light Other contact |
If you’re a fan of the Night Watch fiction or want to try something with a modern Earth and Jedi-like twist to it, then keep tabs on this one. Though I would urge caution for anyone wanting to go swinging halogen lights around, unless it’s in despair as you learn this title carries with it the Starforce Protection System – then have at it!
