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ETA > Gameplay > Silver |
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Can European Developers put out a title to makeIntroduction With Final Fantasy VII Square Soft have done the rounds with their epic RPG, the West though has responded to the threat offered by the Japanese RPG machine. Control Not everyone regarded Final Fantasy VII as the killer app, successful though it was judging from the Japanese hysteria which surrounded its launch, contained within were noticeable flaws. A select cadre of PC gamers will have found the control system to be at fault with its somewhat archaic, turn-based combat system. |
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| Righteous Inspiration
Enter Silver currently into its 3rd year of development. After Infogrammes UK (formerly known as Ocean) two years out of the loop this title shows promise if the plot and gameplay mechanics are to be believed. Certainly after such a long time without a release the in-house team will have had time to condition the game engine. The obvious comparisons to a certain Nipponese title are likely to be made over the coming months as the gaming public witness the release of screen shots and supporting plot, to mainstream gaming publications. Plot outline In the mythical land of Jarrah, an evil ruler by the name of Silver makes a deal with local Chaos God Apocalypse. Contracts of the immortal variety being what they are, as a bonus for offering up the sacrifice of 100 lovely ladies, Silver will be made the eternal one's official 'agent of evil'. The incentive for this dastardly exercise is the promise of unequalled power among Silver's contemporaries. Fuge, son of Silver is then sent on a trip to relate his superior's wishes to the island of Rain to inform them of their unfortunate career moves as 'brides of silver' with an untimely destiny as lambs to the slaughter. Naturally this announcement doesn't go down well with local hero, David who is quite taken with one of the women, who forms a collective of five friends to bring them back. |
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| Game Engine
Familiar story elements then, (Megalomaniac mage, versus small group of right-thinking adventurers) but Silver is reportedly gifted with a few surprises. Borrowing from traditional pen-and-paper RPGs, the player takes control of the main protagonist David as well as his companions all of whom have access to certain unique skills. Character Selection
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| Gameplay
Diverse gameplay is offered by way of these choices which will see the player having to maximize all the characters' abilities on offer. Artist Jack Wilkely elaborates, "The main difference between Silver and Final Fantasy VII is that Silver incorporates real-time rather than turned based action. Originally, Silver was envisioned as a turn based game. Rather than taking an active part in the battles yourself, the player was expected to assign his heroes to targets. The heroes would then attack their targets until the enemy was dead. While this was happening all the player could do was watch the ensuing battle, maybe changing spells or weapons for the heroes to help aid their progress. It was a little like Command & Conquer in some respects only with three units to command! "It soon became apparent that this didn't make for exciting gameplay, so we introduced the directly controlled combat and its improved the gameplay a hundred fold. Now we have a game where you can assign your heroes to attack enemies. While they attack their targets under AI control, you are free to take part in the action using your primary hero. And as the main hero is interchangeable with with the secondary heroes, the player can directly control any hero he likes." |
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| Hack and Slash
In essence the player had a greater degree of control over each member of the team, favouring a control system similar to the likes of Amiga classics such as Cannon Fodder and Legend, different games which shared a system of controlling the other member of your squad while the gamma shifts his attention to different events. An essential part of gameplay where the player is confronted with fast and furious battle situations that necessitate swift and decisive control. As tends to be the case simple is best where, the player need only keep the CTRL key pressed down and pushed forward forward for a front slash, backwards to turn and slash behind, and left or right to attack in to attack in those directions. Special Moves An influence of the beat-em' up genre perhaps, the welcome addition of unique attacks is certain to attract gamers with a penchant for flashy combos. A selection of just some of those on offer: Reaper = 360 degree spinning sword slash Cleaver = Jump with overhead chop Falcon = large jump with overhead somersault chop Berserker = Impressive 1080 degree spinning slash Features that allow variety without undue complexity with the interface. |
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