"Our ongoing enthusiasm stems from the passion that the original game still commands – it is named by so many people as their favourite adventure, and over the decades people have continued to contact us, or approached me directly to ask for – or just demand – a sequel."

It’s been a long, long time since Beneath a Steel Sky came out. What led to the decision to make a sequel for it after such a long time?

The original Beneath a Steel Sky came out 25 years ago – as you say, it was a long, long time ago! It was written in partnership with Dave Gibbons, artist and co-creator of the classic comic book Watchmen. Dave and I have spoken on and off about working on a sequel to Beneath a Steel Sky since the game’s original release. Our ongoing enthusiasm stems from the passion that the original game still commands – it is named by so many people as their favourite adventure, and over the decades people have continued to contact us, or approached me directly to ask for – or just demand – a sequel.

Commercially the opportunity to self-publish and to communicate directly with our fans has been a huge game-changer – rather than having to convince a risk-averse publisher to fund and distribute the game, we can now talk directly to our community to understand their hopes – and fears.

Creatively, the design of Beyond a Steel Sky aims to appeal both to the fans of the original as well as a new generation of gamers. We have worked hard to translate many of the core values of the original into a hugely ambitious adventure that leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver a beautiful game, with highly compelling gameplay and a rich narrative. 

Given how much of a gap there is between the two games, how are you tackling the sequel? Have you made it a point to ensure that those who haven’t played the first game will still be able to understand what this one is all about?

From the outset, the game has been designed to ensure that it will offer a great narrative experience for people who have never played, or even necessarily heard of the original. The important elements from the original are, of course, interwoven into the new narrative – but from a different angle so fans of the original will learn more about the original game world, and be rewarded with references as well as encountering familiar characters. So hopefully we can draw a balance between ensuring that new players don’t feel that they are missing out, and original fans are rewarded with a degree of familiarity. This is very much a fresh game as a result, rather than a sequel, which is why we have named it Beyond a Steel Sky rather than Beneath a Steel Sky 2. 

"This is very much a fresh game rather than a sequel, which is why we have named it Beyond a Steel Sky rather than Beneath a Steel Sky 2. "

There’s a drastic change in how players are going to interact with Beyond a Steel Sky as compared to what Beneath the Steel Sky was. What led to that change? Was it simply because of the passage of time, or are you looking to try some other, newer things in terms of what sort of a gameplay experience this is going to be?

When the original Beneath a Steel Sky was released, point and click adventures represented the cutting edge of graphics technology. The vision for Beyond a Steel Sky is to deliver the narrative and puzzle structure of an adventure, but in a much more dynamic way utilizing the opportunities of current technology.

We have once again partnered with Dave Gibbons, and are using advanced toon-rendering technology to create an interactive comic book style. Not only does this offer a unique look, but it also works well for an adventure game – the flat-coloured backgrounds make it easier for the player to scan and recognize objects that will be relevant to solve the section’s puzzles. Rendering the game in 3D also, of course, offers great opportunities for dramatic cinematography.

The core gameplay developments actually take inspiration from Revolution’s original games, in particular Lure of the Temptress – that of creating a ‘virtual theatre’ environment in which AI-driven characters inhabit the world, following their own motivations which the player can then subvert – either directly through their actions in the world, or indirectly through hacking the AI systems to create unexpected outcomes for those characters. This makes the world feel very dynamic, with the solutions to puzzles often emerging from logical character behaviours.

These elements do mean that the game will offer an entirely new experience, albeit one that takes place in a familiar setting for fans of the original.

Looking at the game’s premise, it gives off some major 1984 vibes, at least in terms of the themes it’s tackling. How much, if at all, did that influence you? Were there any other literary works, games, or films that you drew inspiration from?

Beyond a Steel Sky describes a benign regime that seeks simply to make people happy – from an AI’s perspective. I hope that it will feel very relevant in the modern day – the perceived notion of wellbeing and happiness, and how this connects to societies where AI is being used to reward or punish people at micro-level human activities. How much can we trust AI to comprehend genuinely human behaviours – and how dangerous might it be when we do? It feels that the time is right to explore these questions as Orwell’s 1984 did for the Cold War era. Although I also take inspiration from Terry Gilliam’s Brazil in terms of the juxtaposition between the terrifying and the ludicrous.

"Game testers who play for the first time are finding that it takes around 12 hours to complete."

It seems like puzzle-solving is going to be an important aspect of the game- can you talk about how heavily the game leans on this element, and how this ties into the narrative?

Our main design focus has been to seamlessly interweave the story with open-world gameplay, driven by complexly plotted characters. The design process starts with a story overview, and core puzzle structure – these two documents are kept separate throughout development – each informing the other so the design of great gameplay moments reflect back into the story, whilst story defines character motivation and dialogue. The key objective, as in any of our games, is for the player never to feel that they are being artificially blocked, but rather that they are encountering plot-driven hurdles which they are motivated to solve because it will drive the narrative forward.

Ultimately, we want to surprise and delight players as they experience a roller coaster narrative that is, uniquely to the interactive medium, driven by them. 

About how long is an average playthrough of Beyond a Steel Sky going to be?

This is always such a hard question because everyone plays at their own pace. But game testers who play for the first time are finding that it takes around 12 hours to complete.

The latest addition to the series is a fairly slow-paced game where players scour every inch of the screen for clues to solve puzzles, encounter colourful characters and choose appropriate responses from a simple dialogue wheel.
The result is a charming world, an entertaining story and enough intrigue to keep you playing. The Serpent’s Curse is certainly a great nod to a now neglected game type – and it’s well-written, nicely voice acted and pretty decent to look at too.

This time round our heroes George Stobbart and Nico Collard are dropped in the middle of a murder mystery after a hold up at an exclusive art gallery in Paris, and it’s up to our intrepid couple to find the culprit. The theft of an obscure and mysterious painting, La Malediccio, and subsequent murder of the gallery owner not only leaves a cadaver on the floor but a lot of unanswered questions.

"The control scheme translates nicely to console, the left stick manipulating the ever-present cursor and a couple of buttons selecting where to move to, what objects to pick up and how to use them."

Cue George and Nico to jump in to the fray, solving countless puzzles and visiting various exotic locations to unravel the secrets of the painting in good old point-and-click fashion. The first half of the game progresses at a slightly slow pace, introducing you to the simple control scheme, some of the key characters and setting the scene for what is a very entertaining tale. Fortunately, the pace picks up a little when you leave the Parisian streets and cross paths with a certain Russian oligarch in London.

It’s all strangely absorbing, thanks to the decent plot, the enthusiastic voice acting and the many and varied environments. The art style and beautifully hand-drawn 2D screens are fantastic to look at – helping to pull you in. And just like the environments, the cel-shaded characters themselves are full of colour too – each laden with wit, attitude and often an intriguing backstory.

The control scheme translates nicely to console, the left stick manipulating the ever-present cursor and a couple of buttons selecting where to move to, what objects to pick up and how to use them.

Before long you’ll realise that most of the puzzles are fairly similar and few prove too taxing. Often they require a quick scan around the screen with the cursor to highlight items of interest, which are then either examined or dropped into your inventory. How to employ many of the items tends to be glaringly obvious – although occasionally, a curveball can be thrown in to stump you.

"Nevertheless, the Serpent’s Curse provides a few solid hours of great gameplay and is good fun while it lasts. There’s really no strategy required or quickness of reaction – all you need is a bit of common sense."

Interaction with the many people you come across plays out in much the same way too. Most are a grumpy, obstructive bunch initially – barely anyone willing to help you or answer questions unless you first help them overcome a problem, give them something or rub their ego.

It’s typically a case of introducing yourself, being rebuffed and then selecting various retorts from your dialogue tree. Often the relevant – and most appropriate – line of questioning/discussion topic will appear obvious, but chats with bystanders sometimes tend to descend into simply working your way through each option until they provide the required response and unlock the next phase of the story.

It is a bit of a shame you can’t really make a mistake and say the wrong thing to offend a suspect, or miss clues and head down a dead end. The game is very linear, with each puzzle having to be solved in order before progressing.
If you do struggle at any point, a handy hint system can be accessed through the menu screen – providing a series of tips to nudge you in the right direction. While this is very welcome, it can be all too tempting to cheat your way past a problem, removing much of the challenge.

Nevertheless, the Serpent’s Curse provides a few solid hours of great gameplay and is good fun while it lasts. There’s really no strategy required or quickness of reaction – all you need is a bit of common sense.

Still, you’ve got to give it to Kickstarter and crowdfunding; without this phenomenon, so many great video games would have fallen by the wayside. Fortunately for both fans of Broken Sword and those new to the long-running series, the latest episode won’t leave you disappointed.

This game was reviewed on the Xbox One.

Indie development team Revolution Software has announced via a blog post on the PS Blog that its newest point and click adventure title, Broken Sword 5, is out now and available for all to download on the PS Vita.

Broken Sword 5- The Serpent’s Curse: Episode One, as the first episode of the adventure title is called, is out now after what Revolution Studios says was a “very successful” Kickstarter campaign that helped them through the title’s development.

“Episode One returns the series to its point and click roots in our most ambitious game to date,” Revolution’s Co-Founder, Charles Cecil wrote. “Playing as intrepid American George Stobbart and sassy French journalist Nico Collard, you’ll find yourself on the trail of a stolen painting — and a murderous conspiracy.”

He also said that the PS Vita, with its numerous input methods, is a perfect system for them to release the game on. “Vita is an ideal device for our style of adventure game,” he said. “The front and rear touch screen in combination with the analog stick and shoulder buttons give us a great toolset for an intuitive user interface.”

You can check our review of the PC version here. Stay tuned for continued coverage.

Revolution Software’s Broken Sword 5 – the Serpent’s Curse: Episode Two will be available today at 6 PM for PC, Mac and Linux. You’ll be travelling to Paris, London, Spanish Catalonia and Iraq.

Company founder Charles Cecil stated that, “We were delighted with the reception Episode One received from the games’ fans. Episode Two takes the gameplay to another level – those who have already experienced Episode One will revel in the conclusion to the tale, while new gamers can enjoy the game in its entirety. Episode two ramps up the level of drama, as well as the difficulty level, as the game progresses: the second part starting with George and Nico having to dodge shotgun fire – with George then meeting his ultimate nemesis – a belligerent goat!

“I am extremely proud of the game and delighted that we have had the opportunity to build a direct relationship with our fans. The release of the game represents the conclusion of an amazing journey in self-funding, through the generosity of our Kickstarter backers, and to publishing the game under the Revolution brand.”

Broken Sword 5 – the Serpent’s Curse: Episode Two will be available through Steam, GOG and Get Games for £18.99. It will be made available on PS Vita, iOS and Android in the coming days.

Wrapped in conspiracy, suspense, and adventure Broken Sword 5: The Serpent’s Curse is murder and mystery at its best. Taking place in the City of Paris a gallery owner is shot dead during the robbery of his art store and a painting goes missing. Dedicated lawyer George Stobbart and photo journalist Nico Collard is given the responsibility of solving the crime, as the blame is being cast onto the Devil, no literally, thee Devil.

With a superstitious Priest who just so happens to be present at the scene of the accident, there’s an overwhelming sense of mystery and evil surrounding this daunting story. The game feels and plays out like one big interactive crime drama common to afternoon television, except it cuts out all the boring non-interesting scenes irrelevant to the main plot. The use of cut-scenes played against the nature of its Two-Dimensional visual style adds to this “afternoon crime-drama” affect. The use of cel-shaded visuals in combination of a “mature” narrative is what sets this game apart from those of a similar gameplay style, yet allows it to appeal to a wider audience.

"You fully feel that you're playing a game but the feel of watching it play out gives the sense that your playing alongside George rather than as George. He always has something to say with just about everything taking place or with the objects in the game."

The game is played in out in a click and point style of interaction whereby you examine your environment from the perspective of the character George, as he plays detective to the situation. While the narrative and tremendously portrayed characters deliver the sense of a game that borders into the movie territory, this isn’t done in a bad way or too much in which you have lackluster interaction with the game itself. It presents itself as simple yet effective in what it sets out to give the player. Older fans of the Broken Sword series will take to the game with a feeling of nostalgia and will undoubtedly feel right at home.

Clicking certain items or characters in the environment opens up an on-screen window prompt providing options for your character to interact. Interacting with other people in the game in this way allows conversations to get started with choices relevant to the situation at hand. Everything here that the game provides you with makes sense and feels right with the topic that’s underway. The sense of immersion that the game holds on you and the character of George is a strange one, although be it a good type of strange.

You fully feel that you’re playing a game but the feel of watching it play out gives the sense that your playing alongside George rather than as George. He always has something to say with just about everything taking place or with the objects in the game. This is presented through George talking directly to you, or himself rather but through his thoughts, and this feels natural better yet it feels human and that’s what further more makes this an all-round better experience.

"The issue of pacing can be one thing that turns players off when it comes to point and click adventures, where the need for more things taking place on the screen feels needed. But the balance between pacing and the input from the player feels just right here and doesn't detract from anything in the game or attempt to bore you with silly cues."

It should be noted that amongst the high immersion factor and well written narrative that keeps you engaged, and wanting to further progress, this is a game that requires patience and it’s in its point and click style of play that this is obvious. What’s unique about this game in particular is that no section or parts of the game feel unplayable in what you’re trying to achieve nor do they feel dragged out.

The issue of pacing can be one thing that turns players off when it comes to point and click adventures, where the need for more things taking place on the screen feels needed. But the balance between pacing and the input from the player feels just right here and doesn’t detract from anything in the game or attempt to bore you with silly cues. Every action you do and every item you find in the game feels linked and seems to have some meaning as to why it’s there.

In other words, things you do have meaning and it feels rewarding when doing things for the purpose in which they’re intended to. If you do find yourself lost for progression due to the nature of the game’s difficulty you can always select the hints icon at the top of the screen. This basically guides you in the direction of the next goal should you be stuck with the task at hand. The way the game plays out means you never really want any help from it and it feels gratifying not to take it. Although environmental puzzles are way too easy and may deter user experience.

"The visuals themselves may appear basic in it's hand drawn illustrative style of background, but the use of colour and shadows that tie themselves to the movement of its two-dimensional characters looks fantastic."

Broken Sword 5 has a very peculiar visual style in that it uses cel-shaded objects and characters with a two-dimensional background that the player can interact with, on a three-dimensional scale of movement. Its interesting as well as spectacular in the way that the characters can transition themselves back and forth between the two dimensions in such a smooth and apparent natural way. The game plays with this use of perspective through out its entire length and the different background that it plays into never gets dulls or uninspiring to be in.

The visuals themselves may appear basic in it’s hand drawn illustrative style of background, but the use of colour and shadows that tie themselves to the movement of its two-dimensional characters looks fantastic. The use of perception is one of the things that gives this game some real strength, and with the emphasis of graphics as well as the use of visual styles becoming a more important and noticeable topic in gaming these days thanks to games such as Dishonored, and Journey, this is a game that’s sure to grab people’s attention.

I couldn’t help but notice and occasionally think to myself what if the objects closer to the border of the screen implemented 3D vision to further mesmerize the use of space, distance, and perception. The mix of static and dynamic backgrounds working alongside each other maybe something of my own personal interest, but there’s no denying how amazing it looks, and how well it’s done.

"The most noticeable asset after the game's amazing visual style if not the greatest, lies in its sound design. The amazing audio cues that follow after each and every action that takes place is truly outstanding."

The most noticeable asset after the game’s amazing visual style if not the greatest, lies in its sound design. The amazing audio cues that follow after each and every action that takes place is truly outstanding. In a game that centers around crime and suspense the tension and action that is felt through its music is obvious in its presence, and I highly doubt the game would be as immersive without its sound design.

This isn’t just solo to its narrative either, the background noises of chirping birds, blowing winds, and the traffic horns of cars really allow you dive into its world. The funny thing about this however is that you do not actually get see the majority of these assets, such as birds, cars and cyclists. But the ambiance of their existence fools you, but in a positive way mind you, into believing that they’re there. Voice acting is in tune with the rest of the game’s audio and it’s as talented and well played as it is to be heard.

The feeling of being part of the game makes it a joy to listen to the character’s conversations, even though its you that makes most of the choices into steering what they say. Everything in the game feels like it has a real existence, like it shares weight and an energy to its world. What’s remarkable about this is that the game in both its audio and visual is really simple within its design, yet it makes a staggering impact when it’s come together as one package.

This game was reviewed on the PC.

Broken Sword 5: The Serpent’s Curse is the fifth installment in Revolution Software’s action video game series. The game is rendered in 2D and features game play from a third person perspective.

In the videos abobe, our narrator takes through the game screen by screen, beginning with the title screen. By contributing to the game’s Kickstarter campaign, gamers were granted access to this Beta version of the game, as well as a list of potential other perks depending on how much they contributed.

From what we can see here, the game’s animation element is highly stylized, featuring unique landscapes and character renderings. As far as the game play itself it looks to be standard adventure game fare, with mysteries, puzzles, shady characters and more. All in all, it looks like we can expect more of the same from Broken Sword 5, and that’s a good thing.

A spokesperson for the developer stated that, “At this moment we aim to finish the game before the end of the year. We really don’t want to give a date and then miss it. Once we are absolutely confident of the date then we will let you know! More than anything we don’t want to release the game before it’s finished and polished…even if that means releasing it a bit later than we originally planned.”

Broken Sword: The Serpent’s Curse is a point and click action game. Like the previous entries in the series, gamers will, from a third person perspective, control a two dimensional character and navigate him through a series of logical puzzles.

Broken Sword: The Serpent’s Curse is slated to release across Microsoft Windows, OSX, Linux, iOS, Android, and PlayStation Vita.

The developer has noted that list for tasks for the alpha test on its official blog, along with noting the current status. Each scene on the critical path has been implemented, with fully accessible game areas and all key artwork has been implemented. There is limited facial and speech animation, with placeholder art on the menus, titles and options screens though.

However, the game is relatively free from bugs that would halt player progress, and menu screens, hints and the save system are all working. All that’s left is some polish, polish and more polish after implementing the final art for some screens. We’ll get to know whether it’s all worth it when Broken Sword: The Serpent’s Curse releases by year end.

(Source)

Despite reaching $800k, Revolution co-founder Tony Warriner decided that the huge success of its Kickstarter has inspired the studio to begin work on Beneath a Steel Sky 2 anyway. Development will start after the release of Broken Sword.

Warriner states, “We’re delighted by the recent level of interest in a sequel to Beneath a Steel Sky and are currently discussing design ideas for this project which we plan to go into development following the release of Broken Sword – The Serpent’s Curse. We’re deeply touched that our Steel Sky fans are as enthusiastic today as they were when the original game released in 1994.”

Beneath a Steel Sky 2 is slated for iOS, Android, PC, Linux and Mac OS X. A console release is being looked into by Revolution.

Source: DevelopOnline