Video_Game_Critic

User Score
9.0

Presentation - 9.0
Gameplay - 9.5
Value - 8.5

The Conduit delivers fulfills many of High Voltage Software (HVS) promises.
The first thing I noticed is how much I could customize the controls. I can change the button layout, what commands would respond to motion controls, dead zone, motion sensitivity and pointing sensitivity. The customization level rivals most PC FPS. The controls for "The Conduit" are faster than any other console FPS, but not as fast as mouse and keyboard. When set up properly, the motion controls add to the game. Almost any command can be mapped to motion controls with the exception of reload for some reason. If you do not like the motion controls, map a more useless command to it and set sensitivity to 0. It is not a necessity to use them like some reviews which will remain nameless say. Furthermore, I think it is fun using the motion control for melee attack, but I agree use a button for grenades. Throwing a grenade with the nunchuck inadvertently moves the opposite hand, which changes the aim direction. As a result, instead of throwing the grenade through a window, it hits the wall and bounces back into Mr. Ford. However, once all controls are properly mapped, dead zone set and sensitivity adjusted, the controls are fast and accurate.

The online component works great. I have had no online issues or glitches yet I hear about them from other gamers. Even though I have a weak DSL connection, most games run smoothly. My only major issue is the pathetic frame rate. Sometimes a lag free game seems to have lag because the frame rate is dropping so low. I have a minor issue with how maps and settings are chosen. All maps and settings are voted on before the match can start which often leads to bad combinations. I do not like playing match in a small level with explosive weapons for example. Another minor flaw is with the maps themselves. HVS promised they would make separate maps for each multiplayer option. For example capture the flag maps and death match maps would be setup differently. However, all the maps blend together and this is fine for death match, but capture the flag does not work as well with these maps. Even though I do not like friend codes, they are not needed in this game unless you want to use Wii Speak. I bought a Wii Speak because it was on sale, but I rarely use it. I do not want to hear a game full of whiny teenage brats complaining about their life and swearing at me that I suck. I am just fine with no voice chat, but it is an option when my friend want to play a game. Unfortunately the Wii Speak does not work as well as it should which is disappointing. Even though The Conduit does have some online flaws, I think it is a great overall experience.

The single player campaign is a great experience if you set the difficulty to High or Severe because the AI adds so much to the game. The enemy does have a brain and uses it. For example, I was hiding behind a poll and so was the enemy. I ran over to attack, but the enemy anticipated this attack and took a better cover. Lower settings dial down the AI and the game becomes pathetically easy and feels too short. I completed the game on High in just over 14 hours, but this does not include all of my deaths. In reality I probably spent 18-20 hours playing the single player campaign and I still have to finish all of the events like find the data discs and hidden messages. I normally do not complete challenges in games, but The Conduit includes fun cheats that unlock when you beat the game. This is similar to the hand cannon in Resident Evil 4. I plan to play the game again with every cheat turned on and destroy everything in site. It is a lot of fun running through FPS with cheats turned on after you beat the game. Unfortunately this game does have automatic heal, however the first few levels lack this feature which makes them much more challenging. I am not a fan of dividing the game into clear cut levels, but it is not that annoying. The amount of instant death is extremely annoying. I had to cheat through a small part of this game because I could not get past it. Every enemy has the ability to kill Mr. Ford with 1 hit and you cannot keep track of all 30 of them at all times. Other flaws include check points that appear random and are not always conveniently located. This would not be so bad, but the game lacks any kind of save option which is further made worse by random health kits that can disappear. All health kits look alike, but some re-appear after use and others do not. Despite its flaws, the single player campaign is a lot of fun and adds 20+ hours of good game play.

I do not have much to say about the story or graphics. If you want a great FPS that delivers hours of solid game play buy The Conduit. If you want a long story with good graphics, look at another FPS.

I highly recommend The Conduit to anyone looking for a solid FPS. It is comparable to almost any FPS on any other console.