Also, in the multiplayer version, you can combine any primary fire with any secondary fire to make custom weapons, allowing you to make a gun which shoots
stakes and lightning, which is pretty sweet. Pin people to walls, electrocute them: my kinda game.
Although the campaign cutscenes are ridiculous: not because they're bad, but because they have no relation whatsoever to the style of the actual game. I don't think the Cutscenes department were speaking to the Gameplay department that day.
Anyone who's interested in the cutscenes vs. in-game story debate, or who just wants to see how a video game story
should be written, should check out
this article by Jordan Mechner. It's awesome.
Regarding the "practical effects vs. CG" discussion sparked by Jaebird's question, I've been watching a few Buster Keaton films recently, and my jaw keeps dropping. Aside from the great comedy and amazing stunts for which Keaton is famous, the props and sets are
mind-blowing, and not even in a "good for their time" way. Check out The Electric House, The Boat or One Week. Unbelievable.