Too Human is not a good role-playing game. The five available character classes (Berserker, Defender, Champion, Commando, and Bioengineer) initially offer some strategic gameplay differences because of their proficiency in certain skills -- the Berserker is better with melee weapons, while the Bioengineer has regenerative health. But beyond the first level, these differences become less substantial. Methods for defeating enemies are largely the same for all classes because almost every single enemy attacks with the same rushing-horde mentality.

It also doesn't help that the skill tree is limited and doesn't offer much in the way of variety for combat or abilities. A few skills here and there are specifically tailored for a particular class, but these mostly function as buffs or bonuses for pre-existing passive abilities. The more interesting skills -- namely, those that determine whether your robotic spider helper is geared more defense- or offense -- act similarly regardless of class. There's something to be said for the fact that it's possible to respec the skill tree (allowing you to regain and redistribute points for a price) and explore other branches, but you never feel compelled to do so -- the other skills just aren't that alluring.

But the most disappointing thing, by far, is the loot factor. The game offers no shortage of weapons and armor -- which is good -- but the fact that you're always finding better equipment makes even crafted blueprint items seem ordinary. Nothing's worse than saving money and leveling up to craft a powerful weapon or sturdy armor only to go back into the inventory and see that you already have new blueprints for an even more powerful weapon or even stronger armor. Additionally, the whole process of sorting, equipping, and selling items feels tedious thanks in part to an inelegant inventory system. Even something as simple as managing Charms (items that unlock more buffs) is a major hassle and surprisingly confusing if you don't pay close attention.

On top of all of this, Too Human is also not a good action game. While it deserves some applause for a reasonable translation of PC classic Diablo's mouse-driven controls, its reliance on the right analog stick as a means for attack only works at the most basic level. Attempting fancy aerial attacks exposes just how inadequate and unresponsive this control method is -- you repeatedly swing at nothing but air in midjump. Long-range attacks aren't any better; it's often a struggle to get the camera into an optimal tactical position and to manually select targets. And it's especially irritating when -- even after letting go of the trigger and pressing it back down to lock onto a new target -- guns continue to lock onto an enemy that's already dead.

Interestingly, multiplayer action fares a little better, as long as one player focuses on guns and the other on melee weapons. In fact, Too Human's cooperative mode as a whole is far more entertaining than the single-player experience -- not only does it involve a tiny bit more strategy when two players are going at it, but it also has the additional benefit of not having the horribly animated cut-scenes or rudimentary plot of the single-player experience.

At the very least, the cyber-Norse concept of Too Human is a good one that's worth exploring further, just not in this context. The game is simply schizophrenic; it attempts to be all things to all people and never succeeds in executing any of them well. The end result is in dire need of polish and focus, and that doesn't solely apply to gameplay mechanics. There's absolutely no reason why a game released in 2008 should have a bug where characters can fall through solid ground and into some pseudoabyss.

They gave Too Human a C- and Haze and Lair a C+

Link:http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3169393

Edit: Sorry should be in MS thread. My mistake.