Brink

by Bethesda

Product Features

• Advance your character's development across every gameplay mode: single player, co-op, and multiplayer
• Gain experience points that you can spend on customizing and upgrading your skills and abilities
• When you press the SMART button, the game dynamically evaluates where you're trying to get to, and makes it happen
• Objectives, communications, mission generation and inventory selection are all dynamically generated based on your role,status,location etc
• Brink's proprietary technology, Virtual Texturing, breaks new ground on current-gen consoles and PCs with even greater detailed characters

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B002GDRPYI
• Item Weight: 4.6 ounces
• Media: DVD-ROM
• Release Date: May 10, 2011
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,095 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Platform: PC

From the Manufacturer

Brink is an immersive first-person shooter that blends single-player, co-op, and multiplayer gameplay into one seamless experience, allowing you to develop your character whether playing alone, with your friends, or against others online. You decide the combat role you want to assume in the world of Brink as you fight to save yourself and mankind’s last refuge. Brink offers a compelling mix of dynamic battlefields, extensive customization options, and an innovative control system that will keep you coming back for more.
PUBLISHER: Bethesda Softworks DEVELOPER: Splash Damage ANTICIPATED RELEASE DATE: Q1 2011 PLATFORMS: Xbox 360™ / PLAYSTATION®3 / Games for Windows GENRE: First-Person Shooter	STORY: Brink takes place on the Ark, a man-made floating city that is on the brink of all-out civil war. Originally built as an experimental, self-sufficient and 100% “green” habitat, the reported rapid rise of the Earth’s oceans has forced the Ark to become home to not only the original founders and their descendants but also to thousands of refugees. With tensions between the two groups growing, Security and Resistance forces are locked in a heated battle for control of the Ark. Which side will you choose?
KEY FEATURES: Not Just Another Hero – Brink’s advanced player customization offers a near-endless combination of looks for your character – allowing for the appearance of your character to be truly unique. As you progress through the game and acquire more experience, you’ll have even more opportunities for customization. Two Sides to Every Story – Choose to fight through the single player campaign as either a member of the Resistance or the Security and then take your same character online to play cooperatively or competitively against other players. Blurring the Lines – Take your unique character online at any time you choose! Brink allows you to seamlessly move between your single player campaign, co-op with friends, and intense multiplayer action. Multiplayer takes the story online where you can play with up to seven other people (or AI characters) cooperatively as you take on the opposing faction or with up to 16 players competitively. Play SMART – Brink uses the familiar shooter controls that you’re used to, without frustrating, artificial constraints and adds a new feature: the SMART button. When you press the SMART button, the game dynamically evaluates where you’re trying to get to, and makes it happen. Whether you’re a seasoned FPS veteran or someone just getting started, you’ll be able to make more intelligent decisions during the fast-paced action with SMART. Context-Sensitive Goals and Rewards - Objectives, communications, missions, and inventory selection are all dynamically generated based on your role, your condition, your location, your squad-mates, and the overall status of the battle in all gameplay modes. You’ll always know exactly where to go, what to do when you get there, and what your reward will be for success.
images and screenshots © 2010 Zenimax Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
About Bethesda Softworks Bethesda Softworks, part of the ZeniMax Media Inc. family of companies, is a premier developer and worldwide publisher of interactive entertainment software. Titles from two of the world’s top development studios – Bethesda Game Studios and id Software – are featured under the Bethesda Softworks label and include such blockbuster franchises as DOOM®, QUAKE®, The Elder Scrolls®, Fallout®, Wolfenstein™ and RAGE™. For more information on Bethesda Softworks’ products, visit www.bethsoft.com. About Splash Damage Based in London, England, Splash Damage Ltd is an independently-owned game developer that created the critically acclaimed Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory for id Software and most recently developed the #1 PC hit Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars. The studio has won over 100 awards and nominations from publications across world and was named Best Independent Developer at the Develop Industry Excellence Awards 2008. Founded by Paul 'Locki' Wedgwood in 2001 with key members of the mod-making community, Splash Damage is currently working on BRINK with Bethesda Softworks. Splash Damage's Web site is located at www.splashdamage.com. SPLASH DAMAGE and the Splash Damage logo are registered trademarks of Splash Damage Ltd in the United Kingdom and/or other countries.Copyright ©2001 - 2010 Splash Damage Ltd. All rights reserved. ZeniMax, Bethesda Softworks and related logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of ZeniMax Media Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. RAGE, ID, id Software, ID TECH, and related logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of id Software LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. All Rights Reserved.All other trademarks or trade names are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Product Description

Brink is an immersive shooter that blends single-player, co-op, and multiplayer gameplay into one seamless experience, allowing you to develop your character across all modes of play. You decide the role you want to assume in the world of Brink as you fight to save yourself and mankind’s last refuge for humanity. Brink offers a compelling mix of dynamic battlefields, extensive customization options, and an innovative control system that will keep you coming back for more. Story: A man-made floating city called the Ark, made up of hundreds of separate floating islands, is on the brink of all-out civil war. Originally built as an experimental self-sufficient and 100% "green" habitat, the reported rapid rise of the Earth’s oceans has forced the Ark to become a refuge for humanity. Crammed with the original Ark founders, their descendants, as well as tens of thousands of refugees, the Ark exists in total isolation from the rest of the world. With 25 years of social unrest, the inhabitants of the Ark have reached their breaking point. It’s up to you to decide the future of the Ark and the human race.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Try it before you buy it, May 16, 2011

By 

Drew (Springfield, IL) - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Brink (DVD-ROM)

I had the fortune of never paying attention to--or really noticing, for the most part--Brink as it was under development. Sure, I read one or two summaries, but I never had some high and mighty expectations for the game. So, come its release, I was neither bummed nor overjoyed at its less than stellar response by many people. Nevertheless, I was intrigued by its elements, and I found it somewhat alluring, in a way.

I had, years ago, played the game Shadowrun, which is basically the same old song and dance: class-based multiplayer game focused on objectives that didn't have enough bang for the buck. Maybe it was the fact that I never paid $60 for the game, instead opting to rent it, but I found Shadowrun to be an absolute blast to play--and I did so many times over. As for the popular game Team Fortress 2, I never really did get into it. I don't know if it was the far-too hectic combat, or the complete lack of skill that I had upon my first few playthroughs, but I found it very hard to jump in without frustration and annoyance. As for the game Call of Duty, I thoroughly enjoyed the first Modern Warfare, was severely disappointed by the stagnation of the second, and realized the series had reached ennui by Black Ops; still, though, the gameplay was worth of being applauded.

So a week after Brink's release, I had found myself still very interested in its concept. I have always loved customization in games. I feel much more connected to my character, and feel as though I am creating something of my own personal hero that can be anything I want him to be. Brink, having something of a combination between all of these good games with other good extras thrown in, was quickly gaining height on my wish list. Yes, I have heard the issues with the game, and yes, I have heard there's not much incentive to keep playing--but all of these, I can only assumed, can be addressed by updates and DLC--DLC that will all be free, mind you.

So, I finally decided to give the game a try before I took the plunge to buy the game. I am a PC gamer, and I know the game runs much better on a PC, but seeing as how the only legal way to play without buying it is to rent it, I opted for that scenario. After renting it and trying a few different classes and abilities out, my mind still wasn't made up. And it won't be made up for a little while longer; here's why: the game is actually very, very fun. The customization options, while somewhat scant for its promises of many abilities, were still very numerous, and enough to make me giggle with delight in all the different ways I could make the character truly mine. The story, though interesting, is a bit of a flop. You are thrown into what is seemingly a multiplayer match right off the bat, and only after it is over do you realize that you completed part of the campaign. The gameplay, however, is what really shines. The SMART system works wonderfully, making the combat more fast-paced and hectic, while still giving you enough slowdown to keep your focus clear. The variety of different class options and things to do is a fresh breath of air in a genre that is quickly deteriorating into Call of Duty clones. Sure, the AI is iffy, but that's nothing that should keep a person from wanting to play the game--especially a game such as this that is meant to be online.

A true gripe I had was the complete lack of a tutorial. I realize they show videos, and maybe I accidentally skipped some, if that's the explanation, but I was just sort of thrown into the action without one word of advice other than pop-ups on the screen--all during a game that literally cannot be paused mid-action to read them. There are objectives that you can't quite follow, even when they point them out to you. Still, it takes a few plays to really get a hang of what's going on, and for a dedicated gamer, this difficulty curve shouldn't be a problem in getting into the game.

So why am I still withholding my purchase? Two reasons: for one, I want to see a community develop. The problem with Shadowrun was that, while it was a fun game, it quickly lost its shine and fell into a gamer-less abyss quite quickly. I wouldn't want my purchase to be rendered meaningless. The other reason is that, to put it simply, it's true that this game has substantially little to offer. It has the formula right, and there is definitely possibilities for the game that could be seen to in new DLC, but for now, I can't risk the possibility that it will lose the developer's attention.

All in all, I understand how people feel about the game, and I completely understand the reviews it is getting. In all fairness, 6's aren't bad scores. It's the terrible rating system we have set up for games that makes this one look so terrible. Being stuck in the clouds with 8's and 9's really ruins the entire reviewing system when almost every game is given a score in said range. However, people have their reasons for feeling let down. The Fable series was a letdown. Dragon Age II was a letdown. To follow a game that promises a new experience and have it be a disappointment in comparison is not a pretty thing--especially when you pay $50-$60 for it.

So let that be a warning to anyone hoping to buy this game: rent it, first. Make sure it's a game for you, because it's certainly not for everybody. If it is to your liking, then still make sure to hold off until you're absolutely sure you want to make the plunge. An objective-based game such as this can only stay fresh so long as more maps are made. Without strong maps meant only for deathmatches, the game could possibly wear out sooner. Always be sure of what you're getting into beforehand.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Really disappointing., June 12, 2011

By 

dubo - See all my reviews

= Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Brink (DVD-ROM)

This was completely over hyped, so I'm going to grade it based on what the publisher told us it would be, because I think they deserve that. My review is basically going to be a bunch of loosely related comments:

It feels unfinished in almost every important way: the levels, the graphics, the animations, the objectives, the abilities, the balance, the story, even the goddamn server browser (it's pathetic how sloppy that server browser is). The weapons are all so closely related, most of them are useless stat variations of eachother that you'll use twice then you'll go back to the better ones. It's like a mix of TF2 and Call of Duty but in the worst way possible. They tried to take the teamplay from TF2 and the gunplay of Call of Duty but it came out a less fun version of Call of Duty. TF2 succeeded with its gameplay style because there are almost no "point and click and kill" weapons like in CoD. That allowed the mobility of each class to play a significant role, while keeping it balanced and keeping the skill ceiling very high. CoD is basically about being in the right place at the right times and having good aim. Brink futilely tries to mix both. It tries to let you run around like a slow scout in TF2, but when all the enemy has to do to kill you is point at you and click, there's no point in jumping around like an idiot, it just makes you more vulnerable. Even if it was useful, the maps in Brink don't offer enough opportunity to use the "SMART" movement anyway. I had high hopes for the character customization, but to be honest it's useless and I think they should have spent time on actual gameplay instead. There is no kill cam shot and your teammates/enemies both have thick blue/red outlines and shading, so you'll never get to appreciate the customization. The A.I. is really really bad too, and it's disgustingly prominent in the single player "campaign" (it's not a campaign at all, it's a series of offline matches with bots, seriously, it's sad).

I know I sound bitter but I was really disappointed in this game. It's the first non-Blizzard game I've ever preordered because it looked like it would be such a great game, but it's a total failure. If you had no expectations and you've never played TF2 or CoD, you would maybe like this game, but you would still be wasting your money. I gave this 1 star, partly because it is simply a low quality game, and partly because I think the publisher deserves the lowest possible score for selling an unfinished, rusty game at full price.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing Change, June 3, 2011

By 

Bob s. Marley - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Brink (DVD-ROM)

Brink is a very good game for being the the first version with only one update so far. Theres a little room for improvement but overall the game is very rounded and even. The character creation is very complex which makes every character you see in game different. The only unbalanced aspect is the hack objectives which can waist the entire map without even getting close to completing. However there will probably more balancing in the updates. The game also brings back a sense of speed fighting that was made popular in Quake online and perfected in Enemy Territory Quake Wars. So in the end its a very refreshing change from Black Ops and Battlefield Bad Company 2.

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