40K Goes Shooter

The Warhammer 40K tabletop war game from Games Workshop has been around for quite some time. Game developer Relic has faithfully brought that gaming experience to PC and console in several iterations. Now the UK-based video game developer is attempting to bring you a new experience within the game's deep universe. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine does away with the bird’s-eye view of the carnage, and puts the player smack dab in the middle of epic warfare. This isn’t yet another shooting game, it’s a full-on blood bath with tons of potential.



- Boom goes the dynamite! -

As the player, you will step into the shoes of Titus; a space marine sent to retake a Forge World (a planet used to mass produce weapons of war) that has been overrun by evil Orks, a race of big, green, alien buckets of blood. Your job is simple: kill them all. This game promises to defy conventional video game fare and provide a unique experience within the genre. How, you ask? By allowing the player to approach combat with either melee or ranged warfare. Unlike most shooters that rely on melee as a last resort, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine makes your melee weapon the potential star of the show. When you are armed with a firearm, the view is a classic, third-person, over-the-shoulder camera angle, allowing the player to spray bullets at his or her target. However, once the player pulls out their melee weapon, the camera backs off a bit allowing the player to fight a la Dynasty Warriors.

With a quick light attack or a devastating power attack that can hit multiple targets, it looks like the combat isn’t just an aside. Players will also have a fury meter that they fill as they fight, when the meter is full, look out because the last thing you want to be is an Ork. Melee weapons include a chainsaw sword (chainsword), power axe, and thunder hammer to name a few. Relic promises that there will be even more devastating weapons when the game launches in August.

Early video and screenshots suggest that this transition in view and play style is pulled off seamlessly, even though early play-throughs suggest that there are still a few bugs to iron out. Video also indicates that the game looks fantastic, and it will challenge even the most dexterous players, with wave after wave of Orks just waiting to be overrun and killed. Relic promises a fully supported online system as well as the obligatory story mode for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine. Another boon to the game is that Warhammer has a rich history for the story to draw from, and the online play promises to give the player plenty of perks like high-powered weapons, leveling, and a perfect blend of shooting and melee combat.



- The emphasis on melee combat has us excited -

With its unique perspective and gameplay mechanics, impressive graphics, and a deep, involved story, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine could be the sleeper hit of the year. It all boils down to whether or not Relic can successfully pull off mixing two distinct play styles into one game. Stay tuned.

? COMMENTS Posted on 04/30/2011 |

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