Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom (PS3) Preview

[RainOfTerror]

Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom will set the standard for next-gen action-RPGs by delivering an immersive fantasy experience through its breath-taking graphics, dramatic storyline, and action-packed battles filled with heart-pounding combat, magical spells and brilliant SFX. While the initial screens were rather underwhelming, we recently had a chance to check on the game's progress, here is a snip :

Dark Kingdom makes serious use of its Havok physics for combat and for providing more than one way for you to approach obstacles. The demo warrior, being a strong sort, picked up several boulders and tossed them at Corrupted Infantrymen and a Pyromancer pegging him with flame spells from a distance. You'll be able to do the same with ignitable barrels and enemies themselves, using items in the environment as projectiles when it best suits the combat situation or your whim. The emphasis on integrating physics into gameplay also will give you choices you may not have had otherwise. To infiltrate an enemy fort, for example, you'll be able to scale the wall, plant some exploding barrels near the wall, or knock boulders down a nearby hill to crash through the gate. Such things as the boulder's path are completely determined by the physics engine, too; they don't play out in pre-scripted animations.Check the full Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom preview (http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=34163) over at WorthPlaying.

[Grimgrock]

The ideas are impressive. The screenshots look nice.

The rest of my comments relate to the system this will be for and would likely be more flamebait than anything else.

[Jack Random]

I always thought the PSP versions had some untapped potential, maybe they can turn things around for the franchise on PS3.

[Borys]

*waits for Reanimated and Kamalot to post what they think about UL:DK, Playstation 3 and Ken Kutaragi*

[Vandenh]

No no Borys... I am sure they will realise how truly next gen this title is!!!! Only on PS3! :)

[bapenguin]

Is it just me or are game titles getting longer and longer?

[Jack Random]

Is it just me or are game titles getting longer and longer?

I'm pretty sure the record is owned by some Tom Clancy sequel

[Borys]

No no Borys... I am sure they will realise how truly next gen this title is!!!! Only on PS3! :)

$600, crabs, damage, RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDGE RAAAAAAAAAAACER :(

[Borys]

Is it just me or are game titles getting longer and longer?

Umm...

Ultima Underworld: Labyrinth of Worlds
Lands of Lore: Throne of Chaos
Lands of Lore 2: Guardians of Destiny
Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn
Thief 2: The Metal Age
Might and Magic: Secret of the Inner Sanctum
Might and Magic II: Gates to Another World
Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra
Might and Magic IV: Clouds of Xeen
Might and Magic V: Darkside of Xeen
Might and Magic VI: Mandate of Heaven
Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor
Might and Magic VIII: Day of the Destroyer
DarkSun 2: Wake of the Ravager
Leisure Suit Larry 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

+ 100s and 100s of pre 2000 year games

etc.

It's just you bap.

[Mike Jones]

Here's a crappy gameplay video with no detail

http://www.ps3portal.com/downloads/Untold%20Legends%20Dark%20Kingdom/E3-PS3-UntoldLegends-Gameplay.wmv

[bone_matrix]

I liked Untold Legends on the PSP. Of course, it was a launch title, and there wasn't much else other than Lumines. Didn't bother with the sequal, because one hack'n'slash is enough. IF I ever get a PS3, I'd be interested in this game. Some of the screen shots in the newest EGM look really good. Almost TOO good. :D I'm interested to see how it turns out.

[The Letter 3]

ignitable barrels
exploding barrels
Please, continue telling me about your next-gen game...

[Jack Random]

We might have a winner:

Star Wars, Knights of the Old Republic II, The Sith Lords

[Borys]

We might have a winner:

Star Wars, Knights of the Old Republic II, The Sith Lords

Ha ha!

Not if I can have another shot:

Leisure Suit Larry 3: Passionate Patti in Pursuit of the Pulsating Pectorals

(1989!)

EDIT: holy crap... (from GAF forums)

Professor Ryūta Kawashima of Tōhoku University's Centre for Collaborative Research on Future Technology Presents: Train Your Brain-DS Training for Adults

[Jack Random]

Ha ha!

Not if I can have another shot:

Leisure Suit Larry 3: Passionate Patti in Pursuit of the Pulsating Pectorals


I hath been pwned

Edit: 2X pwned!

[Reanimated]

Next gen has finally begun, folks.

[Yama]

Please, continue telling me about your next-gen game...

But does it have real-time weapon change?

Can I attack its weakspot for massive damage?

[Guy Mariano]

Game looks almost respectable in 720p were is the 1080p though :D

http://www.badongo.net/vid/107888

[Eran Hawke]

This looks like a marginally decent 3D engine with an unspired game running on it.

So what if it uses physics for exploding barrles, does that make the game more fun?

I read somewhere one of the 'features' of this game (I think it was Game Informer) was that it used 2 buttons for combat.

Seriously...that was listed as a 'feature'.

This game is weak sauce and will quickly be forgotten cause it does not have any historicaly accurate ancient Japanese giant crabs with weak spots.

[Kamalot]

I am sorry.

This is assy looking.
http://www.worthplaying.com/kiwi_popup.php?img=preview/darkkingdom/Dark_Kingdom5.jpg

You are welcome Borys. ;-)

[Borys]

I am sorry.

This is assy looking.
http://www.worthplaying.com/kiwi_popup.php?img=preview/darkkingdom/Dark_Kingdom5.jpg

You are welcome Borys. ;-)

Yes it is, I never questioned that. But one game != launch library, you know that.

[Reanimated]

Yes it is, I never questioned that. But one game != launch library, you know that.





So, IYO, what's the killer app launch title?

[Mike Jones]

I am sorry.

This is assy looking.
http://www.worthplaying.com/kiwi_popup.php?img=preview/darkkingdom/Dark_Kingdom5.jpg

You are welcome Borys. ;-)

Looks better in motion and anyone can find a bad screen of just about any game on any console ;) Not that this game is by any means a graphical marvel, but it looks better being played. Plus they haven't even implemented AA yet.

http://www.badongo.net/vid/107888

[Kamalot]

Looks better in motion and anyone can find a bad screen of just about any game on any console ;) Not that this game is by any means a graphical marvel, but it looks better being played. Plus they haven't even implemented AA yet.

http://www.badongo.net/vid/107888

I didn't go trolling around looking for a crappy pic, it is the first one I clicked on in the article.

I'm sorry. It looks like crap. I'm sure it looks better in motion, but slightly better than crap can still be damn ugly.

I've seen prettier games on current-gen consoles.

I'll have you know, I point out crap-looking games on all consoles, not just the PS3. I've railed on both the 360 and Wii for asstacular-looking games.

[BenN1ce]

. IF I ever get a PS3, I'd be interested in this game. Some of the screen shots in the newest EGM look really good. Almost TOO good. :D

This must be a joke or you are legally blind

[51|RandoM]

So, IYO, what's the killer app launch title?

doesn't matter, I'm sure it will have muddy textures, no color palette, and low-poly models. Probably hurt your sensitive eyes just to look at it.

[atariv8]

Ahh, fog in the distance...disappearing bodies...next gen here we come!

Are they using the Kameo engine? KIDDING! I LOVE ALL SYSTEMS!

[Reanimated]

doesn't matter, I'm sure it will have muddy textures, no color palette, and low-poly models. Probably hurt your sensitive eyes just to look at it.



Don't blame me for the PS3's shitty architecture and underwhelming launch titles.

[dotbomb]

I didn't care for Untold Legends on the psp and it was the first and only game I had for a long time.

This will not be a system seller to me personally.

[Grifter]

This is assy looking.

Where the hell you oull that word from.......your a.....nevermind.

You should try using Asstastic or Craptacular they are much funner and don't sound quite so....uh.....well assy.

The only game I can honestly say I am really looking forward to is Heavenly Sword. UL could be fun but underwhelming graphics aside it just looks boring and uninspired.

P.S. Dentists suck!! I can't feel my god damned face!!
I think I just drooled all over my keyboard

[tombofsoldier]

mmm, Sony marketing

[Reanimated]

I thought Heavenly Sword looked good until I saw the E3 demo. What happened to the massive battlefields full enemies? Why does the game look like it plays just like God of War?

It still looks kinda fun, but the scope seems to have been severely toned down.

[Grifter]

Why does the game look like it plays just like God of War?


Yeah, thats why I like it, I love God of War style games. If they were to do an exact remake of GoW with "next gen" graphics I would buy it. I don't feel that way about many games

[BenN1ce]

I thought Heavenly Sword looked good until I saw the E3 demo. What happened to the massive battlefields full enemies? Why does the game look like it plays just like God of War?

It still looks kinda fun, but the scope seems to have been severely toned down.

There is also going to be massive battles similar to 99 Knights. It's not going to be just an arena fighting game and how did the game look worse in the demo? The game looked great, best animations of any game.

[Reanimated]

There is also going to be massive battles similar to 99 Knights. It's not going to be just an arena fighting game



Says who???

[Eran Hawke]

Says who???
Speculation! That's who :)

[Vanthar]

Says the developers, they reported that to people who played the demo. I've read it on various sites as well. It's supposed to be an action/adventure type game.

[Balthasar]

Is it just me or are game titles getting longer and longer?
It's odd that this game would make you think that and not, say, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter.

[Reanimated]

Says the developers, they reported that to people who played the demo. I've read it on various sites as well. It's supposed to be an action/adventure type game.




Link? I've seen no information on this. As a matter of fact, the guys in the 1up podcast were bitching that they DIDN'T know if the game would just be a bunch of little arenas, and that the developers didn't have anything to say about it at E3. So if you have a link to a developer interview, I'd be interested in reading it.

[Mr.Condescension]

Link? I've seen no information on this. As a matter of fact, the guys in the 1up podcast were bitching that they DIDN'T know if the game would just be a bunch of little arenas, and that the developers didn't have anything to say about it at E3. So if you have a link to a developer interview, I'd be interested in reading it.

I recall that one of the 1up podcasts after that mentions that they asked the developers that same question, and were told there would be more open environments. Here is one link of a dev talking about it vaguely:

http://www.ninjatheory.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61

Here is the important part of the post:

Q: Okay so what about fighting big armies (like in the trailer)? You guys have that too?

A: "It's something that we're still working on...

We really want to make the combat system scale so that 1 on 1 encounters are great, 1 against groups (30 or so) is awesome and different to any other game that's tried to do it in the past... and then finally scale up to one against hundreds for really awesome scenes

That's gonna keep us busy for a few months more"

They also mention in another place that there is no jump button, so while it won't be an "arena" game, it will not have traditional platforming elements either.