STACK #194 Dec 2020

GAMING FEATURE

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of them by playing the game, solving puzzles, etc.

Are there any disadvantages in creating a new IP from scratch? Developing a game, especially a new IP, is about adapting to a shifting reality as the game vision takes form. This is the reality of game development and the creative process behind their production. Developing a game during a global pandemic certainly brought a lot of additional challenges, but we’re proud to see how the team has adapted to this new reality and found ways to create an amazing new IP.

our gameplay experience is quite unique and varied

What do you like most about Immortals Fenyx Rising ? My favourite thing is the mixture

Shiny new action-adventure Immortals Fenyx Rising arrives this month.We spoke with game director Scott Phillips to discover more about its exciting world of gods and monsters… Words Amy Flower

of gameplay. With

our three pillars of over-the-top mythological combat, fast- paced traversal and challenging puzzles, I believe our gameplay experience is quite unique and varied, and allows players to choose what they want to engage in at any moment based on what’s appealing to them. If I feel like exploring,

I know I’ll find something meaningful while gliding, climbing or double jumping around the world. If I feel like fighting, I can always scout for a small pack of corrupted enemies or seek out a legendary or world boss enemy. And if I feel like solving puzzles, there’s always a small hidden chest up to giant constellation myth challenges to keep me busy solving riddles. What do you most wish for players to take away from their Immortals Fenyx Rising

Immortals Fenyx Rising was born as Gods and Monsters ; did the change in name cause any difference to the direction of the game? Extra development time allowed us to push our initial vision even further and explore new avenues. As this vision was coming to life and developing a more mature tone, we felt the game needed a new name to better reflect those changes. Immortals Fenyx Rising evokes the timeless nature of not only gods and magical creatures, but also the

• Immortals Fenyx Rising is out Dec 3

experience? We hope players enjoy the world of the Golden Isle as much as we enjoyed making it!

are many references to obscure facts for mythology fans – but our main story is a new original tale inspired by the landscape of Greek mythology. It dances around the classical myths, and players can learn many

thrill of mythology itself – stories and legends that live forever through storytelling. We also felt it was important to shine a light on Fenyx and her journey, as the first main character of this new franchise. In what ways have you harnessed Greek mythology for the game? We worked with experts to fill ourselves with knowledge and make sure all aspects of the game would feel true to the essence of Greek mythology. We’re quite accurate when it comes to the original myths and the backstories of the gods – in fact, there

THELANDOF000! Ancient history wasn’t the only inspiration for Immortals Fenyx Rising , as games past also played their part. According to Phillips, “We’re all huge fans of action-adventure games from the early 2000s, like Jak and Daxter or Banjo-Kazooie . At the time, these games were already small-scale open worlds with platforming, puzzles, fights… and we felt nostalgic for this era. You don’t really see this kind of game anymore and this is certainly something that drove our vision. We wanted to reimagine this sort of formula to fit with nowadays formats, by bringing high-paced and over-the-top combat, with the Greek mythology as a frame.”

84 DECEMBER 2020

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