FUSE REVIEW!

[@Rev3Games]

Insomniac Games' Fuse is out, and so is Max Scoville's FUSE REVIEW! Is Insomniac's first EA-published, non-Sony game worth your sixty bucks?

[@paradigmusfallenius7930]

Unfortunately I pre-ordered the game to review it on my blog... now I'm really regretting that.

[@Rev3Games]

So, in addition to this review, last week involved a two-hour Xbox One livestream, writing/shooting the next three episodes of Study Hall, the usual two episodes of Dtoid, and recording two episodes of my podcast on a different night than usual after an emergency rescheduling. And all of this was being rushed because we were trying to wrap up before a 3-day weekend. I appreciate the feedback, but it's worth noting that last week just happened to be particularly draining. -Max

[@tis4tshirts]

I've played the demo and this game is fun! This is a great co-op game that will get you through the summer!

[@Rev3Games]

I've played the whole game and I think there are much more worthwhile things to spend your summer doing that don't cost sixty bucks. -Max

[@Rev3Games]

Hey, thanks! I appreciate that! -Max

[@Bringthewinter]

Attention to detail is very important. And when I played the demo, I noticed none of these character models blink, which is strange nowadays since most developers make sure their character models blink. Even batman blinks in his video games.

[@Rev3Games]

They're smart enough to hide behind stuff and not get killed, but when it comes to using teamwork to take the offensive, they're a bit uncoordinated. I didn't feel like I was babysitting, but I didn't feel like they really had my back either. -Max

[@CitanulsPumpkin]

Their review came out around midnight in their area on the day of the games release. That means there was a press embargo.

[@kofimuata3276]

Thanks Max. I really enjoyed this review (seriously). I felt the same way after playing the demo. I really like Insomniac so its tough to see the game not succeed in areas where their previous games have excelled.

[@Rev3Games]

It's not bad, but it's not good either. It's exactly middle of the road. It's a C. Since we don't give out 0 out of 5s, a 3 is exactly dead center. -Max

[@Cleanframe]

They didn't take any risks all they had to do is make levels were each player is needed in different ways.For instance they could of had a scenario where there are infrared laser mounted sentry guns or a platform level when freezing enemies in goop is needed etc...

[@Technologydude117]

Hey Max is there any reason to actually go back and play the game once you beat it? Audio Logs, Collectibles etc.

[@datacentre81]

I'd love to have a candid conversation with a designer at Insomniac to see just what happened between the Overstrike trailer and what this turned into.

[@CoinOpTV]

just posted some gameplay with commentary for Fuse -- agree with Max it's fun but nothing special

[@CitanulsPumpkin]

Right so the review came out around midnight, in the area the reviewer is located, on the day of release. That means there was a press embargo.

[@dave4shmups]

Yeah, I will get that one at some point-I tried out the demo on Xbox Live last year, and it was fantastic! A very colorful game, graphically speaking, and some moral choices as well, that seem very well thought out.

[@dave4shmups]

OK, thanks Max! I love third-person shooters, but I really wish that there were more of them that had a good single-player campaign. I'm just not into co-op or online game play at all.

[@Rev3Games]

Yeah, there are some audio logs and intel files, and the occasional hidden XP drop, and aside from being pretty boring, the game definitely attempts to be pretty replayable, with drop-in/drop-out co-op. But overall I'd just say skip it. If you like collecting stuff, go to the beach and pick up some seashells. Or get a more interesting game. -Max

[@mariomarx138]

Great review, pretty much answered everything I was thinking. That focus group mentioned, borderlands, mass effect, gears of war, assasin's creed etc.. Not enough balls to even attempt paving the way and becoming an actual "Game-Changer"

[@Rev3Games]

I got probably eleven or twelve hours of playtime. The campaign clocked in around 9 hours. -Max

[@MichaelMonka]

A possible explaination could have been thay maybe Insomniac wanted to explore a new direction in a game. They've done Resistance, Spyro, and R&C; maybe they wanted to try whatever Fuse turned out to be.

[@dave4shmups]

So, if you play solo, do you have to babysit the other characters, or do they pretty much take care of themselves?

[@2sallads]

So can they release the original overstrike, that looks fun.

[@delmanestry90]

So what would you have done to change Fuse into somewhat more a blockbuster title of the summer release?

[@rodneydunn9611]

I picked it up today after playing the 1 hr full game demo on PS3. Having a blast wit the game.

[@danielray7909]

I could not agree more. I had forgotten this games original name since the E3 2011 trailer I saw, and I hadn't heard anything about it either to remind me since then. Recently I've been thinking a lot about the original overstrike trailer wondering where it went and now I'm so so entirely disappointed.

[@Nathan3Hubbard]

Nice review, Max. In your opinion, would someone who doesn't play as many video games as you do (say, no more than 7 different titles each year) enjoy Fuse well enough to justify buying, even for the single-player experience?

[@MhnFive]

Danger Close really does love their work,and everytime I play the game,you can tell there was love put into it. I want them to have at least one more chance to prove themselves. I felt when MOHW was released,they were afraid to do anything since back then everyone wanted that military shooter. They were too afraid to push the envelope. Hell,DC gave away it's first DLC pack for Free. Ain't alot of other people doing that

[@LiberatorOfAmerica]

If they are going to apply fee's and whatever else to used games I am going to rely heavily on reviews like this. Thanks Max, keep it up rev3!

[@TagardMC]

I was hoping Fuse would bring the same enjoyment I got out of Brute Force, but it seems it went for generic paint by numbers instead of taking a risk in the Sci-fi.

[@gyloir]

? It's a very common thing to upload reviews at midnight when there's an embargo, because the quicker a review is posted the most likely it is to get more views/hits. IGN/Gamespot does the same things for any big game with an embargo placed on it.

[@kzgc8y3n]

You are great for replying...and now I feel kinda bad...But honestly I'm a huge fan and in a sadistic kind of way I'm glad you are worked to the bone because that means we get more of your content! :)

[@paradigmusfallenius7930]

I'm reserving any feedback on this review for my own playing of the game, which won't be happening until after it arrives on the 30th. I really liked the demo, so I'm hoping that, like several other games before it, it'll just be at worst one of those games I liked that reviewers didn't. If it really comes down to being purely generic... well, at least I'll have something other than Killzone 3 and Resistance 3 to do co-op with.

[@xwingvmanx]

I saw this coming once they changed the design from Overstrike to FUSE. I hope insomniac learns from this and doesn't blame the fact that they showed the game to early before they were sure what they were making.

[@PowZwowZ]

Most reviewers say that Fuse doesn't play well in solo, but I disagree. In solo you can jump around between characters all you want and no matter who you're jumped into, the AI of the other 3 play quite well in supporting you. So don't be scared to get Fuse if you don't plan on playing co-op a lot. I'm having a blast with this shooter on solo!

[@alanhollinger]

Great review Max, very succinct and informative!

[@DeaconClash5000]

I wanted to play Overstrike as soon as I saw that original trailer. When it was rebooted into Fuse I knew it was just a generic shooter. Or should I call it a preboot since they never even gave Overstrike a chance?

[@dudericky85]

Great review max! This game looks like it should be on the App Store. Looked promising when it was overstrike.

[@sactokingwolverine2]

LORE! Insomniac's strong suit has always been the personality they are able to inject into their characters and settings and it's sad to see that lacking here. Will pick up after a price drop.

[@BoydofZINJ]

Skitter? You probably saw the Falling Skies commercial add for the TNT show. Third season starts soon.

[@HurrpyDurrDerp]

Max, where'd you get that shirt?

[@Bitoru]

Nice review. Looking forward to your next study hall!

[@anyVegetable10]

WHERE DIDYA GET THE SHIRT!!!! i really want one is all

[@sacredbeastzenon]

I completely agree. Especially the fact how EA always cares about money but also because Insomniac has always been creative in general specifically weapons.

[@RealDaryl]

I was looking forward to this. Bit disheartened now. But will still probably get it and just enjoy it for the character switching elements

[@WaddleDee105]

Not surprised at all. Certainly not even going to try this one since it'd require getting an EA Origin's account and that's the last thing I want. Too bad since the wacky teaser trailer that came out a couple years ago looked cool.

[@AnthonyTheAwesome500]

yea he pretty much is saying its not a horrible game but it isn't something to write home about either. Apparently Its one of those game you get when its on sale for 20 to 30 bucks or like you said just rent it.

[@Clesarie]

Publisher push demands most certainly. However its up to the developer to meet demands. EA didnt come to them and say change this change this change that. They did however probably give them focus points and push a very strict and very short dev time. People seem to forget who publishes Mass Effect games and they're some of the greatest games this generation.

[@Rev3Games]

I heard good things about Spec Ops: The Line, and I know that went under a lot of peoples' radars. -Max

[@KenjuEchidna]

Do the characters essentially each just become a one-trick pony and lose their novelty over time, or do the upgrades at least stave that off long enough?

[@PhillyCh3zSt3ak]

well that sucks, maybe i'll check it out once it's been clearanced or just really cheap. or both.

[@drewdogg513]

nice review would like to see a grid review too

[@watashinoama]

I think it got a three because a three is middle of the road quality. A two would require some issues that bring it down and a four is good, but not great.

[@Saxappealed]

How is 3/5 disappointing? How often do you give 5/5?

[@camiwaitsus]

"It's a functional game", i'd love to see that quote in the back of the game case.

[@Wourghk]

I heard the news about the design change last year, and that pretty much killed all the hype I had for it. I was charmed by Overstrike's visuals and characters, but the news that came later as it evolved into Fuse spoiled that pretty fast. This review surprised me, since this game turned out exactly like I thought it would: generic yet expectedly competent team shooter. So I'm left to wonder: are our favorite developers just becoming too predictable?

[@KayCato]

The original Overstrike concept had so much more potential, it's a real shame it was scrapped.

[@MechmanZero]

Was so excited for this game when it was announced as Overstrike, but when I heard it changed it's name to Fuse something did not feel right, and that was confirmed by the later reveals. Whether it was EA or something else, it killed how great this game could have been.

[@DaBoXBabY]

I'll rent or wait for a steam sale. I was hoping this game would be a bit more interesting.

[@SweepingHamster]

"The game becomes a much more enjoyable experience once it's a social activity with the people whose company you enjoy. But the same can be said about just about anything else, whether it's throwing around a frisbee, riding a bus, or even doing your laundry." Very quotable, and a great argument against lazy co-op games.

[@happypoo3201]

great review!! very well thought out.

[@itsacharcoalice]

You pretty much said everything i thought about this game. Great review.

[@Supersonic]

i feel the EXACT way, when i saw it at E3 i was SO hype for it... but then it got really serious, and dulled down. looks like i can keep my promise of continuing to not give EA my buisness safely with out being tempted until Mirrors Edge 2

[@AyoT7]

How come?

[@CaptainInsano18]

that's really unfortunate. I was looking forward to this, not as much as when it was overstrike with the comedy aspects. also love the auto-captions in description. gets it right when you say over strike but doesn't get fuse right once... ITS A SIGN!

[@MadelineMysterious]

Yeah i actually liked this too. Mass effect 3 multi had some odd Korean framer crap and warframe does too not to mention amateur dev choices in favor of greed, but this game is fun and they allow you to have it without farming (which needs to be done away with).

[@ScyllaAndCharybdis1]

I enjoy how a game being functional as a game is a positive point for that game these days.

[@bchengreatful]

man that final boss fight was super intense and satisfying!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Zer0Hour17]

WOW when you said each would have to spend $60 I was caught off gaurd. I was expecting this to be a $15 downloadable game on PSN, Live and Steam

[@TheFirefoxKyuubi]

So in other words... Its a great rental?

[@danny1111105]

if you go into spec ops the line, dont expect it to be fun, it is a great game though, search spec ops the line and extra credits to get a more informative view of this great game.

[@AlexHengo]

Mark do you think that Insomniac is better off as a first party studio for Sony , as they do let their developers a wide range of creative freedom that i think would benefit insomniac.. Sure they would not make as much money as going multiplatform, but judging from this game it would not even be worth it plus its damaging their image ...

[@Balthazzarr]

I tried Echelon mode single player, and it's basically impossible, which is a shame. So, to anybody out there looking to play Echelon without other human allies, I would recommend not trying, as it will likely piss you off. This game to me is the definition of a 7.5/10. It is a solid "good" game, but the good ideas in place are capitalized on to make the game truly great, which it could have been with a bit more polish. I hope there's a sequel so you can improve on the concept here.

[@Dynamode8]

3 out of 5 doesn't seem that bad at all. Overall it's a solid-shooter and more fun with friends. The game feels more like an experiment on what Insomniac is trying to do with the franchise and the weapons, skill trees, upgrades system...etc. were great. However with all these great features they felt kinda of short or too similar. I hear Ted Price say they'll be putting more content into the game later....and there will be NO MICROTRANSACTIONS.

[@darkecofreak23]

So, I'll be Redboxing this one. The only real reason I have to play this one is because of the main characters' voice actors: Khary Payton (Cyborg [He even says Booyah at one point]), Brian Bloom (my favorite beardless dwarf, Varric Tethras from Dragon Age II), Ali Hillis (Dr. Liara T'soni), and the queen of voiceover herself, Jennifer Hale (Commander Shepard among many other things).

[@DocSedula]

Thanks for the review, Max! Like you I was interested in this when it was first promoted as "Overstrike", but now that it's been -- as you suggest -- focus-grouped to death by EA, it doesn't thrill me at all. Looks like a JAS ("Just Another Shooter") game to me now, and that's a shame.

[@Mrゲンガー]

i wish a game like this would come out but basically be mixed with fallout.. idk if thats ever been done before. 3rd person super explore happy shooter with tons of rpg mixed in? Sign me up for that.

[@2sallads]

If you look at the original trailer when it was called Overstrike, It looked awesome and fun. nothing too serious/realistic looking. there was a cartoonyness to it. Then they changed it and turned it into generic.

[@TheCrimsonSpire]

Holy crap! That red head chick at 3:34 is voiced by Ali Hillis, aka. Dr. Liara T'soni, aka. Lightning from FF13!

[@Balthazzarr]

While I liked the game and had fun,there is plenty of room for improvement.If Insomniac really listens to the criticism,and they decide to make a sequel,it could be phenomenal.I think it would have been better if it was just 2 player,and both players could have any 2 fuse weapons they wanted along with a standard weapon.Imagine both players having Warp Rifles and setting off wormholes like crazy.All the fuse weapons were fun to use,but switching every time to use a different one was annoying.

[@BlueFlashProductions]

When watching the gameplay in this review, all I could think was "Wow, this looks like a mediocre cross between Borderlands and Mass Effect", then Max chimes in at the end saying exactly that. We're totally on the same frequency.

[@kzgc8y3n]

As always I enjoyed your review Max. One piece of constructive criticism I would like to give comes in the form of a suggestion: the delivery of this review felt (at certain times) as though you were under-enthusiastically reading from cue cards, like giving a speech at school, and I felt there could have been a bit more energy. The game does seem pretty average, so it's obviously nothing to get too excited about, I understand that completely. Still, bring your usual energy!

[@Aeonofdoom360]

I'm pretty sure the average between 1 & 5 is 3, so I think you are wrong about it receiving an above average score.

[@MrFluffyPandaStud]

This seems like the perfect review for this game, though I would say that it deserves a buy when it eventually gets cheaper.

[@jasongoncalves6479]

What system is it for?

[@OrangeLight08]

I really thought adam would be the one doing the review on this one him being a big ratchet and clank fan

[@Nathan3Hubbard]

So... you want to see Max topless? I don't think that would work well with Rev3Games' reputation and image as a legitimate gaming commentary and news source, but kudos for putting yourself out there like that!

[@Lektrikgrl79]

Ali Hillis, yes. And Naya is Femshep (Jennifer Hale).

[@headspaceastronaut]

I still don't understand, they had something special when they released that pixar-esque trailer, why didn't they stick to it :(

[@Dipp3r]

Talk about unexpected. I actually had high hopes for a game from insomniac I could give them more leg room

[@reanimated0]

I feel like in a couple of months there's gonna be layoffs at Insomniac and one of them will tell us the real reason Overstrike was rebranded as Fuse

[@Microfoot]

I'll end up getting this once it's budget priced, if I don't end up getting rid of my Xbox before the PS4's out.

[@Jman2919]

I might of picked it up for cheap in a steam sale but its not on pc and It doesnt really merit a full retail purchase for console, especially because none of my friends are interested in getting it for co-op. Tired of paying $60 for generic games that dont have a lasting appeal.

[@darionovello6886]

did not know this game was coming out at all

[@vodun82]

Well, we've seen the developers original style for the game...Publisher pushing them to change to a more marketable style seems more likely than them suddenly feeling they were "too creative" themselves.

[@AntiNihilist]

I guess that their marketing departments should get better focus groups then.

[@rivengle]

Wasn't EA, Insomniac listened to a focus groupl.

[@MrSpellchek]

If Darkstar8473 is like myself then we didn't know about this place until Adam arrived. Since I came to see what Adam was up to it took a week or two before I started to like everyone. Took that time to watch their reviews and hear their thoughts about different issues. So in short, for me at least, Adam was the bait but the rest were the hook.

[@AnimeLoveoftheGods]

I feel like this could have been so much more if they stuck with what it was when it was Overstrike....

[@Rev3Games]

I had more fun wearing that shirt than I did playing that game. -Max