If American McGee is known for anything, it would be known for being lead designer for "American McGee's Alice". Now this is by no means negative. The game, released six or so years ago, was actually pretty good, noted especially for the artsy graphics and amazing level design. Unfortunately, from the look and feel of this supposed satire on today's terrorist fearing society, McGee would rather not have his name slapped on this one.
The demo of Bad Day LA, released last week, starts off with a cut-scene along a traffic filled freeway. After the camera swoops in, you are presented with the main character of the game, the homeless Anthony—think Dave Chappelle as Tyrone expect not funny, somewhat offensive, and without the crack addiction. Along with his shopping cart he begins to yell at those honking at him and then proceeds to go "twosies" (poop) in front of every commuter along the Santa Monica Freeway, I-405.
As our homeless hero drops something lovely on the asphalt (or in a cup, I'm not exactly sure), a plane filled with chemicals crashes not far in the distance and all hell breaks loose. This is where the demo begins.
Meh, could be worse
Right from the get-go you will notice the graphics. While I'm all for unique presentation and graphics that go for art rather than raising the technological bar, what is seen here is just inexcusable and weird. Everything is blocky and poorly textured. This includes the characters who look like they come out of a bad cartoon. And if this is the look they were going for, then sadly, they went for the wrong one.
The gameplay is just as bad, if not worse. Everything just feels so clumsy, from the way the character walks around to the way he interacts with the environment. I mean, with the entire buzz about open-ended gameplay, one would think it would be perfect for this game. But no, we get a linear path, with roadblocks and invisible walls abound.
Now as Anthony works his way through the highway, foggy with green gas, he will pick up some gauze, for healing the injured; a fire extinguisher for fires and to cure those exposed to the gas (who knew?); and a tire iron for hitting people and breaking designated barriers hundreds of times. All these items are paramount to keeping the Threat Advisory Level low. Basically, helping people keeps the level at green, whereas allowing people to die or killing them yourself raises the level. As the level gets higher, the citizens of LA get rowdier and proceed to attack you.
Anthony must also help some random, sick child reach an ambulance to get treatment, and as simple as this seems, there is just way too much backtracking and tire iron-ing fences to make any of this fun.
Speaking of the tire iron, one glaring problem with the fence breaking is that after hitting it a couple of times, there is no indication of whether or not you are actually doing any damage until the thing falls apart. In fact, other than being in front of the fences flailing around, it doesn't even look like you are hitting the darn thing.
Once the task of bring the child to the ambulance is complete, the driver will help you escape. How you ask? Well for starters, there is one big mother of a machinegun at the rear of the vehicle, you know, where the sick person should be. Makes a lot of sense doesn't it? I hate this game...
Audio wise, Bad Day LA performs as well as the other aspects of the game. And this is by no means is a positive thing. The voice acting is way too over-the-top to be even remotely funny. We get it, Anthony is black. And as a game that's supposed to be funny, I can only think of one line that made me chuckle. And this is coming from a guy who laughs at the word "duty". Ha... duty...
This is as funny as it gets unfortunately...
Okay, so this is a demo and it isn't the finished product. However, from the looks of things, this game will not be good, in any aspect. There is still some hope, the game does not come out for a while and the issues can hopefully be addressed. Wait, what? Next week? Oh dear…
