Primal

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Primal
Computer Game: System: PC2. Developer: Studio Cambridge. Publisher: SCEE. Game Type: Action Adventure. Price: Ł39.99 (UK). One player, DualShock 2, Memory Card. ESPA age rating: 15

check out website: www.primalgame.com and www.gamefaqs.com

The one thing that seems to happening with games such as ‘Primal’ is that they are more and more reliant on story. The lead character is Jen, a young woman with attitude and a dry sense of humour.

She's no Lara Croft though, coming from a background of lost parents and a string of foster homes. She lives with her boyfriend Lewis, who's the lead singer in a rockband, and the two of them have similar souls.

One night, while Lewis is just finishing a set, a strange tall figure appears staring with glowing eyes at Lewis on-stage. Spooked by this, both Jen and Lewis leave the club in a hurry. They are pursued by the figure that knocks Jen to the ground and leaps off skyward with Lewis.

Jen is left in a state of semi-conscious in hospital. She sees and hears strange visions of talking gargoyles. When she awakes she sees her body still lying in the hospital bed. She sees talking gargoyle Scree, servant of Arella Goddess of Order. He leads her to Oblivion, a Demon world split into four realms (Solum, Aquis, Aetha and Volca) with a central hub known as the Nexus.

This is the point at which you enter the game. You can control either Jen or Scree and both have differing abilities. Jen’s abilities expand as you travel through the different realms as she gains the ability to change into different demon forms giving her new gifts. This has the effect of expanding what you can and can't do in any particular area and because of good level design you are led through a world by your abilities to some extent.

There are plenty of demons to fight but in your normal human form you are relatively weak. The combat system is good but the targeting is poor when you have multiple assailants to deal with. Each fight is punctuated by a heavy rock track provided by 16volt who also provide the backing music to the intro and demo.

This gets the adrenaline pumping and works with the overall dark/gothic feel of the game. The rest of the game is accompanied with a full orchestral score. This is paced beautifully as is shown in Aquis. The music at the start of the level is gentle but increases in urgency and menace as you progress.

The story is developed throughout the game with cut scenes and some excellent voice acting. Jen voice is provided by Hudson Leick (played Callisto in ‘Xena’). Scree is played by Andreas Katsulas (G’Kar in ‘Babylon 5’). They are also joined by Sean Pertwee (‘Dog Soldiers’ amongst other things) as Jared. There is a wonderful balance between Scree's plumb voice and Jen's wry sense of humour and general disregard for authority.

This, along with some of the most scrumptious graphics on the PS2, creates a very real world and interesting characters. Just small touches such as heat haze and billowing smoke above the torches and some wonderful lighting effects provide some real eye candy. The actual character design is impressive with a sort of bondage gothic theme, it's refreshingly different from games of a similar ilk.

It's worth looking on the website http://www.primalgame.com to get an idea of how good the artwork is.

All this beauty is not skin deep - the game and story also warrant closer attention. The story being on a par with games like ‘Soul Reavier’ and ‘Blood Omen’. With both characters having different abilities it opens up some interesting puzzles. The game relies less on puzzle and door problems but more on getting both characters round obstacles.

Scree can climb smooth stone whereas Jen can squeeze through narrow gaps. For example, one of the early puzzles involves getting both characters through a cave of demons that will eat Jen as soon as look at her. Scree, on the other hand, being stone can walk straight through. Thus, Scree has to find a solution. By finding a fire and a torch Jen can safely pass as the demons are scared of fire.

The control of both characters is very much point and go. You come to a ledge or a gap and the character will just jump it. In a way this aids in the problem solving and keeps the game flowing with only the occasional 'Oh my God, where do I go next' situation arising. The camera happily follows the action leaving you to get on with playing although climbing walls can be a bit disconcerting at times.

As 3rd person action adventure games go, this is well above average. Perhaps it lacks that certain x-factor that raises some games such as ‘Tomb Raider’ to classic status. It's not without its faults though. The help system doesn't! You ask Scree and he just tells you the overall task in hand and nothing else, zip.

The levels are huge and this occasionally leads to confusion and aimless wandering. There is of course, plenty of help on-line (my favourite is www.gamefaqs.com but don't tell anyone I said that). This game will keep you playing for a while, the levels are huge and puzzles will keep you scratching your head for some time. It makes clever and equal use of both characters.

It's not overtly difficult allowing you to progress at a satisfying pace. The combat is not overtly intrusive with puzzles providing respites from the action. Perhaps in retrospect it's lacking a bit in depth but overall a very enjoyable romp through demon realms.

Phil Jones

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