God Hand - For web(Capcom)

Fans of the Clover back-catalogue will instantly recognise their trademark zany style and subtle in-jokes

Game Review by Dave Cook | 12 Mar 2007
You really have to hand it to Clover Studios for the volumes of sheer imagination that are pumped into every new title they release. If you aren't witnessing a crippled old man being spanked by his care worker in Killer7 you're probably fighting a dinosaur commando in Viewtiful Joe 2. Completely and utterly bonkers but not without their genius. Every game Clover releases tips the scales of innovation in terms of design and playability in their favour and their latest release, God Hand, continues the trend.

It is wise to mention from the off that God Hand is difficult, very difficult. And if you spend hours trying to finish off a boss in Devil May Cry 3 or burst a blood vessel while playing Giga Wing 2 then this could prove to be one of the most infuriating experiences in your life as a gamer. If on the other hand, you relish a challenge and have a real love for scrolling beat-em-ups and enjoyed the depth of control in the Virtua Fighter series then this will come as a welcome surprise.

Set in a fictional wild-west setting, a band of demons from the underworld are seeking a mysterious power known as God Hand that just so happens to be imbued in the right arm of lead character Jean for reasons that become clear as the barmy story unfolds. The arm gives Jean immense power and enough Bruce Lee kung-fu wankery to make Tony Jaa blush, but the demons want the God Hand back, leading to the game's difficult scraps and monstrous boss encounters.

A large problem with many scrolling fighters is that there is a large amount of button mashing involved yet God Hand does not fall prey to this, as reckless fighting will result in death, over and over. The real key to becoming a great fighter is all in the simple dodging system controlled by the right stick which when executed correctly can look very impressive as you weave in and out of an enemy's flurry of attacks like a boneless ninja.

There is also a great deal of depth to be found in the game's combat system, where the real meat comes from the custom combo system. As you progress through the game you will discover new punches and kicks that are added to the technique list. Each single manoeuvre can be added to a combo chain to create a devastating attack pattern and you will find yourself tweaking the pattern for some time. Do you opt for hard-hitting yet slow attacks that could leave you open to enemy blows or do you create a nimble chain of kicks and jabs that deal much less damage? The possibilities are enormous and are what gives God Hand its main function: allowing the player to create their own fighting style based on their own skills.

Another neat touch is the roulette system that, with a press of R1, slows down time for a few seconds and allows you to select one of many pre-programmed special techniques that can dish out some real damage. The twist is that the position of each technique is randomised, allowing for some frantic wheel spinning as you try and locate the one that you wanted to use. This really is a game that keeps you on your toes at all times. There is also the inclusion of a tension gauge which, when filled, allows Jean to unleash the God Hand's true power which is increased speed, double damage and temporary invincibility – something to be thankful for during the later boss battles.

For all the effort and slick animations Clover have put into the lead character and the zany enemies, the game's locales feel a bit bare and won't be winning any prizes for graphical prowess. Occasionally you will find walls that disappear allowing the camera to stay trained on the player, making the game's universe feel less solid than it should. The soundtrack, however, is an eclectic mix of spaghetti western, Elvis-inspired funk and smooth lounge jazz that really gives the overall package some charm and character. There is also a mid-level power-up shop and casino, featuring games such as blackjack and video poker which contain hidden goodies and quirky features.

Fans of the Clover back-catalogue will instantly recognise their trademark zany style and subtle in-jokes but for newcomers God Hand will prove a confusing, random endurance test that will exhaust and infuriate. If you're up for the challenge then try this game, it is as hard as they come. However, it's likely that this difficulty may alienate many gamers. Either way you look at it, this really is a game defined by your own personal choice and giving it a try is the only real way to tell... [Dave Cook]


Release Date: Out now for Playstation/PS2. RRP £29.99.
http://www.capcom.com/godhand