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Wii Impressions: Red Steel [update 1]
Red Steel disappointed me. The biggest problem with the game (and most worrisome to Nintendo) is its control scheme. What we found playing Red Steel, along with many other third-party Wii titles, is that the controls felt too sensitive. There is an issue with moving your remote slightly out of the range of the TV-mounted system, resulting in the cross hairs going stir-crazy off to the side of the screen. If Ubisoft can fix the sensitivity, then the rest of the control scheme is intuitively laid out and works well. Also, the sword fighting is pretty lacking, with only a variety of slashes available. The sword does not follow every move, and each slash requires a dramatic sweep of the remote -- the simplicity gave the sword-fighting moments the impression of a minigame.
Red Steel with no blood?
TVG reports that Ubisoft's Revolution launch title, Red Steel, will avoid gratuitous violence. Despite influence from Tarantino's Kill Bill film series and sporting a name that seemingly implies blood-soaked katana, Red Steel will likely be released blood-free.The omission will help land the game a Teen-rating, which will increase the consumer demographic and extend the unofficial 'kid-tested, parent-approved' Nintendo theme to the Revolution. If you're at all disappointed by this toned-down development, just keep in mind that blood isn't necessary for a visceral experience.
First Revolution game website is live
Following yesterday's official Red Steel announcement, Ubisoft has launched the game's (teaser) website. Visitors are given a choice: the gun or the sword? After a selection is made, the site will launch into a dumbed-down motion-controlled mini-game: move the weapon with the mouse and click on it to shoot or slash at predetermined points on the screen — we trust that the actual game will be a tad bit more sophisticated. After three clicks, the Red Steel logo will appear and a side note prompts for registration in order to receive "exclusive information" (read: spam alert).
ZOMG: Ubisoft announces "Red Steel"
From the didn't-see-this-one-coming department is a new Ubisoft press release which reveals a brand new, totally unheard of FPS for the Revolution called Red Steel. The game sees players wielding the Revolution's magic wanger like a gun or a sword, either blasting opponents in the face with superb accuracy or slicing them up with unbridled malice. It all sounds very exciting."We’re honored to announce this exciting new franchise and we’re confident that Red Steel will be the must-have title for the Revolution when it launches,” says Serge Hascoet, chief creative officer at Ubisoft. Nintendo's very own Reggie Fils-Aime adds that, "Nintendo is excited to have Ubisoft bring Red Steel to the Revolution launch lineup."Amidst all the excitement, you may spot the official confirmation that Red Steel will be an exclusive Revolution launch title (one down, nineteen to go). Mr. Hascoet states that, "We have been working closely with Nintendo to take full advantage of the innovative controller to create a thrilling experience that can only exist on the Revolution.” That's certainly excellent news, since having a familiar and creaky genre such as the first-person shooter around will definitely help with easing sceptics into the new control system. Let's just hope developers don't dwell on the familiar for too long.
Ubisoft confirms Red Steel, Revolution exclusive
Ubisoft has officially announced Red Steel for the Nintendo Revolution. The game's existence was leaked late last week from the unpublished pages of Game Informer. As reported then, Red Steel will feature motion-controlled sword- and gunplay utilizing the Revolution controller's unique functionality. Ubisoft's chief creative officer Serge Hascoet confirmed that the title would be exclusive to Nintendo's next-gen platform, stating, "We have been working closely with Nintendo to take full advantage of the innovative controller to create a thrilling experience that can only exist on the Revolution."Today, Ubisoft revealed its intention to turn Red Steel into an ongoing franchise, with the first title joining the Revolution's launch lineup. The game is set in contemporary Japan where players must master both "the ancient art of the katana" and modern firearms. Ubisoft also confirmed that Red Steel would be on display at E3 next month.
Even more Red Steel info unsheathed
Moz La Punk has obtained some substantial information from Game Informer's article on Red Steel, the Ubisoft first-person Revolution extravaganza which exploded onto the Internet this weekend. It's a lengthy read, but I've captured some of the highlights for those that have little in the ways of time, energy or attention span (see also: modern human being). Ubisoft is working closely with Nintendo on the project. They pitched it to Iwata and Miyamoto who liked the idea enough to not have the French team of designers executed. In the initial stages of the game, you're a reckless killing machine. By the end of it, you'll be an efficient and graceful murderer. The game clearly encourages you to better yourself. "The goal...is to use five bullets to kill five enemies". That is, if you ignore how much fun it is to kill one enemy with 45 bullets. Look at that ragdoll convulse! The game has bullet time. Cheer ecstatically or roll eyes as you feel appropriate. Accuracy is your friend: Shooting the gun out of an enemy's hand may prove to be more useful than shooting him in the face. Disarming him allows you to get nice and close with your sword. [Insert additional "disarming" joke here.] Depending on your performance and action, in-game characters will either loathe or respect you. It's easier to get your way with those that respect you. Especially the ladies. "Flailing your sword isn't a smart idea." Instead, specific motions will initiate deadly special attacks and combos. (It is not mentioned whether flailing your gun is smart or not.) Missions in the game can be completed in any order and are given out by either a sword master or a gun master. You need to show them both respect, or they'll treat you worse than Uma Thurman. You'll attempt to sway gang leaders to your cause. If that doesn't work, you'll have to sway them to an early and painful death. Aside from the usual split-screen gameplay, Ubisoft is working on secret, original multiplayer modes. Given their track record with the Splinter Cell series, I'd expect these to be very good indeed. "Aiming with the controller is as simple as using a laser pointer. You point your hand at a target and hit the trigger on the underside of the controller to fire." AI characters focus on "risk management", a term which apparently includes jumping over tables. "You signal "yes/no" answers by nodding the controller up or down or shaking it from side to side." Read that again. You nod your head with the controller as a form of communication with in-game characters. That is the single greatest thing ever. Red Steel is looking to be something very special. I always thought it would be a first-party Nintendo title that would really get the Revolution excitement rolling, but this is the game that finds itself in the enviable position of not only promoting its own concepts, but those of the Revolution itself. It's fair to say that a lot more people "get" the Revolution now than before this game surfaced. Whether or not this FPS lives up to its ideals is yet to be decided, but its value as an iillustrative example of the Revolution's potential is clear.[Thanks fischju! Color enhanced image courtesy of Kellan.]
Red Steel revealed: First Revolution screenshots [Update 1]
Some shots from the May issue of Game Informer have found their way onto the internet, ready for us to awkwardly gawk at them and marvel at the Revolution game they spectacularly reveal. Developed by Ubisoft and packed with explosive gunplay (and swordplay), Red Steel looks set to take full advantage of the Revmote, albeit in an unsurprising way. After all, it doesn't require much thought to make the connection between pointing a remote and pointing a gun. I look forward to Jack Thompson quoting that sentence soon.On the obvious matter of graphics, it seems like the Revolution can produce some very capable images, at least if one assumes that these aren't concept renders and are actually running off an official development kit. It's impossible to make out any of the text, barring the note on the bottom right which points out that your in-game character will tilt his gun as you tilt the controller. I suspect this also means that you can easily bash people in the face with the butt of your gun by performing a swift arm motion. And really, isn't bashing people in the face what the Revolution is all about?Hit the "Read" link for more images.[Thanks el moco!]
