Future Starlocke
03-15-2003, 09:59 AM
Just so you know it's just not me marking out over this game... even IGN thinks it's hot.
----------------------------
March 14, 2003 - How can any biblically themed game possibly top such Wisdom Tree classics as Exodus for the Game Boy or the greatest NES game ever, Bible Adventures? We know, it seems impossible, but that's what 3DO is trying to do with the upcoming Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, which we got our first peek at today as part of the company's "Editors' Day 2003." We didn't get to see a whole lot of Four Horsemen, but God strike us down where we stand if what we did see wasn't surprisingly impressive.
Horsemen is going to be 3DO's first M-rated title, and boy does it show. For example, one of the rooms we were shown featured random body parts hanging from chains. In the final build, we were assured, the body parts will swing and drip and be generally more gross than they already are, which is pretty gross. In another level, a prison hospital, there is hardly a square inch of floor, wall, and ceiling that isn't smeared dark red. Playing as the disgraced angel Abaddon, gamers will be able to perform a number of finishing moves. The one that we saw had him lopping off the head of a demon with both his swords, catching the head on the tips of his blades, and ramming it into the demon's gut. Sweet!
Just in case all the gore isn't enough to secure an M rating, 3DO has seen fit to include something we're sure you'll all be interested in: naked breasts. Jesse, the prostitute NPC who helps Abaddon overcome Pestilence, wears a sort of fishnet shirt that leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination. We're talking exposed nipples here, kids.
On the subject of anatomy, Horsemen's character models, while still obviously early, are looking promising. Just about the first thing we noticed about the game was Abaddon's hair. Each lock of long black, greasy hair sways independently in tandem with your movements. It's probably the best hair modeling I've ever seen. His trenchcoat also flows exceptionally well, although at this point it passes through Abaddon's body much like Hotsuma's scarf in the PS2 version of Shinobi. All of the characters faces look nice and crisp, with enough detail to make you stop and go "Boy, that's pretty detailed." The bodies are all similarly well done, especially Jesse's. Oh yeah.
The little bit of combat that we saw was reminiscent of a less cartoonish Devil May Cry, what with the guns/swords combo and all. Abaddon shoots and slices, jumps and rolls, in a similar, though comparatively muted manner to DMC's Dante. While all we saw were a few simple sword combos and a few street thugs taken down by Abaddon's twin pistols, 3DO promises that there will be dozens of intricate combos that will be earned throughout the game. A variety of weapons are also in store, with six different guns and three sword upgrades.
Awesome character design and detailed environments bring Four Horsemen to life.
Another interesting aspect of the game that 3DO discussed at length but didn't actually show us is the "Chosen Ones" system. In different portions of the game, Abaddon will be aided by the three "Chosen Ones," each of whom follow Abaddon around and aid him as an AI controlled parter. Jesse the hooker can heal Abaddon, and redirect the damage he takes back to enemies. Jimmy, the half-blind serial killer, can see demons, which should be pretty helpful, since it's tough to hit things you can't see. Scott, the presidential candidate, will be able to use his powers of persuasion to convince enemies to help Abaddon.
Horsemen's camera system is trying to incorporate both Devil May Cry style cinematic camera angles and a free roaming, behind the back camera. The idea is that in non-combat areas, the game will use a fixed, cinematic camera. During battle, the camera will switch to free roaming mode, allowing you to better see what you're trying to fight. Does this mean that there will be never be combat in cinematic mode and vice versa? Not necessarily. 3DO suggested that it might occasionally break its own rules in the name of a good scare.
Who would've thought that a game based on the Bible could actually look pretty cool? Shocking as it may seem, Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse left us mighty impressed. Will 3DO be blessed with a hit, or will the Good Lord cast them into the smoldering pit of the bargain bin? We'll find out this December, just in time for Christmas. In the meantime, check out our brand-new high-res images in the media section below, and look forward to as much coverage of this game as we can get our sinful hands on in the future.
----------------------------
March 14, 2003 - How can any biblically themed game possibly top such Wisdom Tree classics as Exodus for the Game Boy or the greatest NES game ever, Bible Adventures? We know, it seems impossible, but that's what 3DO is trying to do with the upcoming Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, which we got our first peek at today as part of the company's "Editors' Day 2003." We didn't get to see a whole lot of Four Horsemen, but God strike us down where we stand if what we did see wasn't surprisingly impressive.
Horsemen is going to be 3DO's first M-rated title, and boy does it show. For example, one of the rooms we were shown featured random body parts hanging from chains. In the final build, we were assured, the body parts will swing and drip and be generally more gross than they already are, which is pretty gross. In another level, a prison hospital, there is hardly a square inch of floor, wall, and ceiling that isn't smeared dark red. Playing as the disgraced angel Abaddon, gamers will be able to perform a number of finishing moves. The one that we saw had him lopping off the head of a demon with both his swords, catching the head on the tips of his blades, and ramming it into the demon's gut. Sweet!
Just in case all the gore isn't enough to secure an M rating, 3DO has seen fit to include something we're sure you'll all be interested in: naked breasts. Jesse, the prostitute NPC who helps Abaddon overcome Pestilence, wears a sort of fishnet shirt that leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination. We're talking exposed nipples here, kids.
On the subject of anatomy, Horsemen's character models, while still obviously early, are looking promising. Just about the first thing we noticed about the game was Abaddon's hair. Each lock of long black, greasy hair sways independently in tandem with your movements. It's probably the best hair modeling I've ever seen. His trenchcoat also flows exceptionally well, although at this point it passes through Abaddon's body much like Hotsuma's scarf in the PS2 version of Shinobi. All of the characters faces look nice and crisp, with enough detail to make you stop and go "Boy, that's pretty detailed." The bodies are all similarly well done, especially Jesse's. Oh yeah.
The little bit of combat that we saw was reminiscent of a less cartoonish Devil May Cry, what with the guns/swords combo and all. Abaddon shoots and slices, jumps and rolls, in a similar, though comparatively muted manner to DMC's Dante. While all we saw were a few simple sword combos and a few street thugs taken down by Abaddon's twin pistols, 3DO promises that there will be dozens of intricate combos that will be earned throughout the game. A variety of weapons are also in store, with six different guns and three sword upgrades.
Awesome character design and detailed environments bring Four Horsemen to life.
Another interesting aspect of the game that 3DO discussed at length but didn't actually show us is the "Chosen Ones" system. In different portions of the game, Abaddon will be aided by the three "Chosen Ones," each of whom follow Abaddon around and aid him as an AI controlled parter. Jesse the hooker can heal Abaddon, and redirect the damage he takes back to enemies. Jimmy, the half-blind serial killer, can see demons, which should be pretty helpful, since it's tough to hit things you can't see. Scott, the presidential candidate, will be able to use his powers of persuasion to convince enemies to help Abaddon.
Horsemen's camera system is trying to incorporate both Devil May Cry style cinematic camera angles and a free roaming, behind the back camera. The idea is that in non-combat areas, the game will use a fixed, cinematic camera. During battle, the camera will switch to free roaming mode, allowing you to better see what you're trying to fight. Does this mean that there will be never be combat in cinematic mode and vice versa? Not necessarily. 3DO suggested that it might occasionally break its own rules in the name of a good scare.
Who would've thought that a game based on the Bible could actually look pretty cool? Shocking as it may seem, Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse left us mighty impressed. Will 3DO be blessed with a hit, or will the Good Lord cast them into the smoldering pit of the bargain bin? We'll find out this December, just in time for Christmas. In the meantime, check out our brand-new high-res images in the media section below, and look forward to as much coverage of this game as we can get our sinful hands on in the future.