S&S; Review: Fuse

Title: Fuse
Format: PS3, Xbox 360
Release Date: May 28th, 2013
Publisher: EA
Developer: Insomniac Games
Price:$59.99
ESRB Rating: M

Insomniac Games' first multi-platform game, Fuse, has finally been released, and it features great four player cooperative gameplay.  Unfortunately, the game stops being fun outside of the multiplayer.  If you can't play it with friends, don't bother, but if you have people to play with, definitely give the game a shot.
Story and Presentation:
Fuse's story and narrative is set up like a summer action flick, focuses less on character and emotional depth, in favor of an action heavy narrative.  I saw this coming, and I didn't have a problem with it at all, despite being pretty cheesy at times, I really enjoyed it from start to finish.  Each of the four main characters are instantly likable, and each of them have their own backstories that you learn about as the story progresses.  The game is also very humorous, which was a surprise.  But seeing as how Insomniac Games is at the helm, the great humor we've come to love from them is back in Fuse.  These four characters start off on a routine infiltration mission, but when an Alien substance gets stolen, the team is sent to retrieve the Fuse.  Like I said, the story won't impress you by any means, for a cooperative action game, the game's narrative is serviceable, and there's nothing wrong with that.  The game's visuals are really good, and although the graphics won't blow you away, the unique aesthetics alone is worth the buy in.  There isn't a lot of variety in the environments, just a lot of industrial areas that never really differ from the last.  You do get the occasional graphical highlight with a jungle or mountain scene, but they don't pop up but only a few times during the campaign.  The audio is solid, with some good voice acting and a great soundtrack to listen to.
Core Gameplay and Multiplayer:
The gameplay in Fuse is where the game shines, it's a fun and polished four player cooperative shooter.  The comparisons are obvious, with Gears of War coming to the mind of every person who plays the game, it's not a bad game to make comparisons too.  On the outside it may look like a GoW clone, but it soon separates itself from other cover based shooters with a wealth of unique abilities and weaponry.  When you get your hands on the game's wide array of weapons, it definitely starts to feel like an Insomniac title.  You have all your standard guns, but then you have your special weapons, it changes the game up entirely.  Each character has a special weapon, and the key is to combine these weapons to make a strategically devastating arsenal.  The guns are a lot of fun to use, and they really make the game just a blast to play with a group of people combining each weapon efficiently.  You really need to play the game with friends to get the full experience, and if you can't, I wouldn't bother with the game.  The computer A.I. never takes advantage of their special abilities, and it can make the more hectic set pieces that much more frustrating.  Another thing that really gets under my skin is that you can't switch between characters if you're downed, but you can do it while in the middle of combat, which makes no sense.  It wouldn't be that big of a deal if your allies would actually come to your aid when you need them, they just end up running in place or getting stuck behind a piece of cover.
Final Thoughts:
Fuse is a good game, it just isn't great.  I feel that if you have a group of people to play with, then it is worth the $60 bucks.  If you're not able to to play with other people, then skip it or wait for a price drop, simple as that.
S&S Rating:  7.5/10 @whatsPlay