Man versus machine, technology versus the natural order. Microsoft with Silicon Knights presents this thematic struggle in their dynamic action title "Too Human", the first game in a long anticipated trilogy, slated for release on the XBOX 360 system.
Baldur, a cybernetic god, plays the hero and defender of the human race as they face extinction from hostile machines. In a futuristic world overwhelmed with technology, Baldur takes the fight to the machines with a vast array of weapons and cybernetic enhancements. Melee and weapon fighting are all based on real martial arts, with the animations choreographed and motioned captured to accurately mimic these styles (I found it very interesting that the game’s choreography was handled by the same group responsible for the choreography in my favorite Hong Kong flicks, Shaolin Soccer and Hero). A detailed damage system is also in development, where specific injuries can hinder Baldur’s ability to move or fight. The hero will be able to improve his combat effectiveness with a detailed customization system, and equipment upgrades will be available to enhance the cyborg’s lethal armament.
One very unique aspect of Too Human is the lack of camera control. The developers want the gamer to experience playing Too Human like watching an action movie. The hero is always seen through a 3rd person view, and the camera will fluidly move into a pre-set angle for each combat encounter and event. The camera shift was very intuitive; the controls were not confusing after the angle change and the game maintained a good view of the area Baldur fought in. Additionally, these dynamic camera changes made each combat encounter much more exciting to watch and play through.
Another feature Microsoft and Silicon Knights prides themselves on with Too Human is simplicity of the game play. The automatic camera control allows the gamer to focus on movement and combat. Combat is a straightforward affair of moving Baldur among a horde of mechanical enemies and unleashing his attacks on them. The current super/finishing move system is based off a simple combination meter. Once the meter is filled through consecutive hits, the super move can be unleashed with the press of the designated button. Too Human was immediately very easy to play, and it was nice not having to read a manual to decipher the game controls. With this low game play learning curve, the developers hope to make this game very accessible to all gamers.
The themes present within Too Human can potentially make for a very compelling story and plot. Norse mythology heavily influences the game, with characters, areas, and themes drawing from Nordic lore. Appropriately, the game’s hero Baldur was a god in Norse mythology that championed good and innocence. In addition, the hero will often be defending humankind in a world suffocating with technology and machines; cold, sterile, and hostile. Yet, there will be areas Baldur can travel to take a brief respite from battle and gather information called cyberspace, which ironically is a very natural, serene, and warm environment. For a game that is still in development, the graphics are remarkable, and do a tremendous job highlighting the stark differences between the natural and the synthetic within the environments. Humanity versus technology will be a major theme, and even the title "Too Human" suggests a conflict between the hero’s human and cybernetic side.
It is no surprise with the undemanding learning curve, the unique themes, and the detailed graphics that Too Human was nominated "Best of E3". This dynamic action game is bound to be one of the most popular titles for the XBOX 360. - Jeff Biglete
