Hail The Red Planet Mars

[DoctorFinger]

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Independent studio Spiders Games has announced a new action RPG by the name of Mars.

In Mars you'll play one of two unique characters, each with their own storyline and abilities. Seth, the soldier, and Pandora the 'technomancer'. After the settlement of Mars the inhabitants split into Mutants and 'True People', and only the destined one can unite and save them.

Mars is set for release next year on the PS3, 360 and PC.

[Gorvi]

Looks interesting. It seems like they're focusing really heavily on the PS3 version, at least judging by the game's site (http://mars.spiders-games.com/).

[Squidbot]

Oh. It's next gen brown :(
Still, an action RPG with a technomancer sounds right up my street.

[Codicier]

Oh. It's next gen brown :(
Still, an action RPG with a technomancer sounds right up my street.

Well, to be fair, Mars is not known for its lush colour palette. :p

We can always do with more RPGs and technomancers though. ARPG is sort of disappointing though, I like dialog trees and meaningful character relationships.

Not that I want to pre-judge a game that's a year away but ARPGs are typically done as Diablo style hack n' slash. Maybe this one will be different, I guess we'll see.

[Telefrog]

Not that I want to pre-judge a game that's a year away but ARPGs are typically done as Diablo style hack n' slash. Maybe this one will be different, I guess we'll see.

But, TWO characters! Each with their own storyline! And abilities! :p

[Sandman]

But, TWO characters! Each with their own storyline! And abilities! :p

Is one good and one evil?

[Codicier]

But, TWO characters! Each with their own storyline! And abilities! :p

You laugh but it used to be just two characters. They decided to add the storyline and abilities later to flesh things out a bit. ;)

[Kielaran]

Hmmm. That plot sounds familiar, though I can't quite recall why.

[johnperkins21]

Hmmm. That plot sounds familiar, though I can't quite recall why.

I totally get where you're coming from.

[Kelegacy]

Looks and sounds good to me. Bring on the Western RPGs.

[Virtual Machine]

Using the acronym RPG always gets my attention.

Interest +1

[BigJonno]

The idea is to blend two genres, Beat’em all Action and RPG, combining character progression, immersion, equipment collection, additional quests and a solid storyline with rhythmic combat sequences, a sense of power from the beginning of the game and of course QTE and bosses with sequential behaviour.

Character progression: "We have skill trees!"

Immersion: "We're not sure what this means, but good RPGs have it, so we'll say we have it."

Equipment collection: "You can pick stuff up!" "Um, Steve, you can pick stuff up in loads of games, like shooters, platformers.." "Shut up, Bob!"

Additional quests: "You'll be able to collect 10 technomutant armpits at the same time as you kill necrororobots!"

Solid storyline: "We stole it from Total Recall and everyone loves that movie!"

Rhythmic combat sequences: "You have to press cross, cross, triangle repeatedly!"

...and of course...: "Because everyone else is doing them!"

QTE: "Our bosses suck!"

Bosses with sequential behaviour: "Our bosses suck, then suck with missiles, then suck with lasers!"

[Wombat]

Damn. I didn't see the QTE comment at first. Seriously, is that actually a selling point to anyone? It certainly dropped my interest markedly.

[Telefrog]

Damn. I didn't see the QTE comment at first. Seriously, is that actually a selling point to anyone? It certainly dropped my interest markedly.

It's weird how the whole industry will pick up on stuff like this. It's the same for escort missions and platforming levels in FPS games. No one likes them. Everyone acknowledges that it's terrible game design.

Despite that, they continue to get made.

[Kelegacy]

Actually QTE is not a gaming boon. It's a gaming BUST. WTF.

Enough with the damn QTEs.

[Gorvi]

It's weird how the whole industry will pick up on stuff like this. It's the same for escort missions and platforming levels in FPS games. No one likes them. Everyone acknowledges that it's terrible game design.

Despite that, they continue to get made.
I actually don't mind any of those as long as they're done in moderation.

[Dukefrukem]

I'm interested

[KamaItachi]

In Mars you'll play one of two unique characters, each with their own storyline and abilities. Seth, the soldier, and Pandora the 'technomancer'.


Wow, those are unique!