Capcom resurrects Bionic Commando (multiplatorm)
AirRaid
Bionic Commando returns
Capcom franchise swings back into action with new adventure set for
release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.
By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpot
Posted Oct 15, 2007 5:00 pm PT
Released in 1988, the original Bionic Commando introduced a novel
grappling hook mechanic into a stagnating side-scrolling 2D platformer
genre. While the Capcom-developed game was highly regarded (and even
named as one of GameSpot's Greatest Games of All Time), the franchise
has been dormant outside of a 1992 Game Boy Advance version and a 1999
Game Boy Color pseudo-sequel.
That's about to change, as Capcom has revealed to GameSpot that it is
developing a new Bionic Commando game for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360,
and PC. Simply called Bionic Commando, the new game will bring back
the original game's hook (pun intended), with players able to use the
main character's bionic grappling arm not only to navigate levels but
to take out enemies at close range, rappel down sheer surfaces, or
toss objects (like cars) at enemies.
Where the original Bionic Commando followed players on a mission to
rescue a fellow agent named Super Joe, the new game's storyline
appears to carry a more cynical edge. After serving his country
honorably in conflict with the Imperials, technologically enhanced
agent Nathan Spencer is framed for a number of crimes by his superiors
and sentenced for execution. Fate intervenes, as an experimental
terrorist weapon is detonated in Ascension City on the day Spencer is
to be executed. With the city in ruins and Spencer uniquely equipped
to handle the many skyscrapers, monorails, and suspended roadways in
ruins, the government reluctantly turns to Spencer for help.
To help the game live up to its pedigree, Capcom has made development
of the game an international affair. An American producer, a Japanese
creative advisor, and Stockholm, Sweden-based studio GRIN will be
collaborating on the project. GRIN's most recent projects have
included the PC conversions of Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter and its
sequel.
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6181070.html
Capcom resurrects Bionic Commando - first screens
http://medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_186769.jpg
http://medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_186770.jpg
http://medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_186768.jpg
Side-scrolling action-platformer reborn on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC
Capcom is resurrecting classic Bionic Commando in a new game in
development for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.
Bionic Commando first appeared in the late 1980s. The 2D, side-
scrolling action-platformer starred a weapon-toting lead character who
also happened to sport a bionic arm that acted like a grappling hook
which allowed him to navigate around levels.
The new title, simply called Bionic Commando, retains the 'grappling
hook' gameplay but beefs it up with players able to use the bionic arm
to fling large objects at opponents and batter them with it at close
range.
Here's the scoop on the plot from Capcom: "Bionic Commando features
Nathan Spencer (voiced by former lead singer of Faith No More, Mike
Patton), a government operative who represents the ultimate fusion of
man and machine. After distinguishing himself in a fierce conflict
against the Imperials, Spencer is betrayed and falsely imprisoned by
the very people he unquestioningly served.
"Three years later, on the day he is due to be executed for his
supposed crimes, an experimental weapon detonates in Ascension City,
unleashing an immensely powerful earthquake coupled with a radiation
shockwave that leaves the city in ruins, wiping out its populace.
Military intelligence suggests that a large terrorist search force has
moved in and occupied Ascension City, but as yet their motives remain
unclear.
"With the terrain in ruins and the terrorists in control of Ascension
City's air defences the FSA has only one option open to them - the
reactivation of Nathan Spencer."
Capcom promises that the city in ruins provides an "engaging
environment of towering buildings, suspended roadways and monorails,
deep canyons and sheer rock faces that allow gamers to traverse each
area via multiple routes using swinging, rappeling, climbing and wall-
walking techniques."
The alMIGHTY N
> video announcement: http://tinyurl.com/3278tx
> http://medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_186769.jpghttp://medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_186770.jpghttp://medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_186768.jpg
I'm a little torn on this myself. I think the concept of the new game
is promising. The screenshots look good. However, this shouldn't use
the Bionic Commando license.
Bionic Commando has a place in old school gamers' hearts because of
the classic, yet innovative, side scrolling platforming gameplay, the
tongue-in-cheek satirical presentation and storyline, and the overall
"fun" atmosphere of the game. It would be great to see a modernized
version of the game available on Xbox Live, the Playstation Network
and on the PC.
Doom III was a modernized take on Doom that worked even though it got
rid of the campy aspect of the style because it greatly expanded on
the horror aspect and remained a great first-person shooter
experience. This first-person take on Bionic Commando is a complete
departure from the series - coupled with the painfully obvious change
in style and sense, it becomes a game that is hardly recognizable as a
follow-up to the arcade classic.
Tim O
wrote:
>video announcement: http://tinyurl.com/3278tx
>Bionic Commando returns
>Capcom franchise swings back into action with new adventure set for
>release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.
>By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpot
>Posted Oct 15, 2007 5:00 pm PT
Loved the arcade version of this. Thanks for the heads up.
Jonah Falcon
> On Tue, 16 Oct 2007 06:55:26 -0700, AirRaid <airrai...@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> >video announcement: http://tinyurl.com/3278tx
> >Bionic Commando returns
> >Capcom franchise swings back into action with new adventure set for
> >release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.
> >By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpot
> >Posted Oct 15, 2007 5:00 pm PT
>
> Loved the arcade version of this. Thanks for the heads up.
It does not look like a platformer. It looks like a 1st or 3rd person
shooter.
AirRaid
> On Oct 16, 9:55 am, AirRaid <airrai...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > video announcement: http://tinyurl.com/3278tx
>
> I'm a little torn on this myself. I think the concept of the new game
> is promising. The screenshots look good. However, this shouldn't use
> the Bionic Commando license.
>
> Bionic Commando has a place in old school gamers' hearts because of
> the classic, yet innovative, side scrolling platforming gameplay, the
> tongue-in-cheek satirical presentation and storyline, and the overall
> "fun" atmosphere of the game. It would be great to see a modernized
> version of the game available on Xbox Live, the Playstation Network
> and on the PC.
>
pure speculation...
they didn't announce a Nintendo version yet, so maybe Capcom has a
traditional side-scrolling Bionic Commando in the pipeline for DS, not
unlike how the new Contra 4 is very similar to the first game.
Nick Soapdish, Jr.
>
> > video announcement: http://tinyurl.com/3278tx
>
> I'm a little torn on this myself. I think the concept of the new game
> is promising. The screenshots look good. However, this shouldn't use
> the Bionic Commando license.
>
> Bionic Commando has a place in old school gamers' hearts because of
> the classic, yet innovative, side scrolling platforming gameplay, the
> tongue-in-cheek satirical presentation and storyline, and the overall
> "fun" atmosphere of the game. It would be great to see a modernized
> version of the game available on Xbox Live, the Playstation Network
> and on the PC.
>
> Doom III was a modernized take on Doom that worked even though it got
> rid of the campy aspect of the style because it greatly expanded on
> the horror aspect and remained a great first-person shooter
> experience. This first-person take on Bionic Commando is a complete
> departure from the series - coupled with the painfully obvious change
> in style and sense, it becomes a game that is hardly recognizable as a
> follow-up to the arcade classic.
Well, first of all, I haven't seen the complete interview, so I'm not
sure, but isn't this going to be a 3rd person shooter? As for the
change in tone, I've heard that the producer promises that we will
recognize the enemies in the game as the same from the NES version
(the "Imperial Forces" aka a mishmash of the Nazis and the Soviets).
Apparently, the producer is a huge fan of the NES version (don't know
how he feels about the arcade original). The early info leaking out
talks about "terrorists" as an enemy, but then again, did Bungie let
out info about the Flood back in 2000?
A remake can go either way. It can be surprisingly excellent, as in
Ninja Gaiden and Metroid Prime, or end up being disappointing like
Contra: Shattered Soldier (overreliance on boss battles, miniscule
number of levels and poorly conceived idea of having you fight a
protagonist from the early days of the series), or the PS2 version of
Shinobi. There will always be people who will dislike a remake for
not being "true" to what they liked about the original. We should
remember, however, that there already was essentially a remake of the
NES game on the original black & white Gameboy, which ditched the
whole futuristic WWII theme for a very manga-influenced, Mega Man type
style of futurism.
Sure, I've got my concerns about this game- I'm a titanic fan of
Bionic Commando. But let's see a little more info before declaring
this the next "Altered Beast" crapping-on-the-fans remake from hell.
One thing for sure- the Bionic Commando Nation has arisen from the
ashes!1!!11!!!!!
Jonah Falcon
> .
> Well, first of all, I haven't seen the complete interview, so I'm not
> sure, but isn't this going to be a 3rd person shooter?
I wouldn't be surprised - the developer is GRIN, who did, among other
shooters, GRAW and GRAW2
Air Raid
blue
>
> A remake can go either way. It can be surprisingly excellent, as in
> Ninja Gaiden and Metroid Prime, or end up being disappointing like
> Contra: Shattered Soldier (overreliance on boss battles, miniscule
> number of levels and poorly conceived idea of having you fight a
> protagonist from the early days of the series), or the PS2 version of
> Shinobi. There will always be people who will dislike a remake for
> not being "true" to what they liked about the original. We should
> remember, however, that there already was essentially a remake of the
> NES game on the original black & white Gameboy, which ditched the
> whole futuristic WWII theme for a very manga-influenced, Mega Man type
> style of futurism.
Did you play the original arcade game? Visually it sounds like the
gameboy and arcade are similar (I never played the gameboy).
I always thought the NES version was watered down because it couldn't
handle the arcades manga style graphics.
blue
That's how the guy on the video describes himself. Yet he doesn't even
mention the arcade original, or any aspect of it. Designing the arm by
focus group? What a pussy!
I hope the German's do the original proud. I love the redesigned (non
focus group) arm so there's hope.
BC aracde is one of my all time favorite games, It's one of those games
I just love to play through over and over. I always had a suspicion that
some of the guys went on to work on the metal slug games. I wish they'd
stuck with that art style really, although I have to say it does look
pretty damn good.
Fingers crossed.
Chris Sunde
I were to pick the 3 games that I played the most back then:
Bionic Commando
Super Tecmo Bowl
Final Fantasy
Looking forward to Street Fighter 4 also.
I remember back when I was 13, they had Street Fighter, the original at a
pizza ranch in my hometown of Montevideo, MN. I used to get so mad when my
brother would pick ken...he thought he looked like him...I always picked Ryu
and it was always a big deal when we would button mash and accidently toss a
fireball, wed go nuts casue we didn't know how we did it. Sorry if I am off
topic...I just saw the post for both of these games that are coming out and
got pretty excited as I am huge fan of both!
On 10/17/07 1:06 PM, in article
rasRi.27586$lV4....@fe2.news.blueyonder.co.uk, "blue"
Nick Soapdish
Yup, I've played the original arcade game many times, on Capcom
Classics Collection, MAME, and even the very first Bionic Commando
emulator, "Slutte". I even remember how some of the Capcom promo
materials for their NES games in 1988/89 had a screenshot from the
arcade version of Bionic Commando rather than one from the NES
version. The arcade version still had a World War 2 sensibility,
mixed, of course, with mechs and futuristic mini-copters. The Gameboy
version was MUCH more anime-influenced. All the characters had
elaborate, oversized robo-helmets and flared body armor.
It's clear that the NES version, although very graphically impressive
as an NES game, wouldn't be able to compete with the arcade version on
graphics alone. Hence, Capcom redesigned it to complement the NES's
strength as an arcade adventure, rather than a quarter muncher, like
what they did with Strider.
Nick Soapdish
> THE WORLDS BIGGEST BIONIC COMMANDO FAN?
>
> That's how the guy on the video describes himself. Yet he doesn't even
> mention the arcade original, or any aspect of it.
To be fair, most people knew the NES version first, and then found out
about the arcade version later. So it makes sense that he focus on
the version that's best known when doing PR for the game.
>Designing the arm by
> focus group? What a pussy!
> I hope the German's do the original proud. I love the redesigned (non
> focus group) arm so there's hope.
Yeah, I think relying on focus group tests is dangerous when making
pure creative decisions. Despite the mentions of "terrorists" as the
enemy, I think the enemy soldier saying "Beachhead established"
indicates that the game involves the player fighting a regular army.
>
> BC aracde is one of my all time favorite games, It's one of those games
> I just love to play through over and over. I always had a suspicion that
> some of the guys went on to work on the metal slug games. I wish they'd
> stuck with that art style really, although I have to say it does look
> pretty damn good.
We'll see as more of the game is unveiled. I too would've like to
have seen a somewhat more "cartoonish" style, but as that apparently
didn't go over so well with Metal Slug 3D, it probably would've been a
hard sell.
>
> Fingers crossed.
Same here.
> >http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=173760- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Private Private
khee mao
"The alMIGHTY N" <natl...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1192549784....@y27g2000pre.googlegroups.com...
Doom3 too.
Nick Soapdish
> "The alMIGHTY N" <natle...@yahoo.com> wrote in messagenews:1192549784....@y27g2000pre.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> > On Oct 16, 9:55 am, AirRaid <airrai...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> video announcement: http://tinyurl.com/3278tx
>
> > I'm a little torn on this myself. I think the concept of the new game
> > is promising. The screenshots look good. However, this shouldn't use
> > the Bionic Commando license.
>
> > Bionic Commando has a place in old school gamers' hearts because of
> > the classic, yet innovative, side scrolling platforming gameplay, the
> > tongue-in-cheek satirical presentation and storyline, and the overall
> > "fun" atmosphere of the game. It would be great to see a modernized
> > version of the game available on Xbox Live, the Playstation Network
> > and on the PC.
>
> > Doom III was a modernized take on Doom that worked even though it got
> > rid of the campy aspect of the style because it greatly expanded on
> > the horror aspect and remained a great first-person shooter
> > experience. This first-person take on Bionic Commando is a complete
> > departure from the series - coupled with the painfully obvious change
> > in style and sense, it becomes a game that is hardly recognizable as a
> > follow-up to the arcade classic.
>
> the 3d "re-imaginings" of Prince of Persia and Ninja Gaiden were ace, imho.
>
> - Show quoted text -
Given that Ben Judd had to fight like hell for years just to get this
project going, I have faith that he will do his best to stay as true
to the Bionic Commando spirit as he can, given that it
still must be deemed as marketable in this day and age.
You know how that guy Air Raid feels about the Ace Combat games?
Imagine that, and multiply by 5 trillion, and you'll understand how I
feel about Bionic Commando.
blue
That's certainly not care, that's not knowing what the hell you're going.
Nick Soapdish, Jr.
>
You do realize he has bosses at Capcom he has to answer to, don't
you? Given that the higher-ups didn't even want to give the go-ahead
on this project (they thought that it wouldn't have enough mass
appeal), isn't it possible that he was working under certain
guidelines? After all, this is his first shot at leading a project,
and he's probably very conscious of how he needs to hit a certain
sales figure, or he may never get another shot at this kind of
position.
Everybody seems to want games to be designed in a perfect world where
the publishers and gamemakers are free to do whatever they want,
profit be damned. Unfortunately, that's not the way it works. Making
a game has become a lot more expensive, and the public has become more
fickle. As long as the game stays true enough to the original, I'll
be willing to bear having a character with goofy dreadlocks.
slaye...@hotmail.com
> "The alMIGHTY N" <natle...@yahoo.com> wrote in messagenews:1192549784....@y27g2000pre.googlegroups.com...
>
> > On Oct 16, 9:55 am, AirRaid <airrai...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> video announcement: http://tinyurl.com/3278tx
>
> > I'm a little torn on this myself. I think the concept of the new game
> > is promising. The screenshots look good. However, this shouldn't use
> > the Bionic Commando license.
>
> > Bionic Commando has a place in old school gamers' hearts because of
> > the classic, yet innovative, side scrolling platforming gameplay, the
> > tongue-in-cheek satirical presentation and storyline, and the overall
> > "fun" atmosphere of the game. It would be great to see a modernized
> > version of the game available on Xbox Live, the Playstation Network
> > and on the PC.
>
> > Doom III was a modernized take on Doom that worked even though it got
> > rid of the campy aspect of the style because it greatly expanded on
> > the horror aspect and remained a great first-person shooter
> > experience. This first-person take on Bionic Commando is a complete
> > departure from the series - coupled with the painfully obvious change
> > in style and sense, it becomes a game that is hardly recognizable as a
> > follow-up to the arcade classic.
>
> the 3d "re-imaginings" of Prince of Persia and Ninja Gaiden were ace, imho.
> Doom3 too.
Prince of Persia 3D is probably my least favorite of the series. They
didn't get the 3D quite right until Sands of Time.
blue
Your argument is exactly what seperates an average artist from a great
one. It takes somebody with the will not to compromise to make something
great in any medium, the history books are littered with people who had
to fight tooth and nail to get their point across.
The focus groups are there to inform the descisions not make them. You
don't lead a team at all if your decisions are made by others.
Nick Soapdish, Jr.
>
Oh, please, not the old "great artists stick to their guns" argument.
Putting aside any debate as to whether video games are truly
"art" (that's a can of worms right there), your statement is a huge
generalization. Judd is not in the position of a musician or painter
who owns their own intellectual property/art- he is a Capcom staff
member, and Capcom- not Ben Judd- OWNS the Bionic Commando name and
concept. He has even less flexibility than a movie director, who
isn't "in house". If the executives at the top tell him to use a
focus group, he doesn't have much choice. What are his alternatives?
He could refuse to do it, and Capcom will say, "Fine. Let's get a new
producer for this project." Or he could refuse, and Capcom will say,
"You know, this project is already too troublesome- I think we'll can
it." And then we get no new Bionic Commando game, because only Capcom
has the rights to the license.
I admire your passion for keepin' it real in the fight against Master
D- but your outlook is a tad naive, and unrealistic. Keep in mind
that The Fountainhead is just fiction, eh?