E3: TopWare announces Sacrilegium

Commented on 2012-06-06 19:59:30

Interesting... i get what they are trying to say about painting style, remins me of bioshock characters that have those mudy cell-shading look to them.

In reply to

Sath

Commented on 2012-06-06 20:57:18

Alan Wake :P

In reply to

digi_matrix

Commented on 2012-06-06 21:42:14

The story is about Alex, a 20-year Californian - smart, friendly and independent. She’s a college student that while fully aware of her breathtaking beauty, she never is looking to use it to her advantage. Keeping in shape with combat and self-defense training, she’s honed specific martial art skills that will come to her aid during her perilous journey through the province of Sacrilegium.

No image of this already egotistical woman? We'll be the judge of that. Reminds me of Samantha Brick. Martial arts skills + survival horror sounds weird, but ok.

In reply to

Xeviant

Commented on 2012-06-06 22:11:59

Nice creeper image on the last one.

In reply to

King_Grunt

Commented on 2012-06-06 22:27:19

Im really digging the art and color palette!!

In reply to

b0vril

Commented on 2012-06-06 23:35:12

What is with games that HAVE to be supernatural and/or have monsters...

In reply to

TheVice

Commented on 2012-06-06 23:55:15

Well alright, can't wait to see this "breathtaking beauty"...

In reply to

michaelob

Commented on 2012-06-07 00:23:15 In reply to b0vril

Posted by b0vril

What is with games that HAVE to be supernatural and/or have monsters...

I think it has something to do with the horror genre. For some reason, horror games just don't pan out well if you get terrified and five minutes into the game you find out "oh it was just nothing". There really isn't much in the real world anymore that would instill terror like the supernatural unfortunately.
Unless you live in Miami perhaps........

In reply to

KORNdog

Commented on 2012-06-07 01:16:00

"that we succeeded to develop the GRACE 2 engine in a way, that enables us to present models and landscapes that make photos look like charcoal drawings compared to the game"

Lol, am i looking at the same game? Is this some sort of joke? Meh, i enjoyed two worlds 2. Yet to be beaten as far as magic goes. So i'll give them the benefit of the doubt, but man is that quote bad...lol

In reply to

michaelob

Commented on 2012-06-07 04:28:17 In reply to KORNdog

Posted by KORNdog

"that we succeeded to develop the GRACE 2 engine in a way, that enables us to present models and landscapes that make photos look like charcoal drawings compared to the game"

Lol, am i looking at the same game? Is this some sort of joke? Meh, i enjoyed two worlds 2. Yet to be beaten as far as magic goes. So i'll give them the benefit of the doubt, but man is that quote bad...lol

Haha, I agree. At first I thought it was just a bad translation, but I think they actually meant that their engine makes visuals better than real life (photography).

Regardless, the graphics do look very nice and incredibly atmospheric. Something about the outdoor setting shown is so peaceful yet unsettling, and perfect for horror/suspense. It reminds me a bit of the Pacific Northwest like Alan Wake, but it could be parts of Europe as well.

In reply to

b0vril

Commented on 2012-06-07 13:43:05 In reply to michaelob

Posted by michaelob

I think it has something to do with the horror genre. For some reason, horror games just don't pan out well if you get terrified and five minutes into the game you find out "oh it was just nothing". There really isn't much in the real world anymore that would instill terror like the supernatural unfortunately.
Unless you live in Miami perhaps........

But it's not the idea of super natural stuff that scares, it's the not knowing.

In reply to

infamouz956

Commented on 2012-06-07 19:08:39 In reply to b0vril

Posted by b0vril

But it's not the idea of super natural stuff that scares, it's the not knowing.

exactly too many developers reveal. Its about the horror of not knowing whats around the whole area it could be alien like or whatever but trick is to set up the atmosphere right, and make things happen to scare the player while adding sounds of something walking, growling in a deep deep tone, and the gameplay has to be very survival like where you make your own weapons and survive the nights while you use the day to gather supplies, i always thought a game like zombieland could work,, but make it open world, horror games need open worldness .

In reply to

michaelob

Commented on 2012-06-07 23:04:53 In reply to b0vril

Posted by b0vril

But it's not the idea of super natural stuff that scares, it's the not knowing.

Agreed, but how do you build the uncertainty without some sort of supernatural occurrence? I think a lot of people would be upset if they played a horror game for 25 hours just to find out that everything they witnessed was just the wind playing tricks on them.

If you are stating that the devs could do a better job of keeping the plot under wraps and easing you into the horror however, I couldn't agree more. There has to be an ebb and flow to the tension and what is revealed. Like Infamouz said, I get much more into the games where you scared by what you don't see that what you do. However, at some point you do have to reveal what is going on, and I think it would be a hard sell if there wasn't something supernatural. The only way it could really be done would be to make the player very frail and powerless with a powerful enemy. Something like a serial killer game where you have no weapons and have to use wits to survive. The problem is, few people want to play a game anymore that doesn't make them feel like a superhuman with machine guns. I think it could be brilliant after playing Amnesia.

I actually have high hopes for this game though. It looks very moody and atmospheric, and I like that they are showing nothing of any enemies (except possibly the wolves). I hope they keep it that way until after release..

In reply to

[quote=b0vril]

But it's not the idea of super natural stuff that scares, it's the not knowing.[/quote]

Agreed, but how do you build the uncertainty without some sort of supernatural occurrence?  I think a lot of people would be upset if they played a horror game for 25 hours just to find out that everything they witnessed was just the wind playing tricks on them.

If you are stating that the devs could do a better job of keeping the plot under wraps and easing you into the horror however, I couldn't agree more.  There has to be an ebb and flow to the tension and what is revealed.  Like Infamouz said, I get much more into the games where you scared by what you don't see that what you do.  However, at some point you do have to reveal what is going on, and I think it would be a hard sell if there wasn't something supernatural.  The only way it could really be done would be to make the player very frail and powerless with a powerful enemy.  Something like a serial killer game where you have no weapons and have to use wits to survive.  The problem is, few people want to play a game anymore that doesn't make them feel like a superhuman with machine guns.  I think it could be brilliant after playing Amnesia.

I actually have high hopes for this game though.  It looks very moody and atmospheric, and I like that they are showing nothing of any enemies (except possibly the wolves).  I hope they keep it that way until after release..

digi_matrix

Commented on 2012-06-08 12:56:44 In reply to michaelob

Posted by michaelob

Something like a serial killer game where you have no weapons and have to use wits to survive. The problem is, few people want to play a game anymore that doesn't make them feel like a superhuman with machine guns. I think it could be brilliant after playing Amnesia.

You really should try Heavy Rain, even if you think it's more like a movie which it really isn't, it does all that. Keep on guessing the Origami Killer to the very end. And dat finger scene, possibly the most intense piece of adventure gaming ever.

In reply to

nostradamus

Commented on 2012-06-08 20:48:16

again with the adventure gaming erroneous use. there is NO adeventure in that game, just a Movie, maybe suspenseful experience. But most of the time a movie.

In reply to

KORNdog

Commented on 2012-06-08 20:58:47 In reply to nostradamus

Most games are an adventure assuming you dont know the destination. It isnt a point and click adventure game...but it certainly IS an adventure game.

In reply to

michaelob

Commented on 2012-06-08 22:45:45 In reply to digi_matrix

Posted by digi_matrix

You really should try Heavy Rain, even if you think it's more like a movie which it really isn't, it does all that. Keep on guessing the Origami Killer to the very end. And dat finger scene, possibly the most intense piece of adventure gaming ever.

I still plan to rent it someday after I have played everything else I'm interested in, I just have a really hard time with QTE's. I know some people love em, but they drive me nuts.

For some reason, my brain rejects the illusion created by games when they funnel you down heavily scripted paths or prevent you from doing logical things(i.e. blatant invisible barriers etc). I guess it stems from my claustrophobia and need to experiment with things. Maybe if I just convince myself it is a movie, I will be able to overlook these things, but when I'm in control, I want to be fully in control. Weird, I know...

In reply to

KORNdog

Commented on 2012-06-09 01:25:02

They dont feel like QTE. Not in the traditional sense. It isnt like GOW where a button flashes onscreen and if you dont press it in time you have to start over (those annoy me too). Each button prompt branches, you litterally CANT fail, because the scene just changes, hit the L1 prompt and you'll block a punch, miss it, and you'll simply get punched in the face and the fight will continue. Outside of an action scenario, the promps simply act the same as an "action button" in most other games. Only they represent the movement better, i.e in max payne, to open a draw you just press a button, the same button that opens doors, cupboards, wardrobes etc, in heavy rain, to open a draw, you'd maybe press a button to grab it, but then pull back the analogue stick to pull it out, then push the analogue stick to slide it back in and you will have complete analogue control of the action. It just feels like any other adventure game, only the context of the actions is better.

In reply to

michaelob

Commented on 2012-06-11 03:33:24

That actually doesn't sound too bad Korn. Not as bad as traditional QTE's at any rate. Do they at least keep the controls the same across the events though? Part of my issue is with the constant flashing symbols on the screen. I like to get immersed and feel like I am controlling an extension of myself, so it is nice to simply know the controls as though it was my own body, and not have to be prompted with big flashing symbols all the time that distract and ruin immersion.

In reply to

KORNdog

Commented on 2012-06-11 12:45:08 In reply to michaelob

Posted by michaelob

That actually doesn't sound too bad Korn. Not as bad as traditional QTE's at any rate. Do they at least keep the controls the same across the events though? Part of my issue is with the constant flashing symbols on the screen. I like to get immersed and feel like I am controlling an extension of myself, so it is nice to simply know the controls as though it was my own body, and not have to be prompted with big flashing symbols all the time that distract and ruin immersion.

they tend to, yes. you still get visual prompts tho. but they are usually maped in relation to the scene. best way to explain it is if you had to search through your pockets, triangle would represent your chest pocket, square would be left jacket pocket, circle would be right jacket pocket, and x would be back trouser pocket...that sort of thing. R1 and L1 are usually related to your right and left hand respectively. the prompts represent the actions better then most too. in a game like GOW which feels like an arbitrary icon flashes up and can change on different tries, heavy rain doesnt do this. a button prompt has been chosen based on the action on screen. need to push a guy off you and you'll use the six axis to push forward. want to move left, you press left on the analog stick. it all makes sense.

In reply to

[quote=michaelob]That actually doesn't sound too bad Korn.  Not as bad as traditional QTE's at any rate.  Do they at least keep the controls the same across the events though?  Part of my issue is with the constant flashing symbols on the screen.  I like to get immersed and feel like I am controlling an extension of myself, so it is nice to simply know the controls as though it was my own body, and not have to be prompted with big flashing symbols all the time that distract and ruin immersion.[/quote]

they tend to, yes. you still get visual prompts tho. but they are usually maped in relation to the scene. best way to explain it is if you had to search through your pockets, triangle would represent your chest pocket, square would be left jacket pocket, circle would be right jacket pocket, and x would be back trouser pocket...that sort of thing. R1 and L1 are usually related to your right and left hand respectively. the prompts represent the actions better then most too. in a game like GOW which feels like an arbitrary icon flashes up and can change on different tries, heavy rain doesnt do this. a button prompt has been chosen based on the action on screen. need to push a guy off you and you'll use the six axis to push forward. want to move left, you press left on the analog stick. it all makes sense.

digi_matrix

Commented on 2012-06-11 17:36:13

Yeah, best part of Heavy Rain is no fail state. It just keeps on going, therefore you never have to see the same scripted stuff unlike in Uncharted or other scripted games that have fail states so playing the scripted again would be annoying.

In reply to