Last year's XCOM: Enemy Unknown brought action turn-based strategy to console gamers with style, polish and commercial success. Omerta tries the same fusion of top-level strategic oversight, with individual skirmishes resolved in a turn-based game of battle chess. Sadly, the style and polish here are noticeable only by the buttock imprints on the chairs where they're no longer sitting.
Omerta's levels are self-contained mini-stories on ugly, unchanging maps. As your empire grows, all that changes is the icon above the buildings. Warehouses can be raided, shops supplied or shut down, and there's a range of venues designed to convert one thing into another: breweries create beer; speakeasies convert beer into money; pharmacies convert spirits into clean money.
New locations are opened up by bribing informants, but the mini-map's light on info, forcing you to scour the streets with your camera, hunting for points of interest. The majority of time here is spent waiting: for money to accumulate, jobs to finish, life to end.
The turn-based skirmish sequences aren't on an obvious grid like XCOM, which might sound more realistic, but it's executed so fluffily that it comes off as fussy and imprecise. Trying to take cover requires fully zoomed-in pinpoint precision, and an accidental tap of LB could end your turn suicidally. The selection of attacks is underwhelming, and while it's possible to unlock extra moves for each character, the process is so over-long and illogical we could barely be bothered to try.
The paper-thin strategy, piss-weak story, and miserable appearance are compounded by an insulting lack of polish. After an hour's play, the audio regularly starts skipping, and menus mysteriously deselect themselves. Night maps are far too dark, and high buildings block your view. Simple problems haven't been fixed, suggesting real issues with QA.
It's a shock that this game was made by the creators of the far superior Tropico series. The inclusion of an "it's-a me, Mario!" joke is just the killing blow.
16 comments so far...
FishyGinger on 1 Feb '13 said:
Wow, zing yahtzee and checkmate all in one.
danhalen74 on 1 Feb '13 said:
'ugly to see with eyes' pfffffft brilliant.
Blackout G83 on 1 Feb '13 said:
Such a shame,I was really looking forward to this
SidTheSloth on 1 Feb '13 said:
Doesn't sound like a lot of these issues are console-specific either which was one of my concerns...
The PC version has received some higher scores so could still be 'worth a look' - but it's also had some stinkers too so it's likely you'll want to keep your bargepole safely locked away!
Maybe some will still like it after trying it, but doesn't suggest that even then it'll be a pant wetting success for those that do...
There's a demo available for PC for those who do want to take it for a spin, shame they didn't kick out a 360 version too!
Bezza89 on 1 Feb '13 said:
I played that demo, I didn't play it for long (took me ages to acquire too due to the mirrors not working, had to bit-torrent it) it seemed very cheesy if anything, I couldn't stand being around the characters voices so I skipped the dialogue, all in all it put me off but I will concede like I said, I didn't play too long.
OXM Jonty on 1 Feb '13 said:
Yeah, Matt had some XCOM-fired high hopes for it. And Tropico 3 was actually really good.
Plamsa wing on 1 Feb '13 said:
I've left my pre-order on aswell, too late to cancel it now.
Might have to sell it through Amazon, it's the Shopto pre-order so it comes with a pack of cards, think it'll be alright if I sell them along with it.
Shame, after XCOM I was expecting more strategy, that'll teach me to get my hopes up again.
Bezza89 on 1 Feb '13 said:
You could always form your own opinion plasma?
Plamsa wing on 1 Feb '13 said:
I find it better for others to form a better worded one for me.
No no, I'm going to rent it first, if it's turns out shit then at least I've not wasted as much money, but if it's good and I like it, then I'll keep it.
Too bad the demo would kill the laptop, otherwise I'd give it a go on that.
It does have me worried at how good it'll be though or Log just might not be a fan. I'd have just rather cancel the pre-order, rent it and buy it when cheaper, that's all, saves money in the long run and puts Lovefilm to use when I'm running out on things to watch.
Bezza89 on 1 Feb '13 said:
I agree, I'm taking logs word for it and not buying it, if forumers say it's great I'll give it a go but not expecting to. Seems better to sell it than rent I just thought maybe you would play it anyway but your method makes sense monetarily. Is that a word? I seem to be making them up these days...
CunningSmile on 1 Feb '13 said:
Forming your own opinion is very over rated
FishyGinger on 1 Feb '13 said:
I agree with everything you just said.
fracturedrich on 1 Feb '13 said:
That alien that keeps bursting through my laptop,that is what is in the pizzas,either that or a flamin red baby chile.I am also gutted,was looking forward to this,ive just started tropico 4 gold edition and its really good,they should have took there time with it.
Sandbwoy on 1 Feb '13 said:
Another game to delete from my wish list, my time would be better spent playing something more worthwhile
ChillieBonBon on 3 Feb '13 said:
I'm surprised that this has turned out rubbish seeing as it was made the by makers of Tropico. Perhaps they could make a DLC that reveals what's on the pizza's.
DGR1980 on 3 Feb '13 said:
Its actually not that bad
I dont think the music is actually skipping, it does it too when its installed. It seems almost like its supposed to do it, to improvise some jazz