Below (video game)
| Below | |
|---|---|
_poster.jpg) Game poster | |
| Developer(s) | Capybara Games |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft Studios |
| Platform(s) | Xbox One |
| Release date(s) | TBA |
| Genre(s) | Adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Below is an adventure video game by Capybara Games for the Xbox One. The game was announced during Microsoft's E3 2013 press event.
Gameplay
Below is an adventure game viewed from a top-down perspective.[1] The player-character is a "tiny warrior exploring the depths of a remote island".[2] The game is about exploration, though that goal is contingent upon the character's survival.[2] Microsoft's Phil Spencer described the game at E3 2013 as a "creative take on roguelike gameplay" in a "mysterious world".[1] The environments are randomly generated.[2]
The game is designed to be difficult, with "brutal but fair combat" and permanent death.[2]
Below is expected to include multiplayer.[2]
Development
Below was announced at Microsoft's E3 2013 event.[1][2] The project had been in development for years.[2] The company had discussed ideas for the game, particularly the difficulty element with Capy's Kris Piotrowski, before games like Demon's Souls tested the genre.[2]
Capybara ("Capy") compared the game to "roguelikes of yore", as a "roguelike-like" with design choices like permanent death and high difficulty.[2] The game punishes recklessness and is designed for fair, but rigorous combat.[2] Nathan Vella of Capy described the game as a "super video game-y video game" for its aesthetics, soundtrack, and game mechanics.[2]
To create and emphasize scale, Capy chose to make the player-character small and use tilt-shift photography dramatically.[2]
It is expected for release on the Xbox One,[1][2] but is only exclusive to the console for a limited time.[3]
Music
Singer-songwriter Jim Guthrie composed the score.[1] His compositional work on a previous Capy release, Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP, led to their Below collaboration.[2] Capy has described Sword & Sworcery as a game built upon Guthrie's music, and Below as Guthrie's music built upon Capy's game.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Corriea, Alexa Ray (June 10, 2013). "Below by Capybara Games coming to Xbox One". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 McWhertor, Michael (June 11, 2013). "Below from Capy Games is an ode to roguelikes, with 'brutal but fair' combat". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ McWhertor, Michael (August 8, 2013). "Capy's Xbox One roguelike Below will come to other platforms". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved August 25, 2013.