Lair

AceGamez (9 out of 10)

Lair is a roaring triumph of a game that's blasted onto the PS3 to show us all just what the hardware is capable of. Harnessing the graphical prowess of Sony's powerhouse more than any other title, it's fair to say that you've never seen graphics this amazing on a console before, while the scale of the battles are literally like playing the biggest conflicts from the Lord of the Rings movies, with thousands of troops involved. The much maligned control scheme is revolutionary too even if it does take a bit of getting used to, perseverance will reveal just how engaging and intuitive this method of control actually is. Just don't try to steer the camera as well and you'll be fine - the game does a great job of following your dragon so let it do its thing and leave it be! Atmospheric, sweeping and epic, Lair is unlike anything I've experienced before and if this is a hint of things to come then my excitement about the future of gaming just went through the roof and into orbit!

PlayStation Universe (8.5 out of 10)

Dragon’s seem scary. At least, they seemed that way according to mythical stories of fire breathing giants, known only for their plight and destruction upon the different human civilizations of the middle ages. The dragons in Lair, however, are different. Looking pleasing with stunning visuals and some clever uses of the Sixaxis controller, Lair sets the mark for the best dragon oriented game of all time and underscores an important factor of realism that past games failed to achieve. So, get on your dragon and let’s take a ride together in the kingdom of Asylia.

Game Chronicles (8.5 out of 10)

Lair does not suck, but judging from the comments and reviews from most of the media there are a lot of game reviewers who simply aren't prepared to accept the SIXAXIS control scheme. Admittedly, motion input has always been an alternative. I didn't like it in Ridge Racer and it barely worked in Blazing Angels, but when the game is designed solely around that premise you have to get it right and Factor 5 did just that. Flying around in Lair is so intuitive you almost create a symbiotic link to your dragon through the PS3 controller. I'll admit, there were times, even 5-6 hours into the game where I would instinctively revert to moving the stick to change direction, only to change the camera view instead. But you can't wipe out a 12-year habit overnight. Not all games are going to work with the SIXAXIS but Lair definitely does, and if you are open to learning new things and want to experience the fantasy flight-action title of the summer, then saddle up and take Lair for a spin.

Gamesmania.de (82 out of 100)

Die Steuerung geht nach einer Übungsphase locker von der Hand und zieht einen deutlich intensiver in die ohnehin schon packend inszenierten Schlachten hinein. Ich hatte jedenfalls mit dem spielerisch sehr ähnlichen Rogue Squadron-Titeln bei der Steuerung damals mehr Probleme. Von daher empfinde ich die komplette Ausrichtung des Titels auf die Bewegungssteuerung als durchaus sinnvoll und gelungen. Dass es trotzdem nicht zum ganz großen Hit reicht, liegt an einigen kleineren Mängeln. So ist der Umfang überschaubar, die Story bleibt langweilig und einige Missionen laufen nach dem Trial&Error-Prinzip ab. Auch grafisch hätte man mit etwas mehr Entwicklungszeit sicherlich noch mehr aus der PS3 herausholen können. Doch letztlich bleibt mir Lair als gelungenes Actionspiel in Erinnerung, das aber wohl weiterhin polarisieren wird.

GamingHeaven / DriverHeaven (81 out of 100)

Lair has been in development for several years now and whether Sony likes it or not, their autumn sales were greatly depending on the success of this game. Some PS3 haters would have you believe that Lair is a catastrophe and that no one in their right mind could enjoy the control scheme. I have to disagree – I personally would recommend the game to anyone who is willing to give a new control system a try, but keep in mind that it will probably take a while before you get used to it and you never will be as precise with it as you would be with an analog stick. If that breaks the game for you, you might just miss on one of the most engaging fantasy games released this year.

Game Informer Magazine (8 out of 10)

Even so, Rogue Squadron fans would know this was a Factor 5 game without seeing the logo - its not the longest ride, but you'll be coming back again and again for those brief flashes of gameplay brilliance.

Wonderwallweb.com (8 out of 10)

Although I have mentioned a few problems with this game, I actually like Lair, outwith my frustrations with the targeting system and the minor issues with the controls, I think the action and the presentation makes this a game worth considering. When you are in the heat of the battle and breathing fire at enemy dragons and troops, this is an incredibly fulfilling game, the combat can be extremely frantic but fun at the same time, sure it won’t win many awards but this is certainly a game that you should judge for yourself.

JustPressPlay (7.6 out of 10)

If you're willing to get past the steep Six-Axis learning curve you'll find a rather enjoyable game. If you can't or just hate the notion of it, don't even bother, which also means don't bother slandering the game in some forum. Aside from a couple of graphics related hang ups there's nothing really wrong with the game, but the game also does some things wrong aesthetically that keep it from being a great game.

GameZone (7.5 out of 10)

There are some frustrations and the game lacks a general sense of excitement that propels you forward at a frantic pace. You may experience that feeling that you are playing for a medal with no personal connection to the characters or storyline. This could have been a stronger title.

Good Game (7.5 out of 10)

All in all I'd say this game gives you a decent amount of game play time, and being a dragon rider was fun enough to keep me coming back to it. I'm giving it 7.5 dragon flamed chickens.

UGO (UnderGroundOnline) (B)

Things get interesting in fight mode, when the opponent is an equal or stronger dragon. Yes, very rhythm game like, or a better example would be the timed sequences from Spider-Man 3 or the upcoming Heavenly Sword. Lair is a good game, but requires a little patience to truly get the most out of it. The lack of multiplayer, especially given how cool dragon combat is, will also be a deal breaker for most gamers. Honestly, did we really want another Rogue Squadron game, this time on the PS3 or something new? I am in the "something new" camp, and Faction 5 has delivered. It is also worth mentioning that throughout Lair I experienced a solid frame rate, with only the occasionally quirkiness arising from the issues inherent with the motion sensing functionality of the SIXAXIS controller. You may remember Faction 5 did some amazing work getting the most out of the Gamecube, and that attention to learn the hardware and push it to its limits is a hallmark that definitely shines through in Lair.

PGNx Media (7.3 out of 10)

Lair is a tough game to rate. One on hand, the game is absolutely gorgeous and easily justifies the thousands of dollars spent on the latest home theater equipment. On the other hand, the gameplay is so fundamentally broken that it's difficult to imagine anyone sticking with Lair through its ending. Some may see it is a challenge - after all riding dragons wouldn't be as responsive as say a Ferrari - but it's hard to deny that Lair would have been better served if Factor 5 simply did away with the Sixaxis controls. I'd give Lair a rental, if just to experience the visual and aural showcase.

Fragland.net (73 out of 100)

Lair is a beautiful game to watch (thanks to a Lord of the Rings-like spectacle) but a horror to play. Most of the problems, however, are present thanks to the inaccurate Sixaxis controls that will drive even the most patient pacifist to despair.

Game Informer Magazine (7.25 out of 10)

There's a hint of Rogue Squadron (Factor 5's most famed work) in Lair's blood, but it mostly comes out in the soundtrack and the mission structuring. The Zen of shooting down TIE Fighters is sadly nowhere to be found, which is a shame because you can clearly see the potential is there. Without a workable control scheme (standard analog movement is not an option), I fear most people will find themselves flustered beyond belief with the game like I was.

PSX Extreme (7 out of 10)

After all of the deliberation, I really can't give Lair a score lower than what it is, largely because the game was fun. Or at least, I personally, found amusement out of it. Once you've got the controls down, you'll find an enjoyable action game out of Lair. For the most part, the game is visually appealing and striking in most cases, but it's not without its faults. And while I can't say it's worth a purchase, thanks to its lack of replay value and short length, I can recommend a rental.

Deeko (7 out of 10)

The bottom line is this. Lair was meant to showcase much that the PS3 has to offer and it does so in many ways. It proves that the system can render some absolutely wonderful 1080p visuals, characters and creatures that are jaw-droppingly beautiful. It gives us hope that games can feature lengthy soundtracks that are wonderfully orchestrated and feature true 7.1 surround sound. I'm sure many readers will more than likely claim feel I may be writing a bit harsh, at least when it comes to passing the blame. However, Factor 5 owes nobody an apology for Lair and my being amusing, was just that. All in all, I think Lair is a very decent game and has a lot of potential, but I think it needs work and hopefully we'll see a sequel with controls that are beyond tight. Factor 5, if you're reading this, I hope you aren't too angry at my little jest, but you guys really shouldn't have come out to defend your game - it stands on it's own, even if some "professional" sites don't get it.

GameWatcher / Strategy Informer (7 out of 10)

This game is clever, but not well thought out. Unfortunately its problems do tip the scales. But the biggest problem, the controls, can be dealt with by persistence and practice. If you do overlook the problems the game works out very well in respect to an action game with some amazing graphics. Also there is plenty of replay value with medals to be collected, which unlocks new moves or bonus content.

HonestGamers (Staff reviews only) (7 out of 10)

The dragons aren't limber and the controls aren't standard, but somehow those elements and others combine to create a game that--while certainly not perfect--feels pretty special.

Good Game (7 out of 10)

I found the missions on the whole a bit boring, especially having so do it all again if you ran out of time looking for your target. But I did love doing the special take-down move to enemy dragon riders. The graphics problems brought the game down a bit for me, I'm giving it 7.

GameLemon (6.9 out of 10)

So, in the end, there are many things to make you stop playing, and not many to make you come back. If you have the patience, you'll finish the game after its relatively short length. Unless you're an insane perfectionist, you won't make any use of the game's replayability.

Da Gameboyz (6.75 out of 10)

Lair is very much like that blockbuster movie you have been anticipating for months. You watch the previews with much anticipation and rave about the movie with all your buddies. Sadly, when the day finally comes and you exit the theatre, you can't help but be incredibly disappointed that your experience was not what you had envisioned. Not is all lost though as Lair's visuals and sound are top notch; but unfortunately the gameplay experience is less than stellar. If you have recently purchased a PS3 and have a pretty good home theatre system, you may want to pick Lair as a great demo disk; otherwise this one is a rental.

Computer Bild Spiele (2.7 out of 6)

"Lair" wirkt wie ein ambitioniertes Projekt, dem der letzte Schliff fehlt. Die Grafik ist zum Teil atemberaubend, dann wieder fällt es schwer, eigene von gegnerischen Drachen zu unterscheiden, oder der Bildaufbau ruckelt. Die Musik- und Geräuschuntermalung ist - wie die Geschichte - packend, doch die ungenaue Steuerung und die mangelnde Abwechslung bremsen die Motivation nachhaltig. Lair ist mit Sicherheit kein schlechtes Spiel, aber es wäre weitaus mehr drin gewesen. So stellt sich lediglich ein "befriedigendes" Spielerlebnis ein.

4Players.de (65 out of 100)

Vorsicht: Lair ist nicht so schlecht, wie es in der amerikanischen Presse gemacht wurde. Aber leider ist es auch nicht viel besser. Ich würde es nicht als mangelhaft bezeichnen. Unterm Strich hat es mich als Fantasy-Fan noch befriedigend unterhalten. Frust und Lust liegen hier allerdings eng beieinander. Für alle, die Großes erwartet haben, ist das natürlich gleichbedeutend mit einer Enttäuschung. Die Wahrheit liegt irgendwo zwischen Monumentalität und Chaos. Das Missionsdesign schwankt zwischen hochgradig spannend und aufgrund der Zeitlimits hochgradig nervend. Die Kulisse schwankt zwischen atemberaubenden Panoramablicken auf zerfurchte Landschaften und technischen Schwächen im Detail. Ab und zu blitzt erzählerisch das Epos auf, ab und zu weht sogar der Wind heroischer Fantasy - dafür sorgen vor allem die Zwischensequenzen, die orchestrale Musik sowie das gelungene Kreaturendesign. Aber wo die filmischen Elemente überzeugen, enttäuschen die spielerischen.

Daily Game (6.3 out of 10)

Lair looks phenomenal and is an ambitious and novel concept, but its horrible controls and linear environments kill the fun faster than a dragon can cook up a burger.

Play.tm (62 out of 100)

Ultimately, Lair is a game of two halves, one half is highly detailed with an imposing soundtrack that engulfs the player into the story (if you're a fan of mediaeval fantasy). The other half is full of predictable, repetitive missions that suffer from the control mechanism being too tricky to use in tight situations. The final cut might be flawed but there are many things that Lair should be praised for, having the guts to develop a title that's sole control mechanism is the Sixaxis is brave. Lair is one of the first titles to utilise this feature and although I haven't tried, I'm sure it would be a very solid title of the PSP, mainly because you control it using the analogue stick. Unfortunately, looks can be deceiving as Lair simply does not deliver what is promised. Most will find it frustrating, while others will find mild enjoyment, especially if you like the idea of controlling this viperous dragon. Meanwhile my quest for a good use of the Sixaxis must continue.

Gamervision (6 out of 10)

Everything was in-line for Lair to be the next must-have PS3 title. Rouge Squadron developer Factor 5 had traded X-Wings for dragons, and Death Star runs for epic castle battles, and bad dialogue between rebels for bad dialogue between Asylians and the Mokai. Initially a launch title, its repeated delays should have been the first sign that everything wasn't right in the land of Lair.

Game Tap (6 out of 10)

The game does look pretty at times, and music is moving. But the poor control scheme and overall cheese factor are too much for me to deal with. Unfortunately, simply looking and sounding good doesn’t add up to a well-rounded experience.

Extreme Gamer (6 out of 10)

Lair potential never materializes into a cohesive gameplay experience. What could have been ultra cool, flying battling dragons becomes cold. Lair has a few moments that shine and then the clouds of the controls and cluttered battles cover up the promising sky. Lair is one of those games that will have to be played to understand because the game sounds too awesome to not be good. If you’re hell bent on flying with Lair, rent it first, and see if you have the dexterity, patience and will to live through the medieval battle field in Lair.

Legendra ( )

Digne successeur des Rogue Squadron sur le fond mais moins sur la forme, il est difficile de qualifier Lair de bon jeu tant les défauts évoqués plus haut sont importants. En effet, la fluidité souvent malmenée n’arrange en rien une jouabilité parfois peu précise et entachée d'une gestion hasardeuse de la caméra. Mais d'autres qualités sont belles est bien présentes et l’ambiance très accrocheuse du titre m’a permis d’oublier en partie ses tares qui, cependant, resteront rédhibitoires pour certains. Reste à savoir ce que vous cherchez dans un jeu, si pour vous une atmosphère peut compenser quelques erreurs de gameplay, foncez ! Sinon passez votre chemin Lair ne vous plaira pas.

PAL Gaming Network (PALGN) (6 out of 10)

So while it's not that bad, Lair probably could have or really, should have been much better.

Game Vortex (60 out of 100)

The thing about Lair is that a majority of its problems could have easily been fixed by making the tilt-controls optional rather than mandatory. However, this isn't an option and in the end, it holds back what would otherwise be a good game.

Armchair Empire, The (6 out of 10)

In general, the gateway to enjoying any game is the control. It may have the flashiest graphics, it may present all sorts of new gameplay innovations, and it may have an engrossing story, but without accessible and reliable controls… you don’t have a game that’ll keep you coming back for the pure enjoyment of it. And that’s the case with Lair. I commend Factor 5 for putting it out there and trying something different, but unless you’re willing to exercise a lot of patience with the controls, you won’t eke out much enjoyment.

GameTrailers (6 out of 10)

Lair is one of the PS3’s biggest disappointments so far. The potential was great, and the core gameplay isn’t bad. But instead of the fantasy epic fans dreamed of, the final product comes across as a short and unsightly mess. It’s pretty obvious that the game simply isn’t done, with lots of ragged edges in almost every element of its execution.

GameDaily (6 out of 10)

Developer Factor 5, the developer behind the Star Wars: Rogue Squadron video games, ditches X-Wings for dragons in Lair, Sony's latest PlayStation 3 adventure. In the game, you play as Rohn, a warrior that must defend the Asylian civilization from the evil Mokai. Leaping onto the back of a powerful dragon, Rohn and his pet set out to annihilate his foes, torching them with fire and tearing them to shreds. It certainly looks pretty, and the quality motion controls make the game stand out, but repetitive missions and choppy animation demote Lair to rental status.

Just RPG (59 out of 100)

After two pages or so of negativity, constantly bashing Lair for a problematic camera, somewhat boring combat, a difficult lock-on system and so on, I run into the problem that I actually enjoyed Lair. Maybe it's because I love the fantasy games and this one is full of dragons, but yes, as odd as it sounds, I had some fun with Lair. At first glance I can definitely see most players turning away from Lair and never even giving the game a chance, but I definitely think you should give this game a rental, and if you enjoy it, pick it up. The gameplay does have its problems, but if you respect the controls and give it time, you will no doubt find something to enjoy with the game. As much as it pains me to do this, as a reviewer I have to rate the game on all of this different material. If this review were based solely on my personal enjoyment, it would receive a much higher score, but seeing as how it's not, I have to give it a bit lower score.

GamingTrend (340 out of 600)

As I said earlier, I’ve pored over this title several times trying to make a review that is reflective of the product, and properly quantifies the issues and strengths within. Lair has some serious problems with the controls, but the fact of the matter is that it isn’t irreparable. The omission of analog controls could be corrected with a patch, and it would be a chance for fans to see that the developer and publisher are listening to their feedback. There is a great deal of potential in Lair, and it would be a shame if that potential was never realized.

Vgames (55 out of 100)

לייר הוא בלון שהתפוצץ. הוא היה צריך להיות אחד ממשחקי הדגל של הפלייסטיישן 3, עם קרבות דרקונים מרשימים, משימות אפיות ומרשימות ושליטה מהפכנית, אך כנראה סוני ופאקטור 5 (המפתחת) היו כל כך מסונוורים מהפוטנציאל של המשחק שהן לא טרחו כלל לראות שיש להן מוצר די מחורבן לפני שזה יצא לחנויות בסערה. הנחמה היחידה שאני יכול לשאוב מלייר היא שסוני תלמד ממנו לקח, ותפסיק לנסות לכפות שליטת תנועה במשחקים שלא מתאימים לכזאת, רק כי "אצל נינטנדו זה עובד", ובנוסף תתחיל לבדוק משחקים לפני שהיא מוציאה אותם לשוק.

Worth Playing (5.5 out of 10)

At the end of the day, Lair is more of a visual and aural masterpiece than a game you'd actually want to sit down and play. The game's story about two divided nations, warring with one another over different beliefs, is fairly generic, even though it manages a few surprise twists here and there. The tilty controls make the already-difficult missions even more of a chore, and there's not enough variation in the action to keep you interested until the end. If you're looking for a game to show off your nice HD television and your surround sound stereo system, Lair won't fail to impress. However, if you're just looking for a fun game to play, look elsewhere.

Cheat Code Central (2.7 out of 5)

In conclusion, this is not the game it was supposed to be. I know the developers would love to have a second chance. I hope Lair will serve as warning and a lesson to other developers to avoid the same pitfalls. Gameplay and storyline trump graphics and sounds everyday of the week. Unfortunately, the story is predictable and the gameplay is tedious. Lair is a classic example of form over function. What a major let down. I thought my PS3 was moving up in my gaming world, unhappily it remains media center dressing, not much better than a Blue Ray capable paper weight.

Eurogamer.de (5 out of 10)

[Updated release review] Die Steuerung mit dem Analogstick bringt nicht die erhoffte Wandlung vom Mittelmaß zum damals erhofften Hit. Alte Macken werden gegen neue getauscht und am Ende gefiel mir dann sogar die verhasste Sixaxis-Steuerung besser und präziser als das übersensible Gewackel am Analogstick. Andere Achillesversen, wie das ungeschickte Missionsdesign oder die klischeeüberladene Story, bleiben natürlich 1:1 erhalten. Solltet Ihr das Spiel vorher gemocht haben, könnt Ihr es ja mal versuchen. Neue Käufer werden aber so wohl kaum zu finden sein. Und reihenweise zum Lair-Glauben geläuterte Redakteure auch nicht. Die Wertung meines werten Kollegens bleibt somit bestehen!

TotalVideoGames (TVG) (5 out of 10)

Lair is the quintessential example of why motion control should only be used sparingly on PlayStation 3 titles; unwieldy, unresponsive, and bland in terms of gameplay, the only thing compelling in the game is the soundtracks - which you can buy from iTunes and save yourself £30 anyway.

Kombo.com (5 out of 10)

Victim of its own hype, Lair is an average game with some elements that go above and beyond.

Video Game Talk ( )

I wanted to enjoy Lair; truly I did. This was one of the reasons I wanted the console in the first place apart from my appreciation of Sony's past hardware. Unfortunately a game lives and dies through its gameplay and while I appreciate the ingenuity behind the SIXAXIS control it simply doesn't respond. Your time with Lair will become an exercise in frustration as you destroy everything but what you wanted to and flail your arms about like a drunken orangutan. Don't bother unless you really had your hopes up for the game and want to see what it's like for yourself. Even then I wouldn't suggest more than a rental.

GameAlmighty.com (5 out of 10)

The sole highlight of Lair is the ability to “takedown” an enemy, wherein you fly close to an opposing dragon, slaughter the rider and kill the dragon, all presented in an effective cinematic style, but these moments are few and far between. As it stands, Lair is an exercise in futility, a poorly designed and frustrating experience that questions how loose of a definition we should give to the word “game”.

Gamernode (5 out of 10)

Lair is a bargain title in AAA clothing. Everything other than the gameplay itself is wonderful; unfortunately, the controls are frequently more frustrating than fun, and downright awful in most scenarios.

NZGamer (5 out of 10)

Buy it? No. Rent it (don’t discount it completely), but be prepared, if you’ve been watching it approach since 2005 when screenshots started appearing, to be a little let down. Hey, I don’t know, maybe you’ll like just flying around marveling at the scope of the world (it is pretty impressive) and maybe stalking along the ground chomping hundreds of soldiers in bloody slow motion is your thing. But if I got this for Christmas, I’d be writing Santa a somewhat angry letter, and asking where in the hell my puppy was.

Eurogamer.de (5 out of 10)

[Initial release review] Wer bereit ist, sich mit der miserablen Steuerung und dem unverständlichen Navigationssystem abzufinden, bekommt letzten Endes ein episches Fantasy-Spektakel geboten, das die Wünsche der eingeschworenen Fangemeinde befriedigen dürfte. Mittels schicker Grafik und einem herausragenden Design zaubert Lair wahrhaft ein Feuerwerk auf den Fernseher, das zwar hier und da einige Detailmängel aufweist, aber dennoch eine phantastische Atmosphäre transportiert. Damit ist Lair zwar immer noch eine große Enttäuschung, aber ganz sicher nicht so katastrophal, wie es auf den ersten Blick erscheinen mag.

IGN (4.9 out of 10)

You might think I'm being too hard on Lair, but if you do, you clearly haven't played this game. Although there are levels where wide-open environments and spread-out objectives trick you into thinking the Sixaxis stuff isn't that bad, whenever a handful of enemies are on screen, your flight space becomes limited or you need to be precise, this game falls apart. At one point, Lair looked like one of the most promising titles coming to the PS3, but the final version -- even with its interesting story, occasionally impressive graphics and amazing score -- falls well short of anything you should be playing.

Gamers.at (48 out of 100)

Eines vorweg: Ich habe mich, wie viele andere, auf dieses Game gefreut, zumal die ersten Eindrücke richtig lässig wirkten. Das Endergebnis aber ist einfach nur enttäuschend! Lair ist mit Abstand eines der furchtbarsten Spiele die ich je gespielt habe. Man hat ständig das Gefühl, dass es sich um eine sehr, sehr, sehr frühe Alpha Version handeln muss und nicht um eine fertige Verkaufsversion. Die meiste Zeit flucht man über den mühsam dahinflatternden Drachen, der dank der alptraumhaften Steuerung so gut wie niemals das tut was man eigentlich tun möchte (vom grässlichen Zielsystem will ich erst gar nicht reden). Da ist man mehr als nur froh den Controller weglegen zu können um beispielsweise den Müll runter zu bringen. Das einzige das mir an diesem Titel gefallen hat war die schöne Hintergrundmusik, die ich wirklich gelungen fand – der traurige Rest des Games ist jedoch ein schlichter Gameralptraum!

Lawrence (4.7 out of 10)

It has some strong production values and visual qualities, but it’s all null and void thanks to the sheer unplayability of this travesty of a game. I feel bad for the members of the development team that spent countless hours on cinemas and visuals, as their hard work went to waste because of the laziness of the rest of their team. Lair is one of the biggest trainwrecks in recent gaming history, and Factor 5 has no one to blame but themselves for the fact that their baby is a laughingstock.

Console Monster (46 out of 100)

It’s a real shame that Lair hasn’t delivered on the anticipation. Even if you could turn off the awful SIXAXIS control scheme, you’d still be left with a mediocre game that just isn’t worth a full game price tag. My advice to game developers is stop trying to over-use the SIXAXIS control scheme and concentrate on delivering graphically stunning, game play focused titles. My rather reluctant advice to gamers is to leave this one on the shelf!

GameSpot (4.5 out of 10)

But great visuals and sound mean absolutely nothing in Lair. Factor 5 should have made a movie--not a game. This is the ultimate example of how gameplay suffers when all the work goes into making everything look pretty. There is nothing fun about it, so forget the online leaderboards and don't worry about unlocking a few dragons in the stable or gunning for a high score. Forget Lair entirely. It really seems like the developers forced themselves to stick with a barely-workable control scheme just to make use of the PS3's flashy new tilt sensor support.

The Game Hoard (3 out of 7)

While it certainly feels important to lead with the problems with Lair, perhaps it’s more fair to the good parts of the game to not bury them beneath the issues. Lair has a well-realized world with great level structure and a good progression through quite an array of objectives. With tense moments and tight battle parameters, Lair could have been an exhilarating action game, but it fails to capture the might of your dragon or impact of your actions, and the controls only make things harder to enjoy. Every action you take is dull even if you are doing it for an interesting reason, whether it be mindlessly shooting fireballs, effortlessly sweeping up ground troops, getting in a predictable duel with other dragons, or worst of all, trying to make the motion controls do what you need of them. Despite the DLC to give you better controls, they still aren’t up to snuff, and the combat would still need to be improved even if the controls had been perfect.

Game Shark (C-)

It's easy to get sucked in by the impressive presentation; however don't succumb to the wiles of this deeply flawed game. Lair has major problems with its use of motion-controls, despite nailing basic movements. Flat out broken contextual sequences, a choppy camera, and groan-inducing level design are hardly reasons to recommend it.

Game Revolution (C-)

I don’t think there’s any doubt that Lair could have been a blockbuster title. It has an awesome score, a decent story and is one sexy beast. Unfortunately for us, Factor 5 seems to have fallen into the old trap of making outward appearances so appealing, they forgot to make a solid game on the inside. Even during one of the “making of” videos the devs mention that most of the folks didn’t dig the control scheme. C’mon guys, hasn’t anyone ever told you that when you play with fire, you might get burned?

videogamer.com (4 out of 10)

Despite such audiovisual wizardry, all the technical sheen the PlayStation3 can muster can't mask a dud game, and as a result Lair is little more than verisimilitude; a dated and flawed game concept riddled with ungainly mechanics and an inept control system, dressed up as a beautiful, powerful epic of an interactive experience, much like a dragon with the heart of a coward and the strength of a lamb.

G4 TV: X-Play ( )

Lair is like an addled museum curator taking you from site to site. Try this out, he says as he puts “dragon battle” or “blowing up ships” in your hands. Once you start having fun, he snatches it out of your hand and hurries to the next offering. It’s only under protest from the game that you find that there are problems with every set piece. Dragon battles break down to attack-block-repeat. Ships appear from nowhere. Boss fights are more “follow the leader” than actual epic battles. Lair is not a broken game, just one that overcompensates to hide all its flaws rather than fix them.

Power Unlimited (40 out of 100)

'Een draak van een game', is een misschien een flauwe woordspeling maar het is een waarheid als een koe.

UOL Jogos ( )

"Lair", uma das grandes apostas da Sony, foi um verdadeiro tiro no pé. Seja por imposição da própria dona do PS3 ou por um surto de loucura da produtora, a decisão de utilizar o sensor de movimento do Sixaxis como o principal recurso do jogo, foi um grande erro. Somando isso ao fato do jogo custar quase U$ 60 o melhor é tentar consegui-lo emprestado, só para matar a curiosidade.

Eurogamer.net (UK) (4 out of 10)

Lair, sadly, is a classic example of the apocryphal polished turd. Strip away the HD bluster and the game beneath is little more than a basic PS2 shooter with a makeover. The derided motion sensing controls can be grasped with just a little patience but the game simply doesn't offer anything to justify even that small investment. Even with the controls mastered, even with the numerous technical flaws ignored, the game remains shallow and repetitive, devoid of drama and reliant on sound and fury to disguise the fact that at its heart is a rather shoddily constructed collection of hoary old clichés.

Gaming Nexus (3.8 out of 10)

A game can also end up being worse than the sum of its parts. Lair is a good example of this. Because Lair’s most important element, the control scheme, is terrible, you end up with a game worthy of the bargain bin. The graphics are mixed, the story is bland, and the controls will give you a headache. The game does show potential, but until the control issues are ironed out, I wouldn’t give Lair a second glance.

PC Action (Germany) (5 out of 7)

Hurra, es erscheinen doch Eigenentwicklungen für Sonys Jüngste! Und dann auch noch von den Technik-Freaks Factor 5. Die haben diesmal allerdings nicht nur die Steuerung gründlich verbockt. Reiten Sie lieber auf Ihrem Hausdrachen, als auf diesem störrischen Polygonvieh in der Verfolgerperspektive Gegner abzuballern.

Jolt (UK) (3.3 out of 10)

Lair is a sad failure of a video game. Considering the incredible level of promise the game started out with and its potential to become a console-defining classic, the overriding ambition to prove that the SixAxis is a worthwhile feature for the PS3 has completely destroyed any hope it had of being fun. The music’s nice though, and at least it looks good.

Gaming Age (D+)

What stings most about Lair is how much of its potential goes untapped. I'd go as far as saying that Lair 2 (assuming that all there is a sequel) should be more of an adventure game than an action game. That way Factor 5 could slow down gameplay enough so that just flying around on a dragon with the sixaxis is fun, instead of a spasm inducing flinch-fest. Being able to fly, land, and then explore anywhere in the game world, something that Lair’s game engine is capable of, would make for an incredibly compelling adventure game… Either that or they could include a standard dual-analog control scheme and clearer mission objectives/targets. Hell, even a crosshair would have made all the difference in the world.

Gamers' Temple, The (30 out of 100)

I could go on about unlockables and replay value, but most people will sell this game in disgust after the first level or two. Thankfully, the PS3 now has Ratchet & Clank, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and Heavenly Sword to keep fans happy. But back over the summer, when gaming was a barren wasteland, PS3 owners didn't have much choice. Underrated? No way. Complete crap? You betcha. With an average score of around 4/10, the game is just as bad as all the critics warned. Stay as far away as humanly possible.

AusGamers (3 out of 10)

I really want to say something nice about the game, but it’s a stretch. The orchestral arrangements and voice-acting are as close as this game comes to bearable, but even those are devoid of creativity sounding more like they belong in parts of Lord of the Rings or Star Wars. You can see what it is Factor 5 have set out to do, but all their years working on licensed material has left them clutching for originality. It’s always going to be difficult entering the fantasy field, but when you do it with borrowed gameplay, half-finished visuals and ripped off aural components, you’re never really going to win anyone over. Lair is a game best left on the shelf you picked it up from. Don’t believe those screenshots on the back of the box, no matter how much you feel you need another fantasy experience because you’re over Oblivion – believe me, there are far better things you could be doing with your time.

Games TM (3 out of 10)

So, another thoroughly underwhelming release on PS3. It's a travesty - this machine is so powerful, so well built and spilling over with potential, but the games are still not there. Home, LittleBigPlanet and GTA need to come, and they need to come quickly, because Factor 5 and Ninja Theory have not lived up to their promise. Please, let's allow this console to breathe, let's give it the exclusives it deserves, or it won't just be Lair that will be having a miserable autumn. And please, please, let us leave stealth in the last generation. We can't afford the Sixaxis controller replacements.

GameSpy ( )

Believe us, we can understand the attraction to Lair because it certainly sounds like an awesome game, but the execution is so terminally flawed in almost every way that a game can be flawed that it isn't worth anyone's time. We feel as though we were sold a bill of goods with Lair and those goods are simply not evident in the finished product. It's a shame really, because we really wanted Lair to be cool, but sadly it totally is not.

Futuregamez.net (30 out of 100)

Don’t buy it, it’s that simple. Lair is the worst game on PS3 to date and is likely to be for a long time. Reserved only for those who hate enjoying life.

TotalPlayStation (3 out of 10)

Lair is, in no uncertain terms, a colossal disaster. The offenses are numerous and the explanations unneeded. I would say the game needed more polish, but it's pretty evident that the main problems were more than just a lack of dev time.

Entertainment Depot, The (3 out of 10)

I don’t dislike Lair for trying to do something different, particularly because it’s not too different in this Wiimote-enamoured world, but I do fault it for not being competent. The game is heavily flawed and very short, clocking in at about 8 hours, and had it been better I certainly would’ve been enticed to replay it for more prestigious medals and unlockables – one can never have too gold medals or pieces of concept art – but that’s just not going to happen. I do hope that Factor 5 takes another shot at the series, because I can see a revamped sequel being an amazing game. As far as the original goes, it’s just a shame.

Super Play (Sweden) (3 out of 10)

Ett spel man blir arg av, och som sedan försvinner ur medvetandet som en trist dröm när väckarklockan ringer.

The Video Game Critic (D)

Sometimes you'll be flying around with your fire-breathing snout up your butt, only to have the game announce "Mission Completed", without you having any clue why or how. I also hate how you're forced to sit through the endless animations when first starting up the game, including a THX cartoon! On a positive note, the game contains some nice bonus artwork, "making of" documentaries, and trailers. PS3 fans may find Lair worthwhile on the strength of its extraordinary production values, but somebody needs to remind Sony that gameplay is important too! They forgot!

411mania.com (2.5 out of 10)

If it weren’t for the audio bliss and some of the better rendered cutscenes, Lair would score even lower than it does. As it is, I would recommend – but just barely – renting it, just to experience the soundtrack and see for yourself the horrible mess that even a big-budget game can become. If Heavenly Sword is the PS3’s current high-water benchmark then Lair is the low-water mark, and while I hope the system will see better games than Heavenly Sword, I hope it doesn’t see one worse than Lair. The decision to force SIXAXIS motion controls on gamers was a mistake but it’s not the only one made here, as the choppy framerate, muddy visuals, terrible gameplay mechanics, and buggy collision, camera and AI work also bring down the score. Though the PS3 library isn’t very deep, there are far better options out there for your money.

The Review Busters (1 out of 10)

Out of my entire experience with Lair I can honestly say I found nothing too fabulous with this game. The graphics are wonderful, but with a control system that will piss you off like no end, horrible dialogue and a story that will make you laugh, Lair is the worst game out on the Playstation 3 right now. I will go as far as saying that Lair will be the worst game of the year, it was hyped so much and the game was even delayed at the last minute. Just to make things worse the goddamn tutorial doesn’t even tell you how to attack, when you are thrown into the first mission you have to figure it out before the game tells you how to do it. I’m not kidding, the programmers make you figure out how to attack first, then they’ll tell you when you beat all the stupid ships.