The most talked about game at E3 2009 was The Club. I'm sure you're probably asking yourself why a game released last year to generally flat reviews was the talk of the show floor this year? Truth be told, it wasn't so much the game, but its unique combo-based shooting mechanic causing the stir. It seemed like every other game was including the mechanic, including Bethesda's WET.

If WET gets anything right (and it gets a few things right), it knows where it is going stylistically and does everything it can to sell the concept. Technically, the game doesn't look that impressive. Levels and character models look like they could have been ripped from any modern-day shooter. However, WET goes the extra mile by including a grainy, jittery filter similar to Tarantino and Rodriquez's film Grindhouse. Though the effect helps mask a lot of the game's technical deficiencies and gives it a unique look, it is also indicative of one of WET's bigger issues.

No matter how many steps WET takes in the right direction, it always manages to find a way to trip itself up. The grainy filter adds visual style, but also makes some areas harder to play. For instance, it is difficult to target enemies with the chain gun in one of the many shooting gallery areas. A red indicator will give you a general idea of where their attacks are coming from, but you'll have to squint and offer random bursts of weapon fire to hit the target. The jitter also works against a few of the more complicated platforming areas. Even with Rubi Vision (which highlights usable ledges), you'll have to search around to find the right ledges. It doesn't kill the game, but it does slow things down enough to kill the otherwise fast-paced gameplay.

WET pulls in an impressive voice cast for its characters. Eliza Dushku supplies voice for Rubi, while Malcolm McDowell and Alan Cumming turn in performances as villains. Eliza is great, but you could also argue she's just doing the same character she always plays - so she'd better do a good job. Overall though, the dialogue goes right along with the game's style, as does the upbeat Rockabilly soundtrack.

WET (short for Wetworks) follows the adventures of Rubi Malone, a gun-for-hire specializing in jobs involving murder and assassination. In other words, if someone needs to be killed, Rubi is your girl. After performing a job for William Ackers, the head of a powerful crime syndicate, Rubi is betrayed and left for dead. She manages to survive her literal backstabbing and sets out to kill Ackers and his henchmen.

On the surface, WET looks like any other third-person shooter. Rubi has an arsenal of weapons including dual pistols, shotguns and uzis. She also has a sword to help her deal damage up close. Any similarities end there. The core mechanic to all of WET's levels isn't just making it through the level, but doing it as stylishly as possible. In addition to her arsenal, Rubi has access to a number of wall runs, 360 degree somersaults and other acrobatic moves. Pulling these moves off in conjunction with her weapons skills gives her the ability to take out enemies in a variety of ways. Every dead enemy adds to a running combo total, earning points to improve Rubi's arsenal of moves and weapons.

Acrobatic areas are bookended by periodic shooting galleries where you man a chain gun and mow down legions of enemies (and areas) and a handful of really cool set pieces. Early on, you'll take part in a high-speed freeway chase where Rubi must jump between moving cars in pursuit of a target. Later on, you'll blow up a plane and weave through the falling wreckage in pursuit of the only parachute. Similar to the platforming areas, the set pieces are neat and entertaining, but the instrument of their own demise. They tend to run a little longer than they probably should and get just far enough away from the core gameplay that they feel like they were tossed in just to pass the time and give you something different to do. These moments also introduce quick-time events into a game that really doesn't need them. If Rubi has this cool move set, I'd rather be the one performing the moves, not pressing a button in time to have a glorified cut scene do it for me.

Regardless of your chosen difficulty level, WET will offer a challenge. Expect numerous restarts, but at least the game is incredibly generous with where and when you have to. Levels are full of checkpoints and usually short, so in the event you do become frustrated, you'll at least have a good quitting point.

Periodically, you'll have to visit the Boneyard, Rubi's home and personal obstacle course. When in the Boneyard, you'll need to complete what amounts to a forced tutorial. Each has a time limit for extra fun, but even without the limit, I had a hard time navigating the piles of trash and other wreckage. As with most levels, the layout isn't that great. There will be restarts and it won't always be your fault; sometimes the designed path is just clumsy.

Once again, WET's core issue is its ability to constantly find ways to stumble around. At certain points Rubi enters a Rage mode, converting the grainy film stock look to a black, white and red palette. The idea it to create as much carnage as possible, but then platforming elements crop up. You'd think a simple color swap would make it easier to jump around, but it actually makes it much, much harder.

As cool as WET's concept sounds (and it is cool), it once again has a way of tripping itself mid-stride. Although quick, stylish kills are encouraged throughout the game (and through Achievements), level designs don't always support the concept. Some areas are plagued by sloppy, tiresome platforming while others are devoid of enough enemies to really keep the combo clock running. Some of the game's best areas are enclosed arenas that allow you to go crazy with acrobatics, but even these areas tend to throw in some odd goal or twist causing things to rapidly fall apart.

Purchasing new moves also becomes a problem. I can understand buying upgrades for guns and health, but when I have to buy moves that really should come naturally (shooting from a pole), it puts a damper on the experience. Again, WET should be about having this really cool set of weapons and moves and using them to navigate areas and keep the combo timer running. It shouldn't be about buying moves in an attempt to unlock what makes the game entertaining. Purchasing a move places an unnatural constraint and comes off as something that was done because "other games do it," not because it made sense for the game.

WET is by no means a broken game. It's a solid game and offers a fun time. But it isn't a great game either. It may not be broken, but a few parts are held together with duct tape and it makes an odd squeaking noise every now and again. As a full price game, WET probably isn't worth it unless you really love Tarantino/ Rodriquez flicks or have some sort of creepy shrine dedicated to Eliza Dushku (or Malcolm McDowell - if that's your thing). If you can find it for cheaper, however, it's an enjoyable adventure.