The latest project to come out of Platinum Games' relationship with Sega once again looks to offer a euphoric flood of action, while staying true to the publisher's reputation for arcade sensibilities.
This time around you're not playing as a sexy melee master of the dark arts, but as space soldier beefcake, Sam Gideon. In the not-too-distant future, an international war for the world's drying well of resources turns galactic as the USA establishes a space station to collect pure energy from the sun.
After the story introduction you're thrown straight into the action, which proceeds to play out like a shiny futuristic Gears of War on speed. The controls actually seem quite 'slippery' at first, as you realise that Platinum has, to the game's benefit, been very liberal with the inertia here. Compared to most shooters of its kind, Vanquish initially feels like you're skating all over the place. But you get used to it.
The usual third-person shooter gameplay mechanics are present and correct too – switching guns, aiming, lobbing grenades at grunts – but combine these with the ARS abilities and things get much more interesting.
Take cover behind a wall, vault over it and kick in the AR mode to heighten Sam's senses and make enemies appear slower. Then while you have the extra time, shoot the shit out of hapless robotic foes whilst in mid-flip and finish with a punch to the mechanical groin.