"Haven: Call of the King" ... is a solid sleeper title dare I say it (PS2)

If you are in the mood for a grand epic sorts of action/adventure game, mixed in with various other genres, above-average voice-acting, graphics, characters, and you crave to play an ambitious title, I would recommend Haven to you.

I still can't believe I won this sucker off eBay complete and in great condition for 15 shipped. Then I found out it retails only 29.99 in stores. Wow -- all this from a game that came out Thanksgiving 2002.

Well, once I saw the ad and the commercial, I knew I was going to like this game, and since it arrived two days ago, I been playing Haven with glee. Your experience will probably vary, but I love this game.

Sure it's flawed, but it's ambitious, and in some areas it's great. Overall it's solid. And for 15-30 dollars, how can you complain.

Pros:
-Voice Acting
-Characters
-Graphics
-Diversity in gameplay
-High constant frame rate
-Grand landscapes
-Details (when it rains, Haven'll put on his yellow hood... way too cool, or how the slaves are running about town, or the slave mine workers in the lava-flowing mines cracking away on their slaveship)
-Virtually no loading! If you die, you immediately get to replay the last checkpoint, and no annoying 10 second loading wait! Should you die, things pick up where you last check pointed. Yes that means dndless continues -- some may view that as negative, but I personally don't.
-Cheap asking price at 15-30 bucks for a solid game

Cons:
-Controls will take some getting use to (but it's not as bad as some reviewers have made it sound IMHO)
-Some areas can get repetitive and tedious... but if you stick with the game you'll be rewarded with some good edge-of-your-seat moments

Here are some reviews to Haven:

<a href="http://ps2.ign.com/articles/377/377872p1.html" target="_blank">http://ps2.ign.com/articles/377/377872p1.html</a>

<a href="http://www.gamingworldx.com/ps2/HavenCalloftheKing.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.gamingworldx.com/ps2/HavenCalloftheKing.shtml</a>

Well, while I played only 2 hours of this game thus far, I love it already. There's a lot more I could say about Haven, but I think I much rather go play it right now. If you wanna know more, just click on those reviews.

If this game sounds like it may appeal to you, and you can find it for 25 or so bucks, definitely consider picking it up.

i played through the game, and while the production values are high...the visuals are gorgeous, the levels inspired....the gameplay really sucks! the control killed the game for me. maybe it was because it was after i played Ratchet and Clank and Jak and Daxter....but despite how bad I wanted haven, i couldnt even get into it.

Kid Aphex:
i played through the game, and while the production values are high...the visuals are gorgeous, the levels inspired....the gameplay really sucks! the control killed the game for me. maybe it was because it was after i played Ratchet and Clank and Jak and Daxter....but despite how bad I wanted haven, i couldnt even get into it.

Click to expand...

Yeah, the controls are the roughest part to Haven. If it was spot-on, this game would have been pretty killer.

It's kinda hard to aim Haven's Mag-Ball yoyo weapon, and some missions are a little long and tedious.

I just got through the one mission where Haven sports a jetpack and has to put out burning buildings. There are 38 and you get a set number of time.
That was a pretty boring *yawn* kinda mission, no thrills or chills, and the timer was annoying, but of course, necessary.

I ended up getting it down on my fourth or fifth try. The average gamer (I'm not trying to brag here) would probably get frustrated, turn off the game, and possibly never come back to it.

Haven is a hard game. But it's not maddeningly frustrating IMO, at least not from what I played so far.
Endless continues and constant check points are a saving grace to this difficult game.

This is one of those games where if you "connect with it," you will stick with it and have your up and down moments. If you can't even get into the story, atmosphere, or gameplay, then obviously you won't enjoy it too much.

Right now, I'm having my troubles with the "Marble Madness" portion of the game. wink
It's pretty damn cool how it sets up. There's this huge room with wandering ogres (they remind me of Lord of the Rings monsters).
Once you step foot in the room, they spot you and shoot their yellow arrows at you.
Double jump to the center of the room and hit the Gas Pot. Gas will fill the room -- blinding the ogres and you can then safely make your way across to the place where the magical energy will place you inside a hamster-like ball and you play it Marble Madness style.

In other words, it's pretty hard and requires patience!

Haven's for the battle-wounded gamer. Then again, if you can't get into the story it won't do you any good.
If you can, more power to ya.
I'm curious how the XBox and GC versions will turn out... hopefully they'll get a little more press than the PS2 version has gotten. So far though I haven't seen diddily squat.

I saw that game today for $20.00 used.
I was going to buy it but I wanted to find out more about it.

What's the general object of this game?

Steve:
I'm curious how the XBox and GC versions will turn out... hopefully they'll get a little more press than the PS2 version has gotten. So far though I haven't seen diddily squat.

Click to expand...

They actually canceled both versions crying
PS2 is going to be the only release frown

I am also a huge fan of this game, despite every mag but PLAY tearing it apart. I completed the entire game, and got about half of the crests(?). I like alot of the level design, and characters. (The Indiana Jones level was by far the most creative, and interesting dungeon!)It got a little too shooter for me 3/4's through. AND I FUCKING LOVE, the way Haven throws his hood up when it starts to rain...Easily the most gutsy ending to any platformer wink

Ukyo:
I am also a huge fan of this game, despite every mag but PLAY tearing it apart. I completed the entire game, and got about half of the crests(?). I like alot of the level design, and characters. (The Indiana Jones level was by far the most creative, and interesting dungeon!)It got a little too shooter for me 3/4's through. AND I FUCKING LOVE, the way Haven throws his hood up when it starts to rain...Easily the most gutsy ending to any platformer wink

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The sequels, i hear, have also been cancelled frown

The latest UK OXM has an interview with the game developer, and they previewed a 80% complete version complete with 'better, foil like water effects' and 'particle skies' blah blah blah. The mag was out 4 days ago, and has a euro release dat for the game in March. You sure your sources are correct ?

Kid Aphex:

Steve:
I'm curious how the XBox and GC versions will turn out... hopefully they'll get a little more press than the PS2 version has gotten. So far though I haven't seen diddily squat.

Click to expand...

They actually canceled both versions crying
PS2 is going to be the only release

Click to expand...

WHOA! WHAT?!? WHY!?!?!

I saw it listed in EGM's upcoming games list in January, but the latest EGM issue has Haven bumped to March 2003 release for XBox and GC. And now you're telling me they're bumping Haven to NEVER NEVER LAND?
I'll be damn.

Although I don't own either the XBox or GC, that's a shame.

To Chris1, you should read those review links I posted in my first post in this thread. That should be all you need to know.
Trust me, for 20 dollars this is a good investment.
Personally I just dig the atmosphere of the game. A lot of "gee wiz" moments as the producers of the game put it.

Well, after I beat this game I'll buy Rygar (long overdue for me...) but for now I'll take my time and enjoy my journey with Haven.

this, i admit, is the reason to have a ps2.

you will only find the sure fire best sellers on xbox, and nintendo 1st party games on gc. but ps2 is the only one with original games, with the sleeper titles.

i really gotta get a ps2. i just wish it wasnt so failure prone frown

Steve:

Kid Aphex:

Steve:
I'm curious how the XBox and GC versions will turn out... hopefully they'll get a little more press than the PS2 version has gotten. So far though I haven't seen diddily squat.

Click to expand...

They actually canceled both versions crying
PS2 is going to be the only release

Click to expand...

WHOA! WHAT?!? WHY!?!?!

Thank you..
I saw it listed in EGM's upcoming games list in January, but the latest EGM issue has Haven bumped to March 2003 release for XBox and GC. And now you're telling me they're bumping Haven to NEVER NEVER LAND?
I'll be damn.

Although I don't own either the XBox or GC, that's a shame.

To Chris1, you should read those review links I posted in my first post in this thread. That should be all you need to know.
Trust me, for 20 dollars this is a good investment.
Personally I just dig the atmosphere of the game. A lot of "gee wiz" moments as the producers of the game put it.

Well, after I beat this game I'll buy Rygar (long overdue for me...) but for now I'll take my time and enjoy my journey with Haven.

Click to expand...

Thank you..I think I'm going to pick it up today..

<small>[ January 31, 2003, 10:01 AM: Message edited by: chris1 ]</small>

Plisken:
The latest UK OXM has an interview with the game developer, and they previewed a 80% complete version complete with 'better, foil like water effects' and 'particle skies' blah blah blah. The mag was out 4 days ago, and has a euro release dat for the game in March. You sure your sources are correct ?

Click to expand...

Midway announced both cancellations; and magazines are usually at least one month behind, no matter when theyre released.

You know what's funny... this is really the first PS2 game for me that I *REALLY REALLY* got into. I mean, it's the first PS2 game I find myself daydreaming about! It's the first PS2 game that has me playing for 90 minute intervals at a time! (I am more the 20 minute game outings gamer)

Despite Haven's annoying aiming issues and sometimes slightly maddening gameplay (read: difficult or/and tedious)... I still love this game. And I come back to it with the same kind of enthusiasm as when I first played it. The game cinemas, the characters, the atmosphere... I love this game. Even the title appeals to me.

I just beat the Overlord (Lord Vetch's righthand henchman) last night. I knew I needed to get to bed for school Friday morning, but I couldn't help it. I HAD, I repeat, HAD to beat him. And I did. And it was sweet!

This game DEFINITELY is a sleeper, no doubt. It has a lot of action, adventure, and for good measure elements of racing, time missions, racing, flying, etc. are thrown in.

Did I mention the voice-overs are pretty cool? And that Haven's a likable protagonist that doesn't sport a wussy voice?

Damn this game is sick. Of course, I have certain games that appeal to me, and you will have yours. If Haven is one of them, however, cheers mate. Like I said, GTA3, NBA Street, Victorious Boxers, Contra, Smackdown Shut Your Mouth, Silent Hill 2, Capcom vs. SNK 2 -- yeah I like all these PS2 games. But none of them ever hooked me like Haven has. Furthermore, no other game except Haven has pryed me away from my Saturn.

I haven't touched my Saturn in a while... thanks to Haven. Haven has almost single-handedly made me excited about the future of gaming and where things are heading, and also the potential if executed properly.

Am I overhyping this game? No doubt. But it's all true in my eyes.

The old battle of good vs. evil, with gee wiz environments, a cool main character, and an ungodly atmosphere.

Please post your thoughts on this game if you do indeed buy it, Chris1. Would like to get your opinion.
Remember -- stick with it. Try not to get frustrated. It's a difficult game, but nothing that practice can't overcome.

HOLY SHIT is this game getting friggin HARD! At first I didn't understand why so many said this was a difficult platformer, now I know.

I barely managed to beat the 13th or so mission, and damn was it hard.

Let me just say -- it took me from 11:45 PM to 2:10 AM to just beat it.

I'll be DAMN if anyone could beat it in their first THREE TRIES!

It took me at least 8, 9 tries, and each try runs you I dunno maybe 12 minutes? It's a repetitive, annoying shooter section with pirate ships. It's f'n cheap and hard.

Not only must you deal with shooting down the turrets and enemy fires, but your CATANA runs down slowly (once it runs out, you have 10 seconds to refill it or DIE) So you have to carefully plan when to get away from the gun and race down the ship body to grab the CATANA replenishments.

I dunno HOW MANY tries when I was FORCED to replenish my catana that as I ran to get some, enemy fire killed my ship.

I was getting pretty pissed off. I kept playing because I knew if I played long enough I'd get down most of the patterns and beat it... and that I didn't want to see this part of the game ever again. Luckily I did so, at 2:10 AM in the wee hours of the freakin morning.

I admit, Haven was a cool-as-hell game before this part, and still is, but my overall marks on the game goes down a bit for this excruiating part of the game. tedious, long, and cheap. Trust me -- the average gamer would die again and again at this part, and quit Haven.

Too bad, because after this part the game gets cool again. The Indiana Jones section with the scarab enemies (think like the movie the MUMMY) is about to begin...

Dude, that shit took me SO LONG to beat. Just about 2 1/2 hours. The funny thing is, I was playing that level in the same time frame you were, about 11:30 PM to 2:00AM. I would be fighting the last ship, and it would almost be dead, and then I would run out of fucking antidote! THANK GOD they put check points in that level. They really reward you for beating it though, because the next world "Isle of Heroes" is AMAZING!

On a side note, did anyone else think it was odd how it was hardly explained to you that Haven was infected with a virus. It was 5 or so levels into the game, before I even knew what those little round balls were.

Ukyo:
Dude, that shit took me SO LONG to beat. Just about 2 1/2 hours. The funny thing is, I was playing that level in the same time frame you were, about 11:30 PM to 2:00AM. I would be fighting the last ship, and it would almost be dead, and then I would run out of fucking antidote! THANK GOD they put check points in that level. They really reward you for beating it though, because the next world "Isle of Heroes" is AMAZING!

On a side note, did anyone else think it was odd how it was hardly explained to you that Haven was infected with a virus. It was 5 or so levels into the game, before I even knew what those little round balls were.

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I have a feeling we're not the only ones as well! I know what you mean when you say you almost killed it, but your running out of antidote killed you off.
Talk about frustration. How many gamers would be nuts enough to stick with it, though, and grit it too. Unfortunately I know the answer is: not too many.
Now I understand why people say Haven is a solid yet flawed game... still, it's pretty damn cool in my book. I like the artwork, and the environments.

As for the virus thing... you would know that from the get-go if you read the manual carefully. wink It says it in there. It never bothered me though until of course, that ship mission came where my antidote had to be refilled at least twice in the mission.

As for the virus thing... you would know that from the get-go if you read the manual carefully. It says it in there. It never bothered me though until of course, that ship mission came where my antidote had to be refilled at least twice in the mission.

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That's what I'm saying though, it was almost like a game of the 16-bit era, that required you to read the manual to get the full scoop. So how did you like the Isle of Heroes? Werent those scarab beatles insane?

Ukyo:
That's what I'm saying though, it was almost like a game of the 16-bit era, that required you to read the manual to get the full scoop. ) So how did you like the Isle of Heroes? Werent those scarab beatles insane? [/QB]

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I'm still working on it... mostly I'm just taking my sweet time, enjoying the game. Yes -- those scarab beatles didn't disappoint! I remember seeing them in the Haven commercial and in the Haven ad... and thought to myself, "I gotta play that level!"
It's cool how they flow out on the floor... reminds me exactly of the movie, "The MUMMY."

And if Haven gets killed by one of them, the death scene has all the beatles rushing over Haven... pretty gruesome looking.

I am still working on getting my first Hero Stone. Thanks to a busy school week I probably won't get to it til Friday night...

Steve:

Ukyo:
That's what I'm saying though, it was almost like a game of the 16-bit era, that required you to read the manual to get the full scoop. ) So how did you like the Isle of Heroes? Werent those scarab beatles insane?

Click to expand...

I'm still working on it... mostly I'm just taking my sweet time, enjoying the game. Yes -- those scarab beatles didn't disappoint! I remember seeing them in the Haven commercial and in the Haven ad... and thought to myself, "I gotta play that level!"
It's cool how they flow out on the floor... reminds me exactly of the movie, "The MUMMY."

And if Haven gets killed by one of them, the death scene has all the beatles rushing over Haven... pretty gruesome looking.

I am still working on getting my first Hero Stone. Thanks to a busy school week I probably won't get to it til Friday night... [/QB]

Click to expand...

Heh heh heh... screw waiting til Friday Night! That's my intensity level of being addicted to beating Haven -- last night I played for a solid hour and retrieved the Hero Stone from the Indiana Jones level.
Man was that some cool shit.

First you got those creepy spiders hanging overhead.
Then you got the customary fire parts you gotta avoid.
Then there's the cool puzzles that racks your brain. (the arrows puzzle is BEAUTIFULLY employed!)
Then you got the stone platforms in the water bit when you got to find a way to kill the 4 guardian spiders...
Then of course you got those freaking scarab beatles that flow out of the ground...

And the grand finale -- upon taking the Hero Stone... what else? The building starts to collapse and you gotta run out with your life.

A very cool stage.

And now for the other 3 Hero Stones...