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Morph Into Unique Characters and go on an Intriguing Adventure in “Alter Echo”
GameZone Online speaks with project coordinator Jason Garwood about Alter Echo’s interesting development process.
There I was, sitting at my desk and minding my own business. I was in the process of writing an article when one of my colleagues asked me a question.
“You wanna play Soul Calibur 2?”
Before I could respond, I heard him ask again. But this time his lips didn’t move, and it sounded like it came from another room!
“Uhh…that was weird,” I said, only to hear myself say it again without saying it twice!
Confused, we got our ears checked. As it turns out, we have a horrible, extremely rare disease called Interiguchio Echaiiea (Interchangeable Echo). Its cause is unknown, but the effects are pretty serious: everything you say is heard not once, but twice.
This made it difficult to convey important, top-secret messages over the phone.
“Yes, I’d like two large pizzas with extra cheese.”
“Will that be all sir?”
“Yes, I’d like two large pizzas with extra cheese.”
Baffled, the delivery guy brought four pizzas. We were really hungry though, so this time the echo paid off. However, it had a terrible effect on my social life…
(Attractive woman walks by) I smile and say, with my best Joey Tribiani impression, “How you doin’?”
The woman smiles and begins to respond, but is appalled and leaves when she hears my interchangeable echo. Multiple pizzas are one thing, but this is unforgivable!
Disgruntled and ready to halt our inherent repetition, we head to the headquarters of game publisher and developer THQ. THQ is home to the recently released Alter Echo, a game about transforming into multiple character formations. We figured if anyone could cure our disease it would be THQ.
Jason Garwood, project coordinator of Alter Echo, whipped up a special brew and told us to drink it. It tasted like a combination of old bananas and a Dual-Shock 2 controller (don’t ask how I know what those taste like). The few moments of tongue torture was worth it though, because our repetition has finally subsided!
As a way of saying thanks, we offered Jason a few pieces of pizza. Delighted by this delicious treat, Jason told us all about his new game, Alter Echo.
There are three forms that your character can morph into. Tell us about them.
Jason Garwood: Nevin has the ability to morph into three forms: Melee, Gun, and Stealth. The first form, Melee is the most used form from the start of the game. This form is the most balanced of the three from the standpoint of blend of speed and power, and is good for good ol' fashion close-in combat. Gun form is a hulking, mech-like form that allows Nevin to use many different ranged weapons to attack his enemies. While it lacks the speed and mobility of the melee form, it makes up for it in sheer firepower. The last form is the stealth form, this form allows Nevin to gain access to other areas of the levels that the other forms would be unable to reach. In addition to being able to walk up vertical and inverted walls in stealth form, Nevin will also be able to make the stealth form invisible to limited amounts of time to sneak up on enemies or to avoid them all together.
Is it possible to finish the game using only one of the three morph types?
JG: No. More so, it wouldn't be any fun. There are several different elements to this game that make it a true "multi genre" game. Melee incorporates plast forming and fighting aspects, Gun form incorporates shooting, stealth...is well, stealth. The forms were created in order to give the player more options. They allow the player to be creative, while still showing them which forms work best in certain situations.
The details that are known about the story are a little confusing. Could you explain it to our readers, and tell us why the lead character has the ability to morph?
JG: I don't want to give the storyline away...you'll have to play the game for that, but as far as Nevin and shifting are concerned...maybe we can talk more to that ;)
Nevin would not be able to shape shift if it weren't from a certain little wonder-material called Multiplast or "plast" for short (and its variation EchoPlast, which the player will find out about while playing the game). Understanding Plast and its variations is a must as the whole storyline is centered around it (and players will later find that this storyline is in direct correlation with gameplay...) Multiplast, found only on planet Proteus (which is comprised mainly of multiplast), is an extremely strong and lightweight material that has an innate "nervous system" of sorts that removes the need for wiring, circuitry, or processors...a sort of inherent information processor. Anything can be made from it...can be formed to the will of the shaper that has enough ability and control to manipulate it. Nevin is one of those shapers...he has almost unlimited levels of shaping abilities...he is one of the best "shapers" there is. Shapers have the ability to psychically sync with multiplast, doing such is called "shifting". There are few shapers born into the world and are in high demand due to the amount of power they can exert to shape Multiplast. There are even fewer shapers that have the ability to dilate time...Nevin also has this ability.
Mighty warrior Nevin, will you let me borrow that cool suit of yours? Please?
What are the enemy types in the game? How vast is their difficulty level?
JG: There are many different enemy types...too many to go over here, and they range in difficulty from drone type enemies all the way up to bosses.
Graphically, Alter Echo is impressive with its unique morph animations. Was a special technique used or was a new engine created to achieve the effect?
JG: All the morphing tech was created by Outrage. That is real time physical changes that you are seeing when you morph, not just an animation. The skeletal structures of the models are actually altered when you morph...really quite amazing.
Sound is an important part of any video game. What will players hear (music, voice-overs or sound effects) when they play Alter Echo?
JG: Well, they will hear all of these things. I think that the music is one of the best audio aspects of the game (IMO).
The Xbox version (shown) has crisper graphics than you'll find on PS2.
How does the move and ability upgrade system work?
JG: Nevin collects plast that is dropped by enemies that are killed throughout the game in order to "buy" upgrades. Everything from combo moves, suits, and weapons can be upgraded. There are so many upgrades in the game...definitely a cool feature. But, the coolest aspect of this system is that all the forms and combos are linkable. One of the designers at Outrage actually linked one combo through an entire level with the use of morphing, morphing combos, standard combos, and the fact that he was able to string them all together. This is one of the things that makes the game so unique.
What are the goals in this game? Are there any bonuses or side objectives to complete?
It is a level-based game with objectives for each level. There are also side objectives in some of the levels, where, if you were to take the time to complete them you will be rewarded.
Alter Echo had a lot going on in the preview version I played. What is the frame rate in this game, and how is it able to stay at such a consistent pace?
JG: The frame rate will run at a very consistent 30 FPS, which is due to many hours of work on Outrage's part considering how much can be happening with effects when the combat gets tough.
Who is responsible for Alter Echo's clever idea? How did the game come to be? Was it a collaborative effort?
JG: Outrage had been working on the concept for quite some time. They had always wanted to do something that was creative, something that was different and fresh. THQ was supportive of that, and worked to help foster the concept as well.
How long did it take to develop Alter Echo?
JG: It took quite a long time... ;)
There are two things the world may never receive an answer for: how long it takes to develop a unique game, and how many licks it takes to finish a Tootsie Roll Pop.
Is there a reason why the game has not appeared on GameCube?
JG: That question could be asked of many games at this point in this generation of consoles cycles, and I'm sure that the reasons are all different. At the time the game was in development, the decision was made based upon market information I'm sure.
Does Alter Echo's story leave itself open for future iterations?
JG: I don't see why not.
Thank you for your time.
For more information on this intriguing title, read GameZone Online’s full review of Alter Echo.
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