Hydrophobia (XBox360)

58%
reviews
'A wholly loathsome experience drowns out the potentially impressive water physics; Dark Energy Digital should focus on turning their water into a piece of middleware. Maybe then we could finally see something good come out of this mess.'
Read more » Video Gamer (Pro-G)
'From the game-stretching fetch quests to the clanking camera to the clumsy cliffhanger ending, Hydrophobia just doesn't feel like a finished game. The water is truly unique and special, but everything else feels too much like a soggy, overblown tech demo.'
Read more » GamesRadar
'So, while Hydrophobia breaks new water, it treads old ground. The systems beneath the ebb and flow of its technical accomplishment are archaic and, without exception, lack finesse.'
Read more » Eurogamer
'I think the game does offer some unique things to whole 3rd person action cover system, but at the same time I have a hard time thinking of it as something really fun to play.'
Read more » Gaming Age
'Dark Energy has undoubtedly created some impressive technology and fiction, but neither are expressly enjoyable in what's playable.'
Read more » GamersHell
'If you're still interested in seeing what Hydrophobia has to offer, the Challenge Room and unique story definitely stand out as bright spots amid the otherwise murky gameplay. Otherwise, you're probably better off saving your Microsoft Points for something with a little more polish and replay value.'
Read more » GamePro
'An unusual take on survival horror with incredible water effects, Hydrophobia is ultimately let down by frustrating gameplay issues.'
Read more » Gamespot
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'Hydrophobia isn't straight-up, unforgivably dreadful. It's mostly just boring, uninspired, and vapid. Were it not for the combat, one could get away with calling it an almost decent waste of time and money. The whole package, however, amounts to a tedious and frustrating exercise in futility.'
Read more » Destructoid
'So, here's the thing: without the dynamic water effects, Hydrophobia is just a passable Live Arcade title. The game ends abruptly (an out-of-nowhere "To Be Continued" flashes on screen), it leaves something to be desired visually, and in some ways feels rushed; the only element raising Hydrophobia from pure mediocrity is its interesting use of water.'
Read more » 1up.com
'The package might be a bit overpriced, not giving nearly enough content for what you pay, but this game holds a lot of promise. As a first entry in a series of titles there is a lot to build on, setting a solid framework for the future games to expand on but there's just not enough here to easily recommend.'
Read more » Gaming Excellence
'Don't be expecting anything groundbreaking with Hydrophobia. Although, I mildly enjoyed myself while playing through this game, the annoying control scheme and rather standard gameplay leaves me feeling like the game has a little more potential than what was tapped into.'
Read more » GameZone
'It's definitely worth playing, though, and using the environment to creatively put down your enemies is quite satisfying. The supernatural water powers hinted at in the Challenge Room also get me excited for Hydrophobia's next installment.'
Read more » IGN
'And when a downloadable game makes you keep thinking its a full retail release, it's definitely doing something right.'
Read more » Team XBOX
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