Hunted: The Demon's Forge

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Hunted: The Demon's Forge
Hunted the Demons Forge cover.png
Developer(s) inXile Entertainment
Publisher(s) Bethesda Softworks
Director(s) Michael Kaufman
Producer(s) Stewart Spilkin
Designer(s) Chris Keenan
Programmer(s) Keith Miron
Matthew Fawcett
Artist(s) Robert Nesler
Craig Drageset
Composer(s) Kevin Riepl [1]
Engine Unreal Engine 3
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 3
Xbox 360
Release
  • NA: May 31, 2011
  • AU: June 2, 2011
  • EU: June 3, 2011
Genre(s) Action, hack and slash, third-person shooter
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Hunted: The Demon's Forge is a 2011 action game set in a dark fantasy world. It was developed by inXile Entertainment and published by Bethesda Softworks for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows. [2]

Contents

Gameplay

The game features co-operative multiplayer with online, splitscreen, and LAN options. E'lara is able to use a bow and small weapons, while Caddoc wields larger melee weapons, as well as a crossbow. Players have the option to explore some larger optional areas; however, the gameplay is mostly linear with many points of no return. Players are able to use spells and special attacks to help in combat, which can be upgraded. [3] The gameplay, especially the archery combat, has been compared to the gunplay of Gears of War , [4] with Eurogamer calling the game a "third-person looter". [3] Engadget called the game a "Gears of War clone", [4] and Metro described it as "Gears of War meets Diablo ". [5]

The game supports cross-regional co-operative play on all platforms, but the random match-making feature is regional on PC and PlayStation 3, and cross-regional on Xbox 360. [6] [7]

Plot

Two mercenaries in battle, female elf E'lara and male human Caddoc, go searching for a mysterious artifact about which Caddoc had a vision, but events grow out of hand and the companions become wrapped up in a chain of events involving demons, the orc-like Wargar, and a sorceress named Seraphine. [2]

Development

Hunted: The Demon's Forge shares a similar title and fantasy setting with Brian Fargo's first widely distributed game, his self-published 1981 graphical text adventure The Demon's Forge. [8]

inXile Entertainment's President Matt Findley said that Hunted: The Demon's Forge's game mechanics are mainly based on his team's own experience playing co-op games and the resulting stream of ideas on how to improve the genre step-by-step. [9] Findley's personal criticism towards similar co-op titles is that the general definition of co-op has sunk "to allowing two players to play together". "We're co-op in that all of our special skills and abilities are designed to make you work together," Findley added later in the interview.

Before the game's release, Findley stated that a sequel and continuing series would happen if the first game saw enough commercial success. Many ideas were not used, and they would improve the co-op mode in sequels. The next installment would not necessarily be a sequel, but possibly a prequel or new story set in the same world with different characters.[ citation needed ]

Reception

Hunted: The Demon's Forge received "mixed" reviews on all platforms according to video game review aggregator Metacritic. [10] [11] [12] In Japan, where the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were ported for release on August 25, 2011,[ citation needed ] Famitsu gave both console versions each a score of two sevens, one eight, and one seven for a total of 29 out of 40. [15]

The Escapist gave the Xbox 360 version three stars out of five and said, "Good for a quick and fun diversion, Hunted is far from the perfect coop game or fantasy dungeon crawl, but the storytelling almost makes up for it. Almost." [29] Digital Spy gave the same version three stars out of five, stating that "the muddy graphics and frequently questionable design choices make the campaign sometimes feel like a chore." [30] The Daily Telegraph gave said version a similar score of six out of ten and said it was "a decent enough game to play through, but certainly one you'll forget in a hurry. It's the kind of game perfect for a lull in gaming when there's nothing else left, and you fancy something disposable but enjoyable." [28] Edge gave the console version six out of ten and said, "Like a horse swishing its tail with futile persistence, Hunted never manages to rid itself of bugs." [31] However, The A.V. Club gave the same version a C and stated that the problem with the game is that "It thinks ham-fisted cooperation is indistinguishable from effortless cooperation. Any two people playing together know better." [32] GameZone gave the game a score of five out of ten and said that it "offers a modicum of playing pleasure on a slow weekend, but a rental would be safer than a purchase." [33] Metro gave the same console version four out of ten and said, " Gears of War meets Diablo turns out not to be a classic pairing after all, or at least not when it comes to this low rent hotchpotch of other people's ideas." [5]

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References

  1. ↑ IGN Staff (May 23, 2011). "Hunted: The Demon's Forge Soundtrack Composed By Kevin Riepl". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  2. 1 2 Sophia Tong (May 4, 2010). "Hunted: The Demon's Forge First Look". GameSpot . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Hunted: The Demon's Forge". Eurogamer . June 2, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Hunted: The Demon's Forge preview: Through thick and thin". Engadget . February 28, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  5. 1 2 Roger Hargreaves (June 19, 2011). "Hunted: The Demon's Forge review – quest for co-op". Metro . DMG Media. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  6. ↑ Gstaff (May 26, 2011). "Hunted online multiplayer co op 1". Bethesda Softworks Forums. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  7. ↑ Gstaff (May 31, 2011). "Hunted online multiplayer co op 2". Bethesda Softworks Forums. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  8. ↑ David Craddock (October 30, 2013). ""Stay Awhile and Listen – Book I" Bonus Chapter: An Interview with Brian Fargo". Gamasutra . UBM plc. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  9. ↑ Vlad Micu (September 8, 2010). "Inxile Entertainment's Matt Findley on Hunted: The Demon's Forge and taking the next step in co-op games". Gamesauce. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  10. 1 2 "Hunted: The Demon's Forge for PC Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
  11. 1 2 "Hunted: The Demon's Forge for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 21, 2015. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
  12. 1 2 "Hunted: The Demon's Forge for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
  13. ↑ Jim Sterling (June 4, 2011). "Review: Hunted: The Demon's Forge (X360)". Destructoid . Enthusiast Gaming. Archived from the original on May 22, 2014. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
  14. ↑ Tom Bramwell (June 2, 2011). "Hunter: The Demon's Forge (Xbox 360)". Eurogamer . Gamer Network. Archived from the original on September 16, 2014. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
  15. 1 2 3 "August 31, 2011 News". The Magic Box. August 31, 2011. Archived from the original on December 28, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  16. 1 2 Jeff Cork (June 2, 2011). "Hunted: The Demon's Forge (PS3, X360): A Broadsword Swing, And A Miss". Game Informer . GameStop. Archived from the original on April 29, 2019. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  17. 1 2 Eric Neigher (June 7, 2011). "Review: Hunted: The Demon's Forge (360/PS3)". GamePro . GamePro Media. Archived from the original on June 12, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  18. 1 2 3 Daniel R. Bischoff (June 21, 2011). "Hunted: The Demon's Forge Review". Game Revolution . CraveOnline. Archived from the original on October 1, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  19. ↑ Kevin VanOrd (June 3, 2011). "Hunted: The Demon's Forge Review (PC)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on December 20, 2015. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  20. 1 2 Kevin VanOrd (June 3, 2011). "Hunted: The Demon's Forge Review (PS3, X360)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 27, 2014. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
  21. 1 2 Andrew Hayward (June 3, 2011). "GameSpy: Hunted: The Demon's Forge Review (PS3, X360)". GameSpy . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on November 26, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Hunted: The Demon's Forge Review (X360)". GameTrailers . Viacom. June 16, 2011. Archived from the original on March 27, 2014. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
  23. 1 2 3 Ryan Clements (June 3, 2011). "Hunted: The Demon's Forge Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 26, 2014. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
  24. ↑ Griffin McElroy (June 1, 2011). "Hunted: The Demon's Forge review: A streamlined slaughter (X360)". Engadget (Joystiq). Oath Inc. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  25. ↑ "Hunted: The Demon's Forge". Official Xbox Magazine . Future US. September 2011. p. 85.
  26. ↑ Richard Cobbett (June 17, 2011). "Hunted: The Demon's Forge review". PC Gamer . Future US. Archived from the original on December 4, 2015. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Review: Hunted: The Demon's Forge". PlayStation: The Official Magazine . Future plc. August 2011. p. 85.
  28. 1 2 Ashton Raze (June 14, 2011). "Hunted: The Demon's Forge review (X360)". The Daily Telegraph . Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  29. 1 2 Greg Tito (June 9, 2011). "Hunted: The Demon's Forge Review (X360)". The Escapist . Defy Media. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  30. ↑ Andrew Laughlin (June 10, 2011). "'Hunted: The Demon's Forge' (Xbox 360)". Digital Spy . Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  31. ↑ Edge staff (June 10, 2011). "Hunted: The Demon's Forge review [Incomplete] (X360)". Edge . Future plc. Archived from the original on June 11, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  32. ↑ David Wolinsky (June 6, 2011). "Hunted: The Demon's Forge (X360)". The A.V. Club . Archived from the original on June 10, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  33. ↑ Dan Liebman (June 28, 2011). "Hunted: The Demon's Forge Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on July 4, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
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