Let's get one thing clear from the start. Red Code 1 and 2 are a tough act to follow. It has developed into a succesful brand and has a dedicated following. We have an expectant public with high hopes for part 3. They all have their own ideas of how the game should develop plus we have sponsors who want the game to be as mainstream as possible. They say you can't please all of the people all of them time. We think we can.
Another factor in designing this concluding game is the story. It featured quite heavily in Red Code 2 but really it was just text. This time around the story has dictated the design of the whole game, it's all integrated to create something much more ambitious. It's not quite 'Heavy Rain' but it does make the player feel like they are involved in something bigger than just a game with a score.
Obviously being a game and not a film, players expect the game to improve from a technical level with each new episode. It needs to look better, sound better and play better.
Not an easy prospect when Red Code 2 looked so damn pretty. It's early days but I can already tell you we've done it. It's hard to tell you much without spoilers, but the setting of the game is much more interesting leading to a big improvement to the environments. The trooper is at least 15% sexier and the gamplay has opened up to include more variation along the way.
The full title of the game is "Red Code 3-The Gun and the Blade". I think it sounds quite epic and more like a film. Which is the aim of this project. It is more epic and it is (a bit) more like a film. Obviously from the name you can guess the first new feature. Yep, the Trooper has a sword as well as a gun. Your holographic backup has gone- I wanted this to be a solo mission. It is a fight between the last remaining human and the last remaining Xyconian.
Having a sword gives the game a more Japanese feel instantly, elevating the trooper from a fairly generic 'Starship Troopers' role to something more akin to a Samurai. That's the idea anyway.
The sword opens up more possibilties for upgrades too, expanding the gameplay and giving the player more options.
Red Code 3 is going to make fans of the series very happy. It will also make new players happy too with more interesting game styles drawing from a wide range of influences. Original yet familiar, it is a fitting end to a great trilogy.
Check out the demo of the game so far and you'll see what I mean.