Vanquish

 PlayStation 3
User Score
9.5

Universal acclaim- based on 1755 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,653 out of 1755
  2. Mixed: 74 out of 1755
  3. Negative: 28 out of 1755
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  1. dupplawt
    Sep 1, 2011
    6
    The controls are great, the graphics are pretty good and the gameplay is relentlessly fun. Vanquish is a great game for those looking for an adrenaline rush; a rush it is coming in at just over 5 hours long on Normal difficulty. The story is pretty poor; Russian evil dude wants to destroy USA etc... it's been done a million times before. Most male characters have a rough accent and atThe controls are great, the graphics are pretty good and the gameplay is relentlessly fun. Vanquish is a great game for those looking for an adrenaline rush; a rush it is coming in at just over 5 hours long on Normal difficulty. The story is pretty poor; Russian evil dude wants to destroy USA etc... it's been done a million times before. Most male characters have a rough accent and at times annoying and over the top dramatic. Nonetheless, it's a decent game and I had fun playing and I'm glad I rented it. The graphics are good in the sense of large environments and the particle effects are good as are the characters models. The let downs are the length and the story, the best bits are the gameplay and levels. 3/5.… Expand
  2. Jellybean15
    Jan 30, 2015
    7
    Vanquish is a game that doesn't focus on trying to tell a story. It doesn't focus on trying to create an immersive world. It doesn't even concentrate on making good characters. What Vanquish strives to accomplish is to create an absolutely high octane adrenaline fueled shooting fest using fast paced gameplay, awesome bosses, and constant gameplay change ups to keep the game fresh and fun.Vanquish is a game that doesn't focus on trying to tell a story. It doesn't focus on trying to create an immersive world. It doesn't even concentrate on making good characters. What Vanquish strives to accomplish is to create an absolutely high octane adrenaline fueled shooting fest using fast paced gameplay, awesome bosses, and constant gameplay change ups to keep the game fresh and fun. Ultimately, it accomplishes this goal, but when you look at Vanquish outside of the core game mechanics, it's revealed to be a very hollow experience.

    Vanquish, despite it's flaws, gets one thing right for the most part, and that's the gameplay, which centers around your character, Sam, who has been fitted with an Augmented Reaction suit, which enhances his abilities and gives him new ones. With the AR suit, Sam is more durable, can boost and slide at fast speeds, has more strength, and increased agility. He even has an ability called AR mode, which allows Sam to slow time around him, allowing you to line up shots while boosting, dodging, or save yourself when you're in danger. The controls for this game are perfect. Despite all the room for error with the control scheme, you're always in perfect control of Sam, what he's doing, and how he's doing it. It's really impressive that Vanquish lets you have so much control over such a fast character.

    More impressive is the amount of effort put in to make sure the game doesn't become stale. Throughout the game, there are multiple change-ups, including things like Anti-gravity segments, sniping sections, turret gameplay, and many more variations that keep the gameplay fresh. The bosses and mini bosses are epic and are designed to center around the AR mode gameplay, where you have to slow down time to line up the perfect shot on specific weak points. Even the quick time event finishers used on recycled bosses are different in an attempt to make every battle with one feel unique in it's own way.

    The gameplay is the one thing Vanquish got right, which is why it's all the more surprising to see just how much less effort is invested into the rest of the game. For starters, the story is a complete joke. Set in a futuristic Earth setting centering around Russia trying to dominate the world through technical warfare, Sam is sent in along with the military as a mercenary to help the American marines, which is a simple premise that works but falls apart when the story tries to be more complicated than it needs to. The whole conspiracy revealed near the end of the game feels shoe horned in, trying to create a more complicated narrative in a title that just has no real place for one. The subplot centering on Sam and his relationship with a high ranking Marine named Burns is somewhat interesting and tries to touch on some morality issues, but it ultimately doesn't amount to anything. Even the final interaction between Sam and Burns feels strange and out of place and feels like an attempt to make your care about a character that you really have no reason to.

    The story is just the start for a few problems. There are plenty of cheap attacks from enemies that one shot you or send you into a near death state, which become way more frequent as the game progresses. This also highlights a flaw in the AR mode, where every action centering around the suit - melee, boosting, and AR mode - uses fuel cells. They recharge fast but need to cool down if completely used. The main problem with this method is that there's no manual button to turn AR mode on or off, so when you take cover after going into a near death state, AR mode continues to deplete your fuel cells all the way to the end, causing a cool-down, and as the game becomes more cheap and difficult, it makes all the abilities provided by fuel cells less ideal in areas where you need them the most. You'll just end up shooting a few bullets at a time from cover instead of boosting everywhere like the game is meant to on the later levels.

    The last thing this game gets wrong is the sheer lack of any replay value. There are upgrades to be picked up in the field, but they only increase the max capacity of your currently selected weapon. There's no upgrade to increase your health, fuel cells, or the max amount of melee attacks you can do. The abilities you start the game with are the ones you'll end the game with, meaning there's no real new game plus. There are challenges and extras, but there's no real reason to play the game a second time after your first playthrough.

    Despite the solid gameplay mechanics, Vanquish's lack of anything else substantial is what sets it back. In all honesty, I recommend that you borrow this game from a friend, rent it, or buy it for cheap, and that's because you'll have an awesome playthrough on the first go, and have no reason to return to it afterword.    … Expand
  3. daemeh
    Aug 26, 2014
    7
    Repetitive and over the top, some interesting mechanics but overall a mindless linear shooter. It's like Gears of War combined with Devil May Cry - which might be a good thing if you're into such games.
  4. DougBefell
    May 2, 2011
    10
    This game has a slightly embarrassing, overly-macho plot. It's pretty short. It's a good thing every second of gameplay is sheer adrenaline and fun.

    Basically, Vanquish is a second-person cover shooter, where you can dash at incredible speeds to find new cover (which is constantly being destroyed), and enter bullet-time to dodge the ridiculous hail of gunfire. There is no padding, just    This game has a slightly embarrassing, overly-macho plot. It's pretty short. It's a good thing every second of gameplay is sheer adrenaline and fun.

    Basically, Vanquish is a second-person cover shooter, where you can dash at incredible speeds to find new cover (which is constantly being destroyed), and enter bullet-time to dodge the ridiculous hail of gunfire. There is no padding, just lots of amazing gameplay. Don't listen to the haters here. I much preferred this game to Gears of War, and I liked Gears of War. If you've ever liked a shooter, pick up Vanquish. It's available for a good price, and every set-piece is memorable.    … Expand
  5. Tubie
    Oct 23, 2010
    10
    I don't understand why the reviews for this game are so low. Yes, the game is on the short side but so are many more games. To me the only problem with the game is that it was so good it left me wanting more. This is seen as the only major issue the game has, but still during the 6-7 hours the game takes to complete you will be in pure shooter nirvana. The great graphics, the welcomedI don't understand why the reviews for this game are so low. Yes, the game is on the short side but so are many more games. To me the only problem with the game is that it was so good it left me wanting more. This is seen as the only major issue the game has, but still during the 6-7 hours the game takes to complete you will be in pure shooter nirvana. The great graphics, the welcomed difficulty and the overall sense of mayhem makes this game one of the years best games on the PS3.… Expand
  6. D_Mise
    Oct 19, 2010
    9
    I'm in love with Vanquish. It mashes together everything a hardcore gamer could want: intuitive controls, mobility, balance, a competitive scoring system, and stylized action. Itâ
  7. Funkymonk
    Oct 21, 2010
    9
    It may not have had the hype of some of the forthcoming big name games but, make no mistake Vanquish one of the most exciting PS3 action games this year. Challenging, innovative and when it's at it's best genuinely thrilling.
  8. Mickael486
    Nov 5, 2010
    9
    Vanquish reminds me of what it felt like as a kid to play the newest and coolest arcade games in the late 80's and early 90's that SEGA made. I'm talking about those big cabinet games that moved around like After Burner and cost $1 to play. Every second of this game is fun fun fun. The graphics are beautiful and the gameplay addicting because the control mechanics are TOP NOTCH. IVanquish reminds me of what it felt like as a kid to play the newest and coolest arcade games in the late 80's and early 90's that SEGA made. I'm talking about those big cabinet games that moved around like After Burner and cost $1 to play. Every second of this game is fun fun fun. The graphics are beautiful and the gameplay addicting because the control mechanics are TOP NOTCH. I suggest going through the last couple tutorials before starting but after that, it's all second nature. The story behind the game is simple, but a lot of fun..again it's a throw back of the corny but cool characters in arcade games back in it's golden era before the home market caught up and became superior over the coin-ops. There are 2 demos on the PSN right now.. I played them for about an hour before grabbing my jacket to go to the store to pick this game up. Nowadays games have to be at least 10 hours of gameplay for some to bother but there is a lot more to offer here. The game makes you want to improve on all your stats because it's so addicting. Playing through it you start thinking, I bet I could get through this faster next time if I throw my grenades here first, wait to blow up the exploding barrel here, and take cover here. One of the demos is a timed challenge, this is what did it for me, besides the amazingly awesome WOW moments that's in the campaign. Think God of War with kick-ass guns, only you're not Kratos, you're a regular average good guy in an awesome accelerator suit from a bad movie. (GI JOE) Also if there are any Bayonetta fans out there, as I was, Vanquish is better.… Expand
  9. SixDelt822
    Oct 20, 2010
    9
    Vanquish is a stylish game with endless fun potential. Its a great change of pace from the everyday shooter clones on the market. It has none stop action and amazing graphics that never make the frame rate drop even with everything exploding all around you. I highly recommend this to anyone that just wants a fun none stop action shooter.
  10. Shi_Wei_Li
    Oct 20, 2010
    9
    This game is simply amazing. It takes all the standards of cover based TPS and turns them on their head to create a new experience in a genre that is rapidly becoming driven into the ground. Sure, there is cover in this game but you will only spend mere seconds at a time in it to restore your power-suit's energy. The rest of the time will be spent using said energy to perform maneuversThis game is simply amazing. It takes all the standards of cover based TPS and turns them on their head to create a new experience in a genre that is rapidly becoming driven into the ground. Sure, there is cover in this game but you will only spend mere seconds at a time in it to restore your power-suit's energy. The rest of the time will be spent using said energy to perform maneuvers that elevate Vanquish's "standard gameplay" to something that looks like a meticulously choreographed cut-scene of your own design. The two techniques that use suit energy are rocket sliding and slowing time (triggered primarily by dodge rolling into an aiming position), and the rapid juxtaposition of the two is highly encouraged. Both of these techniques are actually far more effective in preventing damage than cover is, and both are highly aggressive maneuvers. However, the suit doesn't carry much energy with a stiff penalty for ever exhausting it completely--but on the upside it does recharge very rapidly. Thus Vanquish's perfect **** of insane speeds, dodge rolls with jaw dropping head shots attached, and cover mechanics is born. Not to mention there are many maneuvers the game never tells you about that are guaranteed to raise a smile (IE the melee during a dash allows you to kick off an enemy's chest into an aerial slow-mo aim to head shot his friends, or that you can trigger slow-mo during a slide/vaulting over cover/flipkicking enemies into the air) that the player must discover through experimentation to keep you learning all the great things you can do with suit energy. Levels won't cease to amaze you until the game is over, with new set pieces that crop up everywhere. The game is short, but the replay value will come from the gameplay--like a Devil May Cry game this game is begging to be played harder, faster, and more stylishly as your skills increase. For anyone who is a fan of TPS or Japanese-style action gaming this is about as good as it gets. I will say the story is a wreck of B-movie self-indulgent dialogue and sometimes appears as self-parody, but I don't think that should stop any gamer from experiencing the amazing game play to be found in this title.… Expand
  11. EVILMADCLOWN
    Oct 21, 2010
    10
    Vanquish is a one of a kind, its unique and is totally different from other third person shooting games. It never gets boring as the gameplay is fun because you feel so powerful and fast, and the game throws something big at you out of the blue which makes your heart pump. In the game, you take contol of Sam Gideon in the futuristic world, who wears a special suit called A.R.S, which hasVanquish is a one of a kind, its unique and is totally different from other third person shooting games. It never gets boring as the gameplay is fun because you feel so powerful and fast, and the game throws something big at you out of the blue which makes your heart pump. In the game, you take contol of Sam Gideon in the futuristic world, who wears a special suit called A.R.S, which has the ability to boost with amazing ecceleration and speed, slow mo to help you destory your robots enemies to pieces and you can also melee, but make sure not to over use these ability as your suit will overheat meaning you have to wait for it to recharge. You can hide behind objects to cover and shoot but thats not the fun way to play the game, JUST BOOOOOST!!! The game takes around 7 hours to complete.The game doesn't have multiplayer, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have replay value, after each act you unlock challenge mode which is one of the most addicting mode I have ever played, challenge mode will take you a while to complete as it is bloody hard!… Expand
  12. IOMDutch
    Mar 26, 2013
    9
    I have been playing Vanquish for a little over two years. Such is the appeal of Shinji Mikami masterpiece, I just keep coming back to it.

    Vanquish is a polished gem of a game. Everything is rock solid, no glitches, no bugs no crashes. The game inspires confidence as soon as you see these beautiful graphics. And they are beautiful. Real care and attention has been placed on all    I have been playing Vanquish for a little over two years. Such is the appeal of Shinji Mikami masterpiece, I just keep coming back to it.

    Vanquish is a polished gem of a game. Everything is rock solid, no glitches, no bugs no crashes. The game inspires confidence as soon as you see these beautiful graphics. And they are beautiful. Real care and attention has been placed on all aspects bun none more so than the Battle Suit. There are so many moving parts and flashing lights, it is a treat to look at and often worth a camera spin to see just how good it looks. Weapons morph into existence as extensions of the suit and are generated so beautifully they deserve a special mention.

    The gameplay is solid. It feels very retro, in the style of Mega Man. You feel overpowered with the control you have over the character as the controls are that good, but it's not long before your control is tested to the max. Once you get past the learning curve it really does become second nature to operate the suit in a heartbeat.

    The difficulty of Vanquish is fantastic. Choose casual and it really is just that. The suit will look after you and the enemies go down like flies. Hard is the path to choose. Trophies are rewarded for completing each level and eventually the game by choosing hard mode. Each Boss has a trick to it just like great retro games of old one you uncover the trick it is a matter of execution. Like I said the difficulty if perfect.

    Scoring is done in the old Sega arcade style over Stages and Acts and scores are posted to an online leaderboard This constitutes the only online aspect of the game and Vanquish is better off for it.

    As you beat the game Tactical Challenges game mode will become unlocked. These are by far the most challenging aspects of the game. The sixth and final challenge is by far one of the most difficult aspects of any game I have played. Based on this challenge only, PS3trophies.org ramped the difficulty level for the Platinum to 9.5 out of 10. So again worth a special mention for those looking for a challenge.

    Vanquish is a truly sensational game and one that you will keep coming back to. Most people I know are put off by the frantic nature of it but believe me it is so smooth and solid that once you get used to the overload it is a thing of beauty. The best game from developers Platinum Games in this reviewers opinion. And it features the single best credits screen of any game.    … Expand
  13. jellyduke2
    Oct 23, 2010
    10
    yes its a tad short but this game is seriously good fun the action is fast and frantic the weapons are interesting.the boss fights are pretty cool too if you like third person shooters this will stave off the hunger for gears 3.one complaint no multiplayer.
  14. Robbie111222
    Apr 8, 2012
    8
    Love this game easily one I the best 3rd person Shooters on the ps3, with shinJi Mikamo you cannot go wrong. Stunning, fast paced graphics, coupled with high octane gun fights, this game didn't sell well, shocks really as people should bite the bullet and pick it up.
  15. directguy
    May 4, 2013
    9
    The only thing that knocks this game down from a ten was the first couple of hours of the story. A bit too cheesy and derivative, but I did warm up to it as I played. As for the action, level design, and enemy design... Just wow. I played this game through on Hard and died over and over and over again. But I kept coming back to it. Because when you die, you feel like, if I just didThe only thing that knocks this game down from a ten was the first couple of hours of the story. A bit too cheesy and derivative, but I did warm up to it as I played. As for the action, level design, and enemy design... Just wow. I played this game through on Hard and died over and over and over again. But I kept coming back to it. Because when you die, you feel like, if I just did that instead, maybe I wouldn't have. It makes Gears of War and Halo seem down right sluggish. This game is available for free right now on Playstation Plus, a great way to play this game if you haven't.… Expand
  16. Makaveli
    Oct 24, 2012
    9
    Bought this game along time ago. I will just say that this game is underrated, I think this game sold under a million copies in which I doubt they will make another one. It's a shame because this game was unique and it seems that people just want mor of the same crap and then complain afterwards. If you guys want different games that are unique you will have to go out and buy games likeBought this game along time ago. I will just say that this game is underrated, I think this game sold under a million copies in which I doubt they will make another one. It's a shame because this game was unique and it seems that people just want mor of the same crap and then complain afterwards. If you guys want different games that are unique you will have to go out and buy games like this, if not we will be forced to play Call of Duty style games forever. That is another thing I don't understand, How can Call of Duty get a good score and how to people get manipulated into buying the most generic shooter ever created? Pretty soon you will buy a different game and Call of Duty will be in the box... you can't escape it. And you just know that the "pro" reviews are dirty because it's funny how they can give some games a bad review for being the same thing as the previous, but every year Call of Duty seems to get an awesome mark from them, and that game never changes and it sucks. I guess this is more of a rant on Call of Duty...lol
    Buy this game    … Expand
  17. HTGamer
    May 26, 2017
    5
    Vanquish is a mediocre game overall. Sure it feels amazing in its first hour or so, but after that the novelty of the fast gameplay fades away, the game runs out of ideas and becomes repetitive and cliche' as hell. Plot, setting and characters are far worse than the myriad macho movies from the 80s/90s. And let's not forget the subpar performance of this game on PS3/Xbox 360, with the 30Vanquish is a mediocre game overall. Sure it feels amazing in its first hour or so, but after that the novelty of the fast gameplay fades away, the game runs out of ideas and becomes repetitive and cliche' as hell. Plot, setting and characters are far worse than the myriad macho movies from the 80s/90s. And let's not forget the subpar performance of this game on PS3/Xbox 360, with the 30 fps target being dropped quite constantly. The low resolution of 1024X720 hides many of the game's artefacts (low quality shadows and such), so I don't consider this as an issue.… Expand
  18. 1995499
    Jul 9, 2012
    9
    Amazing gameplay, good graphics, believable character models and expressions, extra challenges for those who want more ... Where is my goddamn sequel?!
  19. SuperkenGaming
    May 27, 2017
    7
    Vanquish
    don’t believe the hype
    Vanquish is a 7 hour long 3rd person shooter where you play as agent Sam with a sick augmented reaction suit. Russia destroys San Francisco with a solar beam and demands the United States surrenders before they do the same to New York and you set out to stop this. Before you do play this game, I need to bring you back down to reality, because this is not    Vanquish
    don’t believe the hype
    Vanquish is a 7 hour long 3rd person shooter where you play as agent Sam with a sick augmented reaction suit.
    Russia destroys San Francisco with a solar beam and demands the United States surrenders before they do the same to New York and you set out to stop this.
    Before you do play this game, I need to bring you back down to reality, because this is not some hidden gem classic that everyone on the internet makes it out to be…
    Don’t get me wrong… Vanquish is a really fun game...
    The shooting feels great, you can slide around on the ground for slow motion shots or just move around maps faster…
    And when you take too much damage the game will go into slow motion allowing you to find cover or have a better shot at taking out the enemy before you die
    Which makes for some pretty epic feeling gun play…
    And the best part of this game is the guns and their upgrades…
    There’s a huge variety of weapons here to find what you like best...
    You can carry up to 3 weapons at a time plus grenades, and enemies will randomly drop upgrades that you can assigned to your favorite weapon to increase its stats instantly..
    The game doesn’t slow you down my making you go into some skill tree, no... You pick up an upgrade with your equipped gun and you’ve got an upgraded gun right then and there...
    And even better if you pick a duplicate while your ammo on a certain gun is still full... you also instantly get an upgrade for that weapon…
    This system had my actively switching guns and holding out on more rare weapons just incase I could upgrade it on the fly…
    upgrading all of the guns in the game while still making sure you have the ammo to get the job done is a meta game itself…
    But the greatness ends there..
    Because the rest of the game is bland and repetitive…
    The story is hard to follow,
    the characters are uninteresting
    There are no epic moments here...
    There are annoying one hit instakill bosses that will have you replaying the same fight over and over…
    every level looks and feels pretty identical...
    a lot of grey…
    no colors here which bores me…
    just a bunch of repeat killing the same enemies bosses and mini bosses over and over until the credits roll…
    I had a bit of fun with vanquish...
    But the expectations of the internet sorta ruined this experience for me
    I don’t know what everyone sees in this game...
    It’s a good game… but not beyond just good
    I give Vanquish a 7/10    … Expand
  20. Char
    Nov 10, 2010
    10
    This game is unbelievably on steroids. I am a big fan of mecha/gundam/guyver and robotech. I was skeptical thinking that this is another mediocre game but I am very surprised with the presentation of Vanquish. Nonstop shootin' guns blazin' challengin' enemies is what makes this game memorable.
    Second transformation of boss mechas after a hideous battle really pushed my overdrive mode to    This game is unbelievably on steroids. I am a big fan of mecha/gundam/guyver and robotech. I was skeptical thinking that this is another mediocre game but I am very surprised with the presentation of Vanquish. Nonstop shootin' guns blazin' challengin' enemies is what makes this game memorable.
    Second transformation of boss mechas after a hideous battle really pushed my overdrive mode to "rape that big boss in the a**!" I am out of words.lol.

    Vanquish 10/10

    Buy this game and make sure to bring extra sodas cuz u r in for a thrill ride. Bring sum weed too. Peace out!    … Expand
  21. Reyeko
    Nov 19, 2010
    10
    amazing graphics and visuals, great characters and a nice story. but the real great thing about vanquish is the game play everything about it is good, one of the best shooters out there. the story might be short but with the scoring system and god hard mode unlocked after you beat the game it has more than enough replayability to be totally worth it.
  22. Penisvanlesbian
    Aug 1, 2011
    9
    Really good fun. Awesome shooting mechanics, slow motion works really well and the animation for changing guns is the coolest I've ever seen. The only problem is that it gets a bit repetitive. However, don't let that put you off buying this amazing game.
  23. venneer
    Oct 17, 2011
    9
    Its only fault is being so much on the short side... Game is just so much fun! The action is really engaging, the weapons are satisfying to shoot, it's a joy to simply move around the scenery making use of the crazy amour. The voice acting is quite good as well, it's a shame that the lines itself are pure cheese. The story is generic and somewhat substandard, but it's not intrusive toIts only fault is being so much on the short side... Game is just so much fun! The action is really engaging, the weapons are satisfying to shoot, it's a joy to simply move around the scenery making use of the crazy amour. The voice acting is quite good as well, it's a shame that the lines itself are pure cheese. The story is generic and somewhat substandard, but it's not intrusive to game-play: cut-scenes are pretty short and can be skipped. Overall, excellent game where its only drawback is that there is not more of it. But there comes the replay value, I guess. You will want to play it more.… Expand
  24. BeardBoss
    Nov 3, 2011
    9
    My favourite game of 2010, hands down. After first dismissing early vague screenshots, I quickly realised the error of my ways. Shinji Mikami. Platinum Games. This game wasn't just a Dark Void-esque Gears throwback, it was a cleverly packaged homage to Probotector, Space Harrier et al; merciless shooters of yesteryear. The game BLEEDS style. The Guyver crossed with Iron Man tearing up someMy favourite game of 2010, hands down. After first dismissing early vague screenshots, I quickly realised the error of my ways. Shinji Mikami. Platinum Games. This game wasn't just a Dark Void-esque Gears throwback, it was a cleverly packaged homage to Probotector, Space Harrier et al; merciless shooters of yesteryear. The game BLEEDS style. The Guyver crossed with Iron Man tearing up some anime surplus mech warehouse in space. Presentation is slick, with bold sharp graphics and an eye for detail. A great soundtrack accompanies the tightest 3rd-person shooter controls available, providing intense skilful gameplay. The story is short and uninspired, but that's ok; you only came for the fireworks anyway.… Expand
  25. mrnice
    Feb 5, 2014
    8
    Ecstatic action made by Shinji Mikami of Resident Evil, Dino Crisis and Devil May Cry fame, shining with the quality and atmosphere one could expect from such a talented developer as Platinum Games. It comes with most of the clichés you'd expect from a shooter: turrets, on-rail vehicles, epic bosses etc. The levels have just enough variety to keep me interested, and some characters haveEcstatic action made by Shinji Mikami of Resident Evil, Dino Crisis and Devil May Cry fame, shining with the quality and atmosphere one could expect from such a talented developer as Platinum Games. It comes with most of the clichés you'd expect from a shooter: turrets, on-rail vehicles, epic bosses etc. The levels have just enough variety to keep me interested, and some characters have the cool overstated features of animé badasses. It ends suddenly after five "acts" which has me feeling they cut out the finale. But Vanquish is still a bit like pizza: it's short but well rounded, every bite is equally tasteful, and it has much flavor despite the familiar graphical presentation. Vanquish offers a fair challenge, and is mostly well balanced without frustrating difficulty spikes. Sure, I died more than 30 times during the campaign on 'normal', but save points are spread fairly throughout the game, so it's easy to jump back in and give it another go. The very fluid and fast controls reminds me of Dark Souls, and the game also reminds me of Metal Gear Solid and animé action in the way it all seems so imaginative and potent, brimming with playfulness underneath the Gears of War imitation. The plot feels pointless and I don't feel enriched or amazed after playing it. But it's outstanding action gameplay. The added online rankings (both global and friend list) add a touch of arcade machine. The SEGA logo made me think of Sonic and the effortless fun of early arcade games. I'm glad to say the gameplay fully lives up to both that logo and to the nostalgia I connect it with. It could get a better score, but I'll reserve the high marks for totally unique, thoughtful games.

    (I gave it a 7 but kept playing for the fun trophies and challenges which improved play-time with more than a few hours. The only other game I have so gladly stayed with for achievements was Rayman Legends. The optional Japanese voice-track helps keep the game fresh on replays, and the open design of the arenas make for different strategies and scenarios so each time has variety.)    … Expand
  26. alexaxa
    Oct 30, 2012
    9
    This game doesn't have the best story or the best graphics but it achieves something way better. It is just plainly fun and you'll keep wanting for more. Also, the controls and the weapons are great. The game isn't that long (maybe around 7-8 hours, don't remember exactly) but you'll have no problem starting another game and doing it again.
  27. Shomanjo
    Apr 7, 2013
    4
    It's Gears of War with Robots, Bullet Time, and Metal Gear Rising QTE's

    Feels a bit like Warhammer 40K Space Marine too, whereas you're walking around some giant area waiting for another horde of bots to show up or be airdropped in for you to shoot And of course, there's the pop up shooting gallery that makes up most of the game, where either you glue yourself beneath some barricade    It's Gears of War with Robots, Bullet Time, and Metal Gear Rising QTE's

    Feels a bit like Warhammer 40K Space Marine too, whereas you're walking around some giant area waiting for another horde of bots to show up or be airdropped in for you to shoot

    And of course, there's the pop up shooting gallery that makes up most of the game, where either you glue yourself beneath some barricade while the other guy shoots at you, and then you do the exact same thing

    whoopee    … Expand
  28. JohnnyLegend
    Feb 17, 2013
    9
    Vanquish is the definition of a great video game--fun, frantic, and challenging. No, it does not have great depth in its exaggerated (and admittedly fun) characters or the story they tell. No, you can't customize your weapons or armor how you like. No, unfortunately it is not very long. It does, however, give you over-the-top action that doesn't cease from start to finish. The levels areVanquish is the definition of a great video game--fun, frantic, and challenging. No, it does not have great depth in its exaggerated (and admittedly fun) characters or the story they tell. No, you can't customize your weapons or armor how you like. No, unfortunately it is not very long. It does, however, give you over-the-top action that doesn't cease from start to finish. The levels are diverse in their design and approach. The gameplay is perfected in its tight controls and furious mechanics. You will love it from the first minute to the last. Quality over quantity: Vanquish delivers that.… Expand
  29. Collectivecore
    Jun 18, 2014
    8
    Plenty of pride went into making Vanquish. It's a fast, exciting, 3rd person shooter that doesn't take itself too seriously. It should take 6+ hours to beat. I really enjoyed the game and taking down waves of enemies and bosses.

    Likes - Smooth, reactive, fast gameplay. Characters and story. Humor. Good Mechanics.
    Dislikes- Weapon upgrade system. Fight plenty of grunts.
  30. 22446688Bb
    Aug 18, 2019
    10
    Players control Sam Gideon, a DARPA agent armed with the Augmented Reaction Suit. If the player takes too much damage, the suit will automatically enter Augmented Reaction (AR) mode. AR mode increases Sam's reflexes tenfold, essentially slowing down time for Sam to evade attacks. The player can also manually enter AR mode by holding down the aim button while evading, sliding, or vaultingPlayers control Sam Gideon, a DARPA agent armed with the Augmented Reaction Suit. If the player takes too much damage, the suit will automatically enter Augmented Reaction (AR) mode. AR mode increases Sam's reflexes tenfold, essentially slowing down time for Sam to evade attacks. The player can also manually enter AR mode by holding down the aim button while evading, sliding, or vaulting over cover, allowing the player to target enemies (and their weak spots) easily.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Best PS3 Game of 2010
21
#21 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2010
9
#9 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2010

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 61 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 55 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 61
  3. Negative: 0 out of 61
  1. Thunderbolt
    Feb 9, 2011
    80
    Vanquish manages in many ways to be quite literally awesome though; from the bombastic battles you partake in, through its outstanding technical performance, brilliantly ridiculous cutscenes and superb twists on an established genre.
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  2. Absolute Games
    Jan 31, 2011
    50
    If you're still itching to waste a few hours on Vanquish, here's some advice: wait until the inevitable price reduction.
    Read full review
  3. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    Jan 25, 2011
    80
    There's really been nothing else quite like it this generation, which makes comparison difficult, and its one misstep is the fact that its only online component is a paltry ranking system. In truth, having multiplayer inside the chaotic sphere of Vanquish would have made Mikami's latest baby the prodigal son of third-person shooters. There's always next time though. [December 2010 p78]
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