This review is for both Part 1 AND Part 2 of The Watchmen: The End is Nigh. The game spans about 6 hours, so don't let my playtime fool you. For whatever reason, this game is split into two parts with separate steam store pages.

Gameplay:

This game is a bit clunky at first, I will admit that. However, the clunkiness does not kill the game, and after a while you get the hang of it it actually becomes quite enjoyable. There have been some criticisms that the game is repetitive. At some points, yes it is. Very much so in fact. However, the story (especially in the first part) is good enough to keep the player wanting to move forward. There are a few glitches to contend with, but nothing game-breaking and nothing that makes it unfair for the player. The combat is fluid and well balanced, and once you learn how to chain together moves and heavy and light attacks it gets very cinematic at some points. The combat system in this game is great for what the game is. It is an arcade-style beat 'em up with comic book-like cinematics in between levels. You should NOT buy this game if you're wanting Batman-style combat, because while you can tell that this is in the same vein as those games, it pales in comparison to the combos and high-flying action of a Batman action sequence.

One feature I quite enjoyed was the constant introduction of gameplay elements through pick-ups. I thought that was a really helpful way for me to keep myself interested and keep fighting through wave after wave of baddie. I wanted that next powerup. Unfortunately, at some points, the pick-ups that seemed to be right in your path suddenly move to something you have to find. At the end game I noticed that I was missing about three or four moves that I could have collected, but nothing in the game told me that I needed to go and look for them. There are also Nite Owl suit batteries and Rorschach cards that you can collect to expand the power-up meter. They're not necessary, and I completed the game without collecting very many of them. If you're a completionist however, good luck, because the level design at times is frustratingly confusing. There were so many parts in the game where I thought that I would find a power-up at the end of this long hallway and theres isn't anything at all. Quite annoying. The second part just gives you all of the moves you missed straight away so you don't have to worry about moving on without your full moveset. They just give it to you eventually.

One thing I thought was odd was the tiny, subtle playstyle differences between Rorschach and Nite Owl. Rorschach is the ONLY one who is capable of picking up weapons and using them against enemies. Nite Owl, for whatever reason, doesn't like to pick up or keep weapons. I think that this makes it more fun, in some ways, to play as Rorschach because theres nothing like smashing a mace across a thugs face. I don't want to give the impression that Nite Owl is useless, however. He has equally awesome moves and I felt satisfied playing as him for the first part. If you're a Nite Owl fan, like I am, you will enjoy this game. If you're a Rorschach fan, you will also enjoy this game.

Story:

I personally enjoyed the story of the first part of Watchmen. If you know anything about the Watchmen universe, and how it differs from our own, you will also enjoy the story. I also enjoyed how Rorscach and Nite Owl converse with each other at numerous points along the journey. They bounce hard-to-grasp ideas off of each other, and each of them have their own opinions that they vigorously believe in. I thought that the conversations between the two main heroes definitely help to make the player think about the pretty complicated concepts that Watchmen like to tackle. The second parts story is lacking, and is very much so the weaker of the two.

Visuals/Sound:

This game is visually impressive for what it is. The environments are done well, and while there is a lot of reusing of materials in this game its not really botheresome. There are some really neat environments and it is fun to see how those environments change the player. An example of this is if its raining in the level, your character will have tiny little raindrops all over them. The visuals are done well and you can tell that effort was put into them. At no point did I feel disappointed by the visuals or art in this game.

Mentioning art, the art direction in this game is excellent. It stays true to the Watchmen movie and really makes it feel almost like deleted scenes from the film. This made me enjoy it all the more.

Overall:

Overall this is not the greatest game to ever grace the steam store. However, if you're a Watchmen fan, like I am, you will really enjoy this game. Part 1 is a really solid arcade style beat 'em up and will keep the player entertained throughout. Part 2, however, feels kind of like an afterthought and because of this it really isn't very good compared to part 1. I found myself pushing to get through part 2 just to get it over with. Some people may even be satisfied with JUST buying part 1. You're not missing anything in part 2.

I really enjoy this game and I think that if you can get a deal on it you should try it out too. On sale, this is a great value for your money. At the time of this review, the first part is 5 dollars, and I think that is a fair price for this game. Bundled together with part 2 it jumps the price up to 10 dollars. I wouldn't pay that for the second part. Get it on sale, and binge on some ass-kicking Watchmen action.

Final Score:

Part 1: 7/10

Part 2: 5/10

This review is for both Part 1 AND Part 2 of The Watchmen: The End is Nigh. The game spans about 6 hours, so don't let my playtime fool you. For whatever reason, this game is split into two parts with separate steam store pages. Gameplay: This game is a bit clunky at first, I will admit that. However, the clunkiness does not kill the game, and after a while you get the hang of it it actually becomes quite enjoyable. There have been some criticisms that the game is repetitive. At some points, yes it is. Very much so in fact. However, the story (especially in the first part) is good enough to keep the player wanting to move forward. There are a few glitches to contend with, but nothing game-breaking and nothing that makes it unfair for the player. The combat is fluid and well balanced, and once you learn how to chain together moves and heavy and light attacks it gets very cinematic at some points. The combat system in this game is great for what the game is. It is an arcade-style beat 'em up with comic book-like cinematics in between levels. You should NOT buy this game if you're wanting Batman-style combat, because while you can tell that this is in the same vein as those games, it pales in comparison to the combos and high-flying action of a Batman action sequence. One feature I quite enjoyed was the constant introduction of gameplay elements through pick-ups. I thought that was a really helpful way for me to keep myself interested and keep fighting through wave after wave of baddie. I wanted that next powerup. Unfortunately, at some points, the pick-ups that seemed to be right in your path suddenly move to something you have to find. At the end game I noticed that I was missing about three or four moves that I could have collected, but nothing in the game told me that I needed to go and look for them. There are also Nite Owl suit batteries and Rorschach cards that you can collect to expand the power-up meter. They're not necessary, and I completed the game without collecting very many of them. If you're a completionist however, good luck, because the level design at times is frustratingly confusing. There were so many parts in the game where I thought that I would find a power-up at the end of this long hallway and theres isn't anything at all. Quite annoying. The second part just gives you all of the moves you missed straight away so you don't have to worry about moving on without your full moveset. They just give it to you eventually. One thing I thought was odd was the tiny, subtle playstyle differences between Rorschach and Nite Owl. Rorschach is the ONLY one who is capable of picking up weapons and using them against enemies. Nite Owl, for whatever reason, doesn't like to pick up or keep weapons. I think that this makes it more fun, in some ways, to play as Rorschach because theres nothing like smashing a mace across a thugs face. I don't want to give the impression that Nite Owl is useless, however. He has equally awesome moves and I felt satisfied playing as him for the first part. If you're a Nite Owl fan, like I am, you will enjoy this game. If you're a Rorschach fan, you will also enjoy this game. Story: I personally enjoyed the story of the first part of Watchmen. If you know anything about the Watchmen universe, and how it differs from our own, you will also enjoy the story. I also enjoyed how Rorscach and Nite Owl converse with each other at numerous points along the journey. They bounce hard-to-grasp ideas off of each other, and each of them have their own opinions that they vigorously believe in. I thought that the conversations between the two main heroes definitely help to make the player think about the pretty complicated concepts that Watchmen like to tackle. The second parts story is lacking, and is very much so the weaker of the two. Visuals/Sound: This game is visually impressive for what it is. The environments are done well, and while there is a lot of reusing of materials in this game its not really botheresome. There are some really neat environments and it is fun to see how those environments change the player. An example of this is if its raining in the level, your character will have tiny little raindrops all over them. The visuals are done well and you can tell that effort was put into them. At no point did I feel disappointed by the visuals or art in this game. Mentioning art, the art direction in this game is excellent. It stays true to the Watchmen movie and really makes it feel almost like deleted scenes from the film. This made me enjoy it all the more. Overall: Overall this is not the greatest game to ever grace the steam store. However, if you're a Watchmen fan, like I am, you will really enjoy this game. Part 1 is a really solid arcade style beat 'em up and will keep the player entertained throughout. Part 2, however, feels kind of like an afterthought and because of this it really isn't very good compared to part 1. I found myself pushing to get through part 2 just to get it over with. Some people may even be satisfied with JUST buying part 1. You're not missing anything in part 2. I really enjoy this game and I think that if you can get a deal on it you should try it out too. On sale, this is a great value for your money. At the time of this review, the first part is 5 dollars, and I think that is a fair price for this game. Bundled together with part 2 it jumps the price up to 10 dollars. I wouldn't pay that for the second part. Get it on sale, and binge on some ass-kicking Watchmen action. Final Score: Part 1: 7/10 Part 2: 5/10