Conduit 2 | |
---|---|
Developer | High Voltage Software |
Publisher | Sega |
Release Date | April 19, 2011 |
Platform | Wii |
Genre | First-Person Shooter |
Rating | Teen |
Conduit 2 is a Wii FPS developed by High Voltage Software and published by SEGA. It is the sequel to 2009's game The Conduit. On March 29th, Nintendo Power confirmed that Conduit 2 was set for release on Fall 2010, exclusive to the Wii. [1] The player plays as Michael Ford again as with the first game.[2] On October 13th, a trailer was released to confirm the release date of sometime around February 2011. The game was supposed to be released on the 15th of February, but on January 18, 2011, it was pushed to March 22. On January 28, 2011, it was further delayed to April 19, 2011 [3]
Gameplay
Because the story in the original wasn't too immersive, HVS has hired a new writer experienced in video games who worked on Prey.[4] Ford also is more talkative in this game. This decision was
made because the developer thought that Ford's taciturn nature in the first game prevented his personality from showing.[5]
Conduit 2 is seeing a heavy amount of gameplay change to improve on the gameplay from the first game. High Voltage Software is changing the way levels flow, making them less predictable and straightforward. The environments are larger and will offer more tactical freedom and give players a chance to explore. There are branching levels that will offer multiple paths for the player to take, and each path will offer different gameplay experiences. The ability to sprint has been added. There is now a bigger emphasis on cover. The enemies, as well as the player, can flip and knock over things like tables and filing cabinets for makeshift cover. If there is no cover, enemies have been seen to twist their body to avoid fire from the player. The enemies possess different weapons, unlike in The Conduit, where an enemy type only had one weapon. The enemy AI behavior also changes depending on which weapon they have. For example, a foe with a shotgun will attempt to run up to Ford to shoot him at close range, while a foe with a rifle will hang back and shoot from afar.[6]
Players will have many options to modify their character's appearance. They will be able to choose from different suit loadouts, similar to a class, each with their own attributes. Currency can be gained to unlock suit upgrades, armor, and more that hasn't been revealed. The suit loadouts can change gameplay style and must be chosen tactically, for example, one might make you move slow, but it will have a lot of defense. From the loadout you will be able to choose the weapons and suit upgrades, which act as perks. The suit upgrades are similar to the perk system in the Call of Duty series, except upgrades can be unlocked in the single player mode as well. [7] There are nearly 30 suit upgrades. Suit upgrades add abilities to the character. Some upgradess are Stealth, which makes you invisible on radar, and Armory, which lets a character carry up to two heavy weapons at a time instead of only one.[8]
This new class system can be used in single player, as well as in multiplayer. In the beginning of a level, a player can choose his loadout weapons and customize his appearance with different helmets and color schemes. High Voltage, for now, has decided “to have one primary suit slot and three secondary slots where you can equip upgrades, but that may change in the final game.”[9]
Conduit 2 supports Wii MotionPlus for enhanced precision control and better tracking, but it is not required to play the game.[10]
Conduit 2 features Classic Controller and Classic Controller Pro support. Mainly to compete with GoldenEye 007 Wii and to please people who like dual analog better. [3]
Campaign
Backstory
The backstory of the game comes from Mesopotamian Mythology, much like the original game. In the original game, they backstory was revealed through hidden messages and revealed that Prometheus and Adams were an alien race called the Annunaki and were present through many alien events in real history. In the second game, a much more clear definition of this is revealed.
HVS developers used what the 10 Annunaki were in Mesopotamian Mythology for their game. In mythology they ruled over the humans until one of their own caused a rebellion that the Ducaz settled, this eventually led to the destruction of Atlantis, a key plot point in the game. Prometheus caused the humans to rebel against the 10 Progenitors who the humans called Annunaki, the Progenitors/Annunaki used the Ducaz to almost wipe them out, Prometheus then sunk Atlantis with Andromeda inside it before giving himself in to the Annunaki/Progenitors.
thumb|300px|left|Intro
Just as John Adams was secretly controlling the United States throughout many centuries, there are other aliens around the world who control other countries. Now that Adams plans to take over the whole world, Ford plans on asking these other aliens for help.
Therefore, through the game, Micheal Ford will travel to many locations around the world. Atlantis, which is also the ship the Drudge used to get to Earth,[11] will serve as a hub world, in which there are portals leading to the places he has to go to. Some of these places include Washington, D.C., Siberia, Agartha, and the Lost City of Z.
thumb|right|300px|Gun gameplay revealing the Dark Star
Story Mode Missions
Within Atlantis, it is possible to replay most of the missions at any time to find items that were missed on a first walkthrough. Boss battles can be replayed separately from the main level.
- Oil Rig
- Leviathan
- Atlantis
- Washington D.C.
- Atlantis Exploration
- Crash Site
- Precipice
- Serenity
- China
- Li
- Siberia Crash
- Siberia (Mission)
- Siberia Scape
- Lost City of Z
- Adams Battle
- Agartha
Plot
Warning: Spoilers start here.
The game begins with a CGI cutscene of the final moments of The Conduit campaign, with Michael Ford and Prometheus entering a conduit to escape from the Trust facility before it self-destructs, then images of some of Atlantis areas are shown, as well as a shot of the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean where Atlantis is sunk. A mysterious creature appears and swims up to the surface where an unknown oil platform can be seen, located near Atlantis' location. On that platform a bright light from a conduit flashes, signaling Ford's arrival to the platform. An unknown character narrates through the intro sequence, hinting the events that would unfold at the end of the game.
After Michael Ford exits of the conduit from The Trust Base, he spawns in a big oil derrick off the coast of Florida, near the Bermuda Triangle.[12] Ford lands on all fours. As he stands up, one of the workers tries to shoot him with what appears to be a USP45 pistol, but Michael disarms and takes him down. Another worker throws a wrench at him, but Ford catches it, and throws it back, which hits the worker, and knocks him over the edge of the derrick. Ford then picks up the pistol that the first worker had. All the people there are hostile to Ford and try to kill him. As Ford makes his way through the derrick, he encounters a Leviathan, a giant sea serpent. After the boss fight with the Leviathan, Ford ends up going down with the creature deep into the ocean to the lost city of Atlantis, which serves as a hub area where the player is given new missions to take on.
When he awakens, Ford is "welcomed" by the ship's defense systems, sending on him several mechanical beings, whose Prometheus reveal to him as being named Fixers and Sentries. They both discover that the doors leading to the main chamber of the ship are locked, so they take a small detour to find the console that unlocks the door. When Ford manages to get into the chamber, he acquires the Destroyer Armor, which is far more advanced than the Trust Armor. Shortly after Ford reaches to Atlantis' main hub, where he awakens the dormant Andromeda, whom upon awakening tries to find Prometheus. Prometheus asks Ford to not reveal his pressense to Andromeda yet, so he pretends to not know him. Andromeda is shocked to see Michael Ford, wearing the armor of the destroyer and carrying the "All Seeing Eye". After explaining the situation to her, she resumes her task of providing help to the wearer of the armor. With a coordinate retrieved by Prometheus, Andromeda sends Ford back into Washington D.C. so he can find Adams.
On Washington, Ford and Prometheus soon discover what has happened to the place after the detonation of the Trust base, only encountering enemy Drudge and Trust soldiers as the only remaining living beings left on the city. They also learn that some Drudge no longer are on the same side as the Trust, finding them figthing eachother several times, furthermore, he and Promethus encounter a friendly Drudge named Thex, that reveals that somehow Michael set them free and some of them dont work for the Trust anymore. After exploring more, Ford manages to enter into a hidden chamber in the National Institute, discovering the locations of other Progenitors. Prometheus realises that Adams is intenting to kill them to become more powerful.
Back to Atlantis, Ford is forced to reactivate the ship's systems due to years of lack of maintenance. Andromeda is starting to realise that Ford does know Prometheus and suspects that the two are working together. While they are exploring Atlantis depths, Prometheus revelas that Andromeda used to fight alongside him, but is angry at Prometheus because she thinks he betrayed her. After fixing the systems, she finds out the Ford has actually been with Prometheus, and reveals to him some details, like the ASE being the "Eye of Tiamat", and that she was locked in this ship by Prometheus. After reactivating the conduit on Atantis, Ford travels to China.
Within this new location, Prometheus reveals that it is the residence of his brother Li, and that the Trust is also after him, so it becomes Ford's task to warn him. Prometheus also reveals to Ford that he is not the first "Destroyer", and that the previous one did not have a good ending. He also reveals latter in the mission that Adams used his own dna to create the Drudge but failed and only one creation survived, which was the reason why he decided to use Prometheus as the blueprint for all Drudge. After battling both the Trust soldiers, plus Li's defense systems, Ford gets into Li's inner chamber. Soon after reaching there, Li reveals himself, explaining how the previous Destroyer tried to kill him, and because of Ford wearing the same armor, believes that he has come to do the same thing. After a fierce battle, Li dies and Prometheus prompts Michael to absorb him with the ASE. Michael is not happy to do that as he believes it is the same thing Adams was trying to do, but Promethues convinces him that is for good.
Once Ford travels back to Atlantis, Andromeda forces Michael to tell her the truth. Prometheus reveals himself which earns Adnromeda's anger. She refuses to hear Prometheus' excuses, so he sends them to go to Siberia to warn Katarina.
Upon reaching to Siberia, Ford and Prometheus find a ship piloted by Free Drudge, and they decide to help them on their mission. In exchange, they leave Ford at the entrance of Katarina's fortress, which is now overrun by the Trust, and discovers that the Progenitor is being held captive. Katarina manages to contact Michael Ford telephaticaly asking him to help her. When they reach her, they find Katarina to be too wounded to survive, so she decides to give them her power so Adams cannot take it. Ford re-encounters with the Free Drudge and escape the complex, but they engage in an air battle against a Trust ship. After destroying the Trust forces, Andromeda sends them the coordinates of the last Progenitor in the world that has yet to be captured.
The free drudge leave Ford at the Lost City of Z, where he battles the local Trust forces there. When he finds the last Progenitor, Prometheus explains to him that the powers he has collected as well as that of Prometheus himself will do nothing unless they are transfered to Ford. Ford, knowing that this would prove to be fatal for Prometheus, refuses to accept the power, but Prometheus tells him that there is no other way. Ford endures the process that infuses him with the energy and ask Promethus what has he done, at which he responses that it was what it had to be done, being these Prometheus' last words.
After this Michael goes back to Atlantis but uppon reaching there, he finds Atlantis defense system to have been breached by Adams strike forces. A grenade appears and the blast knocks both Ford and Andromeda to the ground, incapable to defense themselves. Adams appears and finally acquires the ASE, but finds it to be empty, and ask Ford to tell him where Prometheus went, and senses that Ford has been absorbing Progenitor energy. Ford manages to release from Adams grip and a battle between the two ensures.
After dealing enough damage to Adams, he reverts back into his original Progenitor form. Before the battle wrecks all of Atlantis, Andromeda activates a conduit leading to the center of the Earth, Agartha, which Ford uses to send him and Adams there to have a final showdown. Despite his superior powers, Adams is defeated and killed by Ford, and he decides to use ASE on him. After absorbing Adams powers (and those of all the progenitors he previously absorbed), the ASE goes berserk and sends a signal to the sky. The signal reaches to an unknown machine floating in the depths of space, powering it up and beginning a travel directed to Earth. Back on Agartha, the conduit that brough Ford there activates and several persons wearing Destroyer Suits appear. Ford is shocked at realising that two of these people are former american presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, telling him that they have come to help. The credits of the game then roll.
In the post credits gameplay, Ford comes back at Atlantis, where Andromeda expresses regret for how she treated Prometheus after what he did to help Michael. She also states that Atlantis' sensors have picked a massive energy signature getting closer to them, and fears that the worst is yet to come.
Note: End of spoilers.
Multiplayer
Main Article: Multiplayer
Just like its predecessor, Conduit 2's multiplayer mode will be playable online through Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, up to 12 players can play competitive. The new HUD in multiplayer looks similar to Halo 3's HUD. It will also support the Headbanger headset for voice chat, which was released in late October. It will not include Wii speak support due to a joint decision made by Nintendo and High Voltage Software. Players will be able to voice chat with friends and rivals.[13]It also has a 2-4 player split-screen versus mode. thumb|300px|right|Mulitplayer Trailer
The game will not feature weapon sets like those of the original. Instead, players will use the weapons from their custom loadouts by purchasing weapons from an in-game store using points they earn while playing. When you start a map you have four custom classes to pick from and there will be a map rotation where players will pick from 2 maps to prevent everyone from voting for the same maps over and over again. The weapons will also be upgradable, and will have secondary fire.
Team Invasion
Main Article: Invasion Mode
Up to four people Offline can play in a new co-op mode which will let players fight against waves of enemies on 3 different multiplayer maps. The enemies drop coins, which can be used in the in-game store, if you are killed you will lose some of your coins, and teammates can grab them. Difficultly and the map can be adjusted before starting.
Areas
12 multiplayer maps are featured in Conduit 2, with The Conduit's three returning maps Streets, Pentagon, and Sanctum, as well as 9 entirely new levels.
- Streets Prime
- Pentagon Prime
- Sanctum Prime
- Agartha
- Lost City
- Serenity
- Precipice
- Whiteout
- Crash Site
- Abyss
- Avalanche
- Dig Site
Multiplayer Game Modes
Conduit 2 offers more game modes than the previous Conduit and also includes some old game modes and unique ones as well.
- Deathmatch: First player to the kill the limit in the time allowed wins.
- ASE Ball: Longest time holding the ASE wins.
- Bounty Hunter:Kill your assigned target for points or kill those hunting you for fun (killing someone who isn't the target will cost the player points).
- Free For All CTF:Get to the flag and then carry it back to a random goal location. First to the scoring limit wins.
- Team Deathmatch: First Team to kill the limit in the time allowed wins.
- Shared Stock: Teammates share a pool of lives while trying to get the highest kill count possible.
- Capture the Flag: Each team tries to capture the ASE (flag) of the other. First team to the capture limit in the time allowed wins.
- Killing Override: First team to the kill or capture limit wins.
- VIP: Fight to kill the randomly selected VIP on the opposing team. First team to the point limit wins!
- Single Flag CTF: Teams fight over a single centrally-located ASE (flag). First team to the capture limit wins.
- ASE Basketball: Each team tries to capture a centrally-located ASE and then carry it into the enemy base. Toss or carry the ASE through the goal to score. First team to the point limit wins.
- Balloon Battle: Lose balloons with every death. Gain balloons with kills. With no balloon, become a mini bomb! Last player alive wins.
- Annexation:: Teams fight for control over capture points. These totems award points over time. First team to the point limit wins.
- Power Surge: Teams must defend their own generator while destroying the enemy's when its shield is down. First team to destroy the generator or the team with the more intact generator wins.
Ally System
The Ally system is a new feature in the game. Very similar to the Rival System in Metroid Prime Hunters and Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom, in the Ally system a player can flag another player in the lobby and if they accept the invitation they will be added to your friends list (up to 64 friends) and you can find them online without having to exchange Friend codes. Friend codes are still usable in the game, however.[14]
Weapons
All main weapons from The Conduit are included, as well as five new weapons. Each gun from The Conduit has been tweaked to some degree, and either an alternate fire or the ability to aim down the iron sights has been added.[7]. Also the prototype weapon HVS45 is included.
Unlike the first game, all weapons are available in every game type, be it single player, co-op, or multiplayer. They are also categorized by the the type of "bullet" they fire: Ballistic - Energy - Explosive.
Patches
One of the many things High Voltage Software included in Conduit 2 is a patching system for them to address any problems that that the game had after launch. (Note: This table is currently incomplete, please add if you can!)
Date | Details |
19/04/2011 |
|
30/06/2011 |
|
21/07/2011 |
EXPLOIT FIXES
BUG FIXES
|
15/08/2011 |
|
Conduit 2 on the Nintendo 3DS
High Voltage was at one point working on a title for the Nintendo 3DS system, possibly based on The Conduit universe it will use an adapted version of the Quantum 3 Engine and may explore the backstory of some characters, its unofficialy known as Conduit 3ds by fans and media. The title was in the early stages of development, but to showcase the capabilities of the game and the console, full levels and weapons from Conduit 2 were ported to the 3DS to serve as a tech demo. The title was controlled with the slide pad to move, the touch screen used to aim, and it featured a third person mode.[2] The title has been seemingly canceled.
Marketing
High Voltage Software and Sega ran a sweepstakes whose winners will get their faces shown on Missing person fliers or Wanted posters on the game. Lucky winners will win a free copy of Conduit 2 (This offer is exclusive to residents of the USA and Canada excluding Québec).[16] The contest is officially over, but the winners are yet to be revealed.
In E3 interviews, Hight Voltage representatives said that a demo was possible, but unlikely, as it has only been done once before, with Monster Hunter Tri.
Gallery
References
- ↑ SEGA Unveils Conduit 2 For Wii, First Screens
- ↑ Nintendo Power (May 2010), page 73
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 [1] Cite error: Invalid
<ref>
tag; name "Conduit 2 delay" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ E3: The Conduit 2 Gaming Age
- ↑ The Conduit 2 Eyes-On Impressions: Re-Rigging the Adventure
- ↑ Gamespot Conduit 2 impressions
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Gaming Union E3 2010: Conduit 2 Preview
- ↑ Gamezone Conduit 2 E3 preview
- ↑ The Conduit 2 sur Wii : plus d'infos et premières images
- ↑ SEGA America Blog | Conduit 2 to Support Wii MotionPlus
- ↑ Joystiq Conduit 2 preview
- ↑ Conduit 2 level with Boss!
- ↑ Tanooki Conduit 2 E3 Impressions
- ↑ Screw Attack Interview with Bill Sullivan
- ↑ E310: Conduit 2 Definitely lookin’ good
- ↑ Conduit 2 Sweepstakes- Put Your Face in Our Game!
caresr