 Quentin Tarantino's WET (Xbox 360, PS3, PC, PSP)
Christo van Gemert
WET’s female character Rubi Malone is so Tarantino that all through the first level of the game, one can’t help but think that this is definitely the Quentin Tarantino Movie, but in a game.
From the sword-brandishing female lead (Kill Bill) and ‘70s-inspired soundtrack (Jackie Brown and Pulp Fiction), to the explosive car chases (Death Proof) and over-the-top violence (honestly now, just pick a movie), WET reeks of awesome action movie fun. For added effect, film grain and film-reel effects are used throughout the game.
If running out of time on a mission, the grain gets worse almost as if the end of a reel is about to be reached. If you fail a mission, or die, the film melts through and you have to start over. Little things like this give it a unique visual style.
 To help accomplish the various goals, you’ve got a trusty sword, even deadlier dual pistols and an arsenal of acrobatic moves, second to none. Running off walls while cracking off headshots using guns is as satisfying to pull off as it is to see on screen.
Similarly, running up to enemies and jumping through the air, then landing on your knees and sliding the rest of the distance raining carnage all the way. In slow motion.
WET isn’t perfect, though. There are tiny annoyances and big irritations. To restore health you encounter tequila crates. Rubi grabs a bottle, takes a swig, throws it in the air and uses the bottle as target practise. Cute the first three times, very annoying thereafter.
Dialogue is good, but hearing the same catchphrases all the time is a touch repetitive, as is some of the action encountered.
Bad guys get tougher, but their predictable routines don’t change. Finally, it’s lacking polish in some of the core bits. Main character animation is flawed, at times. Rubi could be sliding along the floor and encounter an obstacle. Instead of the sliding animation being cut short, players will be forced to wait for the sequence to finish before taking full control of Rubi.
But fun it definitely is. Perhaps a downloadable patch will sort out a few of the niggles.
|
