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Batman Rise of Sin Tzu - First Impressions Preview
Derek dela Fuente
15/09/2003
TVG chats with the guys at UbiSoft Montreal to get the lowdown on the latest Batman title...
Some things just never change, Batman, the Caped Crusader, has been around for so many years it is interesting to look at the many interpretations over the last 20 years on computer and video gaming formats he has metamorphosed through. Many say that Ocean created one of the finest Batman title on the Amiga but others say it was all the hype that drove the marketing machine and actual gameplay was very shallow. Ubi Soft is the latest to try to reinvent the Batman brand but this time, for the very first time in video gaming history, with a new character emerging into the Batman universe in the guise of Sin Tzu. Lovingly created in Ubi Softās own studio, Benoit Galarneau, the Producer, added his own comments as we look at this interesting title.
Sin Tzu, the new baddie on the block, is an enemy unlike Batman has ever battled. He is a master in the deadly art of war, driven by a single desire: to conquer. Scouring the world in search of only the worthiest adversaries, Sin Tzu is about to descend upon Gotham City marshalling his own band of infamous villains.
To survive Sin Tzu's cold and calculated assault, Batman must not only match wits against this warrior's fearsome military mind, but also unleash the most furious attacks in his crime-fighting arsenal. For Gotham City is a battlegroundā¦
The vision for this Batman game was to not only allow the focus on other cast members but also to target Batman's own combative fighting and marshal arts skills - KERBLATT... POW!!!
Benoit Galarneau, "We wanted a 'pick and play game', inspired from the arcade world. We wanted to kick some ass and double the fun with a cooperative multiplayer feature. There are not many multiplayer games out there while everybody enjoys them. Working with the full franchise of Batman was the perfect match. Batman is the king of martial arts and all his buddies are all skilled fighters. We looked at other games for some inspiration, some recent (DMC, Lord of the Rings), some older (Double dragon, Street of Rage) but in all cases we had something they didn't have: the gadgets. We found ways to turn all gadgets into potential weapons. This brings a lot to Batman."
And so the story goesā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦Gotham City and the future Batman adversary is in town with a collection of other baddies in tow, which includes Scarecrow, Clayface and Bane. The city is in mayhem as there is a massive breakout from the prison and criminals are running riot on the streets.
CUE BATMAN........... to regain some semblance of order before itās too late and disaster strikes.
In turn, Batman has called upon his own collection of allies - Robin, Nightwing, and Batgirl - to join the fray and equal out the challenge.
Adding a new character that many will not be familiar with is a nice ploy and with this idea you can also add any facets, traits and character attributes that will make him an equal against Batman but the one really clever facets of all this was the fact that Sin Tzu was created by Jim Lee who is a well known creator in the comic industry. It is hard also at this stage to see if this is the main emphasis of the game.
Benoit Galarneau, "The scriptwriter gave him a personality and Jim Lee gave him a look. It was now up to the development team to animate him and turn it into gameplay. The challenge was great. We managed to turn an idea into a reality in less than a few months. The relationship between Ubi and DC was very tight and efficient. Sin Tzu is brilliant and mean, beware."
It appears that Sin Tzu is the most brilliant and methodical of all of Batman's foes. He is not criminally insane - at least not in the classical sense - for he does not lust for money, revenge, or hatch twisted plots for the master detective to unravel. Rather, he is an arrogant conqueror who prides himself in conquering worthy opponents who have never been beaten before.
Like most baddies and super heroes, Sin Tzu has a well documented past.
A discarded child, Sin Tzu was adopted by a modern thuggee cult, which plied its trade of religious mayhem and robbery throughout Southeast Asia. Once, when pursued by police, the cult hid out in the caves of Chulin, where Sin Tzu discovered an enormous necropolis that not only contained thousands of statue warriors, but the mystical/military texts of ancient warlords. Studying this wisdom, he learned not only the military arts, but the lost knowledge of Mehta-Sua: the channelling of mental energy into physical energy and vice versa in order to exert a nearly hypnotic mind control that can turn weak-minded rabble into an effective fighting force.
As well as a being a grand strategist, Sin Tzu is a master martial artist. Keeping his body perfectly fit with a rigorous exercise regimen and an ascetic lifestyle that forsakes him all pleasures of the flesh through an ancient form of self-torture, he is more than a match for the Caped Crusader in one-on-one combat. Let the battle for Gotham City begin...
With a rich storyline, a new character and plenty of goings on in Gotham City what visual excitement and innovations are there to look forward to?
The dev team has developed a never seen before particle system that interacts with any moving characters. When Batman walks into a layer of fog, on the docks of Gotham letās say, the fog is pushed away and swirls like if would in real life. Same applies for the dust that is visible in the light cones. It allows the team to create a unique ambiance that is so typical of the Batman universe and the world is big and names and locations will be familiar to Batman fans. Picture the scene, a smoke bomb is thrown and you can use the billowing smoke to your advantage!! WACKO!
What Batman game is complete without the rooftop sequences and the Chemical factory but add Crime Alley, the local asylum, Chinatown and even the Batcave and things start to sound sweet. 12 Levels to transgress through and all with your buddies on hand.
Think Batman and action is always the central theme KERPLOW, SMASH, URGHHH.
The cast of heroes offer, in some cases, 30 plus attack moves and all are pretty impressive and there are also combo moves to boot. We are informed, although easy to start with they open up to offer some really challenging combos that even the 'hard' player will have to grapple with to master. Four modes of difficulty will be on offer so there is great replayabilty.
Itās not all about the right moves and speed although get these right and you are in control. There are objects galore to mess with so keep your eyes peeled for anything that you can pick up and chuck. POZAAZZZZ.
Some might say itās a God darn shame that you canāt ride or drive the Batmobile with Robin alongside but the usual host of Batman's own gadgets will make up for this. There is also a number of clever and inventive surprises in store for the player as they move around Gotham City but this we shall keep a secret - there are some neat ones believe us!!! WOW!!!
Coming on 3 plus formats, as you would expect each will have their own unique qualities, apart from variation in controls and slight graphical difference. It is interesting to note that these graphical differences have been a real target and focus for the team so expect better sound and the full weight of each of the machinesā best qualities to shine out! The XBOX will feature some impressive light and shadowing effects we are informed.
Benoit spoke of two other interesting areas that should not be overlooked.
"Having 4 controllable characters is a great feature of the game: Batman, Robin, Nightwing and Batgirl can all be played with."
"Being allowed to play multiplayer is a feature that we do not see enough in games. In Batman - Rise of Sin Tzu, 2 players can pick up their favourite character and team up to beat the Mastermind of the story: Sin Tzu."
