Gaming Target - GameCube: Too Human

Written by Jonathan Nicklas on May 30, 2001

First Impressions: More Human Than a Human!

Silicon Knights' ambitious title, Too Human, cancelled on the Sony PlayStation because of Nintendo's acquisition of the development studio, is a mature experience under the moniker Уpsychological thrillerФ. Publicized in addition to Eternal Darkness at 1999's E│ Exposition, the title is scheduled to arrive on the Nintendo GameCube. A unification of adventure, role-playing, and cinematography elements, Too Human breaks the mold of the typical role-playing formula - a kingdom, spells, and monsters. The title pushed the limits of the Sony PlayStation and utilized the hardware to its zenith. In fact, the computer graphic screens had been compared to the likes of Square Soft's offerings. Courtesy of the Silicon Knights, Nintendo GameCube enthusiasts have a role-playing game with a dark storyline. Its gameplay is diverse and varied.

Amidst May 2000, Nintendo signed a deal with unknown Silicon Knights. In the deal, Silicon Knights' status ascended to second party. "Silicon Knights creates and develops games by incorporating the best elements of art, character design, game play, and sound technology," says Denis Dyack, Silicon Knights' president. Indeed, Too Human corresponds to the Silicon Knights' standpoint. At Spaceworld 2000, Denis Dyack confirmed Too Human.

Too Human features a dark, intricate, and intriguing storyline, set in the year 2450 AD. The main character of the game is undercover police offer John Franks. УToo Human is also very much like Metal Gear Solid where we give the player the option to explore things the way he wants to and be stealthy if he wants to, or be action packed if he wants to,Ф said president Denis Dyack. The excerpt is admirable because it is in fact accurate. Cybernetically upgrade John Franks' vision, stamina, and more. For example, an optical implant permits faster and accurate targeting. The upgrades are the only essential role-playing elements. Communication to non-playable characters is not integral. In the storyline, it is evident science fiction and Japanese elements are influential to the game, and I think it's safe to say it's astounding.

John Franks' quest embarks subsequent to the decease of a fellow officer. In the investigation of his acquaintance, John Franks is sucked deeper into an underground world. As Franks uncovers the corporate world in the non-linear storyline, Too Human observes issues of technology. Will mankind be replaced if technology attains its peak? The storytellers at Silicon Knights illustrate their impressive representation of 2450 AD. УYou're an undercover police officer infiltrating a corporation into their security forces to investigate another corporation,Ф Denis Dyack describes.

In the Sony PlayStation version, enthusiasts had access 15 weapons, four targeting systems and six ammunition types. Allegedly, more than 15 worlds are present in the game. Too Human integrates over 80 hours of gameplay and over an hour of cinematics, a combination of real-time and pre-rendered. The difference is allegedly unobvious in the game. Presumably, Too Human runs at 60 frames per second with load times nonexistent. УYou will never see a УloadingФ screen while playing Too Human,Ф Denis Dyack confirms. The main character John Franks in addition offers commentary about the environments and characters. Roughly two and a half hours of voice acting is included, as the Sony PlayStation version of the game spanned four discs, although, bottlenecks sustained nevertheless. УIf we had a DVD, it'd be less of a problem,Ф Denis Dyack hinted. Obviously, the Nintendo GameCube's optical disc is the unprecedented solution.

In terms of visuals, the full-motion video demonstration at Spaceworld, modestly, is standard. Despite the overall absence of polish, if Eternal Darkness, the firm's other project, is any sign of Too Human's visuals, I am indeed pleased. Despite the lack of information pertaining to the controls, Silicon Knights presumably intend to utilize the digital clicks of the analog triggers and the camera stick. The implementing of multiplayer is unconfirmed, although it's on my wish list.