Bionic Commando Rearmed Preview
The 2D classic has been re-imagined for XBLA. First details on what may be the coolest Arcade title yet.
by Martin Robinson, IGN UK
UK, January 17, 2008 - Capcom's original Bionic Commando remains one of gaming's genuine classics. A kinetic ballet of gunning, running and gymnastic supremacy, thanks to the titular hero's Bionic Arm - all seemingly lost in the digital mists of time. So when it was announced that the franchise was to return to gaming in the shape of a brand new all-singing, all-dancing instalment on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, the hearts of a whole generation of gamers were stirred.
Now though, we can reveal first details on Capcom's previously top secret cousin, Bionic Commando Rearmed - a downloadable remake and reimagining of the original classic, set to appear on both PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade, replete with new visuals and extra features. We spoke to Ben Judd, producer at Capcom Japan, and Simon Viklund, creative director at GRIN, the team responsible for Bionic Commando Rearmed, to get the low-down on the king of the swinger's return.
Amazingly, it's been some twenty years since the definitive versions of Bionic Commando landed in the arcade and latterly on the NES. However, affection for Nathan Spencer, the game's hero, clearly still runs high, with Bionic Commando earning itself a place at number 95 in IGN's recent 100 games of all time. Bionic Commando Rearmed looks set to take its cues from the NES version of the title, Simon Viklund noting that, "The arcade version may have been the first, but there's no doubt that the NES version is the one that deserves to be revisited." The home version of Bionic Commando refined gameplay, introducing a more flexible Bionic Arm that allowed for more acrobatic play. As Judd recalls, "The NES version is the one that is the most different from the rest, and it is also regarded by many to be the best. The NES version also had a more unified and understandable set of enemies and a memorable story line."
Ah, the storyline. The original NES iteration of Bionic Commando had, in its original Japanese guise, a cast of futuristic Nazis standing between the hero and the final boss, an 8-bit effigy of Adolf Hitler. For its Western localization, more explicit references to the Third Reich were removed, with the Nazis referred to as Badds, and Hitler acquiring the nom de guerre of Master D.
Bloody big bosses will require to use all Spencer's new moves.
It's these latter cast of rogues that's set to make a return: "Since Bionic Commando Rearmed is an homage to the original, it will closely follow the story of the original," says Judd, "Imperials? Yes. Master D. Ohhh yes. However, now that we don't have the same memory limitations that the 8-bit game did, we have fleshed out the story quite a bit. Without altering the original story, we have added some new background information that helps tie Bionic Commando Rearmed to its next-gen big brother." As you can see in our trailer below, the remake also retains some of the more eccentric elements of its forefather - the immortal line "Get the heck out of here you nerd!" is present in all its absurdist glory.
When Bionic Commando was originally released in 1988, it vied for the loose change of arcade-goers amidst a cacophony of other side-scrolling action titles. To stand out from the opposition, Capcom needed to come up with something unique and up their bionic sleeves they had the perfect answer – the Bionic Arm. Enabling players to latch onto platforms and bound across the screen, the Bionic Arm allowed a freestyle approach to tackling levels. It was a refreshing gameplay addition and, just as Half-Life 2's gravity gun helped elevate it above first-person rivals, so Bionic Commando's Bionic Arm ensured a fresh and exciting experience.
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/17/bionic-commando-rearmed-for-xbla-and-psn-is-a-looker/
The 2D classic has been re-imagined for XBLA. First details on what may be the coolest Arcade title yet.
by Martin Robinson, IGN UK
UK, January 17, 2008 - Capcom's original Bionic Commando remains one of gaming's genuine classics. A kinetic ballet of gunning, running and gymnastic supremacy, thanks to the titular hero's Bionic Arm - all seemingly lost in the digital mists of time. So when it was announced that the franchise was to return to gaming in the shape of a brand new all-singing, all-dancing instalment on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, the hearts of a whole generation of gamers were stirred.
Now though, we can reveal first details on Capcom's previously top secret cousin, Bionic Commando Rearmed - a downloadable remake and reimagining of the original classic, set to appear on both PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade, replete with new visuals and extra features. We spoke to Ben Judd, producer at Capcom Japan, and Simon Viklund, creative director at GRIN, the team responsible for Bionic Commando Rearmed, to get the low-down on the king of the swinger's return.
Amazingly, it's been some twenty years since the definitive versions of Bionic Commando landed in the arcade and latterly on the NES. However, affection for Nathan Spencer, the game's hero, clearly still runs high, with Bionic Commando earning itself a place at number 95 in IGN's recent 100 games of all time. Bionic Commando Rearmed looks set to take its cues from the NES version of the title, Simon Viklund noting that, "The arcade version may have been the first, but there's no doubt that the NES version is the one that deserves to be revisited." The home version of Bionic Commando refined gameplay, introducing a more flexible Bionic Arm that allowed for more acrobatic play. As Judd recalls, "The NES version is the one that is the most different from the rest, and it is also regarded by many to be the best. The NES version also had a more unified and understandable set of enemies and a memorable story line."
Ah, the storyline. The original NES iteration of Bionic Commando had, in its original Japanese guise, a cast of futuristic Nazis standing between the hero and the final boss, an 8-bit effigy of Adolf Hitler. For its Western localization, more explicit references to the Third Reich were removed, with the Nazis referred to as Badds, and Hitler acquiring the nom de guerre of Master D.
Bloody big bosses will require to use all Spencer's new moves.
It's these latter cast of rogues that's set to make a return: "Since Bionic Commando Rearmed is an homage to the original, it will closely follow the story of the original," says Judd, "Imperials? Yes. Master D. Ohhh yes. However, now that we don't have the same memory limitations that the 8-bit game did, we have fleshed out the story quite a bit. Without altering the original story, we have added some new background information that helps tie Bionic Commando Rearmed to its next-gen big brother." As you can see in our trailer below, the remake also retains some of the more eccentric elements of its forefather - the immortal line "Get the heck out of here you nerd!" is present in all its absurdist glory.
When Bionic Commando was originally released in 1988, it vied for the loose change of arcade-goers amidst a cacophony of other side-scrolling action titles. To stand out from the opposition, Capcom needed to come up with something unique and up their bionic sleeves they had the perfect answer – the Bionic Arm. Enabling players to latch onto platforms and bound across the screen, the Bionic Arm allowed a freestyle approach to tackling levels. It was a refreshing gameplay addition and, just as Half-Life 2's gravity gun helped elevate it above first-person rivals, so Bionic Commando's Bionic Arm ensured a fresh and exciting experience.
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/17/bionic-commando-rearmed-for-xbla-and-psn-is-a-looker/
ing awesome!
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