Bionic Commando Rearmed 2... Leaps into Action?

LBD_Nytetrayn

So, it appears that Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 is a reality. Here's the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbLg1AI4OOM

And there's really nothing else as of this posting. But that's probably enough for now.

Wow. Jumping? I guess I can live with it, so long as it doesn't get in the way of the swinging.

Can't quite tell which version of Rad that is, Rearmed or next-gen, to have an idea of where this is placed. The hair looks like Rearmed (I think), so that might be a plus.

If it helps, the guys who made this are apparently the ones developing it, rather than the new studio of the developers who made the first Rearmed.

Update: Press release:

Release Date: Q1 2011
Genre: Platforming
Platform: PSN, XBLA
Rating: Pending
Developer: Fat Shark
Publisher: Capcom
Price: TBD

Capcom unveils the next evolution in 3D side-scrolling action with Bionic Commando Rearmed 2. Nathan Spencer returns as the daring elite soldier equipped with special bionic abilities. Spencer will have to face his greatest challenge yet as General Sabio, a new technologically sophisticated foe, is on the brink of launching a deadly missile attack.

Nathan Spencer will make use of his trademark tool – his bionic grappling hook – to grab, swing and leap through series of lush new environments. He’ll be met by plenty of gun-toting soldiers and mechanized threats ready to give him a hostile greeting. Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 improves upon the visual achievements of its predecessor with the addition of more detailed character models, textures, and vibrant colors. New player mechanics will add another strategic layer of platforming to the overall experience and the famous bionic arm will be getting a major makeover delivering a more dynamic bionic experience to the player.

Key features:
Sequel to the popular downloadable title on PSN and Xbox LIVE, Bionic Commando Rearmed

New Weapons, attacks and enhancements for the the all-purpose Bionic Arm

New platforming mechanics provides more freedom and challenges. Now the impossible is within your “leap!”

New physics-based puzzles will take the platforming experience to another level

2-player co-op is back and better than ever.

Enhanced graphics and better camera functionality.

All new musical score inspired by NES-era sound effects, produced by the same creative mind behind the original Bionic Commando Rearmed soundtrack

Cut-scene art designed by cutting-edge art studio Massive Black, whose previously worked on Infamous, Bioshock 2 and,God of War III

Screenshots!

Update 2: From Capcom's Christian Svensson:

The Rearmed 2 team has several original members from the Grin team and is running on the same engine/made with the same tools.

Update E3: According to the newest trailer, it looks like they're including the sniper option from Elite Forces, the Game Boy Color title. Keep an eye out at 1:14:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2Kmn0qPjSk

New weapons, new Bionic Arm abilities, and some other neat fun stuff, too.

But there is one new addition that is more unsettling than any other...

That's right... Nathan "Rad" Spencer is now equipped with a bionic mustache*!!!

*Note: Mustache may not actually be bionic.

No new information on the press release front, it's pretty much the same thing they showed a couple of months ago. However, if you want new screenshots, look no further.

Finally, GameTrailers has some new videos, including a "tech interview:"

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-2010-bionic-commando/700770

Kind of disappointed that Ben Judd is apparently not in charge of this one, or at least he doesn't seem to be. The first Rearmed was just so good...

As for story, at least here they confirmed that this is set a few years after Rearmed, but before last year's retail sequel.

More vids:

Hulk Papa Boss Gameplay

Urban Gameplay

Snow Boss Gameplay

Henroid

"Leaps into action"? Really? Really?

I saw the trailer just a moment ago, I liked what I saw.

Lunker

Hmm. The first one was fantastically awesome, but it doesn't look like GRIN is working on it (or that other start that the old Rearmed team just formed a few days ago), so I'm cautiously optimistic.

NeuralFizz

So far so good. I've got no problems with jumping. The first rearmed was a blast. Is this not being made by the same people?

MrVyngaard

I dunno. I mean, it's just such a radical change.

This jumping thing.

We might have to boycott this sort of nonsense.

But not really. HELL YES BCR2!

LBD_Nytetrayn

Forgot to add developer details at the start, but I've added it to the OP. But simply put: nope.

Henroid wrote: »

"Leaps into action"? Really? Really?

I'm open to other suggestions for a title, it was just the best I could come up with at this late hour that said "Bionic Commando Rearmed 2" and "WTF, jumping?"

Steev

NeuralFizz wrote: »

So far so good. I've got no problems with jumping. The first rearmed was a blast. Is this not being made by the same people?

Grin went out of business last year, but it looks like it's being made by a company called fatshark. They are also based out of Sweden and it looks like at least one of their employees used to work at Grin.

http://www.giantbomb.com/fatshark-ab/65-6781/people/

I am fine with jumping in this game, just as I was fine without it in the first one. I loved that game, and hopefully this one will be just as good.

Sollah

already posted my thoughts in another thread:

Sollah wrote: »

I honestly dunno what to think about that. On one hand, it would make it easier, and I doubt the addition would break the game's difficulty in any way. On the other, I'm so used to playing the series without it (except for the 3D one of course).

It'd be interesting if there's an option to turn it off, though I won't cry about it if there isn't (hopefully).

Henroid

LBD_Nytetrayn wrote: »

Forgot to add developer details at the start, but I've added it to the OP. But simply put: nope.

Henroid wrote: »

"Leaps into action"? Really? Really?

I'm open to other suggestions for a title, it was just the best I could come up with at this late hour that said "Bionic Commando Rearmed 2" and "WTF, jumping?"

No the title works, specifically because of the groan aftertaste. :P

Wulf

That spot won me over with BC trying to reach for the platform.
*Ungh* *UUUUNGH* I CAN DO IIIIT... *ungh* I can't do it

Barrabas

Sollah wrote: »

already posted my thoughts in another thread:

Sollah wrote: »

I honestly dunno what to think about that. On one hand, it would make it easier, and I doubt the addition would break the game's difficulty in any way. On the other, I'm so used to playing the series without it (except for the 3D one of course).

It'd be interesting if there's an option to turn it off, though I won't cry about it if there isn't (hopefully).

I doubt there will be an option to turn it off. I'm sure the levels will be designed so there are platforms where you have to jump to hook to them (Like when they first showed jumping in the trailer). Turning it off would probably require a redesigning of the levels.

-SPI-

Why the fuck would I need to jump in Bionic Commando? That's a stupid change.

Steev

Since it's a completely new game, I am fine with the jumping. I hope they can do just as well with the level design, though. The first Rearmed's level design was mostly based on the original NES game's levels, with the exceptions being the last stage and the two corridor levels. This one, I assumine, will be comprised of just original content. I also wonder how the music will fare.

LBD_Nytetrayn

Updated OP with screens and the press release. Q1 2011, folks.

Monger

I thought I was over GRIN being dead. I am not. Jumping is pretty cool, I suppose. Then again

-SPI- wrote: »

Why the fuck would I need to jump in Bionic Commando? That's a stupid change.

Wait.

All new musical score inspired by NES-era sound effects, produced by the same creative mind behind the original Bionic Commando Rearmed soundtrack

Okay. I'm in.

RainbowDespair

I wasn't a big fan of the first one (the whole thing just felt clunky) so maybe I'll like this one better.

Monger

You're clunky.

Henroid

Why have NES-era sound when you can go for the Commodore 64?

Mechanical

Looking forward to it.

-SPI-

Bionic Commando can only feel clunky if you aren't good at it yet. It's pretty much the whole point of the game and where the satisfaction comes from to get good enough with the swinging so you move fluid and fast. Once you're proficient with the arm you would never need or want to jump, which is why this change is unnecessary and stupid.

Bullio

Absolutely looking forward to this. The original was fantastic. I've been meaning to get back to it at some point to finish the challenges and achievements. I never did get Cat Burglar, though I was close a couple times. That image after the final boss? Epic. I have mixed feelings on the addition of jumping, though.

Mechanical

There had better be exploding heads.

RainbowDespair

-SPI- wrote: »

Bionic Commando can only feel clunky if you aren't good at it yet. It's pretty much the whole point of the game and where the satisfaction comes from to get good enough with the swinging so you move fluid and fast. Once you're proficient with the arm you would never need or want to jump, which is why this change is unnecessary and stupid.

Actually, my main issue was with weapon changing, not a lack of jumping.

Cherrn

LBD_Nytetrayn wrote: »

Q1 2011, folks.

Goooooooooooood.

UncleSporky

I have always hated Bionic Commando because you can't jump and I always die and it's terrible not being able to do a simple thing that every other video game character can do in a similar situation. You don't even have to be able to jump very high, just let me do something. Even Castlevania jumping. Ugh.

So maybe I will look at this because it's finally fixing a terrible broken series.

Cantido

RainbowDespair wrote: »

-SPI- wrote: »

Bionic Commando can only feel clunky if you aren't good at it yet. It's pretty much the whole point of the game and where the satisfaction comes from to get good enough with the swinging so you move fluid and fast. Once you're proficient with the arm you would never need or want to jump, which is why this change is unnecessary and stupid.

Actually, my main issue was with weapon changing, not a lack of jumping.

My main issue was Lives and why the fuck were they in a 21st century game. I don't care how cute and charming seeing the old 1-up is. I want to make mistakes over and over and not have to grind to get back at it after a while.

LBD_Nytetrayn

Added the following statement from Christian Svensson to OP:

The Rearmed 2 team has several original members from the Grin team and is running on the same engine/made with the same tools.

Steev

OK, cool, this is definitely starting to sound like it's on the right track.

The announcement actually got me to finally open my copy of Bionic Commando which I've had for the 360 for a while. I'm not really far at all, but it seems pretty cool so far. I'm sure my opinion will change as I progress and it gets frustrating, but hopefully it won't.

Zxerol

New Bionic Commando Rearmed = yay

Jumping in BC = boo

People who complain about not being able to jump in BC = crazy weird, like those people who wind their toilet paper with the flap under the roll in the holder

SteevL wrote: »

The announcement actually got me to finally open my copy of Bionic Commando which I've had for the 360 for a while. I'm not really far at all, but it seems pretty cool so far. I'm sure my opinion will change as I progress and it gets frustrating, but hopefully it won't.

While I was a pretty ardent supporter of new Bionic Commando pre-release, I found that I actually had to work in order for the care to actually finish the damned game in the end. It felt off, soulless, and the angsty srs bsns of its thematic elements and story really grated, especially when compared to the comparatively lighter-hearted, don't-give-a-fuck vibe of Rearmed.

Oh, and god the ending. Fuck that ending. What the fuck.

Henroid

I can call people crazy too for thinking jumping doesn't have a place in Bionic Commando.

I love people who get all puritan about video games. I'm one of them though, I've bitched about shit like this for other series.

Zxerol

in all seriousness though, while I think implementing jumping in BC is kinda missing the point of the game, I honestly don't really care as long as the game is fun and level design is tight.

My enjoyment of the original BC:R was about 10% nostalgia -- the rest of it was because the game is just plain goddamned fun. If they can capture that with a whole new game without the benefit of rose-tinting, then all the better.

Henroid

I never saw the inability of jumping as being the "point" of the game. The point of the game was to shoot the guys and blow shit up.

Peewi

I hope that there'll be a PC version despite it not being announced.

I think I saw someone say that jumping will make the game easier. I'd guess that it's the opposite since the levels will be designed around it.

Zxerol

Henroid wrote: »

I never saw the inability of jumping as being the "point" of the game. The point of the game was to shoot the guys and blow shit up.

well, that basically describes about 90% of all games ever, then

you have to have a schtick mang, a hook. and the hook of BC was you had A GODDAMNED ROBOTIC SWINGING ARM SON. why are you gonna jump when you have a GODDAMNED ROBOTIC SWINGING ARM

but it's a moot argument anyway because like I said, I really don't care as long as the game is well-made and fun.

-SPI-

I'll most certainly love it anyway, Re-Armed was my personal game of the year when it came out. But still, jumping, whaaaaat? What are you guys doing?

Plus overreacting is fun.

Zxerol

Actually, come to think of it, I think a lot of people's problems with the game isn't just the lack of jumping (although that's a pretty big deal because it works against all those years of muscle memory and common videogaming expectations), but the lack of air control. I think that is a big element when people talk about how "clunky" and imprecise the game feels.

Now that's quite a bit more contentious, I think, because I'm not sure about it. I didn't mind it at all in Rearmed, and think it's one of the game's charms, but I've also played the NES game like a grip of times already so I was pretty cool with that nuance. But then again, I also remember trying to play Ghouls and Ghosts game a few years back (a series I'm not nearly as familiar with) and that mechanic drove me up the fucking wall like nothing.

I wonder if they'll keep that in, along with long stretches of instant death chasms if you fuck up a swing and can't correct it in mid-air.

-SPI-

I think you have to be careful with things like that, it could make it more accessible to some people starting out but you risk diminishing the high skill level satisfaction you get once the controls and systems click.

Make no bones about it, I think everyone playing Bionic Commando (rearmed or the nes original) for the first time start out with "what the fuck is going on?! I don't even... Dude what the fuck?" and then slowly get into the swing of things until they're proficient and can storm through levels which makes it all the more satisfying.

Same kind of thing with the spiderman games really, Spiderman 2 is considered the best by a large number of people due to the complex and satisfying swing mechanics. In subsequent games they tried to make the swinging more streamlined and easy to get into but at the same time made it far less satisfying and fun.

Anyway, more BC is going to be sweet, with more awesome music. I wonder if the top down sections will make a return?

Brainiac 8

I'm hoping they consider the Next Gen Bionic Commando as never happening with it's stupid dead wife arm stupidity.

mrsnackroad

I am tentatively excited for this.

Cautiously optimistic you see.

HOLY SHIT YOU GUYS ITS A NEW BIONIC COMMANDO, A GOOD 2D ONE!

Clearly, reserving judgement until I see more, play a demo.

truck-a-sauras

Jumping or not, count me in for more fun. Recently noticed how few achievements I have for Rearmed..... dang I'm not that good. Still loved the challenge room stuff anyway.

Rex Dart

FUCK JUMPING BOYCOTT BCR2!!!!!!1

Okay, I'm joking. But seriously, I don't like that addition. I absolutely loved BCR though, so I'm still very interested in this. I wonder if they'll have more maddeningly hard challenge missions.