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Platform: XBox |
Developer: From Software |
Publisher: From Software |
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Genre: Action |
ETA: Summer (Japan) |
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Murakumo
(Early Look) Of
all the different anime out there that have had giant robots as a focal point
of their plots I’ve always been a little partial to the Patlabor
movies, especially the first one. Not
only did the cerebral plot full of political innuendo prove interesting,
but also there was plenty of police mechas facing off against large
service robots running amuck, giving viewers their fill of big robots
destroying cities. From
Software must have liked that movie too, as they have a mecha-oriented game in
the works for the XBox where players take on the role of a member of a
special police force, the Murakumo, who pilot mechas of their own as they hunt
rampaging robots and put an end to their counter-productive, city
smashing ways. The
game takes place in Oliver Port, a specially designed city meant to be a
manmade utopia. To help in
the upkeep for this city of wonders are ARKs (Artificial Reflexive
Kineticoids). Like so many
sci-fi robots who have come before, these machines have obviously not
read anything by Isaac Asimov, as they don’t seem too keen on that
whole not hurting humans code of ethics, instead choosing to malfunction and
destroy the city. In
come the Murakumo, an organization whose job it is to stop these
troublesome mechas, and at the center of the game is team member Gerald
Rothschild, the players’ alter ego in the title.
Unlike
From’s other mecha series, Armored Core, Murakumo is set to be a
very arcade-like experience. That means we’re looking at twitchier gameplay, no parts
customization, just fast-paced action.
While From has stayed somewhat hush-hush in exactly how the game
plays out, hopefully there will be a fair amount of free roaming to
be had. There’s a booming
metropolis ripe for the picking, with any luck players will be able to
take advantage of that. In
the very least we know that players will be able to choose their path in
how they hunt the malfunctioning ARKs, which suggests that the game
won’t be on rails. Once
players have the malicious mecha in their sights it’s not just time
for them to face off for a fight, there will likely be a chase.
The robots will soar through the city like in so many anime with
all the swooping, streaming vapor trails and whizzing near misses as the
two duck and dive between buildings, under bridges, and whatnot as the
pursuit heats up. There’s
no word yet on whether this XBox game will see a North American release,
but overall From Software’s titles have done pretty well for
themselves at making their way to these shores.
Those with an XBox that are looking for giant robots, and feel
like they’re missing out on the fun compared to the PS2’s library of
titles in that sub-genre may have something to keep their eyes on here. - Mr. Nash (February 27, 2002)
Review: Zone of the Enders (Playstation 2) Preview:
Armored Core 3 (Playstation 2)
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