Dark Void, from the makers of Crimson Skies

[EddieA]

EGM has a preview for this new game from the team that did Crimson Skies.  You play a pilot who crashes somewhere in the Bermuda Triangle, which turns out to be the home of a group called "The Watchers" who interfere with Earth's history.  Gameplay centers around vertical movement, with you starting off climbing walls and mountains (using a vertical cover system where you can ambush enemies above you), then moving on to a hover pack, and eventually a rocket pack that essentially lets you become a human airplane.  You'll also be able to hijack enemy UFOs and either fly them, or run them into enemy airships.  There's a second playable character, and you'll be able to use the Watchers' technologies to upgrade yourself, but becoming less human in the process.  There's also a mention of Shadow of The Colossus-sized enemies, where you use your jetpack to fly around and fight them.

[rickfc]

I saw this.  Looks very interesting, indeed.

[Kevin Grey]

Wow, that description makes it sound awesome. 

[jersoc]

Yeah, does sound good. CS was a blast to play too. I played it so much on live.

[Bullwinkle]

Here's a vid: http://www.gamespot.com/video/943726/6181328/dark-void-official-trailer-1

If I didn't know it was the Crimson Skies guys, I'm not sure I'd be interested.

[Kevin Grey]

Here's a vid: http://www.gamespot.com/video/943726/6181328/dark-void-official-trailer-1

If I didn't know it was the Crimson Skies guys, I'm not sure I'd be interested.

Hm, that does dampen my enthusiasm a little- I don't really care for the art direction which doesn't have the flair that the Crimson Skies games had.  But I still like the idea of the verticality of the game. 

[wonderpug]

Here's a vid: http://www.gamespot.com/video/943726/6181328/dark-void-official-trailer-1

If I didn't know it was the Crimson Skies guys, I'm not sure I'd be interested.

Yeah, that video wasn't very inspiring.  I loved Crimson Skies, though, so I guess I'll be keeping an eye on this.

[Daehawk]

Forgot EGM came today. Does look nice. Wish it was on PSP Its the only 'console' I own.

[leo8877]

Here's another Jan game that's getting lost in the shuffle.  I think it looks real good, but I am going to be waiting for a price drop.  Anyone else been looking at this?

[Doopri]

i was out of curiosity and couldnt believe it wasnt getting more buzz, just because it looked a bit neat and different.

i know next to nothing about it, havent heard much talk / hype (aside from a commercial i finally saw for it yesterday) and it seems like it SHOULD be of interest.  whens it out?

[leo8877]

i was out of curiosity and couldnt believe it wasnt getting more buzz, just because it looked a bit neat and different.

i know next to nothing about it, havent heard much talk / hype (aside from a commercial i finally saw for it yesterday) and it seems like it SHOULD be of interest.  whens it out?

I think second week of Jan.  REALLY soon!

[Vindel]

 Originally Posted by Capcoms Facebook
The Dark Void demo will be available for download from Xbox Live on Wednesday January 6th and PlayStation Network on Thursday January 7th

[leo8877]

Originally Posted by Capcoms Facebook
The Dark Void demo will be available for download from Xbox Live on Wednesday January 6th and PlayStation Network on Thursday January 7th

Nice, I was hoping there would be a demo.

[Kevin Grey]

Most of the previews I've read over the past year have been somewhat lukewarm to the game.  Combined with Capcom continually revising their sales forcecast for the game downward and I'm not getting good vibes. 

[Turtle]

That's the same thing I'm getting from Podcasts.  It may end up to be a pretty flawed game like Lost Planet.  Unfortunately, Lost Planet was buoyed by its status as one of the early big HD games, Dark Void doesn't have that luxury.

[leo8877]

Where are you guys seeing this, I'd like to read some previews.

[Turtle]

In podcasts like rebel FM, 1up, podtoid (Destructoid), there can be some one off comments when they mention games.  At the mention of Dark Void on a few, they've expressed a lot of apprehension after seeing it in person.  These guys tend to be opinionated, so if it was just one guy it's nothing to panic about.

Sadly, I missed a chance to try it at comic con.

[Kevin Grey]

Where are you guys seeing this, I'd like to read some previews.

Most recent version I read was in Edge magazine so I'm not sure if it's online.  

[Bullwinkle]

I just played the demo.

It's a little unpolished, but I liked it.  I thought it controlled really well up until moving targets came my way.  I could have used a lock.  Not impossible, though.  And once I figured out what they wanted me to do to hop onto a flying disc and take out the pilot, I had fun flying one.

I grow weary of Nolan North, though.  He's great and all, but I'm starting to feel like he's in everything.

I'll wait to make sure reviews don't completely pan it, but I can see picking it up.

[Chaz]

Does he use the same voice he's used for every other game he's been in? I usually like his performances, but his character in Prince of Persia sounded exactly like his character in Uncharted.  For me, the best voice actors are able to create completely different voices for each character they do.  Mark Hammill is an expert at this.

[The Grue]

Does he use the same voice he's used for every other game he's been in? I usually like his performances, but his character in Prince of Persia sounded exactly like his character in Uncharted.  For me, the best voice actors are able to create completely different voices for each character they do.  Mark Hammill is an expert at this.

I have bad news for you that Mark Hamill's character in Darksiders sounds just like the Joker to me.

[Bullwinkle]

Yeah, Nolan North is playing Nolan North. 

I haven't seen a cast list yet, so it's possible that it's someone trying to sound like NN, but if so, they're doing a damn good job.

[Chaz]

Does he use the same voice he's used for every other game he's been in? I usually like his performances, but his character in Prince of Persia sounded exactly like his character in Uncharted.  For me, the best voice actors are able to create completely different voices for each character they do.  Mark Hammill is an expert at this.

I have bad news for you that Mark Hamill's character in Darksiders sounds just like the Joker to me.

Sad.

[leo8877]

Yeah, Nolan North is playing Nolan North. 

I haven't seen a cast list yet, so it's possible that it's someone trying to sound like NN, but if so, they're doing a damn good job.

It's definitely Nolan North, playing the Drake role in this game.

Demo is ok. The flying stuff is cool.  Controls take a bit to get used to.  Seems like they used odd button choices for boost and brake.  Not very fluid.  I can see how it would be really cool once the controls are down.

[Kevin Grey]

While I don't know how well North can change his voice if requested, I think devs are specifically requesing the Drake-style performance anyway.

[Bullwinkle]

Does he use the same voice he's used for every other game he's been in? I usually like his performances, but his character in Prince of Persia sounded exactly like his character in Uncharted.  For me, the best voice actors are able to create completely different voices for each character they do.  Mark Hammill is an expert at this.

I have bad news for you that Mark Hamill's character in Darksiders sounds just like the Joker to me.

I don't agree.  While there's a certain gravelly quality that is just a part of MH's voice, the character inflections and pitch are very different.  You can tell it's Hamill, but he's not doing the same thing at all.  Nowhere near the level that North is.  It's like a handsome lead actor's range versus a character actor. 

KG is probably right, though, the powers that be no doubt hired him for that Uncharted quality and didn't want him to try something new.

[semiconscious]

I have bad news for you that Mark Hamill's character in Darksiders sounds just like the Joker to me.

yup...

While I don't know how well North can change his voice if requested...

damn well! - he's the voice of sigmund in r&c:cit ...

[leo8877]

Yeah the guy even has a Drake look to him.  Really though I guess I can't blame them for wanting to copy the best video game character of all time!!!!!

[The Grue]

damn well! - he's the voice of sigmund in r&c:cit ...

Trying ro remember who Sigmund is.  Is he the robot in the Clock?

[leo8877]

damn well! - he's the voice of sigmund in r&c:cit ...

Trying ro remember who Sigmund is.  Is he the robot in the Clock?

Yep that's him.  Doesn't sound like NN at all in the game.

[The Grue]

Yep that's him.  Doesn't sound like NN at all in the game.

Wow, then yeah....he really can change his voice, though I did keep feeling like I knew his voice from somewhere.  And now that I know it is him, I can hear the Nolan North in it, but since I had just finished Uncharted 2 when I started playing it, I think that it is why it seemed familiar to me.

[metallicorphan]

i had a lot of slowdown when you entered the base,i went to the back of the higher level(the level you enter on,above the ramps going to the lower floors,near the back windows)..and it just went nuts on me

as for the actual gameplay,it was alright,nothing special,i liked flying about,but the 'dogfights' seemed pretty messy,you can hold i think LB(or whatever it is)to focus on the nearest enemy to you,but that just shows you..the nearest enemy,after you let go of the button it goes back to how it was,it doesn't help you to actually face the right way or anything....so its not really needed when you have a radar showing you where the enemies are anyway...maybe later on if there are a dozen enemies at once i guess it would come into play
it was still awkward twisting around to be able to shoot at them,and getting the hang of the click left stick then pull down on both sticks(to U-turn in the air) wasn't that handy IMO

think i will give this a miss...shame,i quite enjoyed Crimson Skies

[Bullwinkle]

Tell me these sound exactly the same: 

Joker2.mp3 - 204 Kb

Watcher.mp3 - 248 Kb


And that these don't:

NN1.mp3 - 296 Kb

NN2.mp3 - 150 Kb

Couldn't find a Dark Void one, but it's close to the same.  Maybe less quippy.

Also, sorry about the "demo" crap.

My point here is not that NN is not talented as hell or able to do something else, vocally.  It's that what he's being asked to do is not the same as what MH is doing.

[The Grue]

Mark Hamill sounds the same in both.  Yes, he is more flamboyant in the Joker one, but it is the same general, gravelly tone.

[The Grue]

Oh, and one thing I love about the game is the sound.  I know my PS3 sounds better than my 360, so not sure if it is because of that, but the game is loud and sounds incredible.

[Bullwinkle]

Mark Hamill sounds the same in both.  Yes, he is more flamboyant in the Joker one, but it is the same general, gravelly tone.

As I said, you can tell it's Mark Hammill, 'cause that's what his voice is now.  However, there's a difference in tempo, pitch, attitude... Especially when you compare it to the two NN cuts.

[semiconscious]

& just to bring the whole thread as off-topic as possible, orvus's voice in r&c:cit is done by none other than the guy who does mario ...

[The Grue]

Mark Hamill sounds the same in both.  Yes, he is more flamboyant in the Joker one, but it is the same general, gravelly tone.

As I said, you can tell it's Mark Hammill, 'cause that's what his voice is now.  However, there's a difference in tempo, pitch, attitude... Especially when you compare it to the two NN cuts.

I can agree with you that there is more difference in those two than in the two NN ones.

[leo8877]

Played the demo again and I am enjoying it more.  Looking forward to this going on sale.

[Kevin Grey]

I have bad news for you that Mark Hamill's character in Darksiders sounds just like the Joker to me.

yup...

While I don't know how well North can change his voice if requested...

damn well! - he's the voice of sigmund in r&c:cit ...

Wow, I didn't realize until checking IMDB that he was Vossler in Final Fantasy 12- another example of a much different style of voice:

Final Fantasy 12 Cutscene about 1:00 in

So, yeah, it's pretty clearly an issue on the developer/voice director end and not North.