Too Human Demo: Vindication for Denis Dyack

Everyone knows the long and sordid history of Silicon Knights’ new game for the Xbox 360, Too Human.  It had a terrible showing at E3 in 2006, is part of a huge lawsuit against Unreal 3 engine maker Epic Games and is being led by one of the industries most outspoken individuals in Denis Dyack.  Since that poor showing in 2006 Too Human has been on its heels trying to repair the damage done by an on-floor demo that was crippled by an incomplete Unreal Engine and in a form not ready to be seen by the public.  For Dyack, this battle has raged on now for almost 3 years…and is finally about to come to its dramatic conclusion.  The game is finally releasing in August of 2008 and, as promised, Canada’s own Silicon Knights have released a demo for a game many not only expect to fail, but want to fail.  Dyack has ruffled enough feathers and talked enough game to rile up the most outspoken gamers in the community.  The question now is, did Dyack deliver a hit, or is it another Haze?

Once I fired up the game I was already impressed with the visuals.  This has been a point of contention on the net with many claiming that the game looks no better than PS2 games with sparse envirnoment and terrible character models.  Well, no, it certainly doesn’t look like a PS2 game.  I have just come off playing some of the best games that the PS2 has to offer in God of War 2, Okami and MGS2.  Too Human takes them all to school.  The art design is excellent and the norse setting make for a truly unique game world.  Character models look good, not great.  Certainly, Too Human should not be confused with the visual powerhouses of the industry – think Gears of War 2 and Killzone 2.  However, the game manages to have its own style and it works well here.

In the demo only one character class is unlocked, but you can access all of them through some easter eggs that the Silicon team threw in there.  If you want to try all the classes, here is how you do it:

1. Disconnect from Xbox Live.
2. In the Dashboard go to System blade > Console Settings > Clock
3. Go to “Date and Time” and change the year from 2008 to 2009
4. Launch the Too Human Demo
5. By changing the date you have already unlocked the Berserker and Commando classes
6. To play as the Defender or Bio-Engineer position the screen on that character class.  Then simultaneously flick the left thumbstick right and press A, to play the demo as a Defender or Bio-Engineer

Sounds complicated but its as easy as pie.  Definitely check out all the classes.  I’ve now gone through and played the demo with all of them and they are all unique with very different sets of abilities.

Now, the important part.  How is the gameplay?  Does the fixed camera work?  Is it fun to play?  Well, the short answer to all those questions is yes.  As Dyack has been claiming all along, you really need to experience Too Human before you will understand it and how it plays.  I’m inclined now to agree with him.  Watching countless videos and looking through screenshots isn’t going to convey how this game feels, and it feels great.  Using the right thumbstick to attack with the triggers as guns is not only intuitive, but is surprisingly deep.  The combo system and air juggling turned out to be far more robust than I imagined and had a great time dispatching the hordes of cybernetic enemies that litter the screen.  Many people have worried that the combat may be too simplistic, but I would challenge that notion after having played the game.  I only played about 45 min of the demo with a low level character and was still learning the intricacies of the combat as I tried each character class.

Check out the video to learn more about the game from Dyack himself:

The bottom line is that Silicon Knights has delivered.  While it won’t be the most graphically impressive game to arrive this year, the unique combat system, incredibly deep loot and customization system and what appears could be an engaging story all add up to an experience that I am officially excited to begin.  I have to give Dyack credit.  His game is good.  My only hope is that enough people give it a chance so the trilogy can be completed.  Before you write this game off be sure to try the demo.  It may change your mind faster than you think.  I already pre-ordered the game…let’s make it the success it deserves to be!

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Too Human Finally Gets a Release Date

The long awaited sci-fi epic Too Human, in development from Silicon Knights, finally has been given a release date. The date? August 19, 2008. The first chapter in a planned trilogy, Too Human lets you play as Baldur, a cybernetic god tasked with saving humanity. Drawing heavily on Norse mythology, this third person action RPG has lots of potential to be an amazing game.

In development since 1999, Too Human will be available exclusively for the Xbox 360.

The official list of the game’s features has just been made available. Try to ignore the obvious PR speak.

• Thrilling action-RPG gameplay. Unlike some games that may force players to choose between two genres, “Too Human” combines all the creative economy features and social experiences of a typical RPG, such as collecting loot and leveling up, while maintaining the excitement of an action game. With a wide array of weapons, armors, cybernetic implants and skills, players have an unprecedented level of customization with their characters.
• Explosive melee and firearms combat. It will take more than brawn and raw strength to supplant the machine hordes. Using a sophisticated blend of seamless melee and high-tech weapons combat, players have the power to vanquish foes near and far. Witness the fluid grace of heroes and enemies in battle as enacted by the acclaimed motion-capture group Full Action Stunt Team (FAST). Feel each punishing blow through advanced visual effects made possible through the power of Xbox 360.
• The birth of an icon. Fight as Baldur, a powerful cybernetic god battling his way through enemy armies to become one of gaming’s renowned iconic heroes. From weaponry and armor to combat techniques and combos, players can fully customize Baldur to become the best possible hero.
• Advanced cinematic presentation. Characters and environments come to life with amazing visual fidelity. Experience the full excitement of combat through a dynamically driven presentation system that portrays the combat with cinematic quality. Survive pulse-pounding battles against hordes of on-screen enemies set against the vast landscape of the “Too Human” world. A sweeping orchestral score sets the mood for heartbreak, anger and blood lust as each tune encapsulates the gamer within the immersive gaming environment.
• New level of accessibility through intuitive combat. Perform Baldur’s elaborate and complex combat maneuvers, and chain together rapid-fire attacks and combos with ease. Through the use of an intuitive combat system, “Too Human” delivers gameplay that is easy to learn and rewarding to master.
• Shared experience. Conquer the world of “Too Human” alone or with friends in advanced, online two-player co-op gameplay through the Xbox LIVE service. Online co-op play requires Xbox LIVE Gold Membership.
• Modern take on classical Norse mythology. In a world ruined by centuries of war, “Too Human” chronicles the epic story of Baldur, favored son of Odin and one of a group of humanity’s protector, the Aesir. As Baldur, you must destroy the ancient war machines that threaten the world, but to do so you must balance your sense of duty and honor against your lust for revenge — perhaps even sacrificing your humanity in the process.

I think this game is going to be amazing…so August 19th can’t come soon enough. Check out a few gameplay videos to see what all the fuss is about.

Source: xbox.com