Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Factor 5
Genre: Action
Number of Players: 1
Rating: Teen
Official Lair website
Lair Gallery

Factor 5’s Lair has been highly anticipated for the past two years. Now that it has arrived most people are not sure how to receive it. Lair is a visual master piece with an in-depth story and sound. From the moment gamers take on the role as Rohn and fly their dragon into the skies, it will engulf them into Factor 5’s fantasy world of dragons and beasts. The one downfall of the game is its six-axis controls that, at times, make a pretty simple mission harder than it should be.

Gameplay

Gamers will find Lair to be a fun and exciting ride once they get past the innovative six-axis controls. Yes that is right, innovative. The controls bring so many new things to Lair that gamers have not seen before. Unfortunately this adds to the difficulty of the game. It takes time to learn all the functions of the six-axis and to perform them with some form of accuracy and ease. Once gamers can get a feel for the control scheme they will find themselves being able to use the many attacks their dragon arsenal comes with. A few favorite attacks of mine were: take-downs, body slam and rip and tear. Of course, long range attacks gamers will find it much easier to just use rage vision and fire-balls.


Story

It has been some time since I have played a game with a great story. Factor 5 must have felt the same as Lair comes with a story gamers will want to see to the end. Gamers take on the role of a proud Asylia dragon rider named Rohn. Rohn is a member of the elite Sky Guard and protector of the Asylians. As gamers play out their role of Rohn they traverse through several chapters; defeating Mokai, defending his fellow country men as well as mythical flying creatures and sending enemy dragons and their riders to a fiery grave.

Early on in Lair, gamers realize not everyone is of the same belief that peace is finally the way. Loden, Asylian and friend of Rohn, kills Mokai General Atta-Kai during peace talks. This ends all chance of peace and sends gamers in to the real battles that will test their dragon fighting abilities. The story plays out very well through FMV, chapter narration and actual game play.

Graphics

Lair was the talk of the gaming community as its graphics were supposed to be the measure all PS3 games would stand up to. Factor 5 did not disappoint gamers here. Lair plays out at a spectacular 1080p. Lair’s FMV’s truly shine as does in game play. Watching the water roll as the sun reflects almost perfectly. The character design, armor and lighting are better than most if not all games out there to date. The only draw back is working with the camera angles during tight battle scenes, mostly around bridges or tight cliffs.