Brink is one of those games where you pick it up, and then you feel as though you just entered an epic warp between reality and game. Brink, being developed by Splash Damage is quite possibly one of the best shooters I have ever played. I only say this though because I personally am a major fan of Halo and Team Fortress 2. This game has those shooter style elements rolled up and combined into this epic roll of gaming candy goodness, to feed right into your console or PC. Trust me, they will thank you later.

Not only is the smart system smooth, but, it’s actually smart! I can pick up speed and lunge over huge gaps and slide my way to a safe landing, while still shooting! That is by far, one major mechanic I have always wanted in any shooter I have ever played. This mechanic a lone will be bringing you into that alternate reality. Normally Bethesda Softworks is known for their lush stories; this one though takes the cake with both mechanics and story.

At Quake Con I was given an allotted time to play, and who better to show me the ropes then Paul Wedgwood himself, the game director of Brink. I was getting ready to test out the campaign, but was stopped seeing how there were others getting ready to start a multiplayer game in Brink. If you know me, you know for a fact I would never pass up the opportunity to play with other people. Paul then coded me in, and we were off. At first I thought we were going to be playing a death match, but I was wrong. Back to the campaign we were in. But with four people instead of just the standard co-op of two.

I started off as an engineer, of course not my first choice, but it was assigned at random. I then started to try and get a feel for the game. I caught on slow at first, only because I had no idea what the smart system was, nor did I know that the D-Pad is what changes your abilities. Paul then went on to tell me how I can buff my team mates in combat, so I decided to throw a buff to the soldier player in front of me. Next thing I know I’m dead. This is where my comparison of Team Fortress 2 comes in. Immediately after that I see a resurrection symbol and I’m back up. Alright! The medic saved me! Shortly after I run to seek cover, I find out that I can drop a turret! How epic is that?! So I decide to drop the turret in the corner. I wanted to be sneaky seeing how the Ai is actually extremely smart in this game; I thought I would treat it as a game of death match.

Keeping in mind that there are classes in the game, you also gain experience points. I later on find out that I can actually switch my weapons out in the middle of combat, and even change my class! I immediately run to the station to change everything, and then jump back in the game. I am now a soldier and finally actually starting to be of use. In the end though, I died a lot, but we did complete the mission! This thank you to my medic friend who decided to save my butt every time I fell over! We had a good laugh when Paul Wedgwood decided to look at me and say “Hm, maybe I should let you get used to the controls first eh?”

Although the game mechanics were fun, there are two major things that have really blown me away with this game. Something that I really think all gamers out there will really appreciate.

That is the customization of weapons and the smart system. The customization of characters is a great feature as well, yet something I think deserves a much closer look at is the weapons. Although, I must say that is one intense character customization. The customization of weapons is something that I have never seen before and is extremely unique.

You can even pick what kind of hand grip you want! In other words it’s like buying a bunch of guns, disassembling all of them, and putting them back together with what you like. Not to mention your point system, which I have to say is very similar to Border Lands, yet not so much like a talent tree. You still can pick and choose what you wish to use. The aiming style in this game is very similar to another game, Call of Duty, which I am more than sure fans will appreciate. Bethesda wants to go for a realism affect, as normal.

Like I have said before, I normally don’t rate games just because of how people can have their own opinions as well. I will say this though; I am ranking it in my books, up there with Halo and Call of Duty. That is a very big claim, but that is how good this game actually is. If you do enjoy those faster paced games, like me, you will thoroughly enjoy this game.

Speaking of gamers, I have noticed that this game will also be coming to the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and the PC. So with that said there is now no excuse to pick up a copy of this game! I know I will be for sure. Well, I’m off to gather some thoughts and admire at this unique art style of Brink. Smunchy out.

Games: Brink, Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Publishers: Bethesda Softworks, Developers: Splash Damage