Hey folks, I’m back for one last hype before the release of Velocity 2X today/tomorrow. A few weeks ago I came on here and told you all that I believed Velocity 2X was a game-of-the-year-winner. Today I’m going to explain precisely why I believe that is the case!

For anyone that hasn’t seen the trailer yet:

1. Innovation

First of all, people love something novel and exciting to get their teeth into, so we’ve made sure 2X has plenty of firsts.

Having two genres in one expands the speedy gameplay format in a meaningful way, pushing your skills and confidence with the teleportation controls in many different directions.

Whilst combining two genres into one is the main attraction, it’s not the only one, as there are many other unique ideas along the way, including the ability to fly your ship inside a boss to melt its innards by hand, and teleporting to a mid-air telepod that you just threw!

Ultimately, Velocity 2X is a fusion of many different gameplay styles, with an emphasis on speed. This diagram illustrates how Velocity 2X is layered together.

2. Controls

Of course, the single most important thing for those who know what quality gaming is all about!

We got the controls almost perfect in Velocity Ultra, and now Hussain and I have had so much more time to refine them for 2X – they’re super-perfect. The main teleport control is more responsive, the boost feels utterly fabulous and performing a mid-air teledash through a fatal hazard makes you feel like a badass every single time.

3. Gameplay

Trust me when I say that Ed Earl is one of the finest gameplay programmers out there; always looking to improve the function, feel and fun of every game feature.

The entire Velocity 2X universe truly is a high-speed playground thanks to his pursuit for perfection.

You will also really enjoy fighting the Vokh. Ed created a deadly threat here which is incredibly satisfying to avert with a reliable dose of skill. I love them!

4. Art style

With a tiny team, we knew the Velocity 2X art style had to be unique and stunning without requiring thousands of hours of asset production. Chris Goff’s high-contrast, low-detail environment art, along with Jack Hamilton’s fluid and elegant character rendering achieves these goals beautifully. It looks great in screenshots, and marvellous in motion.

5. Visual effects

If you’ve seen the Explosions and the JBraamz, you know that Hussain Sheikh has the passion and skills to bring game worlds to life. Supported by a tireless enthusiasm for particles from Callum Roberts, the game is bursting with visual excitement.

From the environment lighting and effects to leaves blowing gently on the wind, Velocity 2X is alive and well at 1080p and 60fps.

6. Level design

What’s the use of having awesome mechanics, controls and visuals without an exciting journey to discover them on? Kirsty Rigden has weaved a constantly evolving path with a perfect learning curve, carefully drip-feeding 2X’ many features throughout.

You’ll always be doing something new and exciting, whilst never feeling overwhelmed.

7. User interface

The Velocity 2X UI is so slick and intuitive it needs its own hashtag: #TouchSlideRelease. You’ll be amazed at how much more fun you have when you’ve got Jack Lang’s respect for flow at your fingertips.

Are you the type that can’t be bothered to wait for the dials to animate to final position? Skip them and get a unique sound effect created just for you instead. Honestly, it’s quite astonishing how much Jack knows his stuff. Oh and the map.

8. Audio and music

Whilst gameplay and visuals can excite you, music has the power to stir emotion. You’ll hear a wide range of moods in Velocity 2X, from peaceful melancholy to thunderous vengeance.

Also, let’s get something straight: game music very rarely manages to authentically capture what is great about the hit records driving genres forward. Well not here.

Authentic sounding electronic music worthy of a top drawer DJ set AND a wide range of emotions stirred? I sense awards coming, and it won’t be surprising because Joris de Man is the magician responsible for that Killzone theme you love. Yes that one.

You should check out the Velocity 2X soundtrack now:

9. Story

With lovable characters and dialogue that will make you laugh out loud, Robin Jubber has created an engaging story that will keep you caring all the way through without getting in the way of the action. It’s also got skippable cut scenes, because gaming.

10. Challenge

Then there’s me. What can I say, I love to reward skill, and I’ve made sure that you’ll enjoy a thrilling ride, flexing your gaming brain in joyful ways. I’ve spent countless hours obsessively refining every moment of gameplay to make you feel powerful, and my levels are race-tuned to the nth degree. Honestly, this game should be labelled: CLASS A.

11. Quality

Just in case it wasn’t clear, Velocity 2X is a game-of-the-year-winner for a simple reason: it’s the work of a small team that possess great passion and skill, who have worked incredibly hard to put their vision and talent into your hands, only for it to be sent back to them to improve over and over again by Dave Gabriel! J

We’re all so proud of it, and we can’t wait for you to enjoy it! =D

Oh, and by the way…

Velocity 2X launches with some day-one DLC. I know this divides opinion, but when we finally finished the game and submitted it to Sony, we realised we hadn’t fully explored some of the new features, there are too many!

So, we just kept on working…

The Critical Urgency DLC Pack will be available at launch, and features six obsessively fine-tuned speed-run levels that teach you new tricks and push your teleporting skills beyond the limits of your imagination – into the realm of gaming magic. Master these levels to dazzle your friends and scare your family with freakish talent ;)



Also, keep an eye out for this great looking poster on our shop in the coming days. It includes the names of our biggest supporters!

Velocity 2X is released tomorrow for £12.99/€15.99 utilising Cross-Save and Cross-Buy for PS4 and PS Vita!

Or, y’know, it’s FREE on PlayStation Plus…

Come and say hello @FuturLab =)

http://www.futurlab.co.uk

http://www.velocitygame.co.uk