Hydrophobia Prophecy Ps3 Review
Hydrophobia: Prophecy is an interesting third person action game that has truly fantastic water effects. Water has real volume and behaves realistically aboard the “Queen of the World”. The Queen is a large vessel that is unfortunately the target of terrorist Malthusians.
The Malthusians want people to die and credit must be given for asking such a straightforward request. You play as Kate, a ship engineer who battles her way through enemies aboard the flooded vessel. Kate is a likeable protagonist and her friend Scoot will aid you carefully. The game includes basic shooting, simple puzzles and lots of swimming, paddling, wading, diving and drowning.
Hydrophobia first arrived last year on Xbox Live Arcade, promising to be just the beginning of a trilogy of waterlogged adventure games. But after mixed reviews, developer Dark Energy Digital took.
Hydrophobia probably has the best water physics in any game to date. Water is so wonderful in Hydrophobia that it becomes a character in its own right. It’s exhilarating to open a door and have an unexpected wave of water knock you back. When waves cascade back and forth in rooms and corridors they create surges that can move objects about. Weapon fire and explosions create movement on the surface that propagates waves outward. Glass walls can be broken which in turn sends a wall of water into other areas.
Kate even feels resistance when the water gets to a certain height. Not to mention the times when you’ll be swimming through corridors and stairwells after the water rises significantly.
Air pockets allow Kate to take refuge before resuming her underwater journey. There aren’t many good puzzles in Hydrophobia. You might need to shoot a hanging wire to remove an electric charge from the water surface. You can use your portable ‘MAVI’ device to remotely open doors and let water extinguish flames. This device will also help you locate hidden door ciphers on walls and gain access to security cameras. There are only two buoyancy puzzles in the whole game but the second is merely a carbon copy of the first. Most of the time Kate just follows a waypoint to hack a console or exit a room.
In a world of such great physics more should have been done to exploit the brilliant creation. Instead of good puzzles the game includes lacklustre third person shooting. When not swimming for your life, you will be shooting some unfriendly Malthusians.
The AI is basic at best and the animation systems for the humans are robot like. The game builds in cover mechanics but sometimes pressing ‘c’ to get into cover doesn’t even work. There is only one weapon but you get access to several different types of ammunition. Unlimited sonic rounds can push objects or, with enough charge, blow them up. Standard bullets, electrified charges and explosive gel are other types of ammo but they don’t feel varied enough. You can engage in underwater fire fights and neatly grab floating debris for cover.
A few camera quirks can be distracting in and out of combat.
For those of you unfamiliar with the game, Hydrophobia Prophecy is third-person action adventure with a sci-fi twist and a unique dynamic feature; our custom HydroEngine fluid dynamics technology. It’s a full physics simulation for flowing water – the only one of it’s kind in games, which allows water to wash dynamically around the environments, carrying objects and characters along with it. If you’re a sucker for water or game physics, then it really is a sight to behold – we’re very fortunate here at Dark Energy to have some incredibly talented tech-heads!HydroEngine allows us to deliver dynamic and unique physics-based gameplay. Shoot out a window or weakened wall and water will crash through, wiping out any enemies that stand in the way.
You can also shoot environmental hazards like barrels to unleash floating oil fires (which can become a weapon or a hazard depending on the emergent flow behavior) or fuse boxes and cables to electrocute enemies. We’ve spent the time between releases well by implementing loads of improvements to the game for PSN, so it’s really a lot, lot better than previous versions. We’ve also tried to offer the best possible value to PSN customers, so hopefully people will find time to fit it in.Still, you’re absolutely right about all the incredible games coming out on PS3 right now it’s going to be getting a lot of use over the winter! I’ve got Uncharted 3 and Ico & Shadow of the Colosus HD at the top of my list right after I finish Batman!
Graphics have been improved a great deal; better lighting, crisper textures (with new detail-mapping tech for PS3), improved models, better particle effects and yes – improved water. The tech guys have done a great job of making it shine on PS3, and have been able to harness the SPUs to make the water simulation more detailed.Weapons have been worked on too and yes you get upgrades earlier in the game now. The Sonic Rounds in particular have been rebalanced. We also added more environmental hazards to use in combat.Hope you enjoy it, let us know via Darknet! I refuse to buy this game, and you shouldn’t either.
Stay with me though, this isn’t one of those blind rage posts.First, most reviews were “meh” at best, citing the excellent water physics but little else as a positive.Second, and much more importantly, reviewer Jim Sterling of Destructoid was actually stalked and harassed by the developers, who claimed he “played the game wrong”. Here’s his review:And here is his video explaining the post-review debacle I mentioned:And here is an article about the incident:Fellow Playstation fans, I implore you: please do not give these pathetic people your money. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. It did seem with the original release to be particularly divisive of opinion. Some people didn’t like it at all, and others loved; it for example Official Xbox Magazine awarded it 9/10 and Editors Choice and IGN.com gave it 8/10.Even so, we’ve worked really hard to address all the flaws people who didn’t like it flagged up, and all the tens of thousands of player feedback data from the Darknet feedback system so the PSN version is a much better game all round. We’ve also tried to make it great value for money so people can make up there own minds. Yeah the harassment of a reviewer who gave it an honest review is pathetic.
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Developers / publishers who expect an automatic 8+ out of 10 shouldnt even be in business much less on anything playstation related. And to bring it to PS3 such an absurdly long time after it released everywhere else is inexcusable.
Sony should’ve told these clowns to take a hike. I doubt anyone at sony bothers to listen to their customers or even really think. If they did then they they wouldn’t let their own brand slip into obscurity with 3rd rate software like this arriving months late. I’d love to see more first rate games showing up on PS3 and have them show up ON TIME. The first version of this game sucked but they worked on it and it was good after the patch. Also the price on 360 was ridiculous but I bought it anyway.
I think I read this is going to be 7.99. People should at least try it out if they want something different. And it’s not just a port like some of you are saying.
Do you even bother to read the article? If you knew ANYTHING about the game you’d know that there have been a crapload of tweaks since the original version that got reviewed by all major sites.
@ PirateHarlockI take it you haven’t seen it before? Gives me a fuzzy feeling inside, lol. I don’t enjoy chastising developers (though it’s very necessary) but I do always enjoy enlightening fellow posters. I figured it would be old news to everyone.His old videos around the time of that one are hit-and-miss, sometimes he’s a bit juvenile.
Ever since he moved to The Escapist, it’s been really good though. He even cuts down on the swearing (though in the case of Hydrophobia I understand his frustration) so his insightful opinions are more digestible.I’m going to have to not start replying a bunch. I almost never post on this blog and when I do I inadvertently treat it like a forum. I was really excited to hear this game was coming to PS3. Finally, a female lead with normal measurements in an interesting story. I liked the concept, but the XBLA version did not look, sound, or play very well. The screenshot above gives me great hope that the PS3 version is leaps and bounds beyond the previous releases.
(The flames/particle effects look like they could use a little more work, though.)It reminds me a bit of Alone in the Dark: Inferno, in that the developers went back and really tightened things up for the PS3 release. (And it was worth it — I would gladly by AitD Inferno again if it added Move controls.) I personally don’t mind a game coming to PS3 as a “second wave” release, so long as it really takes advantage of PS3’s hardware capabilities. Any reasonable PS3 fan would prefer small developers take their time to squeeze as much out of the PS3 hardware, and release on other (lamer) platforms first to help fund that extra time.Hang in there Rob and team, if you’ve really resolved the major issues in previous versions, this is bound to be a decent hit with the non-haters:). @luiginut, this is the first time I saw jim stirlings take on this. The only previous time I’d heard mention of this game is when it was released I saw a trailer that looked looked like something floating in a toilet in a really seedy bar and never paid anymore attention to it. After seeing further review of it I feel safe continuing to miss this game. I’d rather be playing the newest ace combat or even an older game like the first uncharted.
Makes me wonder how close we are to another video game crash like the early to mid 80’s. To BaronVonBonbon (#7): Isn’t it a bit unfair to automatically write off a game just because it was released earlier on other platforms? The developers thought enough about the PlayStation fanbase to consider bringing their game to the PS3, and I’m grateful for that.
It’s a shame that we couldn’t originally get the game at the same time they did, but a late port is better than no port at all.While we’re on the subject of “late ports”, one possible advantage of a late port is that developers can take into consideration any criticisms leveled at earlier versions of the game, and use that feedback to improve the newer release. Hopefully that has happened with this game. Wow, more than the usual amount of daily drama here.
I’ve never touched an X machine & I don’t study gaming sites. Geesh, aren’t we already spending enough hours in actual gaming? Anyway, never heard of this game or any alleged nerd fight.
I looked at all the destructiod links above. Yawn.I’m siding with the @40 post.
A downloadable game, with Move support & free for Plusers? And it’s NOT ANOTHER NUMBINGLY REDUNDANT PLATFORMER? I will try it. I’m hoarding digital games to play whilst on small breaks from the autumn blockbusters without having to get off my a. to swap discs.Thanks for duking it out on the blog, Rob Hewson.
Most of the guest bloggers, hell many of the Sony staff bloggers, just file their story & run. However, your avatar gives me the willies. Whoa, I can’t believe there are people actually hating on the game because of the dramatic series of complaints that were brought up when the game hit the Xbox Live Arcade platform last year.Yes, I do remember being among those who laughed after having read Destructoid’s article.
I also thought that Dark Energy Digital were trying too hard to make people like their game.But it didn’t mean the Hydrophobia series should disappear. And since I could never get my hands on the game (no Xbox, duh), I have always been unable to judge the quality of the studio’s work.I remember being there when the Pure patch was announced almost a year ago, and as you can see, I was surprisingly pleased:Now that the game has made its way on a third platform, that PSN Plus offer will certainly get DE Digital more attention.
If it gets the success it deserves, it’ll be easier for you guys to bring a sequel.I’ll be sure to check the game out next week. You have proved yourselves worthy developers willing to take into account the players’ feedback, so make sure it does not all go to waste! Hey Rob,This will be in three pieces.First off, I have to say, you handle all of unwarranted hate pretty well. I envy you not your position.
I actually have never posted on the blog before (despite having this PSN account before the Blog was created) but, given your obvious enthusiasm (as well as that of others at Dark Energy Digital) and the tremendous effort you guys have put into improving the product, I felt compelled to post in order to accept your olive branch and, at least in some small way, counter balance the disparaging attitude present here.I played the demo for this game (pre-patch) on the 360 and was extremely intrigued. The fact that you guys have vastly improved upon the iteration I played as well as added MOVE support (that was a pleasant surprise, to say the least) has me all the more excited.
Originally I was going to buy it on my 360 (as I’m always struggling to find exclusives on there that actually interest me and, honestly, I don’t trust it to not die on me) but then it was announced that Hydrophobia would.eventually. make its way to the PSN. As such I’ve been biding my time.
I don’t care what the reviews stated before, I liked what I played. I don’t care what Jim Sterling wrote. Honestly, sometimes I can agree with him (i.e. His pirating rant) but sometimes he comes off as little more than a prat. And he even admitted, via the link you posted, that Dark Energy Digital seemed sincere about addressing concerns about the game.
Anyone who ignores that clearly doesn’t believe in any concept of redemption or second chances and they can live their perfect, mistake free lives never having to touch Hydrophobia. For the rest of us, however, thank you, sincerely, not only for addressing the concerns about the game, but also for announcing it on here and being such a good sport at taking abuse.Therefore, I wanted to say that not only will I be taking advantage of the PSN+ Game of the Month deal with this game, but I have also talked to my PSN+-less (does that work?) roommate about the game and shown him the demo on the 360.
He will absolutely be buying it. So there you go, 1 sale and 1 kickback from SONY (I don’t know how the free games work on your end).
Finally (sorry this was long), I had three questions. I work in retail for video games and will be sharing release information with customers (especially the regulars I had mentioned this game to before). They are as follows:1. Will there be a demo? If yes, on release day or eventually?2.
I didn’t see any mention of price point (I may be blind). I’m sure I’ll find out Tuesday anyway, but foreknowledge doesn’t hurt.3.
It is my understanding that Hydrophobia on the 360 was part one of an episodic series. Is that still the case, have those plans been scrapped, does the appending of “Prophecy” to the title not only denote the improvements but also the completion of story, or did I just misunderstand altogether?Thank you for bearing with me and actually reading through my long post.
I hope to hear from you soon. We don’t have a demo lined up as of yet, however we’re more than willing to look at doing one if people want it2. We’re still finalising the price point and launch positioning details, so I need to wait for final confirmation from Sony before publishing that, but we are pushing to give the absolute best value we possibly can3. We are still working on future instalments, but we decided to rebuild the original for PSN and do it justice first but yes we have more Hydrophobia in the pipelinethanks:). While I envy your enthusiasm behind this release, and I am a Plus subscriber, I can’t even bring myself to attach this game to my account purchases.The attitudes of some people within Dark Energy Digital ruined my opinion of the company back when Hydrophobia was released on X360. The game was absolutely terrible, and even featured a game-breaking glitch causing a restart of the whole thing.
And had it actually been fun to play I would have redone everything.Reviews are meant to provide constructive criticism but DED didn’t see it that way and they lashed out at various sites, and for that I will always avoid anything related to the company. @Rob HewsonHopefully your improvements are up to par with our expectations when you cite “improvements”. I was interested in this game when it was first announced, ultimately let down when no PS3 version came to light on release day. Mind you have I have a PC and an Xbox360, but I felt that the PS3 users were unjustly ignored and decided to turn my nose up at this title as a result. So if the price is right (less than steam) and the move controls give a good reason to play as well as improvements in game play then I’m all in.As far as -luiginut- pointing out developer reactions to reviews it was highly unprofessional. I don’t think Factor 5 spazed out as much when no one could play Lair because they were playing it wrong -Dragon!= Fighter Jet- (which was an awesome game).
I can understand the frustration of no one playing it right especially after my last rapid prototyping session when we brought in users to test our game. There are better ways to handle bad press. Some include video walk throughs before the game releases to help give players an idea of how they need to play, better in game tutorials, and a variety of other things.