Hunted: The Demon’s Forge Previews

We have a couple more preview pieces for your perusal, based on a recent showing by Bethesda of InXile’s upcoming action RPG, Hunted: The Demon’s Forge. VideoGamer.

Everything you do in the game – every puzzle, battle and boss fight – has been designed to involve both players. I needed Caddoc (and the German guy pressing his buttons) just as much as he needed me, and the game punished me for ignoring this. At times I got bored of my partner’s frequent dilly-dallying, and rushed off to deliver the flame on my own. This was a decision I’d quickly regret, as skeleton warriors jumped out the gloom, and – being unable to switch to my sword – I was unable to adequately defend myself. Being kicked back to an old checkpoint due to my recklessness earned me disapproving glances from across the room.

Dealspwn.

Twice we were returned to the beginning of the level are some extensive exploration ended with our untimely deaths. Naturally, later checkpoints might be better, more forgiving to those willing to solve the puzzles, but if they’re not, there’s a chance a massive chunk of the game will be cut off for all but the dedicated few.

And this would be a shame, because the puzzles are one of the most interesting elements. Take them out and it’s a fairly standard loot-based arcade RPG, but with them there’s more depth and the co-op dynamic works at its best. Only more extensive play time will tell us whether or not it’s a crippling problem or a merely irksome one.