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PREVIEW - PC: Penumbra Overture By: Adam Waddilove I recently got a version of Penumbra Overture to preview for you guys, so here it is in full... History Originally Penumbra was developed as a technology demonstration on innovative game design to immerse the player into a game. As this demonstration was extremely successful the game is now developed into a full commercial release, spanning over three episodes. The trilogy is named Penumbra: Overture. Thanks to Lexicon Entertainment, Penumbra: Overture will be available in stores world-wide. Each episode is set to retail for €19.99 and be available starting Q1 2007 Story Like all good nightmares, Philip’s begins with something all too real – his mother’s death. The days following the funeral are characterized by nothing, save for an incessant feeling of abandonment. Until, that is, he receives a letter from a dead man. Philip’s father left before he was born, taking his reasons with him. Now, here he is, opening up the door from beyond the grave. That door leads to more questions, and those questions lead to Greenland. Philip follows the clues – they’re all he has left. On leaving the final signs of human civilization behind him, in search of the location mentioned in his father’s ambiguous notes, Philip wonders if he’s left some part of his humanity behind as well. Soon, that will be the least of his fears. Now, Philip needs your help. He’s found an inexplicable metal hatch, in the middle of a frozen wasteland. Inside, is something yet more unfathomable. Step into the unknown. Gameplay Penumbra: Overture is a first person adventure game which focuses on story, immersion and puzzles. Instead of using violence to progress the player has to use his/her wits to guide Philip on his quest to unravel the past. Played from a first person viewpoint, Penumbra is very different from other adventure games. Not only is it powered by a 3D engine utilising cutting edge technology, it also has an advanced physics system which allow for a never before seen environment interaction. The player can open drawers, pull levers, pick up objects and more using natural mouse movements creating a highly interactive and immersive game world.     The weapon system differs from your average game; swinging a melee weapon is done using the mouse which increases the realistic feel of combat. Fighting enemies is not something best done with brute force though, in most situations fighting is a last resort and the player is often better of using his/her wits. The AI of the enemies will also do its best to hunt and scare the player. The creatures encountered can break down doors, use group co-ordination, interact with the physics and more. Penumbra: Overture will keep players on the edge as they have to explore scary and immersive environments never knowing what is behind the next corner. The world is detailed, graphical as well as a story wise making the player feel part of the world as secrets are uncovered. The preview code that I got was very early by all accounts but was still impressive to the eye. Even if the menus werent, but I have been assured that those graphics are thankfully only temporary. But the game was very interesting in the way it took the whole "Point and Click" aspect of some PC games and gave it a twist, so instead of merely clicking you would have to drag the mouse in the direction you want if you need to operate something such as a lever or take a swing with a crowbar. It was very intersting indeed and one that at first confused me, but once I grabbed the concept it just seemed to work. I'm not saying it was perfect, there were a few control issues with it like running out of room to drag the mouse for one! But the game doesnt let you be like Gordon Freeman and hold a light and crowbar while climbing a ladder, while you could do this in a standard First-Person-Shooter like Half-Life...you can't in this because its grasped the idea of realism and while it's a welcome idea..it did get a tad frustrating when trying to actually climb a ladder like I mentioned before. Combat was limited in the early build, infact it was ages before I actually saw anyone else. However the game did lead me with an claustrophobic atmosphere that made me uncomfortable when walking down dark corridors, even though I had a walkthrough handed to me and knew that there were no enemies down there...I still felt that feeling of discomfort and that's when you've got a powerful tool that you can wield to your advantage. Frictional Games have done just that and it's quite astonishing when you consider this game is made by a team of...4 people. One programmer, two artists and one sound technician/scripter. It's truly amazing that such a small team could accomplish so much. Anyway back to what I was saying about combat, it was pretty simple in the build as all I had to do was run for my life. I'm unaware of any firearms available in the game but if the pictures I've included with this preview are anything to go by, then if there isn't I have no idea how that would work. Perhaps on the line of combat in Condemned Criminal Origins but without the guns? I can't say at this point as still a lot of the game is shrouded in mystery, but that's a good thing. It means that it could become a sleeper hit instead of a big blockbuster like Gears of War. Not much is known about the story other than the part at the top of the preview, not much is told in the build but if it's over a few episodes then I can imagine it to be quite in-depth and gripping as much as the entire game will be. While it's too early to tell if this game will be a hit or not, it's not too early to say that I know it will be a great and one that I will be keeping a close eye on...I just like the way how the game makes you think about every tiny part of a puzzle, makes you use your brain and hopefully later in the game there will be parts where you will have to make quick decisions, decisions that cannot be undone. Who knows? I hardly do but I do know that I enjoyed the hell out of this early build of Penumbra Overture and look forward to reviewing the first Episode early on this year! If you would like to try a demo of the game then click here to download it for free. Give it a try today! . |
