On the Bright Side

Gamers of today have it pretty sweet. With the introduction of next-generation hardware, developers now have the ability to create expansive, detailed, 3-D worlds for a player to get lost in. This is especially true on the Xbox®, which possesses the sort of graphical horsepower that its rivals can’t hope to match. But, as the saying goes, with power comes great responsibility. Gamers today expect—or rather demand—the most fully realized level design imaginable. Anything less is substandard.

As the release of Sudeki™ creeps ever closer, we took some time to explore the game’s various environments. To our surprise, this anime-inspired roleplaying game boasts not just one world to explore, but three. In this article, we’ll explore the light world of Sudeki, known as the Kingdom of Haskilia, where Tal begins his epic journey.

A Nice Part of Town
At the start of the game, players are treated to a sweeping fly-over tour of Illumina Castle, heart of the Bright Empire. A flock of white doves escort the viewer over crystal-blue waters, past golden-brick towers adorned with ivy. The screen is awash in a palette of primary yellows, reds, and greens. The look is comforting—so much so, in fact, that our hero Tal is found sleeping at his desk! Once he awakes, Tal makes haste to the courtyard for a crash course in combat. After that, he’s free to roam the courtyard of Illumina Castle.

The vibrant, colorful world.

The inhabitants are equally colorful, hawking their wares from bountiful carts in the open marketplace under candy-striped awnings. Even within the confines of the castle walls, there are many details to capture your eye. Fluttering in the breeze, a local commoner’s laundry sways to and fro. Fresh leaves from a nearby tree gently float to the ground. However, the carefree safety of the walled city belies the danger just outside the castle gate. Aklorian raiders and Light Spawn berserker squads have been terrorizing nearby counties, blemishing a once peaceful environment. As protectors of the kingdom, the Queen’s army is dispatched to deal with the aggressors.

The Other Side of the Tracks
Following the orders of a superior officer, Tal rushes to the outer gates, where he is issued orders to secure the town of New Brightwater. He leads a small band of troops down Kings Road, only to witness the gruesome murder of a pair of farmers by a raiding party. Once a pleasant country thoroughfare, this road is now under the control of Light Spawn. The blazing homes of slain commoners crackle in the distance, while the bodies of their owners lie in pools of blood. A once-bright sky has been veiled by clouds and darkness.

Evil from another world is seeping into the very fabric of Haskilia, staining the lands in a ruinous wake of massacre. This ominous power hints at another world—a land that exists in parallel to this domain of light and extends its grasp and influence every day.

Life outside the castle isn’t always cheery.

As Tal and his cohorts advance along their journey, they will find themselves thrust into another world. Keep your eyes peeled for the next spotlight on the environments of Sudeki, in which our tour makes a stop in the Realm of Shadows. What you learn today might just save you tomorrow in your quest to rescue the kingdom.

By Bobby Stein