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| | Title:
Rogue Trooper
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System:
Xbox
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Genre:
Action
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Publisher:
Eidos Interactive
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Developer:
Rebellion
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Release:
May 24, 2006
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Online:
Yes
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ESRB:
Teen (T)
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For those unfamiliar with 2000 AD, you might find it difficult to understand what Rogue Trooper is all about. 2000 AD is a series of comic strips, released weekly, and very popular in Britain. In fact, many artists from Marvel and DC Comics started with the British Publication before branching out into American territory. The British publication itself was started back in the 1970's and has picked up a loyal following during its growing popularity over the years. 2000 AD would most notably be known for the comic-turned-movie by name of Judge Dredd, based on the highly popular comic strip character. However, Dredd isn’t the only one who’s receiving the limelight these days. Rogue Trooper was originally a 1981 comic book conception by editor Steve Mcmanus, Gerry Finley-Day and artist Dave Gibbons. It followed the story of a genetically enhanced soldier with “bio-chips” implanted in him, which embodied the personas of three fallen companions, each one being able to communicate with him. His mission was to track down and deal with a traitorous General. Rogue Trooper’s unique abilities are that he is immune to chemical warfare of any kind. However, the comic suffered from stumbling stones throughout the years, after being re-worked by different writers and artist several times. Nevertheless, the 2000 AD-inspired series, has regained its footing and is about to establish a foothold on the gaming industry.
From colored comics to rendered shading
The original, colored version of Rogue Trooper wasn’t made until the “War Machine” edition in 1987. Just shy from the twenty-year mark, Rogue Trooper is undergoing the transformation from comic ink to 32-bit, true-color rendering thanks to the development team, Rebellion, and publisher SCi Ent. For those unfamiliar with Rebellion, the British development team also made a game based on their 2000 AD character, Judge Dredd, called Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death. Rebellion likewise worked on the gold selling series Aliens versus Predator--so comic book action is right up their alley.
The setting in Rogue Trooper takes place on Nu Earth Circa , a futuristic wasteland plagued with incessant wars. The air is no longer breathable without purifier masks, and no one is more suited to the environment than the genetically enhanced Rogue Trooper and his ability to breathe in the poisonous atmosphere. He must battle in a war where the Nort Republics are desperate to destroy the Southers. It’s no guess that the war-hero is fighting against the well armed, and numerous, Nort Republics.
Strong friendship
The difference between the game and the comic, obviously, is that you’ll be playing the Rogue Trooper instead of reading about his mission related exploits. Also, his three comrades are featured in his equipment; Gunnar, Bagman and Helm are represented in his gun, backpack and helmet.
The neat part about his comrades is that they can independently dispatch enemies without Rogue T’s help. For instance, his friend Bagman (his backpack) can be left to lob explosives at enemies. RT’s other friends, Helm (his helmet) can hack into computer equipment while Gunnar (his gun), can be left on a surface to work as an independent turret gun. So, Rogue Trooper allows team attacks without necessarily needing a bi-pedal team.
Friend of the shadows
Subtlety and cruelty walk hand-in-hand in Rogue Trooper. Hiding in the shadows then snapping an enemy’s neck is as effective as pulling off his purifier and watching him choke to death from the chemical atmosphere. Rebellion has added many instant-kill moves to vanquish your enemies within close range. Therefore, Rogue Trooper provides a variety of gameplay tactics that varies from stealth to frantic shoot-outs with multiple enemies.
Games like Coldwar, Metal Gear Solid and Splinter Cell rely heavily upon stealth techniques as an essential requirement for completing missions. Other games like Hitman, Far Cry, or certain aspects of Halo give players the option to handle things they way they see fit. The option to approach and dispatch of an enemy silently, or abrasively, is something that players determine in Rogue Trooper. Moreover, providing freedom of tactics and playing styles in massively constructed maps actually gives the game more of a replayable quality. So, exercising the freedom to use stealth or pure action techniques is what Rebellion is going for in Rogue Trooper.
Opponent depth
Rogue Trooper features the option to upgrade Rogue T’s three bio-chip friends and their hardware. The game also features the likes of sniper rifles, assault weapons, handguns or pistols, and heavy explosives. All of the weapons can also be incorporated with Rogue’s three friends. So while Helm is unlocking a door, Gunnar could be blasting away at foes from behind some rocks, while Rogue snipes off the bewildered and frantic enemies at a distance. However, it’s not all a walk in a park for Rogue. Enemies are 'heiarchical' with varying aspects to their design, ranging from simple patrols to advanced flanking. The enemy AI also uses a wide range of vehicles; ground and airborne, to try to dispatch of Rogue and his fellow comrades. These design elements give players more incentives to follow routes or tactics to outsmart, outwit, and outgun a relentless enemy AI.
Vehicles and squads
Out of the 12 levels of wastelands and vast open playing fields of Nu Earth, some of them will feature some fast action, while on, or in, a vehicle. You will be able to man turret guns on a train, trying to prevent enemies from boarding, as well as working a turret gun from out of a helicopter, basically shooting at enemies in many varying situations. Rogue Trooper shows that Rebellion is tossing even more mixed gameplay features into an already versatile mix of playing options. However, it doesn’t stop there, if things go according to plan, Rebellion will also be releasing the game with co-op missions with up to four players (on-line or via split-screen). The co-op missions allow players to play as the super-soldiers (viz., Bagman, Gunnar, Helm and Rogue) before the three members met their tragic end and were technologically reborn.
On paper this game seems promising, and from the looks of it, graphically. Gameplay wise, Rebellion is aiming for a definite rocket booster. Be sure to stay tuned for more info as the release date draws near.
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Cyguration
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