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Too Human is a game of Norse mythology with a different perspective. This game is a hack-n-slash title from Silicon Knights and everything from the computer-controlled camera to the innovative use of the analog sticks makes this game stand out.
So what is this "different perspective" I mentioned above? Traditionally, mythological figures have been put in a very natural and earthly setting. Gods were of flesh and blood and the various creatures that one encounters in myths are animal or human-like (i.e. elves and trolls). But in Too Human, everything is technology-driven. Trolls are large machines with a sledge hammer for an arm, while elves are thin, nimble robots. Your character, Baldur, is also infused with cybernetics that help him improve his various skills. And to top it all off, when you enter into the game's rendition of Cyber Space, everything is flipped. Cyper Space is a lush, green, and very natural-feeling forest as opposed to the harsh technology-heavy world outside.
I also mentioned above that Too Human's camera is controlled by the game. In the past, this has led to less than stellar results. Before, when cameras were on predefined tracks, you would always end up on the wrong side of a pillar or wall when you were in the middle of the fight. But with Silicon Knights' new camera system, you will get the cinematic feel without the use of predefined camera tracks. The developers also made an effort to do away with cut scenes. Even though the camera will zoom in on a new enemy when you encounter the elves for the first time, you will still be able to control your character and start shooting. In the live demo, when we first encountered a new enemy, there were several camera switches that showed us how that creature saw our party, in this case an infrared view. The demonstrator was still controlling his character and running him in circles to show that the game didn't pull him away.
The problem that might arise from this, though hopefully the developers will have time to look into it before its holiday release, is that if the camera is focused on something else and you aren't in the scene, you won't be able to see where you are going or what you are doing. So even though you will have control, you might still want to sit back and watch the pretty cut-scene-esque events.
Because the user doesn't have control of the camera, the right analog stick is freed up for a more intuitive weapon system. Similar to games like Rise to Honor, you use the left stick to run around and the right stick lets you direct your attacks at enemies. For instance, if you are surrounded on three sides, just run spin your stick in the direction of your enemies and they will be cut down. With each combo, you build up power and eventually you will be able to release one of three devastating attacks.
If you are using your guns, then you fire them with the shoulder triggers and direct your fire with the stick. This new control scheme might seem counterintuitive at first, but when I got a chance to play the game, I found that I was able to quickly get into the scheme and started slicing and dicing my enemies no matter which direction they came from.
So why is the game called Too Human? As I said before, you are playing a god infused with cybernetic enhancements. Throughout the game, the other gods are telling you that you don't have enough implants and you need to improve your technological capabilities. As you progress, you can change out and upgrade your implants thus giving you a different assortment of weapons, attacks and skills. But you don't have to if you don't want to. If you find a configuration that works for you, then stick with it.
Too Human will support 4-player co-op mode throughout the entire game so you and your friends can work your way through the storyline together. |
