Binary Domain

When I heard the words “near future,” “robots,” and “third-person squad-based shooter,” I have to admit that my eyes sank into my skull a little bit. Maybe it’s jet lag. Maybe it’s just a sign of genre overdose. After getting a demo of Sega’s Binary Domain, I can say that it brings more to the table than a heaping pile of cliché.

The story is set in the year 2080 in Tokyo. Robots are ubiquitous to our daily lives. A series of robots called hollow children have emerged, and their presence complicates things. They have egos, personalities, and, most troubling, they believe that they are human. Manufacturing robots with these capabilities is a direct violation of the Geneva Convention, so an elite multinational force is assembled to go to Tokyo, figure out who is creating the hollow children, and put a stop to it.

The biggest draw to the game is that it uses something called the consequence system. Players are monitored constantly on the battlefield, and the way they perform directly affects the way your squadmates feel about you. They’ll notice when you’re hanging behind cover and not doing anything, or if you toss a grenade that takes out multiple enemies, for instance. If morale is low, you’re not going to get support or cover fire when you need it. If you play as a team and fight well, however, your teammates will go out of their way to ensure that the mission goes well.

I saw the effects of both extremes in action, and the differences were stark. Faye, a Chinese sniper, and Cain, a French combat robot were the companion AI during both demos. First, morale was low. While the AI fought against the enemy robots, they were clearly doing the minimum required to stay alive. When asked for cover support, they sassed back. Basically, it was rough.

On the other hand, a happy crew goes above and beyond. For instance, Faye noticed an enemy robot clinging to a wall, and she volunteered to take it out. I barely had time to spot it before its sparking ruins hit the ground.

Players can interact with the companions through button-presses, but there’s also headset support. There, players can have simple conversations even in the middle of battle. In the demo, the player called Faye’s name and she responded. She acted pleased when she was told that she was doing a good job.

There are seven total companions in the game, and each one has different styles. Some appreciate a hard-line approach, while others need to be coddled to remain effective during fights. Depending on the mission, one, two, or three companions will accompany player character Dan Marshall on his adventures.

Look for Binary Domain on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2012.