Introduction

Developed by: Bioware
Published by: Interplay
MDK2 Official Page: http://www.interplay.com/mdk2/
Estimated Release: Early 2000

Momma Delivers Kandy

Well, earlier this month, I got to go over to BioWare (invited this time - that's a first) and along with the boys from Haven Games I was given a hands on preview of MDK2. Greg, the producer, gave us a quick tour then we got down to action right after he stole the latest build from a tester.

Taking us into their Soul Calibur room (formerly used for conferences), we sat down at the Dreamcast there and he showed us the game, focusing on highlights and levels that we wouldn't have time to get to otherwise (there were people waiting to play Soul Calibur, you know).

Sniper sight

Kurt's ribbon chute

One of the most impressive effects that I had a hard time placing at first was the shadows. I knew that somehow MDK2 felt considerably more real than other games I've played and for about the first 3 minutes I was trying to figure out what, then it hit me as Greg demoed the Doctor and went by the fireplace and I saw the shadow leap onto the couch! Wow! Shadows elongated, got larger when placed on far walls, etc. They moved proportionately faster, etc. I've seen shadows (even very well implemented ones) before, but not to this degree.

Bright Lights, Big City

The other extremely impressive thing that Greg showed was the alien city. It's HUGE. I mean absolutely massive. The buildings rise way out of sight, and even though there is fog, it doesn't obscure things completely (it's more to add atmosphere than to make up for hardware drawbacks.) I can't wait to play the final version of this level.

You go through the city trying to get to the top - it's just an amazing sight as you keep thinking "almost there... almost there" before the scale of this megalopolis hits you and you realize that you're in this for the long haul.