Brink

 Xbox 360
User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 409 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 140 out of 409
  2. Mixed: 148 out of 409
  3. Negative: 121 out of 409
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  1. RUINER614
    May 15, 2011
    9
    I believe alot of people believed that this game was going to revolutionize first person shooters, but this game borrows from other shooters while providing just enough new material to make the game fresh instead of feeling like another Call of Duty rip off. The only thing wrong with the game that I found was that it lacks a deep story mode and gun play is choppy at times. But other thanI believe alot of people believed that this game was going to revolutionize first person shooters, but this game borrows from other shooters while providing just enough new material to make the game fresh instead of feeling like another Call of Duty rip off. The only thing wrong with the game that I found was that it lacks a deep story mode and gun play is choppy at times. But other than that I beleive Brink is a solid first person shooter that doesn't rely on being a Call of Duty clone and stands on its own merits while borrowing slightly from lesser known games and some rpg aspects.… Expand
  2. IamScouse
    May 15, 2011
    0
    I was so looking forward to this game, what with the quality video and magazine reviews, so i rushed out first thing friday morning and snapped this game up even paying extra for the special edition. And what a complete waste of my money, it looked nothing like the video and graphically its like a game from the old xbox, very clunky and the AI must be one of the worst i have ever comeI was so looking forward to this game, what with the quality video and magazine reviews, so i rushed out first thing friday morning and snapped this game up even paying extra for the special edition. And what a complete waste of my money, it looked nothing like the video and graphically its like a game from the old xbox, very clunky and the AI must be one of the worst i have ever come across in all my years of gaming. And the game itself becomes very repetitive and boring very quickly, do not buy this pile of rubbish and first thing monday morning this game is going back.… Expand
  3. rmorgan779
    May 15, 2011
    10
    due to all mixed reviews nearly never bought so pleased i did low on content however a unbelievable tacticial game is hidden away if u persivier free dlc june new maps and additional content keep it coming splash damage mint ps we need high level cap 50 say
  4. amnix
    May 15, 2011
    5
    Only one word to describe this game; Unpolished. Texture streaming cant keep up. Unplayable multiplayer due to lag. Extremely pixualized visuals that make this game look last gen. No ingame lobbies or gamebrowser. Bots swarm the multiplayer servers. Campaing/offline mode is severely unbalanced with the godly enemy AI. Controls are very poor and generic with one sensitivity for both lookOnly one word to describe this game; Unpolished. Texture streaming cant keep up. Unplayable multiplayer due to lag. Extremely pixualized visuals that make this game look last gen. No ingame lobbies or gamebrowser. Bots swarm the multiplayer servers. Campaing/offline mode is severely unbalanced with the godly enemy AI. Controls are very poor and generic with one sensitivity for both look and ADS, which is a shame because it makes all of the guns to feel shallow. I *really* wanted to like this game, as i've been following the development of it for years. As of now, Brink, should still be in beta, this game is NOT finished.… Expand
  5. RedRobin
    May 15, 2011
    10
    10/10 Brilliant game!!!
    This Brings the team work back into FPS games. Graphics are wonderful maps are fun also, i am not sure why people are complaining about lag. I have played alot of games online and its been fine for me. If you want a game based on K/D ration like cod then this is not for you. This game is about helping each other to overcome the enemy.
  6. DarkChaplain
    May 14, 2011
    3
    Simply over-hyped and does not deliver the fun you'd expect. Laggy, hardware issues that make you doubt it has been tested and too focused on online modes.
  7. Ice163
    May 14, 2011
    4
    Where is the story? The demo had way more story then this. Why are they still releasing games that are bad? S.M.A.R.T. is Lacking Control. Why is everybody dieing the same!?!? When you have a game that has people getting shot to death "a lot" you should make it look GOOD!!! When a game goes and tries to change the way we play FPS things that aren't changed should stay tha same or be betterWhere is the story? The demo had way more story then this. Why are they still releasing games that are bad? S.M.A.R.T. is Lacking Control. Why is everybody dieing the same!?!? When you have a game that has people getting shot to death "a lot" you should make it look GOOD!!! When a game goes and tries to change the way we play FPS things that aren't changed should stay tha same or be better then the known and loved COD, Halo & BC. Anything less is a Fat waist of money and time. Can't believe I waited almost a year for this half done toilet bomb...Oh ya and the online sucks....... This was me playng this game.......... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxioGMFRGeA&feature=related… Expand
  8. DirtyHarry9
    May 14, 2011
    9
    I bought Brink for Xbox, and so far, this game is awesome. It takes place on The Ark, the last bastion of humanity known on earth, with two sides fighting either to save, or escape it. The first thing you do is make your own character using Brink's robust character maker. They have it so that it's almost impossible to have the same exact character as someone else. The graphics in Brink areI bought Brink for Xbox, and so far, this game is awesome. It takes place on The Ark, the last bastion of humanity known on earth, with two sides fighting either to save, or escape it. The first thing you do is make your own character using Brink's robust character maker. They have it so that it's almost impossible to have the same exact character as someone else. The graphics in Brink are gorgeous. They seem like a mix of Borderlands and Battlefield. The main hook of the game, the SMART system, lets you move freely through the environment, almost like Mirrors Edge, and you just have to hold one button down to use it. In Brink there are three body types. Light, which lets you move quickly over, under and around the environment, but only lets you use SMGs. Medium, where you can't go everywhere that light can, and you get access to ARs and SMGs. And Heavy, which only lets you jump over waist high walls, but lets you use ARs and miniguns, and have the most health. One of the many cool things they did is made it so you have to do certain challenges to unlock new weapons and attachments. So a lvl 10 who didn't do any challenges wouldn't have the cool guns and attachments that a lvl 1 that did every challenge would, which adds to the games overall balance. there are four classes in the game, and you can change freely between them throughout a match. You'll have to in order to complete the many objectives offered throughout the matches. Solders, which give out ammo, can throw Molotov **** and can set demolition charges. Engineers, who can place mines and turrets, defuse the solders bombs and other engineers mines, and buff their teams weapons, giving them more damage. Medics, who heal and revive people. And Operatives, who act as the games spy's, and can disguise as an enemy player (but isn't able to shoot while disguised), hack the enemy's comms (which gives your teams a UAV) and hack into enemy intel. Your guns don't change when you switch classes, but your abilities (that you "pay for" with currency that you unlock while leveling up) do. Speaking of guns, there is a huge variety. The main differences are sacrifices to damage for accuracy or the other way around, but each handles in their own different way, (like, how much recoil, range, etc.) which is cool, because I'm used to the monotony of COD and Halo. Also, once you've completed your fair share of challenges, you get access to awesome attachments, from drum magazines (which about triple how much ammo you have in a clip) or one of the many sights. Even when you reach the relatively low level cap of 20, you can make a new character, with which you can you can basically start over (like the prestige system of COD) and use new abilities or try new weapons or tactics. The single player chapters are the multi-player maps. So, you could play through the whole story online, with other people playing instead of bots. (which you might want to do because the bots are brain-dead) The only downside I've found so far is that in a few online matches, I've experienced MAJOR lag, but backing out and finding a new match is quick and easy in this game, so lag is never too big of a problem. All and all, Brink is a new kind of FPS, making you abandon the conventions of old, and embrace the fast paced, beautiful, and inventive ones that Brink presents.… Expand
  9. Ziras
    May 14, 2011
    4
    Brink was supposed to be one the largest shooters of the year. It promised fluid fast-paced parkour, the most intelligent bots created, an extensive class system, an overly extensive customization system (combinations rank upwards into the millions), as well as great online play. Instead, it gave us a clunky parkour system that didn't want to work half the time (and most of the time allBrink was supposed to be one the largest shooters of the year. It promised fluid fast-paced parkour, the most intelligent bots created, an extensive class system, an overly extensive customization system (combinations rank upwards into the millions), as well as great online play. Instead, it gave us a clunky parkour system that didn't want to work half the time (and most of the time all you did with it was hop over fences and slide under fences), the game was extremely slow-paced compared to the hype buildup by developers, bots are borderline retarded with teammate bots running aimlessly around maps and enemy bots just rushing objective points in endless waves, making it near impossible to get anything done, as well as an extremely poor debut for the online play with the worst lag I've seen since the times of dial-up. The only things this mess of a game actually got right were the classes and customization, and classes still fell a bit short simply because the game is so ridiculously unbalanced.

    Yes, you heard me. It's unbalanced. Why? Not because of classes, but because of the horrible map design. EVERY map consists of hallways. Nothing but hallways. In the middle of every hallway is an objective, in which both sides are consistently running towards. Now usually, this is the norm. Everyone is used to everyone running to the objective, it's the way it's meant to be played. The problem lies in the small hallways that make up the map. They leave no room for anything to be done, and when it takes an entire clip to kill a single enemy, you basically have a bunch of people just running around in circles spamming reload for forever because by the time one person is dead, another has came back, leaving objectives untouched and completely useless. Games like Call of Duty get objective-based game modes right because you can kill people faster than they can respawn. A good co-ordinated team can demolish another. This was supposed to be the plan with Brink, but instead it was just one giant stalemate.

    Single player is absolutely garbage as well, as bots just create even worse choke points with your teammate bots running aimlessly around, making some missions such as the Security #2 mission near impossible to complete.

    This game supposedly got patched, fixing lag and bots, but no-can-do, Splash Damage. You've already left me with a sour taste in my mouth, and nothing you do to try to fix this mess of a game will bring me back. If you can't ship a game relatively bug-free (or at least without bugs that aren't detrimental to gameplay such as online connection), then you don't deserve a consumers support. Especially when your entire ad campaign for the game is based around the part of the game that was so buggy it made it completely unplayable.

    I give this game 2 points for classes, 1 point for customization (simply because you can't choose what to unlock but things just randomly unlock without saying when they WILL unlock.. you need better organization, guys) and 1 point simply because I did like how the guns handled. If you are really looking towards buying this game, I suggest a rental first or at least wait for a price drop. You don't need to pay full retail price for something that feels like it was coded by complete amateurs.    … Expand
  10. pyro9n
    May 14, 2011
    1
    Brink is graphically poor, showing the aging nature of the XBOX, along with a total failure to realise the games fantastic concept. With game play dragged kicking and screaming back to life from the Quake era, and general costing of GRAY everywhere, Brink looks and plays like the implementation of a marketing mans dream. Great concept, good PR, nice out of game visuals and brilliantBrink is graphically poor, showing the aging nature of the XBOX, along with a total failure to realise the games fantastic concept. With game play dragged kicking and screaming back to life from the Quake era, and general costing of GRAY everywhere, Brink looks and plays like the implementation of a marketing mans dream. Great concept, good PR, nice out of game visuals and brilliant character customisation are all pointless as the in game graphics are poor, the game play turgid, and the multiplayer experienced riddled with lag and bugs. Endless corridors remind me of gaming times long past, and a period I did not want to revisit. After the visceral meat of Gears changed FPS forever this is a throwback to times long gone, and not an experience I wanted to revisit. The game is yet another Homefront. All marketing, no gameplay. Gaming disappointment of the year. How can they have got it so wrong!… Expand
  11. s0m3guy
    May 14, 2011
    8
    Brink is not a simple game to get into. There's a reason that there are multiple tutorial videos. It takes a while to get used to the gameplay, maps, and SMART system, but once you do it turns into a great game. I've been playing the cooperative campaign with a few friends, and each one of us has our own roles. Because of this I would not recommend purchasing the game if you will playBrink is not a simple game to get into. There's a reason that there are multiple tutorial videos. It takes a while to get used to the gameplay, maps, and SMART system, but once you do it turns into a great game. I've been playing the cooperative campaign with a few friends, and each one of us has our own roles. Because of this I would not recommend purchasing the game if you will play solo. The friendly AI is horrendous and incredibly incompetent. The SMART system is a great addition to this shooter. It adds a new layer of depth to the battlefield. Instead of running straight into the fray, climb over some cargo containers and flank. The maps are 3d not 2d. The system takes a while to get used to, but once mastered, it will aid you greatly. The customization aspects of the game are quite detailed. You have the ability to add dress your character with many things. Each piece of clothing also has different color schemes which increase the possibilities. It's nice to have a character that is completely your own.

    My major qualms with the game is the lack of content. There are only a few maps, and I have a feeling that it will get dry after awhile. Fortunately, this will be remedied in June when Splash Damage and Bethesda are releasing DLC for free. The challenge mode is also short and pointless. Weapons can be earned by completing these trials, but I would have preferred to unlock them by leveling. The classes don't have many abilities to unlock, and the max level is 20. It doesn't take long to max out, and you can cross specialize your characters into multiple classes. This makes it unnecessary to create multiple characters. Overall, the game is refreshing after multiple bland and generic FPS titles. Hopefully, Splash Damage continues to support the game. If this is done, the game will be infinitely better and worthy of a 9 or higher.    … Expand
  12. MickeyDee
    May 13, 2011
    8
    OneClassyGuy hit the nail on the head with describing Brink!! The only thing I would say differently is the score. I give it (as of now) a 7.5. When I first started playing I was disappointed because the graphics were not COD or even the unique Borderlands (which I love). People say graphics aren't always important but they are and they do play a factor! The lag and glitching scared me butOneClassyGuy hit the nail on the head with describing Brink!! The only thing I would say differently is the score. I give it (as of now) a 7.5. When I first started playing I was disappointed because the graphics were not COD or even the unique Borderlands (which I love). People say graphics aren't always important but they are and they do play a factor! The lag and glitching scared me but it soon fixed and wasn't a problem. THINK about this....What if COD or Borderlands had the same online experience with all the different objective applications and teamwork?! Truly would be the best video game ever!! If this game was gorgeous and polished and played as tightly as COD then I would never touch COD again!! This game is revolutionary and should be supported in its efforts. Bethesda dropped the ball (especially considering this ain't their first rodeo). I feel most of my disappointment is once again due to hype!! We gotta stop letting that happen.... Anyhow, good game and as of now I'm addicted.… Expand
  13. SuperHans28
    May 13, 2011
    7
    Brink is an enjoyable, class based, team FPS with hectic game play. Launch issues of lag in the free play 8v8 online isn't a great way to start but this is apparently being worked on. On the other hand, the co-op is really fun and is usually completely lag free. The challenges do offer a good amount of challenge especially the Tower Defence and Be More Objective modes. Customization is aBrink is an enjoyable, class based, team FPS with hectic game play. Launch issues of lag in the free play 8v8 online isn't a great way to start but this is apparently being worked on. On the other hand, the co-op is really fun and is usually completely lag free. The challenges do offer a good amount of challenge especially the Tower Defence and Be More Objective modes. Customization is a bit lacking but compared to FPS there is actually considerably a lot more then most other shooters. Overall, I would say try the game by either buying, renting or borrowing it off a friend and make up you're own opinions not base them off reviews.… Expand
  14. greenmonster714
    May 13, 2011
    9
    This new title is like a FPS on crack. It is refreshing to see a new twist come to this form of game play. It's a team based, fast paced, testicles to the wall shooter. If your looking for a great new shooter game. This is it. If your a COD fan. Don't even bother. There's way to much teamwork involved so you'd probably get bored since this game forces you to be a tactical team player. ItThis new title is like a FPS on crack. It is refreshing to see a new twist come to this form of game play. It's a team based, fast paced, testicles to the wall shooter. If your looking for a great new shooter game. This is it. If your a COD fan. Don't even bother. There's way to much teamwork involved so you'd probably get bored since this game forces you to be a tactical team player. It makes me sick that IGN has rated this a 6.0 when it certainly deserves better than that. Sure Brink has had a few problems at launch but what game out there hasn't? If you love FPS's then you should give this one a chance. Don't expect COD or BFBC2. Think outside the box. Don't just go on gamer site reviews out there. You will miss out on a very good game.… Expand
  15. Illuminate
    May 13, 2011
    9
    These are my First impressions of Brink on the Xbox 360. Customising your main Character is fun however any changes you make that would be permanent in real live are permanent in the game, for example tattoos and scars. Also your Character will end up looking like someone from Bo-Selecta.

    The main game can be played on-line or off you get extra xp for playing on-line plus its more fun    These are my First impressions of Brink on the Xbox 360. Customising your main Character is fun however any changes you make that would be permanent in real live are permanent in the game, for example tattoos and scars. Also your Character will end up looking like someone from Bo-Selecta.

    The main game can be played on-line or off you get extra xp for playing on-line plus its more fun shooting real people not bots. Main differences to Call of Duty (COD) are: 1.There are no points or kill count, one team has a set of goals and the other tries to stop them and run down the clock.
    2. You can take a lot more bullets before you go down. Once you are down a medic can revive you unless the other team kills you off.
    3. Games can last for over 1/2 an hour.
    4. the free running aspect. If it looks like you should be able to get some where you can, just by looking where you want to go and holding down jump.
    5. You can set up a custom match with things like friendly fire turn off or on.

    Some of the reviews for brink have been around the 6 out of ten mark. I have read their comments and I can only assume they were playing an unpatched version of the game. The version I have been playing since lunch yesterday is a smooth fun experience. I always play the game with real people on-line and I have noticed no more 'Jerking off' than in COD. Also this game is not a COD clone and I am enjoying the differences to COD.

    When you first play here are a couple of things to try. Change the control Scheme to COD there is a Something Duty control scheme that every one will be familiar with. Complete the first level of the challenges this will unlock new guns and attachments, Challenge mode is one of the game modes you can select, I recommend playing them anyway as they act as a sort of tutorial. I recommend This Game.    … Expand
  16. Xiphus200
    May 13, 2011
    2
    Brink is a great game until you try to play it... AI is terrible and makes offline mode little more then a good way to farm experience for your character and don't bother playing online until Bethesda/Splash Damage gets it's act together and fixes the lag. Its sad to see such a promising game crippled by terrible network support. So much potential but such terrible implementation. I regretBrink is a great game until you try to play it... AI is terrible and makes offline mode little more then a good way to farm experience for your character and don't bother playing online until Bethesda/Splash Damage gets it's act together and fixes the lag. Its sad to see such a promising game crippled by terrible network support. So much potential but such terrible implementation. I regret buying this game in its current state.… Expand
  17. Erilos
    May 12, 2011
    9
    If you play Brink like your standard old shooter it may be around a 5 or 6 but once you start to get used to the controls, mechanics and get a few levels under your belt it it turns into a solid 9. Brink is not like anything else you can buy at the moment and provide a very refreshing change to the standard FPS formula.
  18. raefon
    May 12, 2011
    3
    What a complete and under waste of money time and effort. Time and time again, we are treated to the hype and possibility of something worth the wait, and yet we are presented with this complete and utter rubbish.

    It not only doesnt move the genre forward, it allows for countless other companies to just roll out the same old crap time and time again. It is no wonder that COD and    What a complete and under waste of money time and effort. Time and time again, we are treated to the hype and possibility of something worth the wait, and yet we are presented with this complete and utter rubbish.

    It not only doesnt move the genre forward, it allows for countless other companies to just roll out the same old crap time and time again. It is no wonder that COD and Battlefield rule the market when no one looks at the opporunity to create greatness, but rather just uses the wave of FPS fame to produce nothing new, unique, or adventurous.

    You have played it all before, many many many times there is nothing good about the game, and any reviews that are favourable need to splap themselves into reality and get out of the house.

    YOU HAVE GONE BLIND.    … Expand
  19. Devil_Man_X
    May 12, 2011
    6
    This is not a bad game exactly. It's just not a good one, especially for the price. In a few months when gamestop is selling it for $20 (As I'm sure this will happen) it will then be well worth the price. I'm going to cover a few things so that no one makes the same mistake I did.

    Graphics: Very lackluster. Character models are not very polished at all. Characters look rather pixelated    This is not a bad game exactly. It's just not a good one, especially for the price. In a few months when gamestop is selling it for $20 (As I'm sure this will happen) it will then be well worth the price. I'm going to cover a few things so that no one makes the same mistake I did.

    Graphics: Very lackluster. Character models are not very polished at all. Characters look rather pixelated in some cases, with squared off edges popping up quite often. Glitches in picture quality are frequent yet inconsistent. Overall not hideous but not what you would expect with Bethesda publishing it.

    Gameplay: Pretty solid. Controls feel tight and responsive. Amazing customization of controls. Being able to map the controls to any button you want is a wonderful yet often overlooked option. As solid as the controls might be there are far too many good shooters out there that are just as tight and deliver far more.

    S.M.A.R.T. movement system: This is the most hyped yet under-delivered option that Brink brings to the table. This can be fun but does not deliver the depth or feel that Mirrors Edge did. It sometimes fails to do the intended action. It doesn't help that the maps don't seem to have the detail for this to be really useful. Most areas in which you can use the system in some way are just too obvious. Some that seem like they should be reachable simply aren't.

    Campaign: Non-existent. The campaign is simply regular match made style objectives with cut scenes thrown in. The game is terrible at trying to tell a story and does next to nothing to tell you what your mission is. Don't be fooled by the so called "mission within a mission" options. These are class based and are as simple as going to point A and plant an explosive. Customization: The customization options for your character and guns have a rather cool look and style. Yet there are far too few options over all. The big head scratcher here is why some options are permanent. Tattoos and scars that can be chosen at the character creation screen can not be changed past that point. A complete fail on the part of Splash Damage.

    A.I. Bots: Any time you're playing the game and don't have a complete team on both sides the game will fill those slots with A.I. Bots. These are some of the worst bots I've ever seen. They do everything from using the same bottle necked hallway over and over again to ignoring the obvious target to chase someone else. Overall: Basically it's not a terrible game it's just not that good. There is definitely some fun to be had here just not enough fun for the $60 price tag it comes with. I've read some reviews that claim the team based element is what makes it worthwhile. Don't be fooled by that. I agree that the teamwork aspect is one of the good points to the game but it is far from making up for Brink's other failings. A serious lack of depth as well as a multitude of glitches and lag ruin what could have been an good game. Splash Damage failing to deliver on so many promises is the real problem here. When it inevitably goes on sale for $20 or less it will be a worthwhile option.

    Thanks for reading.    … Expand
  20. dyeguy21
    May 12, 2011
    8
    I think Bethesda has created one of the most polarizing games in recent history. Some people love the game with its medium pace, team-style, class-based system...while others hate the overly helpful aiming, somewhat tedious interactions, and repetitive mission types.

    I am, as from my #, a member of the former but only because I have played the game with human allies. The game is truly    I think Bethesda has created one of the most polarizing games in recent history. Some people love the game with its medium pace, team-style, class-based system...while others hate the overly helpful aiming, somewhat tedious interactions, and repetitive mission types.

    I am, as from my #, a member of the former but only because I have played the game with human allies. The game is truly meant to be played online and currently this mechanic is failing some gamers with the lag issues that are reported across the board. I have been fortunate in that most of my games have been low to no lag, and if bad, upon retrying a connection I return to normalcy. This is the only fun way to play the game, I believe. The story is merely a scaffold to hang several types of missions on. Even though this came as a disappointment with such a great "theoretical" idea, the missions still stand alone in their own fun. The mission wheel, smart system, and point system are all structured to encourage team-based play. Someone interacting with an object in the world is defenseless against would be attackers without support from his team. In addition, the mission cannot progress if no one choses to perform the task. Thus, Brink allots points not only for supporting your fellow team, but also for choosing to attempt to complete the primary objective (more points for both, in fact, than simply killing enemies). This is a great idea, that fell short by the fact that once you max out your player (great abilities and weapons) your only choices to try something new are to create a new character or lose XP in exchange for resetting your abilities. It will also be troublesome to people that a chosen body-type is restricted throughout the course of the game. Thus, a heavy must stay a heavy and a light a light for the duration of the game and can only switch the tools alloted in game. This can create issues if faster players are needed or heavier weapons are needed to complete the mission as players would need to drop out and reset their character body types. (A problem for random drop in/drop out games as the player has no way of returning to the game he was in) These are not major problems to me and really apart from the slightly sluggish play and the lag issues others are experiencing, the rest just seems to be the learning curve that the game is requiring its players. I've played CS, BF2/BC/BC2/Viet, COD MW/2/BO, KZ 2/3, and Halo 2/3/Reach online as much as I could from the early days and those require only so much teamwork to get-by. A lone gunner can sneak his way in, or use powerful weapons masterfully, to infiltrate the other team and complete objectives for the win. Here, however, due to the high vulnerability (i.e. inability to shoot for long periods of time) of the objective-completer the team must be willing to stand guard and allow the "required"-class players to do their job. I usually play a support role in most of my games, thus, this is nothing new to me. For some, however, the "feeling" that they are useless 3/4 of the time may be unbearable. (As an aside, the graphics aren't that bad, I have noticed some screen splitting in opening cut-scene, and to be honest some of the animations are lame (i.e. frags), but the game-play animations aren't bad and the whole cell shading effect makes sense most of the time due to "sun bleaching" out on the high sea)    … Expand
  21. Grado
    May 12, 2011
    8
    Brink is an absolute masterpiece all bow before it. the free-running is wonderfull, the fighting is awsome every detail is absolutly great 10/10 get now if you havent already
  22. Jasa85
    May 12, 2011
    10
    Wow never seen a game so divided. I have been waiting for ages in anticipation for Brink and was hoping it would deliver. Thank god it has. The character customisation is so detailed, you can really be creative. Although it multiplayer/team based you can set your own goals. Im loving the fast pace and parkour but still can't get the flips like in the trailer.
  23. TLove
    May 12, 2011
    7
    Disappointing when you consider the hype this game got. Was marketed as having limitless customization, alas, the appearance options are all pretty stupid looking. The character face options are weird and does not allow for making your character look like yourself at all. Gun customization is mediocre but the gun camo isn't changeable which is hard to understand.. The actual game-play isDisappointing when you consider the hype this game got. Was marketed as having limitless customization, alas, the appearance options are all pretty stupid looking. The character face options are weird and does not allow for making your character look like yourself at all. Gun customization is mediocre but the gun camo isn't changeable which is hard to understand.. The actual game-play is satisfying and new but the story is piss poor and barely even existent. I played the entire Rebellion campaign without learning a single character's name.… Expand
  24. critical20
    May 12, 2011
    8
    Shadowrun 2.0 .... those of you who played and loved Shadowrun will understand what that means. Communication, teamwork, and movement are so much more important than simply pulling the trigger. And EVERY class is important to the completion of a mission. This could potentially be the answer to Team Fortress 2 and Shadowrun that were left out to pasture and NEVER supported by MicrosoftShadowrun 2.0 .... those of you who played and loved Shadowrun will understand what that means. Communication, teamwork, and movement are so much more important than simply pulling the trigger. And EVERY class is important to the completion of a mission. This could potentially be the answer to Team Fortress 2 and Shadowrun that were left out to pasture and NEVER supported by Microsoft after release (you will remember the battles between Microsoft and Valve about DLC, and that Microsoft swallowed up FASA into Microsoft Games Studio). And a note about how the "professional" reviews complain about the choke points. The choke points are INTENDED! This is where teamwork, strategy, communication, and using SMART to access alternate paths all come into play. I can't get over just how exhilarating this game is when everyone is talking and working together. I'm really disappointed on how many of the "professional" reviewers don't seem to want to learn HOW to play the game (hey, just like Shadowrun), so I strongly encourage you to try the game for yourself. Take your time. Explore. Experiment. And learn. I promise you will be rewarded.… Expand
  25. OneClassyGuy
    May 12, 2011
    6
    I had really high hopes for Brink and after putting several hours into it, I come to the conclusion that the game is good, not great.

    PROS: The thing that is great about Brink is it feels genuinely ambitious and original, dripping with potential. The whole idea of objective oriented, team-based FPS, though not entirely new, is a sub-genre in the FPS arena that I feel does not receive    I had really high hopes for Brink and after putting several hours into it, I come to the conclusion that the game is good, not great.

    PROS:
    The thing that is great about Brink is it feels genuinely ambitious and original, dripping with potential. The whole idea of objective oriented, team-based FPS, though not entirely new, is a sub-genre in the FPS arena that I feel does not receive enough attention from developers. I found the fact that Brink does not track K/D to be a little weird at first, but after a while of playing a game where "the objective is all that matters" I felt right at home without it and found the feeling refreshing.

    I really enjoy the presentation of the game. The slightly stylized human and gun models are visually interesting and genuinely different from the slew of realistic FPS games out there. I really like how the visuals sort of straddle the line between cartoony and realistic, like a mash-up of Team Fortress 2 and Borderlands through a Blade Runner-like lens.

    The game is chock full interesting little bits of style that I enjoy. When downed by gunfire, choosing between waiting for a medic and respawning is accompanied by piano notes. Stylish but simple. The objective wheel is visually inviting yet straight to the point and easy to navigate. Menus are clean and easy to read.

    CONS:
    Unfortunately, the game just doesn't feel finished. Enemies at distance have choppy movements. The parkour elements work for the most part, but at times don't feel tangible like the character is merely floating around the environment. There are several times when I would try to jump to a platform in the game and clearly miss and suddenly find myself pulling myself up the platform. It was nice to make the jump, but I felt like the game was just "giving" me the ledge; too forgiving, like the game is holding my hand. The campaigns, though completely different than any other campaign I've played in a FPS, was underwhelming. Each campaign chapter is proceeded by a short movie that tries to set the stage, but it never really comes across as pertinent or interesting. Each campaign mission is merely an online game populated with bots. While this fact isn't necessarily a bad thing, it doesn't help to pull the player into the narrative and make them feel invested in the story.

    Enemy and ally A.I. is extremely inconsistent, at times mind-numbingly stupid and others tactical geniuses, which necessitates online and co-op play. I played several private matches with a few friends online through the campaign, which definitely increased the fun factor of the game. However, the few times I tried playing public matches online were plagued by game-crippling lag. Splash Damage is apparently working on this problem.

    The plethora of guns in the game feels unnecessary as they don't differentiate between themselves very well. Most of the SMGs feel identical as well as the Assault Rifles to each other. I would prefer a smaller armory with more distinct firearms. Weapon balance feels like an issue needing attention as some guns feel completely overpowered while others feel like they're not even firing bullets.

    BOTTOM LINE:
    In the end, I have to say that I find Brink genuinely fun, however there are definite problems with the game that prevent it from reaching its full potential. The pros do outweigh the cons, but only just. Splash Damage's ambition is obvious and very refreshing, but the game is plagued with problems that I think could have been avoided had a beta been available. In all honesty, it feels like there was very little if any quality assurance conducted on the game, which is a shame, because underneath the tarnished surface, lies a shimmering game that deserves more attention. Who knows? Perhaps with a few updates this game can be as good as it should be. I hope it comes to be.    … Expand
  26. formyfamery
    May 12, 2011
    8
    Overall, I really enjoy Brink. It wasn't quite what I was expecting and a little bit of disappointment set in when I first tried it out. I am really glad I persevered and got used to it because it is a very different game than call of duty or battlefield which can get tedious after a few months. The game play is actually really engaging if you play it the way it was made to play. ThatOverall, I really enjoy Brink. It wasn't quite what I was expecting and a little bit of disappointment set in when I first tried it out. I am really glad I persevered and got used to it because it is a very different game than call of duty or battlefield which can get tedious after a few months. The game play is actually really engaging if you play it the way it was made to play. That means you have to be constantly on the move, reach the high ground by exploring and learning how to utilize the free running properly, and try to complete the objectives with team work. The reviews that are saying the game play is too repetitive don't realize that it is their own fault because they wont use all of the variety available to them. I switch between all 4 classes regularly to keep it interesting, I try all of the different guns and attachments, and I try to complete both the minor and primary objectives. If more people actually try everything out and give the game an honest chance then I bet that would hamper some of the more hasty negative reviews. The reason I gave Brink an 8 is because the AI can be really dumb and uncooperative at times, but I doubt that will be a long term problem as more and more people join the community. As for the effects, they are really good, but after playing the gears 3 beta and seeing the effects of that which are nothing short of fantastic, I think that the graphics could have been a bit more polished. The only thing wrong with the graphics is the textures seem inconsistent in some places. As for the campaign, I agreed with everyone saying that the story was crap at first. The thing that changed my mind was the audio logs that get unlocked as you play the campaign. As you unlock and listen to more and more audio logs, the politics, the tragic misunderstanding between the security and resistance, and the history of the Ark and why it became mankind's last refuge is revealed. The audio logs do show that a lot of thought was actually put into the whole story of the Brink conflict, and I also like that not a lot of time is wasted with cut scenes so that you can learn about the story at your own pace. All in all, Brink is a fun experience to me and most definitely worth looking into and forming your own opinion by a first hand experience.… Expand
  27. hellgrip
    May 12, 2011
    0
    Garbage game. The graphics are blurry, slow loading and there are only 8 maps in total! If you are looking for a good team based game I would go with Team Fortress. Much better
  28. TrueBlue
    May 12, 2011
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. First I'd like to say I greatly enjoy the "co-op" mechanic of Brink, You can't just go "lone wolf" it in most instances you really need to buff, heal, and stick with a group of team mates to really make things work. I prefer the tactical shooter over any other and by far. Sadly I must give Brink a negative rating simply based on lag issues. Every other game I play on xbox has no lag issues my network is the best I can afford because the one thing that KILLS games for me is lag. Sadly this one is full of it. If they manage to fix the lag, which makes the game entirely unplayable 9 times out of 10 during multiplayer, which is MOST the game, I could give it a 6 at best. Lots of fun ideas, the SMART makes getting around easier than any other game (assuming your not having a massive lagfest), which is AMAZING imo, sadly the maps aren't really big enough to thoroughy enjoy it. The classes and abilities are entertianing though making Soldiers/Operatives a little more useful couldn't hurt, may also be people haven't really gotten use to that sort of class yet. I ran with a medic and pretty much stick with it throughout the game. Buffing/healing can be rather annoying when you have more than 1 person in front of you, making most intense firefights turn out rather poorly. Again, if lag is an issue (and it almost always is) this task is near impossible. ALL my buffs cannot affect me, which is harsh, I would kill for a little Adrenaline boost in order to get my team back on their feet and gladly die soon after etc. Customization is another high point in the game, though in all honestly its not as vast as I'd hoped. They could definitely use more attachments for your wpns, but still its good fun to mess around with. The way they did the weapons and how you unlock them was interesting to say the least. You can get all of them unlocked within about an hour of picking up the game which leaves you with the task of finding out which ones suits you without a "compare" button. The weapons themselves are quite entertaining, though it puzzles me the lack of rocket launchers they have. My only gripe (as with most shooters) is that sniper rifles don't do nearly the damage they should do. That, combined with the lack of high ground or any good sniping positions makes them a rather useless wpn. Clothing is purely cosmetic, and you get a decent amount of options to make your "yours". These are the items that take the longest to unlock, done so by leveling up. The "campaign" is really just the 8 maps/missions you can play online with voice over during the loading screens. You get to play those 8 maps on both sides (yay) making a wopping 16 different missions, if you can really call them that. Really one side is attacking and one side is defending is all. Playing solo is difficult as AI bots that are the enemy are TERRIBLY accurate, hitting you regardless of you jumpin, sliding, ducking or anything else for that matter. Your team mates AI sucks as they will often charge off alone to try and accomplish tasks that are either pointless or not acheivable by ones self. It would be nice to have some "control" over your AI team mates, or at least which objective they should focus on. Graphically the game WOULD be nice but it does this annoying "re-rendering" thing every time you respawn or progress through a level. Leaves most textures looking blurring and lame in comparison to what they actually should be.
    All in all the game is quite entertaining though the lack of decent campaign reminds me greatly of S8. Maps should be bigger and have more of them. Lag should be fixed. Then you'd have a solid 8, heck just fixing the lag would put the game in the "positive" range. Add some more wpns/attachments/clothing, or even armor to the game and get that score even higher. I'll still be trying to play it as the days roll on, I like its gameplay I just can't stand the lag.    … Expand
  29. RedXIII
    May 12, 2011
    8
    Brink an OBJECTIVE based, TEAM oriented, first person shooter. Objectives and team work far out way the importance of shooting enemies in this game. It is more important to secure objectives and support your team with buffs/ammo/healing/building turrets etc, and capturing command posts to enhance your teams stats. Now if the game is played like that and gone into with the mindset to focusBrink an OBJECTIVE based, TEAM oriented, first person shooter. Objectives and team work far out way the importance of shooting enemies in this game. It is more important to secure objectives and support your team with buffs/ammo/healing/building turrets etc, and capturing command posts to enhance your teams stats. Now if the game is played like that and gone into with the mindset to focus on team and support rather than K/D ratio then this game is highly enjoyable. When I am playing COD or BFBC etc I was very focused on K/D ratio and would strive to obtain the highest ever. With this game it is far more important to play as a team and support than K/D ratio and you are rewarded handsomely for your actions as well as killing the other team. I am really enjoying this game. However it does have some downfalls, there are quite a bit of lag issues at the moment, most of the weapons feel the same, and character customization is not quite as in depth as I would have liked. But other than that this game is fantastic and welcome break from COD and it's clones. The parkour is fun and adds a new element to the game play. Yes there is practically zero story just a background story of conflict, however if you are willing to just play a OBJECTIVE based, TEAM oriented online shooter either in co-op or versus there is plenty of enjoyment to have. Here is hoping they iron out some of the latency issues and add some DLC support.… Expand
  30. MaccGyver
    May 12, 2011
    8
    I don't want to just reiterate everything that's already being said, but the gist of the favorable reviews are all on target - mainstream media didn't get enough advertizing dollars to give it the score it deserves, and the user's who are panning it are most likely COD/Halo fans who wouldn't enjoy a team-based, thinking-man's shooter even if it was performing tactical fellatio on them.I don't want to just reiterate everything that's already being said, but the gist of the favorable reviews are all on target - mainstream media didn't get enough advertizing dollars to give it the score it deserves, and the user's who are panning it are most likely COD/Halo fans who wouldn't enjoy a team-based, thinking-man's shooter even if it was performing tactical fellatio on them.

    Give this game a chance - it's not perfect (the comments about the AI and the audio/graphical glitches are mostly warranted, though my own graphical experience has been fine), but it's a deep, fluid, tactical experience that not only encourages and rewards teamwork, it actually makes it hard to be a dick by eliminating teamkilling (unless you enable FF), not allowing players into enemy spawn areas, and generally making it hard for those who aren't working together to stay alive. If you play on Xbox Live, I don't need to tell you how valuable that is. As others have said, I recommend getting some friends to play with, or at least spending some time in online play as opposed to just running the campaign with bots - you won't understand the games true potential until you do. If you've got a solid 3 - 5 friends, I can't think of a better recent FPS to spend an evening with. Read the tips in the Dossier, watch the instructional videos - take the time to learn the game, and you will not be disappointed.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2011
21
#21 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 85 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 85
  2. Mixed: 42 out of 85
  3. Negative: 7 out of 85
  1. DailyGame
    Dec 12, 2011
    70
    Brink can be awesome and annoying, euphoric and inexplicable, all in the same breath. Unfortunately, fist pumps are followed by fits of controller throwing all too regularly to make this one score much higher.
    Read full review
  2. CD-Action
    Jul 1, 2011
    70
    Interesting but unpolished, ambitious but too weak to lift the weight of these ambitions. What bothered me most was that the brilliant idea of bringing other players into your single player mode was not realized properly. [June 2011, p.80]
  3. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Jun 28, 2011
    80
    It offers a new angle on the genre and one that will excite fans. [Issue#73, p.84]
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