I don't know if there's some unwritten rule that games with the word "chrono" somewhere in the title need to do combat a specific way, but Anachronox's fighting system resembles that of Chrono Trigger. It has the same combination of real time combat and turn taking Chrono Trigger did. The part that seems a whole lot like that of Chrono Trigger is when it comes to allowing more than one person to join up with another for a more powerful attack. If Sly is unable to hoist a particularly large weapon on his shoulder, he can get help from Stiletto and they can perform a more powerful attack together. Or you can opt just for the traditional "taking turns" combat. There will be a party leader for when you're just walking about, but in combat mode you can switch to whichever person you want to take the lead. The environment can really be used to your advantage, since you can get better vantage points or manipulate nearby objects.
Hall has reassured us that strategic use of the environment and available tools will make the combat a bit easier. One of my biggest complaints about certain RPGs is that you're either far stronger than the creature you're fighting, or the creature is impossible. There's no in between where a use of strategy and wit can save you from a tough creature at a slightly lower level. Because of the interactivity the environment in Anachronox will provide, this won't be a problem - you have hope of winning even if you're going up against strong creatures a little too soon. Though that isn't to say you won't get your butt kicked…
Anachronox will feature over 150 different monsters, and Hall tells us they'll be "contextual" based on where you are at a given time. That means if you're fighting "horrible snow beasts" you won't be in the middle of a crowded city, because that's where you'd find city guards. Hall also listed some other enemies for us including cave creatures, mutants, and even robots. There will be a nice mix of different creatures to match the game's futuristic yet "not-so-far-out-there" atmosphere.
The game will somewhat resemble a console RPG, despite the determination ION Storm has for allowing this game an immense amount of depth. Essentially you can do the traditional NPC interaction, a major necessity of any RPG with a plot, and there will also be quests to find things and a healthy dose of combat. Additionally, however, is a focus on all kinds of secrets you can locate and different ways to interact with the environment. Hall also tells us "At times you will feel like you are playing a console RPG, an adventure, a puzzle game, an arcade game…." I think that gives an idea of the varying gameplay aspects of Anachronox, but it's still going to be a game worthy of play on the PC and not a generic rip off of console RPGs.
Anachronox is going to have over 100 levels, and which ones you have access to throughout the game will depend on your bedfellows. No, not the chicks you try and score with throughout the game, we just mean your companions. You won't be able to see every level by playing through the game a single time. The story is also fairly dynamic, as your actions can impact it in a variety of ways. Some things you do may only result in minor alterations of your place in everything going on, but still other things can result in bigger changes to the story.
|
