Ben-DutkaIt was one of the first games unveiled for Sony's new PlayStation 4. We were a little disappointed to learn that Deep Down was a ways off, but the title remains hugely promising. This one will remind you of Dark Souls : The medieval-themed setting is very reminiscent of From Software's award-winning franchise, and the challenge could be pretty damn stiff, too. Designed to be played with others, Capcom's brand new IP should also be a sprawling, dungeon-filled, immensely dangerous adventure. Provided the mechanics are sound and the multiplayer rules, this one should be great.
The plot is a little hazy but here's what we know: Special warriors, called Ravens, travel back in time to face off against the nastiest creatures to ever walk the earth. We're not sure why the Ravens are doing this; perhaps it's a thrill-seeking thing. Whatever the reason, we will come across all manner of grotesque beasts, both freaky and aggressive. We'll be strapped into our cumbersome yet protective heavy armor suits, which is good 'cuz there's no knowing what lurks around the corner. We've seen a massive fire-breathing dragon in the tech demo, along with pig-like foes that reminded me of Beebop (TMNT).
Capcom is preparing a highly visceral experience. Powered by the much-lauded Panta Rhei engine, Deep Down should look fantastic. The effects will be loaded with plenty of blood, along with the sickening crunch of metal slamming into flesh and bone. You will encounter enemies in real-time, and the combat mechanic relies on positioning and timing. You can perform a quick back-step to give you some breathing room, and your long pike weapon will give you the distance edge. Other weapons will be featured as well, but I like the idea of staying the hell away from these hellish foes.
For the most part, combat will be fast-paced and demanding. Each one might feel like your last fight, so you'll have to be vigilant. Quick on the uptake, fast to react, that's you. Strategy is more difficult due to the procedurally generated areas, which will never be the same twice. Warp points will allow you to travel between these areas, but you can only activate the warp after you clear the dungeon. Survival doesn't merely rely upon your combat ability, either, because the developers have tossed in deadly traps for good measure. Flaming arrows that fly out of the wall, fire jets, etc. Very "Indiana Jones-y."
As you progress, you collect mana orbs, which are earned after defeating enemies. You can also find them in well-hidden treasure chests. Mana can be used for crowd-pleasing special attacks, but Capcom says the useful substance will have other uses as well. We don't have exact details concerning character advancement, but we imagine it'll be relatively complex. The game is definitely considered role-playing, so perhaps progression will be similar to Capcom's well-received Dragon's Dogma . It seems clear that they used the latter title as inspiration for the upcoming PS4 exclusive.
Now, let's not forget that as far as we know, Deep Down is a free-to-play online multiplayer game. It won't be playable until E3, so I won't be passing judgment, but F2P isn't always a popular model among the gaming populace. Capcom has said they want to deliver this title "as soon as possible" and we expect more details are just around the corner. However, if microtransactions start to feel very necessary, there are going to be some very disappointed individuals out there. That all being said, if Deep Down is as good as it can be, if Capcom puts their heart and soul into it, it might end up being a must-play title for the PS4.
F2P games always feel generic and patched together. Kinda hope this fails so Capcom can get back on track.
Watched 25 minutes of gameplay, and wow this game looks absolutely amazing. So freaking hyped.
I know most f2p games are generally on the low quality side, but there have been a few that I've played that not only felt like triple A games, but didn't make you feel like you were missing out if you didn't buy anything.
If they can pull that off here, it does look promising. The f2p model can be done well, it's just a question of will they.
Good f2p allows the casual peeps to play totally free while those who are truly invested don't mind spending a little here and there for unnecessary extra's in order to support the game and show off a little to their friends.
Something occurs to me about how necessary the micro-transactions may feel. Similar games from capcom, such as monster hunter and dragon's dogma, had some really horrible drop rates. I hope that whatever they try to monetize isn't related to that. Having to slay the same enemy 50 times for something is par for the course for MH veterans, but it would be supremely annoying to see people just pay for it.
I have the opposite opinion. I couldn't care less if someone pays real money for a low drop item. I really find the idea of so many companies vying for my dollars to be… an annoyance…
I already have little enough free time as it is. I'm not going to dump money into any game that requires a long term subscription to enjoy. I played FF11 for a few years, and I truly loved the game, but I gave up because my life demanded more of my time, and I'd not touch it once in a month, then feel I wasted my money paying for it.
I LIKE the option to pay for premium content in an MMO. If done right, it's a great thing! With people already paying subscriptions for even the right to play online, there just has to be a limit. 10 companies can't all expect us to pay them 10 ways if the sub is too high. Would I pay $60 for a year of FF14… Sure. Will I pay $15 a month. No. No I won't. I have never touched WoW, ever. I know I'd enjoy Eve Online, but I know I won't play enough to earn my subscription in game. I DO APPRECIATE that a person CAN earn their subscription in game though.
I just don't put enough into my online playtime to justify the high cost of some of these games. Sure $15 a month sounds cheap, but that's $180 a year, and if I play 2 or 3 years… Yeah.
I also am no fan of the idea that when the servers say goodbye, all that investment becomes for nothing.
I'm just not much into the MMO concept, I guess. I KNOW I enjoy them, but not enough to make me pay for something that will draw my cash for far too long and amount to nothing in the end.
At least my single player games are still good, even if the online service dies!
Apart from looking good from a pure graphical perspective I think this looks like one generic pile of cookie-cutter standard fantasy RPG. Heck I even think I've seen every single mob in this clip before.
I'd love to be the fly on the wall on some of these project meetings.
– "Let's keep ambitions low here guys, and please keep your creativity to yourself. Let's just make a game that has everything we've seen in fantasy games before and see if we can sell it again. Let's make some money! Go go go!".
I give any interesting looking F2P game a go and this looks interesting. Don't know if it will pull me away from Dark Souls 2, Infamous second son, and the other Sony exclusives I will be playing this year. But it does look like a fun diversion.
Last edited by xenris on 1/31/2014 10:14:21 AM
i do expect Low drop rates like MH Dragons Dogma and Breath of fire games
i do expect the typical cash shop with xp boosts costumes accessories
game looks alright
Ben obviously you don't play many MMOS this is actually quite different than most MMOS though you really should look at FF11 creatures if you want something to complain about
FF11 example Malboro and ochu used the exact same green malboro Model and in FF games they have different way different looks not to mention FF11 they also had the exact same attacks
Deep Down is nothing like Dark Souls and thats good
1) F2P means we'll get the "free" choice of 2 character classes and 2 dungeons, each other class and dungeon costing 5$
2) thank you Demon's/Dark souls for inspiring supremely difficult games most people can't enjoy
This game was the system seller for me. I guess Ill stay tuned. I held off on the purchase of the PS 4 for now.