I thought it was okay but unlikely to be a big seller.
Controls were fine once you got used to them, and I don't think the graphics could be better using Unreal engine if you want levels that big with plenty of scope to fly around vs smaller, more detailed levels for ground only combat. However the general masses aren't going to consider or forgive that when they compare it to other Unreal based titles like Gears, etc.
I think they used the wrong engine, and as a result the compromises in graphical detail to accommodate flying and size of levels will be deemed ugly or weak by general gamer. Or if the Unreal engine really did allow them to balance it they need to make sure marketing, etc. starts spreading the message that this is about the gameplay of openness, requiring loss of detail in environment and when on foot.
The on ground shooting feels a little too light and un-involving to please the main shooter crowd. I think this is a genuine weakness, and if I was the developer I would focus on tightening up the combat and giving it more punch if that is possible in the time remaining to them. Aiming seemed loose and there was little sense of impacts and the effects of gunplay. Also, the AI seems poor and actually inappropriate for an apparently cover based game - having them rush your cover at speed doesn't work very well!
The flying though I thought was good, with intuitive controls, but then I understand the developer previously delivered flying based games, so perhaps that isn't a surprise. The moves you can do if you chose to learn them are neat, and little touches like being able to hi-jack vessels, etc. good - although again the general gamer is more likely to grumble that hi-jacking takes more effort than simply destroying flying opponents, although to me it makes sense, and gives a sense of reward for getting control of the vehicle.
The retro feel appeals to me, kind of Rocketer look and vibe evoking golden era SF, but again I think general consensus won't find it that appealing.
If the final product reviews okay I may give it a shot as it could be something different because of the mix of gameplay styles, and I did like the flying, but it's clearly going to struggle to connect and it's going to struggle because it's not an easy marketing proposition in a time when the general masses love easy to digest messages - it's a classic shooter, it's a classic platformer, etc.
Technically it seemed competent overall, with some nice animation when flying, no obvious glitches, etc.
So decent overall and good in places, but weak in others and overall perhaps a nice idea that isn't going to have huge overall appeal.
Try to be reasonable... its easier than you think...
