Too Human discussion...

Collapse

Recommended Videos

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • ThaGenecyst
    MVP
    • Sep 2004
    • 4404

    #91
    Re: Exclusive: Inside Too Human

    GDC08: hands-on with Too Human


    Too Human, on the surface, has a lot of things going for it. The game enjoys a very creative setting -- a vision of the cybernetic future colliding with ancient Norse mythology -- featuring grand environments and impressive set pieces along with a cohesive and unique style. But then, everyone already knew that. Many previews have put forth Silicon Knights' vision this year, and Silicon Knights done as much themselves in their own developer video diaries and blogs. Too Human's presence at GDC this year marks the most public appearance the game has had since its infamous showing at E3 2006. It is with this in mind that the journalists gathered to see the game last night were concerned with only one thing: gameplay.

    Code:
    [center][B]Gallery:[/B] [URL="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/too-human-gdc-2008/"][COLOR="Lime"][B]Too Human (GDC 2008)[/B][/COLOR][/URL]
    [URL="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/too-human-gdc-2008/651433/"][img]http://www.joystiq.com/media/2008/02/too-human-gdc-01_thumbnail.jpg[/img][/URL] [URL="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/too-human-gdc-2008/651447/"][img]http://www.joystiq.com/media/2008/02/too-human-gdc-02_thumbnail.jpg[/img][/URL] [URL="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/too-human-gdc-2008/651454/"][img]http://www.joystiq.com/media/2008/02/too-human-gdc-03_thumbnail.jpg[/img][/URL] [URL="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/too-human-gdc-2008/651463/"][img]http://www.joystiq.com/media/2008/02/too-human-gdc-05_thumbnail.jpg[/img][/URL]
    [/center]

    While Too Human will undoubtedly be labeled an action-RPG, the most telling and descriptive category is dungeon crawler. For all intents and purposes, Too Human is Diablo or Phantasy Star Online or Baldur's Gate or whatever other life-stealer happens to hit home for you. While it may be wrapped in some particularly creative and intriguing trappings, the ultimate purpose of the game is to pick a class -- ranging from the tank-like Defender to the kamikaze Berserker -- slay monsters, gather phat lootz and obtain a higher character level (preferably earned with friends over Xbox Live). In this regard, Too Human gets a lot of things right.

    For example, the game has a very handy way of dealing with one of the genre's most common annoyances, inventory management. Rather than forcing players to play "inventory Tetris," the game automatically manages player inventories by ditching the weakest items once full capacity is reached. Not only that, but players aren't forced to strafe dead bodies while hammering the X button in order to pick up all the items and treasure left in their wake. Instead, items are simply picked up as players pass by. These two features alone should be enough to make genre fans take notice.



    It's a good thing too, as there are many, many different types of weapons and armor in the game, all of which are visibly reflected on characters when equipped, bestowing upon them various boons and bonuses. There are, of course, rare and epic sets of equipment that grant bonuses when a full set is equipped as well. The game also features a crafting system in which players can construct items once the right runes are collected and certain conditions are met.

    All the staples are there, which leads to Too Human's sticking point, combat. After all, without engaging combat there is no monster slaying, no loot collecting, and no skill building. All attacks in Too Human are controlled with the right analog stick. To unleash melee attacks, one simply holds the stick in the direction of the desired enemy. At its most basic, that's it. As the player moves the stick from enemy to enemy, Baldur (the game's main character) unleashes a connected string of strikes. Double flicking the stick in one direction will cause Baldur to launch an enemy into the air, which opens said enemy to be juggled for a few extra hits. Shooting works the same way, only with the player holding down the left or right trigger while manipulating the right stick.



    If pointing to enemies and watching them die seems a bit imprecise, it's because it is. I often found myself lunging for a distant enemy rather than juggling the enemy I had just launched into the air, for example. The controls often feel somewhat disconnected with the on-screen action too, as there is really no solid and tactile response -- like button presses -- to associate with it. It's not bad -- in fact it works fairly well for what it is -- but it's not perfect either. It was certainly the only thing that I took exception to during my time with Too Human.

    The rest of the game is perfectly shiny and certainly intriguing, though, which is perhaps why the imperfect combat stands out as much as it does. Considering how well polished the other facets of the game are, the question becomes whether gamers come to embrace the combat system or simply endure it for the sake of the story. I was only able to spend a short amount time using a low level character with the most basic abilities, though. It's certainly possible that combat becomes more engaging as skills are learned and levels are gained -- something Silicon Knights reps assured us all was the case.

    As it stands, I'd wager most gamers will at least make it through Too Human's campaign, even if driven solely by the story and the need for more stuff. Whether or not players opt for successive run-throughs in pursuit of enviable armor and a level 50 character remains to be seen. For what it's worth, I find myself wishing I had more time with the game, which definitely counts for something.

    For another perspective on Too Human, check out Joystiq's hands-on impressions.

    http://www.myspace.com/phillthegenesis
    http://www.myspace.com/sagetheinfinite

    SageTheInfinite = GOAT.

    Comment

    • ThaGenecyst
      MVP
      • Sep 2004
      • 4404

      #92
      Re: Exclusive: Inside Too Human

      <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30790"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30790" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object>

      <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30791"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30791" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object>

      <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30788"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30788" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object>

      <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30785"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30785" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object>

      <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30783"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30783" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object>

      <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30781"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30781" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object>

      <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30780"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30780" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object>

      <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30777"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30777" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object>

      <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30775"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30775" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object>

      <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30773"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30773" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object>

      <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30771"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30771" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object>

      <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30770"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=30770" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object>
      http://www.myspace.com/phillthegenesis
      http://www.myspace.com/sagetheinfinite

      SageTheInfinite = GOAT.

      Comment

      • Flawless
        Bang-bang! Down-down!
        • Mar 2004
        • 16780

        #93
        Re: Exclusive: Inside Too Human

        Wow, that's a lot of new videos and it looks awesome in these. Silicon Knights has been using all that past criticism as fuel. Now all we need to see is the 4 player online co-op. I hope the rumored May release is true.
        Go Noles!!! >>----->

        Comment

        • Spectre
          Th* ******
          • Mar 2003
          • 5853

          #94
          Re: Exclusive: Inside Too Human

          Genecyst bro, you've been money with info in this and other threads. I really appreciate it

          Comment

          • Cyros
            ULTRAAAA!!!!
            • Jun 2003
            • 12628

            #95
            Re: Exclusive: Inside Too Human

            Originally posted by Spectre
            Genecyst bro, you've been money with info in this and other threads. I really appreciate it
            Don't forget to show Flawless some love too.
            Watch Me Twitch

            My Video Game Streams

            Comment

            • Flawless
              Bang-bang! Down-down!
              • Mar 2004
              • 16780

              #96
              Re: Exclusive: Inside Too Human

              Check these two videos out.

              Hear what the developers have to say as they walk you through Too Human.


              We kick off our final day of live GDC coverage with Silicon Knights' Too Human!



              Also, an interview with Dennis.

              <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tokZvTnIKac&rel=1&border=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tokZvTnIKac&rel=1&border=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
              Go Noles!!! >>----->

              Comment

              • Spectre
                Th* ******
                • Mar 2003
                • 5853

                #97
                Re: Exclusive: Inside Too Human

                Originally posted by Cyros
                Don't forget to show Flawless some love too.
                I've praised Flawless to no ends in other threads, he knows we love him

                Comment

                • Cyros
                  ULTRAAAA!!!!
                  • Jun 2003
                  • 12628

                  #98
                  Re: Exclusive: Inside Too Human

                  Originally posted by Spectre
                  I've praised Flawless to no ends in other threads, he knows we love him
                  Just checking.
                  Watch Me Twitch

                  My Video Game Streams

                  Comment

                  • Flawless
                    Bang-bang! Down-down!
                    • Mar 2004
                    • 16780

                    #99
                    Re: Exclusive: Inside Too Human

                    EGM Live Podcast

                    The 2008 Game Developers Conference may have ended last week, but this special post-GDC episode of EGM Live* provides the perfect cure for your gaming hangover. First, we welcome back to the program Silicon Knights' maverick CEO, Denis Dyack, who delivers the latest dirt on Too Human, his wildly ambitious Xbox 360 fantasy trilogy for Microsoft. Will you be amazed? Or is it still terrible? Our editors give you their honest opinions.

                    Good listen.
                    Go Noles!!! >>----->

                    Comment

                    • ThaGenecyst
                      MVP
                      • Sep 2004
                      • 4404

                      #100
                      Re: Exclusive: Inside Too Human

                      <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=31139"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=31139" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object>
                      http://www.myspace.com/phillthegenesis
                      http://www.myspace.com/sagetheinfinite

                      SageTheInfinite = GOAT.

                      Comment

                      • ThaGenecyst
                        MVP
                        • Sep 2004
                        • 4404

                        #101
                        Re: Exclusive: Inside Too Human



                        http://www.myspace.com/phillthegenesis
                        http://www.myspace.com/sagetheinfinite

                        SageTheInfinite = GOAT.

                        Comment

                        • Flawless
                          Bang-bang! Down-down!
                          • Mar 2004
                          • 16780

                          #102
                          Re: Exclusive: Inside Too Human

                          The Gods of Too Human: Thor

                          We’re looking forward to Too Human, Silicon Knights’ epic sci-fi action game. We’re looking forward to it a lot. And one of the things that has us the most intrigued is the inspiration taken from Nordic mythology that went into the game’s design. Not only are famous Nordic gods a presence in this game, they are living, breathing characters that will fight alongside you in battle. Ain’t no sidekick like a supernatural sidekick, as grampa used to say.

                          In this, the first installment of four monthly exclusive looks at the gods of Too Human, we take a closer look at Thor, the god of thunder. To give us a better idea of how Thor and the other gods are utilized in the game, we talked to Ken McCulloch, Director of Content for Silicon Knights about the inspiration behind the design of the characters, and what we can expect to see when Too Human debuts on the Xbox 360 later this year.
                          Thor is one of the more familiar gods from Nordic mythology, having appeared in movies and comics, etc. How is the Thor of Too Human different from those representations?

                          Ken McCulloch: Thor is rarely depicted as a character of substance, and frequently depicted as a stupid oaf. In “Too Human” we bowed to tradition with most of our characters in terms of matching the mythology, but we need the player to take them seriously at a deeper level in order to convey our messages and themes.

                          Thor is a warrior who lives for battle’s sake. It is testament to ODIN’s engineering that Thor excels at what he is. He is boisterous and jocular, living for the thrill and glory of battle - pretty much everything else is inconsequential to him. He rarely lets his more “level-headed” side come through unless it is a matter of dire consequence. We hope that this level-headed side of Thor makes him more of a real character, someone with stakes in the overall story. Thor has a sense of justice, a code of honor and, more importantly, a conscience. He can be as thoughtful as he is reckless when the situation calls for it.
                          What was the inspiration behind his visual design? Did you go back to scratch from Norse mythology or did you try and create something entirely new.

                          Ken McCulloch: We tried to combine both modern and primitive in Thor. He is a warrior who is as proud of his heritage as one of the Aesir as he is of his actions on the battlefield. He wants to proudly display his tattoos and the scars earned in battle. The tattoos echo the mythology themes – in some ways they hint to what is to come in the trilogy Thor’s armor was designed to be bulky and straightforward, since Thor is a man of little subtlety. He is “blatantly unrefined”, impulsive and sometimes socially inept, as evidenced by the bared skin to show off his scars.
                          How do you interact with him in the game? What influence does he have specifically in the world of Too Human.

                          Ken McCulloch: For the most part, Thor is your “older brother”, giving advice and commentary on your actions and events in the world. However, there is an opportunity to go hunting with him, discovering a dark secret lost to the world for eons.
                          His hammer. How big?

                          Ken McCulloch: Oh, it’s big - but size isn’t everything. Thor’s hammer, “Mjolnir”, satisfies through the application of highly explosive, armor-penetrating shaped charge warheads, so that Thor’s might can be felt exactly where it is needed.

                          New Screens


                          Go Noles!!! >>----->

                          Comment

                          • Flawless
                            Bang-bang! Down-down!
                            • Mar 2004
                            • 16780

                            #103
                            Re: Exclusive: Inside Too Human

                            New interview and gameplay footage.

                            <object width="480" height="402" id="VideoPlayer"><param name="movie" value="http://www.g4tv.com/lv3/21512" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed src="http://www.g4tv.com/lv3/21512" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" name="VideoPlayer" width="480" height="402" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" /></object>
                            Go Noles!!! >>----->

                            Comment

                            • ThaGenecyst
                              MVP
                              • Sep 2004
                              • 4404

                              #104
                              Re: Exclusive: Inside Too Human

                              I STILL HAVE FAITH IN THIS GAME
                              http://www.myspace.com/phillthegenesis
                              http://www.myspace.com/sagetheinfinite

                              SageTheInfinite = GOAT.

                              Comment

                              • jmood88
                                Sean Payton: Retribution
                                • Jul 2003
                                • 34639

                                #105
                                Re: Exclusive: Inside Too Human

                                They really need to fix the animations, they are still too stiff.
                                Originally posted by Blzer
                                Let me assure you that I am a huge proponent of size, and it greatly matters. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise.

                                If I went any bigger, it would not have properly fit with my equipment, so I had to optimize. I'm okay with it, but I also know what I'm missing with those five inches. :)

                                Comment

                                Working...