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Damnation

EMAIL PRINT xbox360

6.5 User Score:

Generally unfavorable reviews

Based on 39 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 35 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Codemasters

Developer: Blue Omega Entertainment

Genre(s): Shooter

Players: Multi

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: May 26, 2009

Summary

Evolving the shooter genre with its unique combination of fluid action and combat, Damnation features huge, open environments, frenetic combat, daredevil acrobatics and high-octane vehicle-based stunts. Presenting players with an intense test of reflexes, quick thinking and rapid-fire conflict, Damnation features vast, breathtaking landscapes, each covering miles of distance and thousands of vertical feet. Billed as a "shooter gone vertical" and visually inspired by iconic elements of American history, these massive streaming landscapes form the battlegrounds for a post-industrial conflict between humanity and an unstoppable arms dealer hell-bent on total world domination. Players choose their own paths and navigate the world by performing daredevil feats on the edge of human ability. Intelligent enemies give chase and engage players in frantic gun fights and attacks that can come from any direction. With up to three hours of actual gameplay stretching out in front of them per level, players need more than just muscle power to get across each level safely. Damnation offers players a selection of vehicles, from motorbikes capable of launching across seemingly infinite chasms, to huge, armour-piercing marvels that induce mayhem with every huge shell. The high action is supported by an epic and in-depth story which, while focusing on the exploits of the hero character Rourke, is truly an ensemble piece. Players meet and become involved in intricate story plots that reveal much more than the obvious. In addition to the single player experience, Damnation comes complete with a unique set of multiplayer options that take full advantage of the game’s expansive levels. [Codemasters]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

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...

Official Xbox Magazine UK

Great platforming, shame about the rest.

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Play Magazine

Blue Omega’s vision is buried under so many layers of clumsy gameplay and painful cinematics that the glimmers of the game that could have been just can’t stem the tide.

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ZTGameDomain

The execution kills it almost instantly the first time you try to take down an enemy.

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X360 Magazine UK

Some genre indecisiveness and more general poor direction combine to make Damnation far worse than it looks.

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AceGamez

Damnation is an unfinished game, a concept with good ideas and a real sense of scale but terrible implementation in almost every way.

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Destructoid

Damnation is not exactly a terrible game. As a shooter, it does the bare minimum required to be considered competent. It's just incredibly mediocre and pointless that it's made me wonder exactly how games like this even get the green light.

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Xbox360Achievements

This is not really a case of “what were they thinking?” as it is plainly obvious what the overall intent was, sadly the game in no way lives up to the lofty goals that it was obviously straining for, partially due to sloppy design and partly due to a real lack of nuance.

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3DJuegos

Damnation is the eternal story of the genre-breaker wanna be. An action game that wanted to go beyond the limits of the traditional shooter, but that finally crashes because of its repetitive, vague and boring gameplay.

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Console Monster

Blue Omega Entertainment set out with a clear goal, to change the First Person Genre with a mix of FPS and Acrobatics; unfortunately Damnation falls short on both counts and leaves gamers wanting their money back.

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MS Xbox World

I find it hard for myself, and anyone else for that matter, to forgive the scroll list of technical, chorographical, and design issues that are presented with this game.

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Gamervision

I’m sad to say that not only did the game not live up to what it could have been, it actually lowered the bar for any other steampunk western that follows; though I can’t see too many developers jumping at the chance to outdo this game.

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Game Over Online

It's not even so bad that it's funny, although it certainly started off that way. It's just plain bad.

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Everyeye.it

One of the worst game of this year. Everything's bad: creepy graphics (probably the worst use of UE3), intolerable gameplay, and a useless multiplayer option.

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Total Video Games

It's ill-thought from the very start, which is demonstrated by the contradictions and flaws evident throughout the entire game.

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Meristation

The mix just doesn't work. Good ideas that were left on the developing process, complete lack of interest during the main adventure, reuse of textures and environments, bad gameplay... Not even the multiplayer game modes are worth it. A shame, because there was potential to fare much, much better.

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games(TM)

The huge, sprawling levels, multiple routes and breadth of choice on offer may be countered by awkward controls and uninspired vehicle sections, but there's a modicum of entertainment beneath the obvious design flaws if you look hard enough. [Aug 2009, p.114]

SpazioGames

Damnation could actually win the prize for worst game in the X360 and PS3 catalog of 2009. Probably due to the lack of experience of the developers, the game is technically and stylistically poor, and the gameplay is pure chaos. Suggested to no one.

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Vandal Online

Summing up, the first game of the moviemakers of Blue Omega is not as good as they expected. They have to work hard to polish the errors committed in this game, which better argument is the Steampunk aesthetics so enjoyed in underground genres.

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TeamXbox

It had the potential, but anything that showed flair was quickly buried by more clumsy dialogue or stilted character movement.

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GameSpot

This third-person shooter is a trip into hell.

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InsideGamer.nl

Damnation sucks at every front. The futuristic cowboy setting is lame, the shootouts are boring and the story is just stupid. Damnation will ruin your day, your marriage and even your life.

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Cheat Code Central

A sad story. The game had an interesting concept and a good amount of potential but it just never came together.

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Gaming Age

It pains me to write reviews like this. I thought we were far beyond this point in the gaming industry to green light such tripe, let alone at a full price tag to boot. If this is the best that Codemasters can produce in the action genre, please, let's hope they stick to racing.

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GameZone

Look, I haven't played a game like this in a long, long time. I am literally sad because it seemed like it could have at least been a solid shooter. But it fails on almost every level.

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Game Informer

This isn’t a premier blend of pulp fiction. It’s just a pulpy mess.

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Totally360

Overall, Damnation is a complete mess. With the amount of quality titles that have been released so far this year it would be time well spent if you spent it elsewhere.

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WonderwallWeb

Damnation is a perfect example of a game you shouldn't touch.

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Edge Magazine

The game's ambition far outstrips its creator's abilities: damned by execution rather than intent, but damned nonetheless. [July 2009, p.99]

Eurogamer

At best, it's a functional third-person platformer that sometimes acts like a shooter. At worst, it's an astonishing collection of poor design decisions, half-hearted implementation and mindless narrative clutter that will only lead to buyer's remorse in all who decide to give it a try.

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Xbox World 360 Magazine UK

One of the worst shooters of this generation. The clue really is in the name.

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Game Chronicles

The coolest thing about Damnation is the cover art, and you can enjoy that as you watch this game go from the shelf to the bargain bin in record time, and even then I can’t recommend a purchase or even a rental.

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IGN

The gameplay isn't fun, the levels are too long, the sound is bad, and the story isn't interesting. There are more problems, but I'll leave my written flogging at that. Avoid this game at all costs.

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Play.tm

Damnation strikes you as an unconfident, unconvincing effort, and the only possible conclusion is that Blue Omega lack a basic grasp on the fundamentals.

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MondoXbox

The base ideas of a vertical platform-shooter and steampunk setting are interesting, but Blue Omega managed to create a really awful game, with an embarrassing gameplay, lackluster visuals and a nonexistent online component. Just avoid it.

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Gamer.nl

Damnation had potential, but manages to do everything wrong. The game looks and controls awful and never gets fun to play.

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Kombo

The game is a total mess. I don't want to be disrespectful to those that undoubtedly worked hard to put the game out on store shelves, but there comes a point when you need to be honest and just say it like it is; there's no reason to play Damnation either alone or online.

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XGN

Damnation should have never been released in its current state. The setting is very original, but that doesn't make up for the terrible gameplay and graphics.

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ActionTrip

Guys, I'll be honest with you here. I really gave my best shot at finding some redeeming feature in Damnation. Truth be told, you couldn't find such a feature if you spent several days playing this tragedy of a game. And if you do take it upon yourself to play it for more than one day, I fear for your sanity.

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NTSC-uk

It's almost like the time-space continuum ripped open and farted out a title from years ago which, by rights, should never exist and only does so because of some unholy pact with Satan.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 6.5 (out of 10) based on 35 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

David K. gave it an8:
This game is like a good Tomb Raider. The weapons, enemies, and setting are very interesting and unique. The game plays like Tomb Raider: Legend. It has lots of platforming with some shooting and driving sections put in to mix it up. Don't believe all the negative reviews, this game is definitely worth checking out if you enjoy that genre.

Iwant mtv gave it a10:
This game is perhaps one of the most treasured games in my family's library of games from the past century. As soon as the game begins, you are emerged in a world conflict. Even though its an American War, at the time America is the world so it is a world conflict. You play as a Puritan cowboy gifted with the ability of acrobatics who is haunted by the disappearance of a loved one who we have no knowledge of. The controls come quick as they explain in a brief tutorial with frequent pop-ups and as the game goes on the controls become more fluid as the movement of your thumbs does as well. The story progresses quickly and little goes explained and reminds me of all time greatest movies. The voice work was suburb, needless to say alot of takes were required in order to capture each character's unique personality. Also, don't get me started on the cooperative mode. I probably would have given this game an 8 or 9 (which is unusual for me as my other reviews are very harsh) but my friend and I got together last weekend and had a blast playing this game as a team at the same time - split screen play. You don't even need xbox live to have a good time with your bro. It's hard to be bothered by teammates unlike lame games like Marvel Ultimate Alliance or World of Warcraft because such an ability does not exist in perfection. My only complaint with this game is the lack of replay value. Adding something like Abe Lincoln as an unlockable character would add a lot of replay value And remember - for the mind and spirit to be pure, the body must endure.

Coyote Q gave it a2:
+1 for Abe Lincoln standing next to a Cyborg/robot super soldier and +1 because I'm sure there was at least 1 person at Blue Omega that fought to keep this from shipping, it's sad they probably fired him/her. Controls, muddy and unresponsive. Not only is the analog not smooth the enemies jump around like parkour runners on speed. Note to all game makers give the player 1 of 2 options, a simple lock-on or precise analog control. Graphics, it looks like somebody took a can of clear lacquered glitter paint and sprayed down every wall and rock in the game, this isn't just unrealistic it literally gave me a headache. Story, only played for about 20 minutes, I apologize to the person that possibly wrote a kick ass story about Abe Lincoln fighting laser shooting robots (the game may or may not contain this, if not you may contact me for licensing rates).

Mathieu C. gave it a2:
The biggest piece of cr*p I've ever played, seriously stay away from this game, it's a total waste of time and money.

Chris R gave it a3:
I'm sorry. This game is absolutely terrible. Look at the game description and title cover. I was hoping for a nice sci-fi action game that would keep me occupied for a nice time. But as soon as I popped this game in, I immediately lost interest. Don't get me wrong. The graphics were amazing, and the platforming was incredibly smooth. But that's about it. I'd say the biggest problem this game has is that: It's way too easy to die. The shooting system and CQC(Close Quarter Combat) system are both very unrealistic. And the game itself has too many empty room and obstacles to get lost in. A 3 is a bit generous. But since the graphics and platforming are quite nice. 3/10.

James S gave it a7:
It's not an awful game for first time devs, just needed alot of polish on the technical side, and the story is wasted after the setup. Shame, could have been great. Rent only if very curious as I did.

Hex B gave it a7:
I personally think this game is awesome. I bought this game full price and i'm having a blast with it and have no regrets. I never take any notice of reviews and other people's opinions on games and it's just as will because i would of missed out on this great game. I like the gameplay and the whole steampunk style of Damnation is cool, pus the multiplayer is excellent. I hate it that this game is getting such a bad time. Damnation deserves more respect. The bottom line is....never trust other peoples opinions. Always judge for yourself.

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