Too Human

Too Human
File:Toohumanboxart.jpg
Developer(s)	Silicon Knights
Publisher(s)	Microsoft Game Studios
Engine	Silicon Knights engine
Platform(s)	Xbox 360
Release	August 19, Template:Vgy
Genre(s)	Science Fiction Fantasy and Action/RPG/Adventure
Mode(s)	Single player, Online Cooperative

Too Human is a video game currently under development by Canadian developer Silicon Knights for the Xbox 360. It is the first installment in a planned series of three games. Its current release date is set for August 19, 2008.

Gameplay

Too Human is a third-person action adventure role-playing game mixing elements of games like Devil May Cry and Diablo. It features twitch gameplay in the form of fast paced melee and ranged combat while also maintaining deep RPG elements including skill tree progression and dungeon crawling.

As a third-person action adventure game, Too Human features two "innovations" which are melee combat being controlled dynamically off the right analogue stick (much like Capcom's Monster Hunter series) and a camera system that is controlled by AI. The right analogue stick controlled combat removes the issues of three dimensional depth perception during combat while the AI controlled camera system allows for a truly cinematic experience while also being an aide to the story telling.

The RPG elements of Too Human include its deep yet linear story, different selectable classes, customizable weapons, armor and cybernetics, skill tree progression and item hunting. Too Human has 15 weapon classes, including two-handed swords, hammers, polearms, pistols, rifles, lasers, dual wielded one-handed swords and staves. The character is able to customize their armor in terms of color and its effectiveness against certain forms of attacks while also being able to swap armor sets. This game features skill trees unique to all the various classes that can be customized to the player's liking, this combined with the fact that it also includes item hunting like Diablo greatly increases the replayability of Too Human. As part of a trilogy this game features a unique leveling system which allows the player to progress from level 1 to 50 in the first game, then continue on to the second game with the same character and level up from level 50-100, and in the third the character levels from 100-150.

In Too Human, Baldur and all the other so called "gods" use cybernetics to make them more than human. These cybernetics can increase the strength, speed and abilities of the characters using them. One of these upgrades includes the ability to have a spider as part of your armor that can separate from you and fight for you. A major theme of the game is Baldur's reluctance to use the cybernetic implants to their full extent and as such is "Too Human".

Too Human will feature online play similar to Phantasy Star Online which will allow two players to connect over Xbox Live for cooperative play. This includes a drop in/out system so people can join you no matter where you or they are up to in the game. It is expected that co-op players will be able to take advantage of class combinations to defeat difficult enemies and gather rare items. The media releases of gameplay footage have shown an increasing emphasis on teamwork and cooperative gameplay. Prominent blogger Subrosian has declared Too Human to be one of the most impressive titles of all time - a rare word of praise from a typically critical voice in the gaming media.

Classes

There are 5 classes available in Too Human with more to be added in downloadable content. Each of these classes have their own direction in the skill tree although this can be changed by the player to produce unique classes. Similar to the skill trees of Diablo II, a player cannot max out all the stats of their character. This means that to experience all the variations of all the classes, multiple playthroughs will be required.

Bioengineer

The first of these classes is the Bioengineer which focuses on cybernetics and combat. The Bioengineer acts similarly to a medic repairing damage sustained on the battlefield, while also providing health bonuses for himself and allies, allowing them to fight deep into enemy territory. The Bioengineer prefers to fight with his dual sidearms.

Commando

The second class is the Commando who fights using technological gadgetry and uncommon methods of warfare. The Commando focuses on long range combat using rifles although when attacked at short ranges, he is more than proficient at using mines, countermeasures and demolitions. The Commando focuses on harrying tactics, while still remaining a force in his own right because when forced into melee combat the Commando will draw his hammer instilling fear in his opponents.

Champion

The third class is the Champion, Odin's representative on the battlefield dealing out divine retribution. The Champion is a warrior class focusing on caustic force field and anti-gravity based attacks who also increases the combat effectiveness of his allies. In melee combat, one-handed swords are the Champion's choice.

Defender

The fourth class is the Defender, the stereotypical tank. Blessed by Odin and protected by ancient runes the Defender is the core of the Aesir's defensive strategies. Defenders wear heavy armor to absorb damage so that their allies can deal out Odin's retribution. Defenders wade out to battle armed with mighty staves.

Berserker

The final starting class is the Berserker who is the master of close combat, delighting in its fury. The Berserker focuses on all-out offense, ignoring its own defensive needs. Berserkers fight with a twin-blade fighting style and are supported through the spirit of the bear. All Berserkers will willingly charge into battle for the glory of Odin.

Development history

Too Human was originally in development for the PlayStation as a 5-disc action-adventure game. It was shown at E3 1999, but shortly before its completion Nintendo announced an exclusive partnership with Silicon Knights, and the game was moved to the Nintendo GameCube in 2000. A teaser trailer was shown at SpaceWorld 2000 showing what appeared to be a re-building of the PlayStation game. The game never surfaced though, and the partnership between the two companies was ended. After this, the title was still thought to be in development for the GameCube, but those plans have since been canceled.

In the May 2005 issue of EGM, Silicon Knights announced a partnership with publisher Microsoft to develop a trilogy revolving around the Too Human universe exclusively for the Xbox 360. The game was originally being developed using Epic Games' Unreal Engine 3, but is now being developed using an internal engine. On July 19, 2007, it was announced that Silicon Knights was suing Epic Games due to "breach of contract", including "inadequacies" of Epic’s support, service, and cooperation with Silicon Knights concerning Unreal Engine 3. On August 9, 2007, Epic Games countersued Silicon Knights, claiming that they were using their engine as they pleased without any cost. If Epic wins the case, Silicon Knights would be forced to pay in excess of $650,000.

Alternate Reality Game (ARG)

The third Too Human making of featurette was followed by the first part ("Excavation") of a fictional documentary by "Howard Byrackk" titled, The Goblin Man of Norway, about a "high technology mechanical man" possibly tens of thousands of years old found encased in a glacier. The film reported to be produced by the "Norwegian Film Committee", where the first part of the video could be found, with two more parts to come, "Examination" and "Exhibition". The connection to Too Human lies within a quote read from the Prose Edda of Norse mythology, read by an old professor in Old Norse, "The second son of Odin is Baldr, and good things are to be said of him. He is best, and all praise him; he is so fair of feature, and so bright, that light shines from him."

External links

• Too Human Wiki
• Too Human at Xbox.com
• Silicon Knights Too Human Blog at IGN
• GameSpot's Too Human Union
• IGN's Too Human game pages: PlayStation, GameCube, Xbox 360
• Too Human GDC 08 Gameplay Trailer

Fansites

• Active Too Human community site, with Denis Dyack and Henry Sterchi on the Member Roster
• Too Human at Gamepro