Action

Playstation, Saturn, Sega, Sony

Too Human [PSX/Saturn – Cancelled]

monokoma
11-04-2008
6 Comments

This title, by Silicon Knights, was presented for the first time in playable form at E3 1999, on the original Playstation. It immediately received critical acclaim by the audience, not only for the graphics hardware that led Sony to very high levels, but also for a gaming system that already went beyond it’s full potential, though it was only a fraction of the final product.

Both of the video screens, from which you can find online, you may notice immediately a particular pointing system (which was also picked up by then Eternal Darkness) where you can target a specific part of the opponent’s body that lies ahead (limbs, trunk and head). The use of weapons to zoom was very effective, and there were large areas of exploration.

The game was scheduled for summer 2000, with a pack of more than 4 CDs, literally filled by a gigantic world, an immersive story and hours of movies in FMV. All this before Nintendo, after seeing the excellent results of the work of Eternal Darkness (the time in development for N64), decided to take over the team of Silicon Knights completely, making it one of his numerous 2nd parties.

“Too Human” had no more official news, but given the scale of the project and the years of work that had been spent, there are rumors now a conversion of title for the next generation of Nintendo console (the now discarded hypothesis of the little room on output cartridges on the N64), which was confirmed at Spaceworld 2000 (note the annual event of Nintendo products) with a FMV of a game cruising on the GameCube.

In 2005, Silicon Knights came under the control of Microsoft, and the project was moved to the Xbox 360. The game seems to have lost many of its original features, but can perhaps finally see the light..

Thanks to Celine for the contribution and to ForWhomTheBellTolls for the english translation!

For more info: Too Human: the game that will never be?

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Others, PC / MAC, Playstation, Sony

Saboteur [PSX/PC – Cancelled]

U64 Staff & Contributors
11-04-2008
4 Comments

Saboteur is a cancelled action game that was in development in 1998 / 1999 by Tigon Software for the Playstation and PC. You can read the original press release below:

Saboteur is a fast paced combat adventure game, which fuses genres and gameplay styles. It is a game that embraces new concepts and new production values whilst holding onto solid game-play values of older classic titles. It is not a fighting game, nor is it only an adventure game.

Saboteur will be the first arcade adventure game to feature a full on 3D fighting system (complete with high/low defending and grapples). It embraces the complexity of 3D fighting games and adds multiple opponents.

You play the part of Shin Ienaga, trying to avenge the death of your grandfather and rescue your sister from the clutches of the evil G.E.N.E Corporation. The action is viewed from a third person perspective and involves a variety of combat, puzzle solving and exploration. It matches a strong story line to proven genres (action adventure and 3D combat) and adds its own spin of magic, ninja style.

Saboteur’s most unique feature is the introduction of a second character on the player’s side. Shin is joined in his quest by Shiro, his faithful hound, who follows him wherever he goes. Shin is able to command Shiro to either attack enemies or give assistance in tricky areas of the game, by retrieving objects or helping to solve puzzles. Due to his advanced senses Shiro is able to give advance warning of approaching or hidden danger, however there is a price to pay if you don’t look after him.

Features:

  • Strong story line and plot development with emphasis on Ninja main character.
  • Refined Combat System within third person perspective. When in combat Shin operates on a different plane and automatically locks-on to the nearest attackeCombat includes: hand-to-hand, swordplay, and weapons (throwing knives, guns and clubs).
  • Use of second character on player’s side – a largely computer controlled dog Shiro. Shiro is a powerful weapon in a fight and also a useful navigation tool in the game world.
  • Wide range of characters (30+) each with their own set of unique moves.
  • Sophisticated enemy AI, enemies learn your fighting style and adapt their defences to it.
  • Variety of locations with over 20 levels spread across five huge game worlds.
  • High technology – motion capture, single skinned objects, true object dynamics.

Thanks to Andrea Cogoni for some of these images!

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Others, PC / MAC, Playstation, Saturn, Sega, Sony

Barb Wire [PSX – Cancelled]

U64 Staff & Contributors
11-04-2008
12 Comments

Barb Wire is a cancelled FPS that was in development for the original Playstation, Saturn, PC and Mac. The game was based around a film ( with the same name ) that flopped badly at theaters: the blonde girl in those shots is Pamela Anderson. Thanks to Celine we found some info on the game, that were published in GamePro Magazine issue 92. It seems that in the game we would have been able toplay solo or to compete in a two-player mode that enabled one player to be Barb and the other to play as an evil boss. It included a deathmatch mode with specifically designed multiplayer levels. The game was going to be published by GT Interactive.

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Playstation, Sony

Ghost Rider [PSX – Cancelled]

U64 Staff & Contributors
11-04-2008
2 Comments

Ghost Rider is a cancelled side scroller action game based on the comic series of the same name, that was in development in 1995 by Neversoft Entertainment and it would have been published by Crystal Dynamics for the original Playstation. 15 levels were planned, but the game did not even reach the alpha stage. As we can read on the Playstation Museum:

A demo was created to showcase the 3D environment engine, lighting effects, algorithmically generated fire routine, algorithmically generated chain mechanic, and the developer’s ability to capture the mood and feel of the licensed character. […] While it is true that Crystal Dynamics did reorganize, someone within the organization tried to save Ghost Rider and pitched a plan and budget to senior staff. According to an unnamed source, it was turned down as they thought it would have to be true 3D to succeed (ala Gex 3D).

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Playstation, Sony

The Contract [PSX – Cancelled]

U64 Staff & Contributors
11-04-2008
5 Comments

The Contract is a cancelled action game that was in development for the original Playstation. As told by Haydn Dalton, The Contract’s project manager, “The Contract was a 3rd person action adventure, where you choose between two different characters; Simon & Natasha. This was being worked on at Psygnosis Manchester, which shut down partway through production.”

In GamePro issue 113 we can read how Simon and Natasha are two Mob henchmen in a quest to avenge the wronged Colusha family. The action game would consist of 30 undercover missions ( which vary greatly depending on which character the player choose ) where the gamer can use more than 50 weapons, a unique targeting system and 20 stealthy moves.

Thanks to Haydn Dalton for the great contribute! Thanks to Celine for the scan and the description!

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