The first thing that hits you about IndianVideoGamer Mumbai Meet 4 (IVGMM4) is lack of detail and realism. While most next-gen titles have ultra-accurate renditions of everything ranging from wrinkles to turd, IVGMM4 employs a more whimsical style due to the nature of its graphics engine. Unlike other games that use the Unreal Engine, the developers at IVG have employed their own custom engine nicknamed “Booze and Pizza”, and if your system can handle it, there’s a secret mode unlocked called “Booze, Pizza, Cheech & Chong, Transformers HD”.
On stepping into the in-game world of IVGMM4, you’re greeted by its denizens, journeymen like you who’ve travelled near and far to meet like-minded folk. Hosting the festivities is the overlord Sam, who controls the supply of food, games and beer. In Andrew Ryan-esque fashion, he even monitors the activities of all and sundry via digital camera. Due to a touch of tech-n00bness, however, most the data cache on his camera is erased, but its presence more than enough to keep the more friskier bunches in check.
[singlepic=180,200,250,left]Other titles in this genre have repetitive goals and objectives, making them quite boring to play (Assassin’s Creed, I’m looking at you). The objective of IVGMM4 is simple – come, meet up and have a good time. A no-brainer really. With an excellent system of mini-games such as Wii Sports, Soul Calibur 4, FIFA 09, Pure, Guitar Hero 2 and Halo 3, getting by is an absolute blast.
However, the greatest strength of this title is the widened and enhanced roster of characters. Unlike previous instalments in the franchise that had smaller numbers, IVGMM4 is probably the biggest in this aspect. And perhaps, the most fun too. From the drunken ramblings of gonekrazy to the team killing antics of THEDIRECTOR, each and every character was awesome to interact with.
Each character has its own unique back-story that further deepens the experience. For instance, Donz being PS3-phobic would not even touch the PS3, while Sam wouldn’t touch the Xbox 360 for being afraid of the same. At the same time you have those with more liberal allegiances such as Markettantrik, who gladly accepted this reviewer’s challenges in Soul Calibur 4 on the PS3 and FNR3 on the 360 and whooped him soundly at both.
[singlepic=181,200,250,right]If you’re adventurous, you’d try your hand at eight-player free for all Halo 3 with rockets being your only weapon. The sound effects in this mini-game were brilliant, be it the dins of “stop flashing” (which apparently was meant without any innuendos attached) or several succinctly punctuated four and five letter words that would be too brazen to publish, combined with generous dollops of “dude”, “fail”, “nice” and “win”. And if you’ve stocked up on enough power ups (read: booze) you’d be soaring through death matches on Guardian in no time. Due to the nature of the Booze and Pizza engine, this game has been deemed 18+ only.
Much has been talked about the controversial installation limit of IVGMM4. Due to the DRM employed by the developers themselves, you could only fire up the game once. And that time was on the 27th of September, 2008, 7 PM onwards. All further attempts yielded this reviewer with self-inflicted rickrolls and exploding hangovers. Such is the nature of the DRM in this title, more severe than others, which at least allow you to install the game three times.
All in all, it’s a brilliant attempt by the guys at IVG. Be it expanding vocabulary (kudos THEDIRECTOR) or having a rational discussion about fanboy wars with CarbonCore (no seriously, it was completely rational) to reminiscing the good old days of Nintendo with Systematic, I’m yet to come across something packed with so many killer moments in one single gameplay sitting. This is definitely game of the year bar none. Unless there’s a IVGMM5, that is.
IndianVideoGamer Verdict: DO WANT! You should’ve been there.
IVGMM4 was available on the 27th of September, 7 PM onwards at the cost of free and was bundled with epic win.
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