KOEI Spills Bladestorm Details
A strategy combat game that isn't based in Japan or China? From KOEI?
Published: November 1, 2006
The boys and girls at KOEI really wanted to get in on this whole PlayStation 3 launch thing, but they found, as many developers have, that making a launch window isn't always possible. And honestly, we're cool with the two launch games, BLADESTORM and Fatal Inertia, being moved to 2007. Console launches are universally filled with rushed crap that was shat out to move copies for games-starved early adopters, but with a little more time, maybe KOEI's titles can avoid this pitfall -- at the very least there'll be a bigger install base to sell the games to in a few months.
Here's the thing, though: KOEI is sort of synonymous with one thing: Dynasty Warriors. For whatever reason, we're still fans of the series, so that's not a huge problem, but most are looking for a little something new, and KOEI is at least trying. Thing, is, since announcing BLADESTORM a good year ago, there hasn't been much info on the game at all.
Well, now we've got it. BLADESTORM is -- surprise, surprise -- a tactical action game, but it doesn't take place in ancient China or Japan, though it is still developed by Omega Force (of Warriors fame). No, the setting this time around is 14th Century Europe -- specifically the English/French conflict known as the Hundred Years War (hence the subtitle of the game, natch). The birthplace of such iconic figures as Joan of Arc and the Black Prince (aka Prince Edward).
BLADESTORM's whole mission system is completely open, meaning you're allowed to control the hundreds of archers, infantry, cavalry, siege engines, elephant riders and cannoniers for either the French or the English, and you can switch at any time. By completing missions and building respect on either side, you'll get increasingly more complex tasks. A points-based system will allow for unit upgrades, and troops as a whole will gain experience with battles.
It's an interesting take on strategy, and though we can't help but snicker a little at the screens (which you can see to your left), the cutscenes where there aren't dozens on the characters on the screen almost CG level. With a few more months before the game comes out, we're sure to get a little more info, and we'll make sure we pass it along. Check back soon!
Here's the thing, though: KOEI is sort of synonymous with one thing: Dynasty Warriors. For whatever reason, we're still fans of the series, so that's not a huge problem, but most are looking for a little something new, and KOEI is at least trying. Thing, is, since announcing BLADESTORM a good year ago, there hasn't been much info on the game at all.
Well, now we've got it. BLADESTORM is -- surprise, surprise -- a tactical action game, but it doesn't take place in ancient China or Japan, though it is still developed by Omega Force (of Warriors fame). No, the setting this time around is 14th Century Europe -- specifically the English/French conflict known as the Hundred Years War (hence the subtitle of the game, natch). The birthplace of such iconic figures as Joan of Arc and the Black Prince (aka Prince Edward).
BLADESTORM's whole mission system is completely open, meaning you're allowed to control the hundreds of archers, infantry, cavalry, siege engines, elephant riders and cannoniers for either the French or the English, and you can switch at any time. By completing missions and building respect on either side, you'll get increasingly more complex tasks. A points-based system will allow for unit upgrades, and troops as a whole will gain experience with battles.
It's an interesting take on strategy, and though we can't help but snicker a little at the screens (which you can see to your left), the cutscenes where there aren't dozens on the characters on the screen almost CG level. With a few more months before the game comes out, we're sure to get a little more info, and we'll make sure we pass it along. Check back soon!
