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Capcom brings the Bionic Commando series back for next-gen consoles and the PC, with a heavy emphasis on using the bionic arm to traverse the world and to take down enemies.
Overview
Bionic Commando is an action adventure game, a direct sequel to the NES classic of the same name, currently in development by GRIN. The main focus of the game is Nathan "RAD" Spencer's (the protagonist) bionic arm wich is used both as means for transportation by swinging and climbing but also as a weapon. Bionic Commando will feature massive open worlds to make use of the bionic arm as the functions of it has increased significantly compared to the original game.While primarily designed as a singleplayer game, it includes an elaborate multiplayer component that has been emphasized in recent showings of the game.
Plot
Nathan in action.
The government decided that the bionic technology was too dangerous to control and issued a "bionic purge", shutting down all military programs that issued soldiers with bionic enhancements, who were told that they would have to remove them. Instead of losing their limbs, the soldiers became fugitives from the government and joined the mysterious organization Bio-rain. The government decides to tap Nathan "RAD" Spencer to investigate the terrorist group and put a stop to them.
Gameplay
The game's core contrivance is the Bionic arm (also referred to as the wire, the cable or the hook). The skilful use of the arm has repeatedly been emphasized by the developer as the game's primary differentiator from other action adventure titles. A grappling hook much like an advanced version of the hookshot from Nintendo's Zelda titles, players can use it to get to high places that would otherwise be impossible to reach by using the arm as a grapple and "climb" it but it can also be used for lateral movement by swinging and so the player can gain a lot of distance by never touching the ground. Much like the NES title, players are asked to manage the dichotomy of stable gunplay on the ground coupled with dramatically lowered mobility and the near absolute freedom of movement given by the swing coupled with lowered combat accuracy. Gameplay videos hint at a focus on strategic movement to gain the drop on the enemy and maintaining the subsequent advantage through effective use of the environment both through the use of vertical and horizontal cover as well as offensively by grabbing objects with the arm, yanking them away to destroy enemy cover or throwing them as offensive weapons.The arm utilizes a separate, partially automated aiming reticle that snaps roughly along the vertical axis to objects of interest based on the player's current trajectory and aiming direction. Players pull a shoulder button to fire the arm and releases the button to let go of whatever the arm has latched on to. Skilful timing of attach and release is an important skill for players to master, and HUD elements indicate optimal release timing to assist players in maximizing their forward momentum when swinging.
Swinging.
As far as the actual shooting gameplay goes, Bionic Commando plays like most third person shooters in that there's a third person camera for shooting from the hip but there's also a Resident Evil 4 style over-the-shoulder angle for improved accuracy. Commentary on the official Bionic Commando podcast suggests the game may have a novel mechanic in place for effectively targeting and shooting at enemies in mid-air while still maintaining separate control of the swing.
Multiplayer
Designed by a separate GRIN team than the one responsible for the singleplayer component, the game's multiplayer will support up to 8 players in the traditional modes of online play (deathmatch, capture the flag, etc). In addition, with the game's emphasis on movement and traversing terrain effectively, a unique multiplayer race mode has been included. It has been revealed that the bionic arm will be somewhat limited compared to its singleplayer counterpart, but that the swinging mechanic will be in place, and players will be able to attach it to both teammates and enemies as well as the environment. Players accumulate experience points from defeating other players, which indicates that the multiplayer component of the game incorporates a levelling system similar to Call of Duty 4.Bionic Commando: Rearmed connectivity
Owners of the downloadable title Bionic Commando: Rearmed will find certain features unlocked in their copy of Bionic Commando. Most notably an "oldschool" skin and model for the player character similar to the player character in Bionic Commando: Rearmed, but also several items of optional apparel.Development
Bionic Commando's development differs from other Capcom titles in that its development is a joint venture between Swedish GRIN and Capcom Japan, with GRIN, previously responsible for the PC ports of Ubisoft's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter, handling design and development while supervised by Capcom veterans. This amalgam of western and japanese design philosophies is a first for Capcom Japan, and has been seen by some as somewhat of a risky venture.Creative director at GRIN, Ulf Andersson, has described designing the bionic arm mechanic and handling the repercursions of giving players complete freedom of mobility the biggest hurdles encountered during development, the bionic arm is 20 meters long.
Useful links
| Game Name | Bionic Commando |
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| Original US Release |
need a fuzzy date? |
| Original US Release |
February
2009 know the real date? |
| Aliases |
Trivia
The Japanese version of Bionic Commando on NES featured Nazis led by Hitler.
- True
- False
Associated News
Capcom Posts First-Half Release InfoReiterated release windows for Bionic Commando, Flock, Street Fighter IV, Resident Evil 5, and more.
The Dawn of a New DayThe world didn't end, so I guess that means we've got another year of games to start thinking about. Which upcoming releases are giving you the shakes?
Capcom's Q1 2009 Getting StackedWith further confirmation of Street Fighter IV's early '09 release, Capcom appears to be making plans for any and all gift certificates you receive this holiday season.
Podcast Commando RearmedJeff pops up on Capcom's Bionic Commando podcast. Find out how to listen inside.
Videos
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Giant Bomb at TGS Day 01 We take a quick tour of Capcom, talk to a naked Ben Judd and throw in some Bayonetta! |
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