Ninja Theory Looking To Movies For Storyline Help

It seems that any studio developing a game even remotely similar to Naughty Dog's Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is taking cues from the 2009 award winner.

Ninja Theory, the team responsible for the upcoming action/adventure title, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, has a game that's a bit more than "remotely similar." It's not a shooter, but it should move and play a bit like Uncharted. Hence, according to what Ninja Theory co-founder Tameem Antoniades said at last week's Develop Conference, his developers realize Enslaved might be compared to Uncharted 2...but that's a lot of pressure. Said Antoniades:

"It’s never good to be compared with something that’s already the pinnacle of its genre. It makes you slightly uneasy. I’m okay with people comparing it to Uncharted [2] because it’s in the same genre. But, bloody hell, that’s a lot to live up to."

He does say that even the best games fall short of films in terms of storytelling (which is true, for the most part) and in fact, he sort of insinuates that the plot and character development in his game might be on par - or even exceed - that of instant classics like Uncharted 2 or even Heavy Rain. Don't scoff just yet; they've got quite the cast assembled for Enslaved.

"When we’re doing Enslaved and the story and the character and everything we’re not looking at other games, we’re looking at movies and achieving that level of cinematic performance. We’ve got a good shot at delivering a strong story where the talent behind it actually matters."

We're not about to expect the game to have a better story than Heavy Rain, but perhaps Uncharted 2 is a realistic goal. Well, provided the voice actors are just that amazingly good. Andy Serkis is great but he can't do it alone. Anyway, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West will be ready to go by October 5.

Tags: enslaved, uncharted 2, ninja theory, naughty dog

7/20/2010 10:34:08 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (37 posts)

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Qubex
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 10:51:56 AM
Reply

Heavy Rain and Uncharted 2 are really difficult games to beat. But i don't doubt Ninja Theory, I think they will pull something special out the bag.

The did it before, no reason why they can't do it again. I hope the "Enslaved" concept works though, and really does attract the right gamers to it.

Based on their previous work "Enslaved" should sell well; but you never know these days, with quite a few good titles out, people are still going to be picky I would think.

Q!

"play.experience.enjoy"

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 2:03:33 PM

That's what I'm worried about here, the concept, not the studio. It sounds, I dunno, uninspired. I feel a lot of repetition coming.

1 up, 0 down

spiderboi
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 11:05:55 AM
Reply

Andy Serkis? Now they're talking! We gonna get some gollum-lovin? :)

1 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 11:17:14 AM

He was in Heavenly Sword, too.

2 up, 0 down

spiderboi
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 12:28:52 PM

Yeah I just looked his profile up at wiki. Ooohh.... :)

1 up, 0 down

Mamills
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 11:26:48 AM
Reply

yea i just picked up heavenly sword the other day. this is also on my list.

when is the release date?

and is there a multiplayer mode?

1 up, 1 down

Scarecrow
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 12:00:48 PM

It doesn't need multiplayer mode...

1 up, 2 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 12:33:33 PM

'sigh' In the article.

4 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 2:04:03 PM

'sigh' -haha. Ben you need a blowoff valve.

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 7/20/2010 2:04:26 PM

1 up, 1 down

Highlander
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 11:44:55 AM
Reply

This game still has a Ratchet and Clank vibe to me. Even that image reminds me of R&C games. I don't know why, it just does.

3 up, 0 down

Shams
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 12:16:19 PM
Reply

Uncharted 2 has voice-acting, and script lines that's totally up to Hollywood, summer blockbuster movie standards. Of course, it did not have the 1000's of pages of screen writing necessary for Heavy Rain's branching story lines, but in terms of voice-acting (American version anyway), it was head-over-shoulders to Heavy Rain. (Maybe, my opinion would be different if I was Russian, though.)

I didn't play Heavenly Sword, but the thing about Uncharted 2, is that owing to the content, and type of story, it didn't need to take itself seriously, often self-aware, and so it never ran the risk of becoming ridiculous or B-movie-type cheesy.

I don't see other games coming anywhere close, really. I mean this is not the first time that some developer compares their upcoming project to U2, even for Team Ninja. Dice's leader compared Battlefield Bad Company 2's vista's with Uncharted 2's. And Tameem Antonaides compared their game's visuals with ND's as well. I think it's just a 3rd party's attempt to separate itself from the pack, and stand next to greatness, despite his rather artificial attempt to play it off, as "something he wouldn't want".

1 up, 0 down

ace_boon_coon
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 2:03:16 PM
Reply

i bet this doesn't sell more than 1.5 mill like heavenly sword. should have stayed exclusive. this game has a crappy buzz.

7 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 2:05:46 PM

I'm feeling the exact same buzz.

6 up, 0 down

ace_boon_coon
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 3:47:35 PM

yeah this game will flop big time. they've pissed of a few PS loyalist (including me)

4 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 2:09:05 PM
Reply

I don't know who this guy thinks is comparing it to Uncharted 2, but if I had to guess I'd say it is somebody on the 360 side of things again hoping to claim a multiplat as it's OWN version of a top-notch PS exclusive.

As far as this game goes, I'm on record as being very skeptical that it could possible reach the sales of HS and still would have preferred HS2. So we will see if going multiplat was worth it to them. Sales aren't everything though, so I'll be reading reviews. If it can somehow scare up a decent score I'll get it for xmas.

4 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 2:21:12 PM
Reply

I'm intrigued by the game's concept......

...but I'm also wary that this game might very well be a full-time babysitter gig.

2 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 3:06:16 PM

That turns me off too. These 1 player 2 player games never go well. A tagalong once in awhile isn't bad at all a la Uncharted 2, but a permanent partner a la Army of 2, is bad.

2 up, 0 down

Shams
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 4:17:09 PM

I liked POP, though.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 5:37:27 PM

I didn't play POP, but I heard that chick takes care of you instead of vice versa.

1 up, 0 down

Shams
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 6:23:46 PM

She's more like an extra ability that allows you to perform extra maneuvers during platforming and fighting segments. I highly recommend at least buying and returning a used copy for a single playthrough. For gamers, like yourself, who appreciate an engrossing single-player experience, it is not to be missed.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 7:11:55 PM

I never return games, even bad ones, if I can find it cheap somewhere it will wind up in my collection sooner or later. I had it on my xmas list years ago but it lost out to Resistance 2.

1 up, 0 down

Shams
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 8:28:47 PM

Then, you can't do wrong with this, 'cuz she's a keeper. The DLC prologue was pretty rad, too. But really, man, "years ago"? 2.5 years ain't an ice age, and if it is, please don't remind me how old we are. My recent white hairs are depressing enough. Thanks.

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 9:23:50 PM

Let's call it "a couple" years then. :) And you aren't the only one with gray hairs.

0 up, 0 down

kraygen
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 2:51:20 PM
Reply

I've had my doubts about this game since day 1 and I think they have little to no hope of reaching the quality they are claiming.

I honestly think the game looks pretty poor and is going to be repetitive. It's going to be annoying trying to get your partner to do what you need them to. I just don't think it will be as good as heavenly sword.

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 3:07:47 PM

Heavenly Sword was great, but let's face it the AI wasn't the star. Enslaved is going to have to be heavy on intelligent AI to have your partner not be an obstacle in and of himself. Bad enough they name him "Monkey".

1 up, 0 down

kraygen
Wednesday, July 21, 2010 @ 12:36:40 AM

Oh c'mon, monkey is creative right? I mean he looks like a monkey, has the intelligence of a monkey, why give him a real name? *rolls eyes*

Oh my. . . . .

1 up, 0 down

nogoat23
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 3:28:30 PM
Reply

Am I out of touch? This is the first I've heard of this game and it's coming out this fall. Makes me wonder what else is coming out this fall that I should be excited about.

0 up, 0 down

FM23
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 4:02:15 PM
Reply

I never was planning on buying this game, but if I have a free weekend and spare change, I will pick this up from my local blockbuster...free of charge. Might be entertaining, but I know it will lack the true quality of a PS3 exclusive...all multiplats can't match that quality, even you Rockstar.

0 up, 0 down

JackC8
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 4:11:46 PM
Reply

I honestly can't comprehend why it's so hard to have an interesting plot and decent character development. These are basic, Creative Writing 101 types of things that any college freshman majoring in English should have a very firm grasp of.

1 up, 1 down

fluffer nutter
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 4:37:51 PM

If you can't comprehend that then you really haven't met that many people. So many lack any sort of creativity at all. It's really sad.

2 up, 1 down

Snaaaake
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 5:55:25 PM
Reply

Here's hoping this will be one of the best for 2010.

1 up, 0 down

Naztycuts
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 6:57:20 PM
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This game will be lucky to sell 750,000 copies it isn't a shooter, so Ninja Theory might as well have stayed exclusive.

1 up, 0 down

Sunni_Boi
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 7:23:40 PM
Reply

Talking about uncharted 2, have anybody heard anything about an game of the year version???

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 9:24:24 PM

Havent heard a bloody thing.

0 up, 0 down

Sunni_Boi
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 11:15:44 PM

Dat sucks because i am really waiting for that, i had rented it b4 on gamefly and had it for lyk 4 straight months, i shouldve jus bout the real game instead lol.

0 up, 0 down

___________
Wednesday, July 21, 2010 @ 3:50:37 AM
Reply

im a little worried about this, i mean heavenly sword was and still is one of the best games released this gen!
but it just seems really peculiar we dont have much info on the game, i mean the last preview i read of this would of bee a good few months ago!
hopefully this lives up to its reputation and becomes a worthy successor to heavenly sword.
because sadly we wont be getting a heavenly sword 2 :(
i wish sony would put SA on that, a heavenly sword game made by the GOW creators.
now THATS a game worthy of its hype!

0 up, 0 down

PS3_Wizard
Wednesday, July 21, 2010 @ 4:47:00 PM
Reply

I don't know about anyone else, and you can call me a hater, but I HATE how everybody is tryna swagger jack naughty dog. Everyone wants to do something that a developer has already done. That's why there are as many clones as there are nowadays.

Ninja Theory clearly rips off R&C and U2. And the prick acts as if he feels uneasy being compared to U2??? That's OBVIOUSLY what he was shooting for. This industry needs more developers like the heavy rain crew or thatgamecompany. This is even more wack because its a 3rd party rip-off of a top-notch PS3 exclusive.

I will not be buying this game...F$@* them!

0 up, 0 down

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