Prophecy2k
Veteran
I just didn't like it at all. It looked bland and muddy, just about every boss encounter was repeated 3 times, the suit's super power was a decidedly goofy looking and wholly unimpressive Jimi Hendrix-esque knee-silde, using powers actually makes the game harder because it's more likely to kill you than help your cause, characters were unlikeable and obnoxious (it was like playing a game where everyone was Rico from Killzone 2) and the story wasn't bad in a good way, but just plain bad instead. Also, just how poorly weapon upgrades were handled was almost impressive.
Read Jim Sterling's Vanquish review on Destructoid. Basically sums up all the reasons why I hated Vanquish, except in an infinitely more eloquent way.
The funny thing is, as much as i actually agree with every single darn one of your criticisms i still absolutely love Vanquish... as weird and crazy as it sounds
I just had so much fun playing the game that i didn't think too much about all the flaws. Despite feeling pretty much like i'd been abused by the story, when i think back to my time playing the game all i have is fond memories and an unwaivering urge to replay the game. I can't really explain it... it's just so Japanese and different to every other game out there. It's almost like gears of war mixed with one of the old Japanese bullet hell shumps that i grew up with. Plays on the whole early 90s japanese gaming nostalgia for me (my gaming golden age - RIP SNES).
Same reason i LOVE Ace Combat: Assault Horizon.
No reason why i won't love Rising