It takes three to tango.
There’s a good reason why it’s called “Rock, Paper, Scissors” instead of just
“Rock, Paper.” When it comes to strategy, three is indeed the magic number.
Two opposing forces are rarely perfect matches for one another, but add a third
and suddenly the entire face of the game has changed. One side is strong but
slow, another fast but weak, and another a balance of the two. Otherwise, Paper
beats Rock, time and time again.
In Interplay’s upcoming Giants: Citizen Kabuto, three sides vie for
control of a fantastical island…and it’s a little more fun than Roshambo.
With jaw-dropping graphics, a hefty dose of humor and some incredibly fun gameplay,
this highly anticipated game proves once and for all that size doesn’t matter
– usually.
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Giants has been in development for a really long time. In fact, it
was a runner-up in several categories in the Best
of E3 Awards – 1999. Well, times have indeed changed. GR was lucky enough
to get our hands on a press beta, and our interest level shot through the roof
after playing around with this gem for a bit. In addition to the gorgeous graphics,
there’s more game here than meets the eye.
The single player game revolves around the Island, a floating paradise populated
by a variety of bizarre alien life forms. Two species dominate the planet: Kabuto,
the enormous, lumbering Giant, and the Sea Reapers, beautiful seagoing magicians.
The two live in fear of one another (well, at least the Sea Reapers do), until
one day a spaceship crashes down from the heavens. Inside is another species,
the Meccaryns, a high-tech military crew. The Island isn’t very big, and soon
enough the three forces collide.
Smallest in stature are the Meccs, the token earthling representatives and
the most familiar of the three. Meccs rely on technology and air supremacy (they’ve
got nifty little jetpacks) rather than magic or brawn. With a variety of cool
guns and items, these techno-junkies have the firepower to easily hold their
own against their alien counterparts.
From the oceans emerge the Sea Reapers. The lovely ladies embrace magic over
technology, though they’re deadly with bows and swords as well. Equipped with
a kick-ass turbo boost (the graphical blur effect is REALLY cool), these sirens
are quite versatile. Plus they’ve got some impressive spells…tornado, anyone?
But the spotlight truly shines on Kabuto, the giant, er, thing who literally
towers above the competition. In addition to stomping, eating and bodyslamming,
the not-so-gentle giant can lay eggs. After they hatch, Kabuto can order his
offspring to hunt other creatures or have them fetch him some food. What a good
daddy.
When it comes to eye candy, Giants delivers enough sugar coated joy
to give you cavities for weeks. From the amazing textures to the fantastic vistas
to the plethora of particle and lighting effects, this is sure to please. Kabuto
in particular is quite impressive, and it’s obvioius that the developers have
put a great deal of time into him. I should also mention that the Sea Reapers
prefer to go topless. Their breasts are sure to stir things up a bit, though
personally I admire developer Planet Moon for sticking to their guns. Why should
they wear shirts? They live underwater!
While primarily an action game, Giants adds depth by including real-time
strategy features. Each side can have a base constructed for them by collecting
“Smarties,” the other intelligent life on the island. Smarties can also be ordered
to construct hi-tech weapons and vehicles for the Meccs, and will be more than
happy to supply the beautiful Reapers with various spells as well as energy-based
bows for swift ballistic attacks. The Smarties simply require a steady supply
of food as payment for their generosity, and by hunting the indigenous cow-like
Vimps, this can easily be achieved.
The beta build we received contained a few single player missions, which hint
at the truly hysterical story. The top-notch voice acting and a bizarre plot
add humor to a game that would have been just fine without it.
However, the game really shines as a multiplayer affair. The three forces
have varying strengths and weaknesses, and the checks and balances work out
well. Of course, play balancing is the sort of thing that developers tweak right
up until the day the game goes gold, so keep your fingers crossed.
The game community has been waiting a really long time for Giants,
and thankfully the wait is soon to end. It’s currently planned to ship sometime
this Winter. In the meantime, a word of advice: go with “Paper” – everyone always
chooses “Rock.”
Kabuto screens! Click to enlarge!
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Mecc screens! Click to enlarge!
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Sea Reaper screens!
