Freak Boy [N64 - Cancelled]

IRVINE, CALIF., May 16, 1996 — Enter the world of FREAK BOY in Virgin Interactive Entertainment’s (VIE) first NINTENDO 64 (N64) game. Three-dimensional graphics, addicting play mechanics and cutting-edge technology that uses morphing special effects define the world in which FREAK BOY lives – an alien world N64 players won’t ever want to leave. Created by Burst, VIE’s in-house development team, FREAK BOY is scheduled to be in stores in early 1997.

Created using SGI workstations, FREAK BOY utilizes the N64′s advanced 3-D technology, allowing all aspects of the game to be experienced in 3-D. Not only are the characters presented in realistic full 3-D, but their worlds and interactions with other beings are amazingly multi-dimensional. The 3-D power of the N64 also gives players the ability to experience gameplay from thousands of different points-of-view.

The result is a unique visual experience that intensifies the gameplay to such a degree that even the most experienced game player will be challenged. Players will be drawn into the intense 3-D action as they assume the role of FREAK BOY, the lone survivor of a massive alien invasion.

On New Year’s Day, when the planets are aligned with the sun, the ZoS, an alien race from a parallel dimension, take over the Hedron Universe, extinguishing the sun and transporting all of the Hedrons to the alien dimension. The only Hedron to evade capture is FREAK BOY, who is destined to become the hero of his people, provided he can rid his universe of the alien threat and return the captive Hedrons to their rightful dimension.

As FREAK BOY, players can absorb remnants of the destruction into their body and utilize them as weapons to destroy the alien invaders. What’s more, the variations

on these weapons are almost endless. Capable of holding three new artifacts at a time, each with a different capability when used as head, chest or feet, FREAK BOY is never the same character twice. FREAK BOY’S body is constantly morphing as new artifacts are assimilated and old ones are discarded. In managing the inventory of weapons as they enter and exit FREAK BOY’s body, the player gains new abilities in his fight to destroy the more than 50 enemies who have set out to conquer the Hedron universe.

On their quest for more powerful weapons and the alien enemy, players will explore more than 25 distinct worlds throughout five levels of difficulty. Each world is radically visual, arid and stark, yet with texture, mystery and entertainment that lure the player further into the world of FREAK BOY.

“FREAK BOY’s out-of-this-world graphics take the N64′s capabilities to the limits,” said Chris Yates, a vice president at Burst. “What is more, play mechanics such as Freak Boy’s have never been used before. When combined with these intense graphics, you have a level of gameplay that is altogether unprecedented.”

Burst, based in Irvine, California, is a division of Virgin Interactive Entertainment. The company is dedicated to high quality entertainment title development

Presentato ufficialmente all’E3 1996, Freak Boy era sicuramente uno dei titoli più bizzarri e promettenti del nintendo 64. Impersonando uno strano essere conosciuto con il nome di Freak Boy, avremmo dovuto salvare Hedron avventurandoci in una strana dimensione aliena in quello che a prima vista sembrava un action/puzzle tridimensionale dall’aspetto futurista e particolarmente stilizzato. A quanto sembra (come è possibile intravedere nelle foto e nel video) il gioco aveva caratteristiche fortemente originali, con la possibilità da parte del nostro eroe di interagire con l’ambiente per poter modificare le parti del proprio corpo (testa, busto e piedi) e cosi acquisire nuove abilità per risolvere gli enigmi e sconfiggere i vari nemici, un pò come le varie teste di Dynamite headdy, ma utilizzandone anche diverse contemporeneamente.

Certamente un concept interessante, anche se fortemente impegnativo da realizzare tecnicamente con un hardware come quello del nintendo 64 che nei primi tempi diede più di un grattacapo ai programmatori. Infatti lo sviluppo fu particolarmente tormentato, e dopo essere stato realizzato da zero almeno due volte, Virgin perse l’interesse e il progetto fu definitivamente abbandonato. Fino a oggi non si è a conoscenza di beta giocabili, ma visto il lungo periodo di programmazione e il fatto che non ci troviamo di fronte ad una software house che non tiene particolarmente ai suoi lavori beta, è probabile che prima o poi venga alla luce.?