Stargate SG-1 Unleashed, Episode 2 Review
I have to say, playing these app games has made me want more so, for the big console games that never were. Again as mentioned in my review of Episode 1, the actors all do a damn fantastic job. Game play is pretty good for an app game, in fact I would say this episode was smoother and easier to navigate than the first. And it's just so damn pretty!
Episode 2 follows on from 1 in which Sam was accidently left behind when a shock grenade propelled Jack through the gate back to Earth. The shippy aspect of the storyline was somewhat manageable in episode 1, but in this episode, I felt it far too blatant and having a negative effect upon the narrative. Jack here is completely out of character. Actions such as his threatening the dying Jaffa, while reminiscent of Red Sky, do not work in this instance, are completely unprofessional, and Daniel had every right to call him on it.
What I did thoroughly enjoy about this episode was playing Sam for the most part as she escapes Sekhmet's prison, rescues Amun, and navigates her was out of the fortress. I can only assume since the majority of the game is played as Sam and then Teal'c, that episode 3 will most likely be quite Jack heavy. There are a number of different styles of game play in episode 2, thankfully no time contingent play, which frustrated me in the first episode as failure made it quite repetitive.
Upon reuniting with the rest of SG-1, the conversation between Jack and Daniel is most telling. Whereas Daniel was looking out for Jack's state of mind in the beginning, here Jack is able to rationalise with Daniel his thoughts on possibly using Sekhmet's time travel machine to save Sha're, even sharing his thoughts on the possibility of saving Charlie and what that would entail.
After some more shooting, which is always fun, Teal'c is left behind! NO. This threw me right out of the story. Jack would not do this. I understand this was to bring the angst and needed to expedite the narrative to the point where Teal'c is then able to magically appear on the ship SG-1 went through the gate to (without knowing the address nor apparently having the time to be aided by SG-1), but, NO.
This episode is perhaps a tad more graphic with its violence and torture scenes, taking things further than what the show was allowed to.... show. As someone who isn't an avid gamer, nor particularly versed in depictions of violence to this degree, it was a little surprising, but appropriate in my opinion to the overall suspense and tone of the game.
When Sekhmet forces Jack to choose between the lives of Sam and Daniel, the shippy aspect rears its head once more. If you choose neither and let the time run out, Jack automatcally chooses to sacrifice Daniel. Again, I believe this is OOC, Jack would not have chosen either IMO. If you do chose one, Sekhmet tortures the other instead.
It will be interesting to see where the story goes in episode 3, with episode 2 ending in a cliffhanger once more with season 5 SG-1 aboard Sekhmet's mothership, witnessing a battle above Earth between her forces and the Daedalus and a bunch of F-302s, suggesting that Sekhmet has already used the time travel device when she stepped through the gate to her ship and that SG-1 are at some point in the future.
Notes:
- You may experience interference from iOS7, since upgrading I keep getting notifications requesting access to the iCloud and photo streaming, this occurs inbetween chapters as the next is loading, and can freeze the game. However, when reloaded, it still takes you back to where you left off.
- Teal'c's eyes buldge when he says 'Indeed', not sure of this is a deliberate joke or programming glitch.
- Sam magically gains her uniform jacket (having left it in Sekhmet's prison cell) after reuniting with the rest of SG-1, yet magically loses it when they are captured by Sekhmet (She didn't remove anyone else's clothing so I assume this is a continuity error).
- Why Earth weaponry and ammunition is lying around in the catacombs beneath a Goa'uld fortress on a planet only SG-1 has ever been to, I have no clue.
Likes:
- Playing the majority of the game as Sam, gaming in general has a lack of women like her. Yeah, she was running around in her tank top for most of it, but Daniel was flashing his pecs in episode 1, so it's fair fair...
- Daniel calling Jack out on his bullshit, OOC or no.
- Jack & Daniel banter, love it.
- Jack swearing like a badass.
- The Teal'c v. Khufu fight. I may just have to attempt Teal'c's Revenge once more as I am yet to complete it.
Dislikes:
- The overt shippiness affecting the narrative and doing a disservice to the characters. It's really not needed, the game stands just fine without it.
- The point of Sekhmet's 'alliance' with Amun, was it only to steal his Jaffa?
- The possibility of waiting 6+ months for episode 3 *GRABBY HANDS* MOAR...
Stargate SG-1 Unleashed episode 2 is available on iOS for $4.99US or $5.49AUS
Episode 2 follows on from 1 in which Sam was accidently left behind when a shock grenade propelled Jack through the gate back to Earth. The shippy aspect of the storyline was somewhat manageable in episode 1, but in this episode, I felt it far too blatant and having a negative effect upon the narrative. Jack here is completely out of character. Actions such as his threatening the dying Jaffa, while reminiscent of Red Sky, do not work in this instance, are completely unprofessional, and Daniel had every right to call him on it.
What I did thoroughly enjoy about this episode was playing Sam for the most part as she escapes Sekhmet's prison, rescues Amun, and navigates her was out of the fortress. I can only assume since the majority of the game is played as Sam and then Teal'c, that episode 3 will most likely be quite Jack heavy. There are a number of different styles of game play in episode 2, thankfully no time contingent play, which frustrated me in the first episode as failure made it quite repetitive.
Upon reuniting with the rest of SG-1, the conversation between Jack and Daniel is most telling. Whereas Daniel was looking out for Jack's state of mind in the beginning, here Jack is able to rationalise with Daniel his thoughts on possibly using Sekhmet's time travel machine to save Sha're, even sharing his thoughts on the possibility of saving Charlie and what that would entail.
After some more shooting, which is always fun, Teal'c is left behind! NO. This threw me right out of the story. Jack would not do this. I understand this was to bring the angst and needed to expedite the narrative to the point where Teal'c is then able to magically appear on the ship SG-1 went through the gate to (without knowing the address nor apparently having the time to be aided by SG-1), but, NO.
This episode is perhaps a tad more graphic with its violence and torture scenes, taking things further than what the show was allowed to.... show. As someone who isn't an avid gamer, nor particularly versed in depictions of violence to this degree, it was a little surprising, but appropriate in my opinion to the overall suspense and tone of the game.
When Sekhmet forces Jack to choose between the lives of Sam and Daniel, the shippy aspect rears its head once more. If you choose neither and let the time run out, Jack automatcally chooses to sacrifice Daniel. Again, I believe this is OOC, Jack would not have chosen either IMO. If you do chose one, Sekhmet tortures the other instead.
It will be interesting to see where the story goes in episode 3, with episode 2 ending in a cliffhanger once more with season 5 SG-1 aboard Sekhmet's mothership, witnessing a battle above Earth between her forces and the Daedalus and a bunch of F-302s, suggesting that Sekhmet has already used the time travel device when she stepped through the gate to her ship and that SG-1 are at some point in the future.
Notes:
- You may experience interference from iOS7, since upgrading I keep getting notifications requesting access to the iCloud and photo streaming, this occurs inbetween chapters as the next is loading, and can freeze the game. However, when reloaded, it still takes you back to where you left off.
- Teal'c's eyes buldge when he says 'Indeed', not sure of this is a deliberate joke or programming glitch.
- Sam magically gains her uniform jacket (having left it in Sekhmet's prison cell) after reuniting with the rest of SG-1, yet magically loses it when they are captured by Sekhmet (She didn't remove anyone else's clothing so I assume this is a continuity error).
- Why Earth weaponry and ammunition is lying around in the catacombs beneath a Goa'uld fortress on a planet only SG-1 has ever been to, I have no clue.
Likes:
- Playing the majority of the game as Sam, gaming in general has a lack of women like her. Yeah, she was running around in her tank top for most of it, but Daniel was flashing his pecs in episode 1, so it's fair fair...
- Daniel calling Jack out on his bullshit, OOC or no.
- Jack & Daniel banter, love it.
- Jack swearing like a badass.
- The Teal'c v. Khufu fight. I may just have to attempt Teal'c's Revenge once more as I am yet to complete it.
Dislikes:
- The overt shippiness affecting the narrative and doing a disservice to the characters. It's really not needed, the game stands just fine without it.
- The point of Sekhmet's 'alliance' with Amun, was it only to steal his Jaffa?
- The possibility of waiting 6+ months for episode 3 *GRABBY HANDS* MOAR...
Stargate SG-1 Unleashed episode 2 is available on iOS for $4.99US or $5.49AUS