GDC, far from just being a conference for game developers (as you’d expect) has turned into quite the annual event. This year has seen action from inFamous 2 and Battlefield 3, among others, and overnight new information appeared from Fumito Ueda’s The Last Guardian.
First up, this video from Gamespot which features some impressive new footage and an interview with the man himself, via, naturally, a translator.
The build shown off at GDC is ‘just’ a fifteen minute gameplay demonstration, a little like the one we saw for Journey – and it appears Japanese press might have seen the same version. Indeed, as AndriaSang reports, the section Famitsu have seen was set up purely for demo purposes, and won’t be the same as in the final game.
“When you first start off the demo,” says the site, “Torico [the name of bird-like creature] will quickly fall asleep because of the inability to communicate with the boy main character. You can place something Torico likes in front of him, and his nose will move as he sniffs it. One example of a thing Torico like is barrels. You’ll be able to use these as a means of starting communication with the creature.”
It looks like you’ll need to make use of Torico at key points in the story, attracting his attention as you go. Examples given including tossing jars that release smoke and climbing on his back in order to reach higher levels, which looks and feels like Shadow of the Colossus.
Although the boy in the game can’t fight, he’s agile and able to hide to avoid detection. “You can also move to higher ground, as the guards can’t follow because their armor is too heavy,” says AndriaSang. “The boy is also faster, so he can outrun the guards [and] you can run into them to make them lose their balance.”
The physics engine looks likely to impress: Torico’s ears move as they rub against walls, for example, and the climbing mechanic uses the Shadow collision detection system. In addition, the boy’s hands will run along objects as he approaches them, similar to how Naughty Dog are ramping up Uncharted 3’s physical interaction.
double-o-dave
I’ll buy a copy of this to calm me down after someone becomes my nemesis or steals my tags in BF3. Apart from the fact I couldn’t understand what the hell that translator was going on about, it looks great.
bunimomike
Considering your “disagreement” with the glass coffee table, I recommend this (and lashings of Flower) to offset any FPS outbursts. ;-)
double-o-dave
Good man, I’ll bear that in mind.
I tend to now play with my mic turned on which helps me stop shouting out like a fool and waking up the neighbours at stupid o’clock through fear of being banned from the PSN. :)
Aquastyle
My most wanted upcoming game as well this, heck, probably my most wanted game ever! I simply cannot see this becoming anything but marvelous looking at Ueda’s previous games, which when speaking of, I’m aslo really looking forward to the HD release of. Would also be brilliant if the Collection was released before the onsluaght of gaming awesomesauce that is fall 2011.
online4ntagonist
This is once again going to be a magnificent game-year. with uncharted 3, deus-ex and Skyrim coming aswell. Better take some time off due november..
KeRaSh
I’m really impressed by everything I hear, read or see about this game. I missed out on Ico and SotC (which I will make up by getting the HD remakes) but this one won’t slip past me. Hopefully we will find out more about the story of the game soon.
aerobes
What utterly fabulous hair Fumito Ueda has.
Oh yeah, the game looks good too … ;)
Foxhound_Solid
Mindblowing stuff.
Rob92
I’ve never played a Team Ico game but will definately give this one a shot, Trico looks like an amazing (and cute) creature.
However the boy doesnt look right for me. He looks like he’s glowing from heaven, really cartoony whilst everything else seems to have some realism to it. Doesnt fit in with the overall style from that trailer anyway.
TSBonyman
That might be his intention – to make Toriko look more realistic in comparison. He/she/it’s the star of the game after all. Also the boy has a similar look to Ico and is the player character so perhaps it’s kind of a reversal in the sense that the player is cartoon-like in a ‘real’ world, or the player comes and goes but the world is consistent. Sorry, i haven’t explained that very well, but from the interviews i’ve read with Fumito Ueda i believe that’s the kind of approach he might take.
Ben
That looks stunning, game footage hasn’t had that great an effect on me for ages. So happy!
The Lone Steven
ahh, torico is soo cute.
That is very impressive. It looks so real and i shall get it if i have the money.
gaffers101
Looking really good. This is the sort of game my Mrs will enjoy watching me play.