The combat is often hampered by the camera, which is usually too close to let you see your opponent's feet, so a quick pull back with the right stick will make things much more easy to see. This should have been automatic, although it doesn't take too much effort to do it yourself.
And you will want to see the broader picture - there are fights happening everywhere you look in the main sections, including one brilliant moment as you descend from the rigging while at sea, with what looks like a hundred pirates going at it tooth and nail below you.
So that's the bulk of the game. The rest is split between two other distinct sections. Firstly, there are the platforming bits, which are like cut-down Prince of Persia sections, which see you clambering around and teetering on narrow walkways, with some exploration and item-finding thrown in, adding to replay value. The PS3 version uses the SixAxis tilt mechanism to balance Jack as he walks over beams. It's only a small thing, but it had us waving our Xbox 360 controllers in vain. Maybe tilt is a good thing after all?
The other chunk of game is the duelling mode. This pits you one-on-one with a major character in the game. Again, you press something and watch the result play out, but it does take quick reactions to better your opponent. And of course, with the action under such tightdirection, you're treated to a truly cinematic experience, so the lack of immediacy in the interaction is forgivable.
