R.I.P.D. the Game (XBLA/PSN)

There's been a lot of buzz going around the internet these past couple of weeks regarding Universal's theatrical release of "R.I.P.D.". Most people see many similarities when compared to the former "M.I.B." movie series. I myself can definitely see the initial based title, and the basic plot of the film being slightly similar to "M.I.B.". At the same time though I can also say to you that it won't be a complete knock-off of said franchise. What Universal, Atlus, and Oldschool Games are obviously trying to achieve is an afterlife oriented experience in which dead law enforcement of the past (namely Roy & Nick) are standing up against an unseen threat. While this secret organization of good guys versus bad guys is similar to that of "M.I.B." the threat against the "R.I.P.D." officers are anything, but the same. In the case of "R.I.P.D." the threat does not come in the form of otherworldly aliens, but instead the ghastly, and disfigured souls of the criminally departed whom walk unnoticed amongst the living. The "R.I.P.D.", or "Rest In Peace Department" as they are known have been monitoring the recent deado gold theft activities, and have sent out Nick (A newly deceased cop) along with an old time sheriff named Roy to investigate the situation as well as take out any deados that they find. This of course is the basis, and overall premise behind the game of the same name.

In "R.I.P.D." the gamer will take on the role of either Nick Walker, or Roy as they engage waves/Encounters of criminal deados in online only combat (Quick Match/Custom Match). While the theme of the game borrows heavily from the movie the gameplay itself seems to borrow a lot of features from Atlus's previous XBLA release of "God Mode", and like "God Mode" you will find that the game is played in a similar fashion to the 3rd person "Gears of War" games. The perspective has changed a bit though, and is more up close, and personal than the offerings of the previously mentioned "God Mode". Being the online only multiplayer game that it is, R.I.P.D. will have you teaming up with one other gamer via co-op as you take on a small variety of criminal deados as Roy, or Nick in one of 7 different stages/locations (Meth Lab, The Vault, Terrace Bar, Beacon Station, Charlestown Bank, Bullpen, Public Library).

It is your goal to eliminate the incoming deado hordes using your weapons, melee skills, and earned killstreak abilities (Beacon, Chain, Turret, Invisibility ...). After you've completed a certain number of deado waves you will end up coming face to face with a glowing random deado boss that will require more shots to kill than your standard deado enemy. During this final encounter you will be required to either arrest, or execute the disgruntled spirit. By arresting them (standing by them as a meter fills up) you will gain deado gold which in turn will get you even closer to that final boss encounter with a deado criminal known as Hayes. Executing deado bosses/criminals (by shooting them to death ... again ^.^) will result in no reward though, and no progress percentage completion as well.

The game plays heavily on gun combat, and as such you'll find that at your disposal are an interesting variety of upgradeable weapons, and consumables which will aid you in your quest to stop the deados dead in their tracks. These obtainable/upgradeable weapons can ultimately be assigned to your primary, and secondary weapon slots. There's everything from shotguns, pistols, revolvers, and submachine guns to the more unorthodox (and very expensive) novelty weapons (Hairdryer & Banana). To buy, upgrade, and equip these weapons of mass destruction, and single use consumables (Adrenaline, Bullet Proof Vest, Night Stick ... ) you will need to earn yourself some in-game salary by completing encounters at the 7 locations found within the game as well as completing other bonus tasks that will increase your pay significantly. Aside from the standard means of earning your salary (simply completing all the encounters within a locale) there are also other ways to earn higher salary wages while taking on the deado swarms. This includes such things as completing random challenges (melee only, survive without going critical/dying ...) that pop-up with accompanying explanations as well as arresting final deado criminals without executing them.

Combat in 'R.I.P.D.' is fairly straightforward. You will take on 4? waves/encounters filled with a small variety of deado types. These deados which are controlled by AI are smart, and evasive for the most part. Some deados are more brazen though, and will charge at you with melee weapons while others will distance themselves and snipe you out with scoped rifles. The more powerful deados come in the form of hulking multi-limbed grotesque creatures that pack a hell of a whallop. These monstrous foes will consistently charge, and knock you to the floor, or even spray you down with a gatling gun. In the end each deado type will take a certain method of attacks/dodges to defeat, and learning their weaknesses is most definitely an important part of the game.

Luckily standing your ground against the overwhelming odds of the deado armies is not all that one-sided in "R.I.P.D.". As a gamer you will find that Roy, and Nick have at their disposal (aside from the basic guns) a selection of killstreak abilities (Think CoD). These killstreak abilities can be earned by killing multiple deados without going critical, or committing suicide. Killstreak abilities include such things as a police siren/beacon that heals to a positionable turret that will mow down incoming enemies for a limited time. Also included with the killstreak abilities is an invisibility option that allows Nick/Roy to go undetected, a ghostly chain that will restrict the deados' movement for a limited time, and spikes that will raise from the floor instantly killing of deados in the process. Once you pass the first killstreak ability (Beacon) earning you can choose to use whichever ability suits your current situation best. Sometimes it's a good idea to simply use the beacon, and heal. Other times you might want to get more aggressive, and use the turret killstreak ability to aid in the dispatching of your foes. There's literally a killstreak ability for every situation you'll find yourself in within the game. Keep in mind though that you have to maintain a steady killstreak to earn them though. Consumables, on the other hand act as a means to enhance your characters performance in-game. Things like 'Adrenaline', 'Night Stick', and 'Bullet Proof Vest' add temporary single match boosts to your attacks/defenses. There are a fairly decent selection of consumables that each have different effects, and that each cost different amounts. As helpful as consumables are they are not a mandatory part of the game.

Whatever means you choose to dispatch the undead deados with you will find that your depleting time within the game also doubles as your life. You heard me correctly. Instead of having "Lives" Nick, and Roy are given a certain amount of clock timers with which to complete the encounters at hand. If Nick, or Roy are ever put into a critical state (screen turns B&W they kneel) too many times they will be given the option to commit suicide, or get revived by their partner depending on whether you're going at it solo (Custom Match), or co-op with an online gamer. Should you opt to go the more dismal path, and commit suicide your life will be depleted by one full timer/clock. As such keeping yourself alive amongst the unrelenting onslaught of deados is a must if you hope to complete the multi-encounter stages/locations of "R.I.P.D. the Game". You should also note that the timer/clock is constantly counting down regardless of your in-game state. This means it is in your best interest to complete each encounter/wave quickly. Completeing the waves before all of your clocks/lives run out will reward you with additional clocks/lives though, so you do have a fighting chance even if you are going at it alone.

Another unique feature Oldschool Games, and Atlus has incorporated into this only online multiplayer experience is the ability to place bets, and up the ante of your possible salary bonuses. Before each match starts up in a co-op scenario the gamers will find a list of several different in-game circumstances (Critical, Headshots, Duel, Enemies Killed ...), and will have to mark them off one by one until only a single wager remains. It is this remaining bet that will earn one player an extra boost in salary income should they complete it properly during their location playthrough. Aside from that gamers will be interested in knowing that the game also has an "Archive" which contains pictures/photos of 33 things relating to both the movie, and the game creation process. These unlockables can be gained from game percentage completion, or the gathering of deado gold. Like any XBLA, or PSN title you'll also find that there are plenty of achievements/trophies to collect through task completion. An online leaderboard was also added for those looking to gain global recognition within the game.

Visually "R.I.P.D." is not all that bad of a game. The locales, and many different character types are all rendered well enough in a current-gen sort of way. The deados, Nick, and Roy all look detailed enough for the most part which was a nice surprise. Nick, and Roy in particular look very similar to the movie actors they were designed after, and like everything else in the game they have a sort of cel-shaded appearance.  The selection of deados on the other hand are limited in detail, and often times look very similar in appearance. The locations found within the game are at least unique to look at though, and are intricately designed with multi-leveled features providing lots of cover to hide behind. As far as the music is concerned it has a modern-day wild west sort of vibe about it, but is definitely fun to listen to.

Now onto the XBLA & PSN Comparison ...

There are few things to keep in mind when deciding which version of "R.I.P.D." to get. Being that the two versions (XBLA/PSN) are available on two entirely different consoles you will find that the differences, as slight as the may be are somewhat significant in nature. For example, you'll find that both the gameplay in the XBLA version suffers for some fairly persistent lag to to all the onscreen action that is taking place. This however is not present in the PSN version. Even when I paired up with a random online gamer I experienced no lag at all when playing online in the PSN version of the game. Two other minute difference include the leaderboard/scoreboard offerings, and the Achievements/Trophies. The XBLA version of the game calls it's leaderboards "Leaderboards", and the PSN version of the game calls the "Scoreboards". The difference between "Achievements", and "Trophies" is self-explanatory, especially if you've ever owned/played either the PS3, or Xbox 360 consoles. Both sets of differences are basically wordplay, and don't really affect the game's offerings. In the end though I think the PSN version would be better to get since the lag isn't as obvious in it.

Now onto the verdict ...

R.I.P.D. is not the greatest of gaming experiences, but it's also not the worst. Like "God Mode" you will find that the overall replay value is very limited due to the lack of features, and potential of certain in-game content. Things like a limited cast of characters, a limited selection of weapons, a limited amount of upgrades, and a story mode that is limited by a single gold collection meter definitely makes this game more of a passing fad than a lasting experience. I understand that it was meant to tie into the theatrical release of "R.I.P.D.", and in that sense I think Oldschool Games did a great job in making the game. It didn't giveaway the movie's plot that much, and it was definitely well designed for the type of game that it is. Sadly though, being the passing fad that it is "R.I.P.D. the Game" will not have the lasting power of some of Atlus's more well-known franchises. As such I only recommend this to someone who has enjoyed the film, and would like to revisit the experience of the movie with another gamer via the game itself. I forgot to mention earlier that you can invite friends in either version of the game as well as join random players from all over the world, so that's also something to keep in mind when deciding whether or not this is the type of game for you. Keeping that in mind this movie-to-game translation is not all that bad, and will no doubt be fun for anyone who enjoyed their viewing of the film.