Intelligent A.I, one hit kills, impressive copmbat
The combat moves of both your character and the enemy are extremely impressive and varied. The right mouse button acts as a parry which is crucial in close-up battles, whereas the left mouse button allows you to attack. Holding the button down for different lengths of time allows you to pull off different moves and combining these moves with the characters kick function means that combat remains fresh and exciting. The single player demo demonstrates some excellent combat moves, including impaling your enemy before he gets up off the ground and cutting off the sword arm of an opponent. The adrenaline gauge indicates when these finishing moves can be executed and they animate in spectacular fashion. At one point an opponent grabbed us, hoisted us in the air and threw us across the room. The animation of the A.I whilst pulling of these moves was both fluid and realistic.
Click for larger imageOne hit kills are also extremely important if you don't want to end up with two or three guards attacking you from different angles. By using the bow (arrows can be lit on torches) you can take enemies out from a distance with a carefully placed headshot or you can sneak up behind an opponent and take them out in one foul swoop with your double daggers.
The enemy A.I.are extremely intelligent and react to what is going on around them. For example, during a frenzied attack with a guard, other guards hear the noise and come dashing over; they'll now pursue you until they're dead. They're also adept at fighting back and responding to your own moves, parry your attacks and changing the way they fight depending on how you fight.
Click for larger imageIf this is a taste of things to come we foresee an entertaining mixture of combat, stealth and puzzle solving.
A large chunk of the environment is interactive and destructible. You can kick a plank to bring platform crashing to the ground or to trap an enemy, pick up crates to throw at opponents or to clear a path to a secret hiding place, or kick opponents onto a set of spikes and watch them be impaled. Even in this demo version Dark Messiah of Might & Magic shows off all of these actions and we know there is much more to come in the full version.
Click for larger imageGraphically the game looks superb. The lighting effects add to the atmosphere and ensure there are plenty of shadows to lurk in, characters move and attack with ferocious realism and the effect of bringing a platform crashing onto an enemies head is suitably impressive.We've already dispelled the myth that Dark Messiah of Might & Magic bears any resemblance to Bethseda's Oblivion in our hands-on multiplayer preview and the only comparison can be with the graphical excellence of both titles.
Click for larger imageThe blend of stealth, combat, interactive traps and puzzle solving means that Dark Messiah of Might & Magic shouldn't be another run of the mill first person action game. Based on the demo it looks superb, plays smoothly, and has the gameplay elements that should keep us hooked right up until the final battle.
We'll have more news next week.
