Ninja Theory talks up new multiplatform title

VideoGamer:

"Heavenly Sword dev will 'break cut scene conventions' and promises 'much bigger appreciation of gameplay and story'.

Heavenly Sword developer Ninja Theory has promised to "break cut scene conventions" in its next, ultra secret multi platform project."

[mistertwoturbo]

Oh well, best of luck to them. Hopefully this new game being multiplatform will get better results for them.

[Jerkapotamus]

Heavenly Sword really raised the bar for cutscenes when it came out. They're going to really have to do something extra now that MGS4 raised the bar even higher.

[mistertwoturbo]

Yeah but the difference is that MGS4 did it with actual in-game cutscenes and not .mpeg4 wizadry.

[Ureval]

Its too bad those cutscenes lasted too long and werent very interesting.

[Legend]

Nah. I'll take more gameplay please.

[Darrius Cole]

Heavenly Sword should have used the game engine for the cut scenes. The in game graphics were more adequate to to produce beautiful cut scenes, in fact, I don't thing the cutscens that they used were any better looking than the in game graphics. However, doing it the way they did it create 3-4 second loading times at the oddest places.

Heavenly Sword needed about another six months to polish things like loading times, and the fight mechanic/movelist.

[Germania]

I hope SCE, who attains the IP of Heavenly Sword, produces a sequel.
The series has potential.

[Voozi]

Well if Ninja Theory won't do it, the guys over at Santa Monica I think would fit the dev job perfectly once they're done w/ GoW III

The way HS ended...there has to be a sequel lol

[Wolverick]

I would love for Santa Monica to take over this IP and create a HS2. The game would definitely be something special.

[juuken]

Whatever they decide to do, I'm sure it'll be good.

[ceedubya9]

Very short, but it was a good game. I think the next game will fair a lot better. They obviously know what they are doing, they just need to push more and give us more game. Heavenly sword needs to drop down to 29.99 and be part of the greatest hits lineup.

[Figboy]

comments like these:

"We felt a tad disappointed by Heavenly Sword when it came out in November last year, given the hype surrounding the project during its development."

i mean, why let hype dictate your opinion of a game? SO FRIGGING WHAT if it didn't live up to the "hype!"

nobody was forcing you to be hyped up about anything. for the most part, hype is purely voluntary.

either you choose to let yourself get swept up in PR speak, or you choose NOT TOO.

it's not the products fault if it doesn't live up to the gaming media, or PR's monumental expectations of it. EVERY PR guy and developer in the industry thinks their game is the best thing since sliced bread. what do you EXPECT them to say.

here's the break down of Heavenly Sword:

What it gets right (in no particular order):

1) Controls - smooth as butter
2) Graphics - stunning, with amazing locales and draw distances
3) Sound direction - grunts, explosions, and sword clanks are spot on.
4) Motion capture and facial capture; animations in general - fantastic. some of the best, if not THE best, in the industry (especially facial animation/capture)
5) Story - well written, acting, moving, exciting, and grand in it's scope, while maintaining the personal feel of Nariko's journey.
6) Combat system - fun. period. you can't button mash your way through this game. it takes timing and strategy to win, especially because it's vital to switch between your different stances on the fly to stay alive.

What it got wrong:

1) Game length.
2) A few uninspired "puzzle" elements that pretty much just degenerated into "throw this shield at a gong and the gate will open." fortunately, there aren't that many of those, but plenty of awesome combat.

personally, i think Heavenly Sword was one of the best PS3 titles released during it's first year on the market, and Nariko is an excellent character worthy of exploring in sequels. no, she doesn't have the gruff machismo of a Kratos or Solid Snake, but she doesn't HAVE to. her strength of character and resolve are what make her fascinating.

people nitpicked the hell out of this game, blaming HYPE, when they were the ones hyping it in the first place. complaining about this games length, when it does SO MUCH right, is about as absurd as claiming that Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction has "too much variety."

oh yeah, on topic, i'm looking forward to seeing what Ninja Theory's next project is, but i would have liked to have seen what they could have done had they focused on one platform, and dedicated themselves to pushing that console to it's limits (like Kojima Productions, Insomniac, and Bungie are doing).