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| | Title:
Indigo Prophecy
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System:
Xbox
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Genre:
Adventure
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Publisher:
Atari
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Developer:
Quantic Dream
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Release:
9/6/2005
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Online:
No
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ESRB:
Mature (M)
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The year is 1999, the developers: Quantic Dream, the publishers: Eidos, the title: Omikron - The Nomad Soul. While it was less than reknown to many gamers, it proved to be very different from anything else on the market during that time. With the ability to run around in a free cityscape environment; drive cars down crowded streets of civilians; fight one-on-one with competent enough opponents; and engage in less-than-spectacular shoot-outs with bad guys. Despite it's drawbacks it definitely was something that very few, or close to none at all, ever tried accomplishing in the gaming world. Having so much to offer and little to regret. But alas, it also seemed to prove to be a very poor competitor on the market during that time. Possibly due to the huge popularity of Quake 2 and other such similar games of minuscule features but over-the-top gameplay.
This time around Atari has established the services of Quantic Dream, and they are bringing gamers something a bit different, but equally as potent. Offering up the players with the ability to change or alter scenarios in the game simply based on what actions they take or what actions they fail to initiate. It offers two different endings but the developers claim it has unlimited possibilities for a different gaming experience every time.
Set in a thrilling recreation of New York, Indigo Prophecy takes the player on a journey into a unique experience revolving around a young man named Lucas Kane, who suffers from a serious complex. But he's not the only one. A series of murders have been strangely taking place. And one of these string murders is one that he believes he committed. And little, or close to nothing at all, seems to prove otherwise, even from his point of view.
And with the cops hot on his trail, it's up to the player to try and overcome the uphill struggle to clear Kane's name and figure out just what is really going on. But Kane isn't the only one the player is in control of. They also play the detective trying to solve the string of murders that seem to happen at random times in rather conspicuous places.
The game even has split screen windows during gameplay to show what certain characters are up to. (Similar to the split-screens that we see in the hit show "24".) And with a plot that has a multi-various assortment of possible twists and turns based on the actions of the player, it is sure to rouse the hunger of just about any action/adventure savant.
The Striking Difference
Unlike other games where characters live and re-live situations (I.E., a lot of shoot-outs with a lot of deaths and no one bats an eye of care.) this game actually takes such situations into account. For instance Kane is affected greatly by emotionally stressing situations via a meter displayed during the game. Such as the sight of blood on the floor of the men’s bathroom where a dead man lay, while he unknowingly stands over him with the murder weapon in his hand. And the self-inflicted cuts on his arms don't help. This encourages players to try and resolve situations in ways that don't force Mr. Kane into a position where he becomes so emotionally unstable (or depressed) he simply commits suicide. Hence, players must make conscious decisions that will benefit the progress of the game, but not simply because it is the pre-set thing to do, as it is in most adventure games. Players must be mindful of situations that can easily get out of hand just due to the emotional tensions that can arise simply by walking outside while the cops are around with all the murder evidence right out for them to see (I.E., such as still holding the murder weapon and walking out of the men’s bathroom while the cops are sitting at a nearby table.) Certain action sequences can also be controlled via on-screen button indicators to let you know what options you can take during the current sequence. Ranging from dodging specters in an office building, to fighting opponents with neat Matrix-like maneuvers. It seems a bit reminiscent to the arcade cinematic sequences in Dynamite Cop, where the player would readily need to press the right button at the precise moment to pull off a neat attack during the sequence. Except in this game it's not just attack sequences that take place requiring quick reflexes. Moving out of the way of flying objects or hanging on rooftop ledges; dodging bullets, fists, cars, etc., are all tossed into the mix.
Although, Kane can be emotionally affected, his state of mind will have effects on his physical abilities: How fast he runs, or how quick he responds to certain situations. Which will definitely prove to be a challenge for gamers who are used to characters always getting the job done no matter what the consequence or the outcome. And with convincing enough graphics, and the unique action sequences, intermixed with interactive environments, and the multiple routes in taking the game in the direction you choose; this is sure to be the experience that will be both exciting, and far from the nonchalance in which some adventure gamers are used to playing.
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