ninja theory
Latest
Enslaved review: A barrel of Monkey
It's embarrassing, but true: Every single reviewer tries to think of what they're going to say while they're playing a game. For me, it's like a mental first draft, constantly evolving as I play. "EFF THIS CRAP IT'S TOO HARD" gets struck through when I figure out what I'm doing wrong, and hilarious jokes I come up with about the main character's haircut become more refined as I go along. As I sat down to write my review for Enslaved though, I realized that my brain had been so captivated, so entranced by the adventures of the brutish loner Monkey, that my mental slate was entirely blank. And that's saying something, because he's got one really stupid haircut.
DmC: Devil May Cry to utilize Unreal Engine
It would seem that DmC: Devil May Cry is really going the distance with the reboot concept -- to the point that Ninja Theory's upcoming stab at the series will employ a completely different game engine than DMC4. The developer confirmed on its forums that Dante's next adventure will be powered by Epic's Unreal Engine (just like it's Enslaved for Namco Bandai) and not Capcom's go-to multiplatform development suite, MT Framework; which has powered many of Capcom's premier titles this console generation, including the last DMC game. To date, only internal Capcom studios have created games with MT Framework, but the company has said it's willing to share with external studios. Earlier this year, Capcom published its first Unreal Engine 3 game in Airtight Games' Dark Void. Ninja Theory's Enslaved, which will be released next week (published by Namco Bandai), is also an Unreal-powered game. [Thanks, original fred]
Enslaved DLC will be 'an entirely new experience'
According to Ninja Theory chief Tameem Antoniades, the downloadable content for the much-anticipated Enslaved isn't just going to be "an extra few levels kind of thing. It's an entirely new experience," he tells Destructoid in a recent interview. He says that the "extra" content was designed as a whole new project -- the game is a cohesive story and experience in itself, and then the DLC was created from "a little extra time and budget for something totally extra, which is totally optional." Strangely, he couldn't confirm that the DLC would follow the Pigsy character (which is what Namco said about a week ago), but he promises a "meaty" experience nevertheless. Antoniades also talks more about how the game was developed from a very cinematic point of view -- the company hired real screenwriters and filmmakers to come work on the project, and took inspiration from the idea of "buddy movies, where each character is part of a team," Antoniades says, "and that without each other you can't accomplish the mission." We're very much looking forward to seeing how all of this influence and hard work pans out -- the game will be out next week.
PSA: Enslaved, Gothic 4 demos released on Xbox Live Marketplace
As foreseen yesterday by the Enslaved: Odyssey to the West Twitter account, Xbox Live Gold members now have access to the game's previously PSN-exclusive demo. Additionally, Major Nelson points out that Arcania: Gothic 4 also got a demo. That means killing robots with a giant baton in the post-post-post apocalypse and exploring the unknown depths of the Southern Islands are just two downloads away! Click through for each below. Xbox.com: Add the Enslaved: Odyssey to the West demo to your Xbox 360 download queue Xbox.com: Add the Arcania: Gothic 4 demo to your Xbox 360 download queue
Enslaved pitched as real-time Unreal Engine 3 movie, shot down by Hollywood
Ninja Theory has always had Hollywood ambitions. Its last game, Heavenly Sword, employed extensive use of motion capture, and had Lord of the Rings alum Andy Serkis as a pivotal contributor to the project. Before Enslaved was revealed, Ninja Theory's Nina Kristensen teased the possibility of a CG movie to accompany the game's release -- but what happened to Ninja Theory's envisioned film? "We were serious about it. We went to all the big studios in Hollywood and pitched the idea," Tameem Antoniades told Destructoid. Unfortunately, Hollywood wasn't interested in Ninja Theory's vision: to create a feature-length film using real-time graphics powered by Unreal Engine 3 (used for the game). "They don't want to do it for cheap. They want Pixar and the other higher end [studios] to do it for 100 million dollars or 60 million dollars. To do it any other way is considered a huge risk, so it just didn't wash." We can certainly understand the studios' hesitance towards the concept. While Enslaved certainly looks good, an Unreal-rendered movie probably wouldn't be pretty enough to appeal to the mass-market movie watcher used to Pixar. And with Enslaved having yet to prove itself as a valuable IP, it's no surprise that the film adaptation never came to fruition.
Devil May Cry reboot likened to James Bond's Casino Royale
The new version of Dante found in DmC: Devil May Cry -- you know, the one who has retroactively ruined every previous game in the franchise by having black hair -- was inspired by another refresh of a popular franchise, which also involved exciting new innovations in the field of hair color. Specifically, the Daniel Craig version of James Bond. "When you see the Casino Royale remake," Capcom's Alex Jones explained to Eurogamer, "you see Bond before he's actually killed anyone, and it's a really traumatic event. He's rough-hewn, he's not polished or debonair, but you can see the essence of what that character will become. That's what we want to do with Dante. The core of him is there, it's just a rougher version. It's a becoming. He's not fully actualised." So this Dante might be surprised the first time a sword flies directly into his torso of his own accord. "Of course long-time fans are worried about us handing over such a big title to another company, another development team," Capcom's Hideaki Itsuna said. He expressed his confidence in Ninja Theory and his belief that "they're very serious about making this game good." Itsuna explained that the reboot is intended to increase the fanbase by bringing in new buyers as well as Devil May Cry series fans. Well, at least those who aren't hung up on the hair color thing.
Enslaved DLC announced, stars side character Pigsy
If you thought Trip and Monkey's journey to the west would be a tireless survival mission ... you're probably right. Thankfully, the stars of Enslaved can enjoy Pigsy's comic relief along the way. Namco Bandai describes Pigsy (pictured) as a "comical porcine character" -- the big dude with the rad belt buckle -- and has revealed that he will star in a post-launch DLC episode for the game. The publisher offers few additional tidbits about the premium add-on, noting simply that it will be a side story requiring the retail game to play. More details are expected in "the coming months."
Devil May Cry reboot, in trailer and screenshot form
Announced just moments ago at Capcom's pre-TGS press conference, here's just about everything we know about Ninja Theory's "reboot" of Devil May Cry: a trailer. Found after the break, this trailer (and the accompanying screens and artwork) share a new look for Dante, and a new direction for the franchise. Let's make this scientific, though. What do you think of the Devil May Cry reboot? %Gallery-102294%
New Devil May Cry in Ninja Theory's hands
It was no coincidence that a new Ninja Theory game announcement and a "DMC" trademark were discovered at the same time. Capcom has confirmed that Enslaved/Heavenly Sword developer Ninja Theory is applying its expertise to demon hunting, with a trailer for DmC: Devil May Cry. What, no number? It's a "rebirth of Devil May Cry," starring a younger Dante who may or may not be experiencing the events in the game for real, judging from the appearance in the trailer of a chained character who may be hallucinating. "We're hoping to make a game that even Capcom can be proud of," Ninja Theory director Tameem Antoniades said on stage. No wonder -- there's good money in pleasing Capcom.
New Ninja Theory game to be announced at TGS, as Capcom trademarks 'DMC'
If you read the May issue of Game Informer, this rumor might sound familiar: Ninja Theory, developer of PS3 exclusive Heavenly Sword and the promising Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, may be tasked with creating a new entry in Capcom's Devil May Cry franchise (last seen in 2008). Capcom has repeatedly expressed interest in leaving some of its established franchises in the hands of Western studios, with Bionic Commando and Dead Rising all finding homes outside of Japan. The rumor has found its way back into circulation, thanks to a tweet and a trademark. According to Ninja Theory's Twitter account, a new game from the team is set to be announced at Tokyo Game Show, which opens on September 16th. Before that, however, Capcom will hold a press conference (a few hours away at the time of writing) and announce several new titles -- and "DMC" may be one of them. According to Siliconera, Capcom has filed a wide-ranging trademark for "DMC," covering everything from game software to mobile phone ringtones. The trademark isn't enough to reveal a collusion between Capcom and Ninja Theory (let alone a new Devil May Cry game), but it raises an interesting question: Will Andy Serkis play Dante or Nero?
Enslaved dev diary shows there's no 'I' in Team
In most action games where one player controls two characters, one-half of the duo always seems to slow the other down. In the latest dev diary for Enslaved, Ninja Theory explains how it avoided this imbalance: by giving unique powers to Monkey and Trip. Powers like the timeless "Fastball Special."
Enslaved preview: The apocalypse goes green
To be as forthright as possible, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West was not on my radar when it was announced last year. Apart from a handful of pretty screens, it subsequently managed to slip by me in the madness of the 2010 summer trade show season. Having now spent several hours with the first half of the game, it's impossible to think I could have missed it. Based on what I've played so far, Enslaved deserves a spot on everyone's radar, offering polished gameplay, interesting characters and a gorgeous world to explore. %Gallery-101333%
Enslaved pre-orders come with t-shirt and comic today
Today, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West is featured on YouTube in the US, with a large ad ... thing on the top of the site. The ad displays trailers, links to downloadable wallpapers, and a special offer from GameStop. For today only, pre-orders of Enslaved from the retailer will come with an exclusive comic book and t-shirt, which features Monkey looking even more Goku-like in silhouette. GameStop is also holding an Enslaved-themed contest, offering a "dream home entertainment system" with a 55" TV, your choice of a PS3 or Xbox 360, and an Enslaved statue. In addition, one runner-up each week will get an Enslaved statue. [Thanks, DVR Kid]
Namco wants Enslaved 'to stand out amongst the crowd,' will actually market it
Namco-Bandai is banking quite a bit on Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, the action-adventure game from Ninja Theory -- at least, in Europe. MCV reports that Namco-Bandai has revealed it'll back the game with a massive marketing campaign leading up to its October launch, one that will even eclipse marketing efforts for the studio's previous big AAA release, Tekken 6. Big deal, thy name is Enslaved. "We really want this title to stand out amongst the crowd as not just a brilliant gaming experience, but also as one of the greatest stories told within an interactive universe -- if it doesn't win awards then I'm going to eat my joypad," said PR and marketing manager Lee Kirton. Frankly, we don't know why he thinks eating joypads is a bad thing. How else are you supposed to get your daily allotment of plastics and dyes? "Enslaved really is the cream of British talent uniting for an epic video gaming experience. Ninja Theory is a truly brilliant studio that has done a remarkable job creating a totally believable story in this futuristic post-apocalyptic world," he added. Despite Kirton's confidence in the game, it's certainly got its work cut out for it, what with Dead Rising 2 and Halo: Reach launching in September and a little game called Call of Duty: Black Ops following in November. But, hey, if there's anything that can get it done, it's teamwork -- Enslaved's got that in spades.
New Enslaved: Odyssey to the West screens
Though the vivid colors and lush foliage might suggest otherwise, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West is an Unreal-powered action game due this October. These latest screenshots once again place the environments somewhere between utopia and dystopia, and highlight the volatile cooperation between lead characters Monkey and Trip. It's no Melissa & Joey, but it'll do. %Gallery-99728%
This new Enslaved trailer is decidedly epic
Ninja Theory's upcoming action-adventure title, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, has freed up a new trailer and boy is it epic. We're talking big, bold words, narration Don LaFontaine would be proud of and plenty of slow-mo badassery. Break your shackles, vault on past the break and absorb every epic second through your eye muscles.
The plot thickens: More on Enslaved's inspired journey to the West
Enslaved: Odyssey to the West was one of my favorite titles at E3 this year. It's got a terrific story foundation upon which Ninja Theory has built rock-solid combat, jazzed up by great art direction. This past week at Comic-Con, I spoke with Namco Bandai brand manager Laili Bosma, who filled in the background behind the game and fleshed out more of the gameplay mechanics that shape this promising action adventure. The game's key aspect is the relationship between its two main characters. While their names and basic personalities have been taken from the classical Chinese novel Journey to the West, Bosma stresses that Enslaved is "very, very loosely based" on the famous tale. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic future where Trip, a fragile 19-year-old redhead, embarks on a perilous journey to return home. In order to survive, she recruits the player-controlled Monkey, a brutish slave, bound to Trip by a deadly, magical headband. %Gallery-97232%
Develop: How a movie screenwriter helped save Enslaved's story
Gamers sometimes criticize games for playing too much like movies. But as Ninja Theory Designer Tameem Antonaides explained at a Develop Conference session this week, bringing in screenwriting veteran Alex Garland to consult on their upcoming game Enslaved: Odyssey to the West made their game more movie-like is some very beneficial ways. As the writer behind movies like Sunshine and 28 Days Later, Garland had a feel for how to get the most drama out of Enslaved's story scenes, Antonaides said. Garland would write scenes with very simple, reductive dialogue that looked thin on the page, Antonaides said, but gained more "meat" with an actor's performance behind them. Indeed, the short story clips shown at the conference were notable for how much they relied on body language and vocal cues to convey information without words. Antonaides said they ended up cutting the game's cutscenes down from two hours of dialogue to a lean 80 minutes, with less focus on exposition and more on drama. "If you have too much dialogue, it doesn't work," Antonaides said. "Alex changed my view of what writing meant," Antonaides said. "I felt like a schoolboy so many times talking to Alex." %Gallery-97232%
Enslaved pre-order bonuses and DLC are bound to retailers
North American gamers face a tough choice regarding Enslaved: Odyssey to the West: when you make your own fateful journey to a store to pre-order the game, your choice of store will determine which alternate character costume, with stat bonuses, you will be able to unlock: GameStop (EB Games in Canada) pre-orders will include "Ninja Monkey," who has unlimited use of the "stun" and "plasma" blast for his staff. Walmart purchases add "Classic Monkey," with a costume inspired by the game's source, the classical Chinese novel Journey to the West, and twice the melee attack power -- and it also makes Monkey look even more like Dragon Ball's Goku (who's inspired by the same source text). Best Buy-ers will receive ... "Sexy Robot Trip," who reveals a specific fetish on the part of someone at Namco Bandai by making Trip simultaneously sexier and more robotic. Using this costume doubles the duration (and sexiness) of stun moves. Additionally, Namco Bandai has announced retailer-exclusive bundles containing more tangible bonuses. Amazon bundles will include "exclusive access" to the game's soundtrack, while Target (and Future Shop in Canada) will offer a bundle with an Enslaved comic book published by Marvel. The source press release is posted after the break. %Gallery-96487%
Enslaved: Odyssey to the West set free from its bounds in October
Enslaved: Odyssey to the West will bring its post-apocalyptic action to retail in October, according to the E3 trailer released today by publisher Namco Bandai. But release date news isn't all the trailer has to offer! It's loaded with melodrama, suspense and lots of action, as Goku and Bulma Monkey and Trip try to navigate a perilous future version of New York. There's even a guy with some Borg-style junk on his face! That's how you know it's the future! Well, that and the mechs, which seem to really freak Trip out. %Gallery-91853%
