OE stopped by today with a big fat PlayStation 3 development kit to show off the latest build of Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom. We saw several different environments, all three characters (though we can only talk about two for now), and got loads of details on multiplayer features and downloadable content. We also amassed a collection of direct feed videos for your viewing pleasure.
We played around with both the quick and acrobatic scout and the slow and beefy warrior. Attacks are handled by mixing three button combos of heavy and light strikes (X and square). The triangle button initiates grabs and throws while circle controls jumping. You will have to block… a lot. So get used to using the R1 button between combos. And once you build up some magic, combine L1 with any of the four face buttons to cast spells.
Enemies ranged from skeletons to spiky wolves to cow-headed brawlers. We also ran through such varied environments as the “Knott’s Berry Farm” village, a prosperous town with intricate brick work, and a watery cave crammed with massive mushrooms.
Dark Kingdom will have plenty of multiplayer options depending upon how many friends you have (with PS3s to boot). Single system co-op is limited to two players on one screen. The camera moves from the standard in-your-face view to more of a top down perspective. But if you’d like to bring the fight online, up to four players can hack and slash their way through dungeons together. And the best part is that everyone gets a separate screen so you won’t have to worry about being artificially reigned into an invisible rectangular box.
SOE wouldn’t talk about possible “entitlements” or whatever Sony decides to call their version of Microsoft’s achievements (if that ends up happening at all). But they did concede that they want to focus more on in-game rewards than external points. Hardcore players can strive to max out their character at level 50 or search for rare and powerful items, armor, and weapons.
The game features 20 levels and is expected to take between 12 and 18 hours to complete depending upon skill level and the size of your party. Potions have also been completely eliminated in favor of instant effect drops from monsters. Red orbs refill health, blue means mana, and gold doles out the cash money. In addition, players can save anywhere at any time – though they will be forced to respawn only at specific locations throughout the stages.
As far as downloadable content goes, SOE is already promising a free multiplayer deathmatch mode. But players with a little change left over after buying a PS3 can opt to pay for even more content. What if I said you could purchase a new fourth character class? Would that be something you’d be interested in? The developer also plans to add new story elements, stages, and maps for a price.
Untold Legends fans should have a lot to look forward to this November 17th. Dark Kingdom may not change the dungeon crawling formula all that much, but it sure plays smoothly and looks pretty.