Child of Eden Critic Reviews

Some players may be hung up by its brevity, but if its extension would have depreciated how breathtaking the rest of the game is, I don't think I'd have it any other way.

If Child of Eden suffers from one significant drawback it's the length of its campaign. For serious players looking to rush through, it's possible to finish all of the stages within a few short hours. Finishing stages does unlock new visual filters and opportunities to mess with samples in-game, but if you're looking for 8+ hours of genuinely fresh content you will be disappointed.

With a regular controller, Child of Eden is a finely-tuned, lovely shooter. With Kinect, it transforms from being something you play to something you become. It's impossible to see someone playing Child of Eden with Kinect and not want to try it yourself. And once you start, you'll keep coming back for more.

Easily one of the best games I've played this year, and while it's definitely early in the year to start calling out the GOTY, Child of Eden is certainly in the running.

Fortunately Child of Eden has arrived, and it's a game that completely absorbs you when you're playing it. A game which makes you laugh for no reason when playing it. A game which expresses pure joy at simply being a game. And it's brilliant.

Once again Tetsuya Mizuguchi has created an amazing game, just like he did with Rez those so many years ago. Child of Eden however is far superior thanks to the FULL HD graphics, a beautiful soundtrack and almost flawless Kinect controls that work perfectly with the gameplay.

All in all, Child of Eden is an amazing example of what the Kinect hardware can do when placed in the right hands. It's also a brilliant piece of entertainment that is just as enjoyable to watch as it is to play. If you own an Xbox 360, this is a game that needs to be in your collection.

It's worth mentioning that even though the game can (and should) be played with Kinect the option is there to play this title with the standard controller. In this mode it definitely feels like a follow up to Rez. But quite honestly after putting down the joystick and playing, it was extremely tough to go back to the 'old style' of control.

Simply put, it is an experience, and one that everyone needs to try.

A game that is a masterclass in stimulating the senses throughout. But its greatest achievement is making Kinect seem indispensable, allowing you to take centre stage and feel part of Eden's glittering landscape. An evolution of sorts, borne from the endeavour of creation.

It leaves you with a peculiar sense of power: it feels as though you have the influence of a redemptive god, restoring a fallen world back to its Eden state after a corrupting virus.

Breathtaking combination of visuals, music, and motion.

While Child of Eden's appeal may not be universal, those with an open mind will have a blast.

Organically pulsating, Child of Eden is a special, once-in-a-lifetime experience that should be checked out by any gamer with an Xbox 360 and Kinect.

A startlingly modern experience, one that marries unparalleled aesthetic design with motion controls that actually matter, resulting in a one-of-a-kind trip that promises to stick with you long after you've liberated Lumi.

Euphoric mix of interactive gameplay, visuals and music that proves not only the wider potential for Kinect but for video games in general.

More an experience than a game. It's a visual journey, short indeed but unforgettable. And not for everyone.

Child of Eden is about as perfect a follow-up to Rez as one could expect - minus the annoying star system. If you loved Rez, or on-rail shooters in general, you'll definitely want to buy this ASAP. The $50 price tag may seem a bit high given that there aren't a ton of levels available. However, what's here is high-quality stuff, so if you enjoyed Rez, you'll easily get $50 worth out of it - especially if you own the Kinect since that gives you two distinct, but very different ways to play the game.

This psychedelic rhythm rail shooter from Q Entertainment's famed game designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi - the man behind Space Channel 5, REZ and Lumines - deserves your attention, love and care. Whether one or all three games I've just enumerated occupy a special place in your heart or not, there's no reason why this new venture should be skipped. Now, if your eyes and ears have never been exposed to Mizuguchi's genius before, the time has come.

This is a worthy succesor to Rez and one of those titles that can justify the eternal discussion arguing if games are a form of art.