Child of Eden Review for Xbox 360

System: Xbox 360, PS3
Dev: Q Entertainment
Pub: Ubisoft
Release: June 14, 2011
Players: 1-2
Screen Resolution: 480p-1080p	Mild Fantasy Violence

When using motion controls, one hand controls your homing laser while the other controls your rapid laser. Raising both hands above your head activates euphoria, and while the game doesn't require you shout "Wheeee!" every time you do it, I highly recommend it. The targeting reticle tracks your hands perfectly, and switching between both weapons is as natural as switching hands. As a result, your reactions are much quicker when playing with the Kinect, and even though you aren't getting vibration feedback, you certainly feel more like you are a part of the game.

The fact is, you aren't playing Child of Eden for its gameplay. You are playing its emotional impact and sensory overload. The feelings this game evokes are just indescribable. The levels always start in these dark corrupted places, but as you continue on, you can see the skies open up and stars shine down on you. You'll see flowers bloom and planets form. Heck, one boss battle could only be described as a microcosm of the evolutionary ladder in space. If you are a games-as-art snob like me, this game will have you crying with joy.

Child of Eden Screenshot

Unfortunately, Child of Eden is not without its flaws. For one, there are no checkpoints in the game. Die one hit before a boss is ready to bite it, and you'll have to start the level all over again. For two, there is no multiplayer. Call me crazy, but tripping out with a friend is always more fun. For three, the entire experience is very short. There are only five levels, and if you're good, you can beat the whole thing in an hour or two. The game has plenty of things to unlock, like new difficulties, new graphics options, a hidden sixth challenge level, concept art, and music videos, but none of this actually goes very far toward increasing the game's replay value. What does increase replay value is the inclusion of online leaderboards, but that only works for the higher-score junkies out there.

Oh, and one more thing. You should take the seizure warning at the beginning of the game seriously. I personally don't have a history of seizures, but I seriously needed to avert my eyes at points just because there was so much movement on screen.

Child of Eden is so much fun to play. It's less of a game and more of a sensory experience that just evokes this feeling of happiness and contentment. It's something I think everyone should take part in at least once. It's just so depressingly short for a full-priced game. Don't get me wrong though, Child of Eden is one of the only two hours games I would ever consider paying full price for. That's saying a lot.

So what do you think now, man? Did I blow your mind?

By Angelo M. D'Argenio
CCC Contributing Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

5.0

Graphics
As a visual experience, Child of Eden is second to none. Without the stunning psychedelic visuals, it would be half the game it is.

3.9

Control
The controls aren't bad, they are just simple. You don't have a whole lot of options, so the gameplay gets dry without the graphics and music to back it up.

5.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
As with the graphics, Child of Eden just couldn't exist without its amazing music. It's the two together that really craft the amazing synesthetic experience that Child of Eden is.

3.5

Play Value
No matter what way you look at it, the game is two hours long. It's an amazing two hours, but it's still just two hours.

4.2

Overall Rating - Great
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

A visionary entertainment experience that synchronizes stunning graphics and innovative sound design to electrify the senses. By bringing physics in synergy with spectacular visual and audio, Child of Eden is creating the next-generation sensory experience

Coming straight from Mizuguchi-san's mind: unique, surprising, rich and beautiful.

Controls are simple and natural, designed for standard controllers and Xbox 360's new Kinect controller. The Kinect controller adds an extra dimension to the experience as you truly merge into the game, with no physical barriers between the game world and you. Use your body to move the camera, and both hands to lock-on and shoot for a completely new and multi-sensory shooting game experience.