"WATCHMEN: The End Is Nigh" Video Game Discussion Thread

[IrishJedi]

The game was officially announced around time of SDCC. It will be an episodic prequel to the book/film that will be downloadable for 360, PS3 and PC in March. You'll play as Rorschach and Nite Owl.

It's the cover story of the new issue of EGM, which will reveal screenshots and lots of new details and info on the game, so I figured it was time to start a thread here...

The latest issue of EGM finally arrived in our offices today, which means they should be reaching subscribers any day now, and as hinted at at the end of the previous Resident Evil issue, our December mag has a big surprise on the cover: The unveiling of Watchmen: The End Is Nigh.

Not only is Watchmen: The End Is Nigh a prequel (fleshing out many of the brief flashbacks hinted at in the graphic novel), it's episodic, and it's downloadable. EGM has the full reveal, including over 20 screenshots and interviews with 300 and Watchmen director Zack Snyder, original Watchmen illustrator Dave Gibbons, and veteran comics author/End Is Nigh scripter, (and Alan Moore's original mentor on the Watchmen series) Len Wein. In fact, EGM went all the way out to Copenhagen, Denmark to visit with the development team, Deadline Games (which features an international cast of talent, including one designer who worked on Shenmue, Super Monkey Ball, and F-Zero GX). We also spoke with the game's producer, Soren Lund. The issue not only features everything you need to know about the game, but also insights and secrets to the upcoming movie, straight from the mouth of Zack Snyder himself. What's interesting about the Watchmen game (which many purists may view as blasphemy) is the level of care and attention Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment are putting into the game.

While your first instinct regarding a movie/comic-based licensed game might be a poor one, EGM's James Mielke (a serious Watchmen fan) came away genuinely impressed with the authenticity, treatment, and care Deadline Games is devoting to the prequel. They know they have a huge fanbase to convince, and it shows in their work.

 

[darthviper107]

Cool. Sadly my issue goes to my house so I won't be able to take a look until we have Thanksgiving Break at my college and I can go home.

 

[scubasteve]

Sweet. I'm glad I subscribe to EGM

 

[plasmid303]

Cool. Can't wait for my issue to arrive.

Shenmue, Monkey Ball, and F-Zero are all great games, but they are totally different beasts compared to what a Watchmen game could potentially be. I'll be waiting with bated breath.

I just hope the game doesn't mirror the plot of the book or the upcoming movie. Something about the narrative in Watchmen doesn't seem like it would transfer well to video game form if copied 1-to-1. It would have to be a side story, or something.

I mean, consider the true antagonist of Watchmen and the only true "boss" type character in the story is one that the heroes never actually fight. Wouldn't work in a game.

Spoiler

I'm talking about Adrian Veidt and the squid/octopus thing.

 

[IrishJedi]

I just hope the game doesn't mirror the plot of the book or the upcoming movie. Something about the narrative in Watchmen doesn't seem like it would transfer well to video games.

That's not even a potential issue. It's a prequel that takes place about 10-15 years before the events in the book/film. In the first installment, you play as Rorschach and Nite Owl in their prime. I'm of course personally hoping for a future "episode" in which you play as The Comedian... perhaps in Vietnam with Dr. Manhattan. That would own. Or maybe you could be The Comedian and play his fictional mission to rescue the U.S. hostages in Iran. It would probably be neat to see one with Laurie and Veidt, too. Since it's episodic, I'm hoping to have a chance to play as each of the core 6 characters as well as some of the other Minutemen.

 

[plasmid303]

That's cool and all, but it's episodic nature means there's a good chance it'll cover some parts of the book. That's me being cautiously optimistic...or is it pessimistic? movie games usually aren't great.

In any case, this is good news.

 

[IrishJedi]

Fear not. At least when it comes to that. Zack Snyder, Dave Gibbons and Len Wein (Alan Moore's original editor and mentor) are all personally involved with the project and Snyder has stated from the beginning that it will take place before and won't touch on the main plot of the book/movie. Wein scripted all-new stories for the games.

It may touch on parts on the book, but it would be the flashback stuff and things like I mentioned: The Comedian/Manhattan in Vietnam, Comedian rescuing the Iranian hostages, etc. And this first one, of course, is Rorschach and Nite Owl taking on the NYC gangs and mob, which is briefly mentioned in the book and shown in only 1-2 flashback panels total.

 

[plasmid303]

It's a shame that the game will be episodic DLC, that reduces the chances of a retail limited edition release with cool bonus extras (like most big name games have these days).

 

[DarkArtist81]

Looks interesting... I would give it a whirl certainly.

 

[IrishJedi]

Got my copy in the mail today. The article is huge, with lots of screen shots. Might be the best World Exclusive article EGM has had in some time.

Here are some tidbits:

- It takes place in 1972

- The first episode consists of 6 chapters. Rorschach & Nite Owl only characters you play. It will be available for download for 360, PS3, and PC in March. No mention of price.

- The Underboss will be in the game

- Nite Owl is the one with the grappling gun in the game, as he hasn't given it to Rorschach yet

- Rorschach has a "rage meter" for brawling while Nite Owl relies more on gadgets and suit technology

- Archie (Owl Ship) is indeed in the game

- Len Wein wrote the stories and all the dialogue

- There will be cut scenes done in the same style as the Watchmen Motion Comic

- Rorschach will narrate the game (like a journal, I suppose)

- Both Jackie Earl Haley and Patrick Wilson do the voice work for their characters

 

[darthviper107]

Do the graphics look good?

 

[IrishJedi]

Yeah. They're not mind-blowing or at the level of something like GOW2, but they look good enough for a next-gen brawler. And the EGM piece was genuinely enthusiastic about what they saw and how it played.

 

[plasmid303]

Well, of course EGM is going to sound enthusiastic about their cover story of a very big-name license that will draw a lot of readers. I've been reading EGM since '95, and it's not uncommon for a big cover story title to totally end up sucking. I'm excited, but it's a cautious sort. However, the interviews with Snyder, Gibbons, and Wein were very interesting.

 

[The Mike]

It will be available for download for 360, PS3, and PC in March. No mention of price.

Download? So it won't be available at retail but only through the online marketplaces?

 

[IrishJedi]

Download? So it won't be available at retail but only through the online marketplaces?

Correct. It was designed that was from the get-go at the behest of Snyder and WB Interactive so the development team would have as much time as possible to ensure a complete game and also to keep costs down for both the production as well as consumers. Also, it's episodic. This one with the six Chapters is just the FIRST one and they're planning on at least 2 more.

 

[IrishJedi]

Scans of the EGM coverage:







[/quote]

 

[McHavyck]

I read it's going to be a downloadable game only via XBL and PS3's store...like $20 bucks.

The "story" takes place 10 years before the movie and just before the Keene Act is passed.

You can only play as Rorschach and Nite-Owl...and the combat pretty much consists of just mashing two buttons.

Souds like a serious cop-out. This could have been such a good game if they actually crafted a game that mirrored the book/movie.

 

[hairlesswookiee]

I read it's going to be a downloadable game only via XBL and PS3's store...like $20 bucks.

The "story" takes place 10 years before the movie and just before the Keene Act is passed.

You can only play as Rorschach and Nite-Owl...and the combat pretty much consists of just mashing two buttons.

Souds like a serious cop-out. This could have been such a good game if they actually crafted a game that mirrored the book/movie.

i agree..i wasn't impressed with the first articles on this game anyways. and remember, most games based on movies are lame anyways.

 

[Kabukiman]

Anyone play yet?

 

[farrrs]

been playing the demo-took about 8 minutes to complete! not bothered about buying the full game-not worth it.but i did find the demo a laugh!-beating the crepe out of prisoners with police batons-cant go wrong! i think its a good idea that sony release "not so good" games via ps store for cheap rather than release them on the high street and charge £40 like they used to before psn was about!