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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Trapped inside a mysterious laboratory and unable to remember his past, Derrick Cole discovers his extraordinary powers as he fights for survival against a determined military faction and a legion of seemingly invincible super-human warriors! Breakdown offers an exciting 1st person action/adventure gaming experience by combining hand-to-hand combat and state-of-the-art weapons with an intense story line and incredible graphics in a thrilling and suspenseful search for the truth! [Namco]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 95
MS Xbox World
The greatest experience I have ever had in all my years of gaming. That’s right Xbox owners, in many regards it even surpasses "Halo."
 90
Xbox Nation Magazine
In spite of any inconsistencies, disparities, or shortcomings, Breakdown is an enormously compelling, satisfying game - one imparting a joy of discovery sorely lacking in far too many of today's biggest titles. [Apr 2004, p.88]
89
Game Over Online
A solid step forward for what a video game is capable of. If nothing else, it's definitely an attempt to do something new, and that alone is worthy of support.
88
BonusStage
But you’re really missing the point if you pick apart every negative thing here without seeing the big picture the developers intended. There’s enough tension and thrills here to beat any Hollywood action movie you’ll see hands down.
85
Official Xbox Magazine
It's also got the most riveting plot of any Xbox FPS to date, topping "Halo." [Apr 2004, p.78]
85
Team Xbox
This is a game that breaks the mold and forces players to think, react, and interact with their environment unlike any other game to date.
84
XboxAddict
For as much as I was impressed by Breakdown it’s not perfect, the gunplay is dull, but again understandable because it’s all about the fighting.
83
Game Chronicles
Despite some obvious flaws, Breakdown has probably had the single biggest impact on my perception of gaming since the original "Half-Life."
83
GamingTrend
It's the first person camera work that brings even this lack-luster world to life and makes up for the simple textures. The first person perspective goes beyond anything that we've ever seen in other games and brings the immersion of the experience to new levels.
83
Armchair Empire
Although I really liked Breakdown for its story and first-person implementation and grew to love the combat, some will think it’s a “niche” title with too many idiosyncrasies for a wider audience.
82
Next Level Gaming
A solid game. The only issue I really have with it is that it's very linear. Once you're done with it, it's not really going to get played again...Namco gets a lot of credit for trying something a little creative in a very crowded genre.
82
DailyGame
There's so much good going for it, I can't see not recommending it as a purchase for most gamers, although the subject material and weird moments in the storyline might be a bit too off-putting for casual gamers.
81
VGPub
The story is very cool and definitely is a reason to keep playing the game, but could have been fleshed out a little more.
81
Xbox World Australia
Those who persist will experience a truly breathtaking example of exceptional storytelling and original gameplay ideas. The rest will dismiss it after a few hours as not their bag and/or too hard.
80
GamerArchive
An excellent effort on the part of Namco, and is a competent title that just could have been more.
80
Yahoo! Games
One thing is assured: Breakdown is a new watermark in player immersion, and it's difficult to see how it will be one-upped any time soon. From start to finish, in sickness and in health, in combat or in exploration, the player experiences the world as though inside it.
80
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Breakdown is the most boring game I [Crispin] have ever played. Its pacing is just off - especially in the first half, when you dart through lame environments for too long, with nary a bulgy-veined monster to muss your hair. [May 2004, p.99]
80
TotalGames.net
There's something just so attention-grabbing about the game's approach to action and subject, something so intriguing about the story which makes it far more than the FPS-scrolling beat-'em-up early opinions suggested. [JPN Import]
80
GMR Magazine
We're not sure sure we've ever seen a more convincing first-person action-adventure quite like Breakdown. [May 2004, p.91]
80
eToychest
A fantastic ride, with all of the highs and lows of a classic. There are areas for improvement but these are eclipsed by a terrific story and solid game mechanics.
80
GamePro
An interesting attempt to expand the limits of a tried-and-true genre - just anticipate some frustration for the awkward interface and time-consuming stretches of trial-and-error. [May 2004, p.66]
80
AceGamez
A groundbreaking title and surely a genre-creating one at that. It takes the immersion and realism of first person games to new levels and weaves the action into one of the best science fiction storylines yet seen in a game, with plenty of big twists before the end.
80
Computer and Video Games
There are lots of buttons, doors, and items to interact with in Breakdown so you can understand how this gets frustrating. Yet, you take this all on the chin because the level design and overall artistic quality of alien beings and their worlds is high.
80
Times Online
The graphics are strong and shot from a realistic firstperson point of view, which adds to the disorientation while at the same time immersing you in the story.
80
Kombo
In case you haven't figured it out already, the gunplay in this game sucks. However, the hand to hand combat is so good that it makes up for gunplay's faults.
78
XGP Gaming
Where am I? What's happened here? Why can't I remember who I am? These are some of the questions you'll find yourself asking, as you begin playing Breakdown.
76
GameSpot
Ideas aside, however, Breakdown's underlying game design is unable to bear the weight of its own innovation, so it's really just a pretty good action game that you can't help but feel could have been so much more.
75
Extreme Gamer
It's just not right hating a game which tries so hard to do something fresh.
75
Play Magazine
Pacing becomes an issue too, as you see a conveniently placed line of goodies on the ground that can literally take a minute to retrieve as you sigh, watching the animation. Same goes for opening doors. [Apr 2004, p.59]
75
Game Power Australia
If you're looking for something that's truly revolutionary, you won't find it here, but despite Breakdown's occasionally repetitive gameplay and bland environments, it's a breath of fresh air in a genre that's fast becoming stale.
75
GameSpy
Weird, sometimes wonderful, and certainly unique.
75
Playboy
Even noncombat activities are seen from Cole's view, whether he's eating a cheeseburger or ogling his sexy sidekick. Brilliant. [May 2004]
75
Game Informer
I like that conserving ammo is the name of the game, but found that hit detection was a crap shoot - especially when you're behind cover. [Apr 2004, p.104]
75
Deeko
In many ways, it is a groundbreaking title and is certainly deserving of praise for attempting to do something new, however it fails to be as good as it could have been, resulting in a game that has many fantastic parts that never form a unified whole.
75
GameZone
A poorly executed game with an original concept that is held back by its repetitive action and uninteresting world.
74
Worth Playing
An admirable but stilted tilt on the age-old FPS genre. It attempts to do so many things and, perhaps purely through the power of statistics, actually nails a few.
70
Cincinnati Enquirer
Fans of run 'n' gun games and arcade-fighting titles likely will find that Breakdown is a uniquely enjoyable -- though visually dizzying -- single-player tale.
70
Boomtown
If nothing more than an interesting footnote in the evolution of gaming ideas, it would be a real shame to let this game fade into obscurity without at least coming to your own conclusion.
70
Frictionless Insight
It’s a good game with tremendous ambition that often drags you out of an immersive experience and throws your focus on a few, flawed mechanisms of gameplay.
70
Gamenikki
Breakdown was meant for a rental from start to finish, assuming you have a strong stomach to handle the first-person camera. Stick with the game and it can offer plenty of satisfying fun to accompany the initial frustration.
70
Gamer's Pulse
The learning curve jumps due to the confusion the player feels while trying to get a hold of the camera and the involved combo system turn into a button masher in frenzied fights. Still, the title is worth a look.
70
Siliconera
One huge graphical glitch in the game is that Derrick's appendages seem to penetrate enemy corpses when he's picking up items from them. All of the sudden parts of his hand seem to vanish, go through the enemy or both.
70
Loaded Inc
On the one side, you have a horrid control scheme that forces combat to be a burden rather than a joy and makes your interaction with the environment slow and arduous. On the other side, you have one of the best presentations in any first-person shooter game ever with an uncanny immersion factor and a nicely directed story to tell.
70
WHAM! Gaming
The overuse of bland office building environments and a steep difficulty curve mar an otherwise captivating storyline and novel use of the first-person perspective.
68
Weekly Famitsu
7 / 7 / 7 / 6 - 27 [Vol 798; 30 Jan 2004]
67
Gamers' Temple
It doesn’t succeed in making you feel like you are a part of the game’s world, but rather that you are involved in a tedious and repetitive exercise over which you have very shaky control.
67
Into Liquid Sky
The hand-to-hand combat is actually quite fun to use, which more than makes up for the mediocre gunplay you have to use early on.
67
IGN
From mindless AI to boring and generic level-design, Breakdown plays out more like a bad Schwarzenegger flick (repetitive, unfunny, and without soul) than a work of staggering genius. Yet still, this is one of those bad games I couldn't help but enjoy, even as I cursed its very existence.
60
Cheat Code Central
Some aspects of the game could have been tightened up such as the storyline and the combat mechanics but I would equate this game with a trip to the country. It's a little laid back but offers you plenty of breathing room.
60
GamingWorld X
While getting into a one-on-one fistfight was often quite cool, getting trapped by a horde of mindless drones was quite the opposite, making the game extremely frustrating and even cheap at times.
60
G4 TV
Fighting multiple opponents is so difficult, gamers lacking dedication will feel like washed-out students under a demanding sensei. The story line may be pop-culture sci-fi, but the gameplay is hard-core.
60
GamerFeed
While the story is entertaining, it never takes off and soars the way it could have. It's a very generic shooter with a gimmick, but that gimmick's cool enough to last you to the end.
55
Ferrago
If you're a fan of the genre, then you'll find plenty to get your teeth into, but after several hours even the most ardent fan will be forced to concede that this is by no means an original, immersive or hugely fun first-person shooter. Starts well - fades - then crumbles, if you'll pardon the pun.
55
GameReviewer
It's never a good sign when adjectives such as linear, bland and dull spring to mind after a mere 2 hours behind the pad, but that's exactly what happens here. [JPN Import]
50
Edge Magazine
Enormous potential. However, those moments where you feel justice being done are few, and a brave mess is still, after all, a mess. [Apr 2004, p.104]
50
games(TM)
If only Namco had put a bit more variation into the actual content of the game instead of placing all the emphasis on the innovative interface, this might have been more than just a good starting point for the future. [July 2004, p.117]
50
EuroGamer
For what is one of the few Xbox-only Japanese titles, you'd expect much more than almost featureless corridors, and only the occasional glimpses of artistic talent from Namco's team.
50
Gaming Age
The first-person action/adventure title does a decent job of fist fights and immersing the player in a mysterious plot. But some of the first person aspects will leave you as frustrated as the protagonist.
40
GameSpot AU
Breakdown is exactly what it says on the box - a game with a broken engine.
35
GameCritics
With flat, repetitive environments and uninspiring combat, Breakdown doesn't have much to recommend it.
33
Game Revolution
That’s just about all Breakdown has going for it: a genuinely good sci-fi story. But even that gets overpowered by numerous gameplay flaws, from the unconvincing AI and crummy fragging to the boring environments and irritating pacing.
30
NTSC-uk
A fairly awful experience with just a literal handful of inspired moments, and since these moments are so heavily scripted, you are better off just watching videos of it instead. [JPN Import]
Jean-paul N. gave it a10: J MAN51 gave it a 7: FSWMaster gave it an 8: [Anonymous] gave it a 5: Phillip R. gave it an 8: Kel R. gave it a 5: The Redeemer gave it a 10: |
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