As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that Revenge Of The Savage Planet has caught my eye like a rare alien artifact. The shift from first-person to third-person perspective is a bold move, but one that piques my curiosity. It’s not just about the technical aspects; it’s about the potential for physical comedy, status effects, and emotional depth that this change brings.

“There’s only so much I can do with hands.”

As a gamer, I can’t help but share a hilarious line from my animation director, Mike Menillo, about our upcoming game, Revenge of the Savage Planet – the sequel to 2020’s Journey to the Savage Planet. Here it goes: “It’s bigger, badder, and more savage!” It perfectly encapsulates one of the main transformations we’ve made in this new adventure.

The shift from first-person perspective to a third-person view in the game serves as a fresh take for players who previously identified with their characters. This change allows players to see their characters from an external vantage point, almost like standing over their shoulder. For the developers at Raccoon Logic, this transition was an exciting opportunity to explore new creative territories, aiming to surpass the previous adventure.

During a recent online press gathering, TopMob observed a demonstration where they kept their hands off. Although the shift in perspective was startling, given the team’s response, this change might prove extremely beneficial when we embark on space travel once more.

Shifting perspectives

According to the team, switching between a first- and third-person perspective doesn’t affect quality; it’s all about personal preference. As Hutchinson explained, some people might find the first-person view more engrossing, while others might prefer the third-person perspective that appeals to a broader audience. It’s a matter of striking a balance, neither is superior or inferior – just distinctly different.

Right from the start, transitioning to third-person perspective seemed, in terms of development, like unlocking a vast, unexplored realm of possibilities. With third-person, the team could concentrate on aspects such as physical humor, status effects, and even emotions. The character demonstrated in the demo moves, leaps, glides, and dodges through the world with a distinct personality, showcasing characteristics unique to this perspective.

According to Hutchinson, using third-person perspective offers an excellent chance to infuse the player’s character with a lot more depth. This allows us to imbue their movements, like walking and running, with personality traits. Furthermore, every action they perform will ooze charisma. Additionally, platforming becomes smoother as players can now visually confirm if they’ve landed on a platform while jumping – or, in Hutchinson’s words, “you can see your feet!

The shift in perspective adds more player control, as customizable costumes will now be introduced for a fun interstellar fashion makeover. These costumes share resemblance with popular franchises, but Hutchinson clarifies that they are unique and legally differentiated, using terms such as “Temu Star Trek,” “Temu Power Ranger,” and “Temu Han Solo” to describe them.

Two-player co-op and the “sweet spot”

In “Revenge Of The Savage Planet,” you’ll have the opportunity to explore exotic worlds side by side with another player, as teamwork is a central focus of the game. It’s worth noting that this decision to only allow two players to play together simultaneously isn’t due to technical constraints. Instead, the developers are intentionally limiting co-op to just two players in a single session.

According to Hutchinson, two-player cooperative games seem to strike an ideal balance, as fewer players encourage more interactive banter and playful exchanges. This interaction isn’t limited to the task at hand; pairs are generally more open to experimenting, making mistakes, and enjoying the moment together. Add more players, though, and conversations often become focused on objectives rather than immersing themselves in the shared experience that Hutchinson calls a “common space.

In his own words, Hutchinson shares that he’s worked on numerous two-player cooperative games such as Army of Two: The 40th Day, Far Cry 4, and Savage Planet. His vision is to let players enjoy the same kind of experience he had when growing up, huddled together on a couch with pizza, sharing stories with their best friend or loved one.

“Poop jokes and corporate satire”

One notable feature returning in Journey To The Savage Planet is its humorous tone. In the original game, you encountered exaggerated, fictional commercials on TVs and radios within the game environment. These amusing ads will reappear along with some fresh ones to discover. However, beyond the humor, the game also presents a more satirical critique of current societal issues, particularly in corporate environments. As Hutchinson describes it, “this is a game suitable for everyone.

Some of the silliness does come through in our demo, as the hero can kick any enemy away with the push of a button, sending them flying into the air. At another point, they defeat a small enemy that leaves behind some red goo, which then sets a small woodland creature on fire on contact. We even get a brief glimpse of one of the aforementioned in-game ads, where Shama Lama’s Ding Dong Academy is offering classes, but with a warning that “parkour and pottery may result in permanent injuries.”

Hutchinson explains that when a sketch has enough humor density, viewers tend to skim over parts they don’t find amusing and focus on the funny parts. The goal is to keep the game lively, not to overemphasize a joke, and instead let the audience create their own comedic chaos, which we call ‘interactive slapstick.’ However, humor involves taking risks; we aim to connect with an audience that enjoys our daring approach!

A new journey

Essentially, Revenge Of The Savage Planet is an expanded follow-up to its original, and the folks at Raccoon Logic expect that fans who loved the initial release will keep on enjoying it.

Hutchinson inquires, “Did you enjoy cooperative gameplay?” He continues, “Now, you have the option to engage in split-screen mode right here on your sofa, or cross-platform gaming with your quirky friend from Sweden.

Do you enjoy telling jokes? I can think of a much wilder scenario: You might end up sliding in some green slime, followed by accidentally igniting yourself, and then attempting to fight an alien crab with human eyes.

“You liked one alien planet? Now we have four!”

With these changes also comes a fresh, daring outlook, enhanced by the third-person perspective. Amplifying the finest elements of the initial game, and integrating the additional character aspects and customization that third-person view provides, Revenge Of The Savage Planet is evolving into a more expansive and improved adventure—complete with toilet humor and corporate satire.

In May 2025, the game titled “Revenge Of The Savage Planet” will be available for play on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and personal computers.

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2024-12-17 23:14