DVD Talk Forum - Lair...

I didn't really have an issue with anything other than the 180° turn, which seems to be the biggest control complaint.

I defeated it over the weekend. Got at least Bronze on all levels with a few Silvers peppered in and that was without replaying missions.

Here are my thoughts from the PS3 thread:

Lair Review

Graphics - http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/4.gif
Beautiful. Very nice. The cut-scenes are considerably nicer than in game, I would assume because of the scope of everything going on. In game is nothing to sneeze at though. It is impressive swooping down to land and there is an entire battle going on with hundreds of troops that you can get in the middle of and wreak some havoc.

Sound - http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/4.gif
Excellent score. Has a LOTR mixed with SW: Episode 1 vibe and works really well with the dragon theme. It doesn't have an overall memorable theme, but the score during battle makes it feel epic. Sound effects are average, but the score makes up for it. Voice acting is decent but nothing noteworthy.

Story - http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/3.5.gif
Solid. Two warring factions the Asylains and Mokai are at odds with each other. At this point the Asylains (me) have been mostly been defending the city from the raids of the Mokai. After a half dozen levels, a peace treaty was drawn up but something went wrong and there was some backstabbing. Now the Asylains are on the offensive and heading into enemy territory. The story takes a turn into very unique an interesting territory at this point.

Control - http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/3.gif
The one everyone wants to know. Are they THAT bad? In a word, no. They aren't great either, just kind of 'there.' I have had almost zero issues controlling my dragon. I've only died once because of the controls, and that was mostly due to it being a 'quicktime event' that caught me off guard when I thought it was a cut-scene. Since this is my first real experience with the Sixaxis, I'm not sure if it is programming, but the Wiimote is far more responsive. As for the actual fighting, it is pretty good. You can lock-target and fireball away at the enemies, or fly in close to trigger an actual mid-air fight where each face button is a different action and the R buttons are defensive maneuvers. Much more action than I anticipated.

Overall - http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/3.5.gif
Overall, I'm liked it just not loved it and the controls have not turned me off as it apparently did for almost every reviewer out there. I wholeheartedly believe that this game's review scores are based solely on the controls, as every other aspect of the game is solid. I think it would definitely scored much higher if it had a traditional analog control scheme, or at least an option to choose, ala Motorstorm. If the 180° turn was mapped to a button, I think reviews would have been much more favorable.

The comparisons to Rogue Squadron are very justified. Barring controls, if you liked those games, Lair will be right up your alley. The missions are eerily similar. Escorting, taking out turrets, dogfighting, it's all pretty much the same in a new setting. Some of the screeching dragons even sound like a screeching TIE coming toward you. There is even a Hoth level. lol The replay value stems from the same setup as the RS series, which consists of medals you received based on your perfomance. I can't imagine someone going for the gold in this game like Rogue Squadron. It just seems more tedious in Lair.

I'd say the game is definitely worth a rental, but I'd find it hard to justify a $60 investment. If you buy cheap, I'd wait for a price point around $20-$30. I'd say the $40 deal at CC is pushing it.