The young boy is killed and the main protagonist goes into a coma for months.
It is a powerful prologue that played with the emotions of many gamers, including this writer.
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But that moment that never came.
I walked away from the title after a dozen hours feeling cheated and disappointed.
To be fair, theres a lot to like aboutBeyond: Two Souls.
By the time I was halfway through, I was audibly laughing at some of the games plot devices.
The basic premise is that Jodies life is a wreck because of Aidens connection with her.
Her parents are afraid of her and she eventually falls under government control.
The government trains Jodie to become a CIA agent so she can use Aiden for something useful.
Ellen Page, Willem Dafoe and the other actors are beautifully rendered.
The game is a perfect swan song for the Playstation 3 in the graphics department.
If youre a big Ellen Page fan, youll enjoy this game on her presence alone.
The soundtrack, by legendary producer Hans Zimmer and composer Lorne Balfe, is also a highlight.
Gameplay consists of controlling Jodie and occasionally Aiden.
As Jodie, youll make different choices that will affect the outcome of later events.
The gameplay isnt anything to write home about, but again, thats not what youre here for.
Youre here to find out how your gameplay choices will affect the story.
And thats where things start going off track.
It often feels like most of the bigger plot points are preordained no matter what you do.
It doesnt help that the story in between those major plot developments is filled with unintentional humor.
Jodie has every stereotypical quality you would expect a young girl to have.
Plenty of dialogue is overwrought or falls flat, despite the best efforts of the talent.
And thats really a shame.
I just wish they would have had better material to work with.
Maybe Im being unfair.
Maybe I expected too much.
Maybe the likes ofIndigo Prophecy,Heavy RainandThe Walking Deadhave spoiled me.
And thats why I cant letBeyond Two Soulsoff the hook.
Story: 4Gameplay: 6Graphics: 9Soundtrack: 8Replay Value: 7
