Are You Too Human?

Published August 18, 2008

From their breakout hit Blood Omen: Legacy of Kane in 1996 to the cult favorite Eternal Darkness, developer Silicon Knights has enjoyed acclaim for crafting games deep in gameplay, and with thoughtful, powerful stories.

The goblins are coming.

In short, Silicon Knights has always strived to tell more than just a ripping good yarn, and Too Human™ is no different. Here, the famed developer reconstructs Norse mythology in a science-fiction setting, where humanity's protectors—the Norse gods known as the Aesir—must strike a precarious balance between their humanity and their awe-inspiring and powerful cybernetic implants.

Every crate, obelisk, or enemy could
contain something truly spectacular.

Your Role
You play as the god Baldur, taking control of the Aesir warrior shortly after he tangles with a mighty robotic monster in a raucous nightclub. Baldur is convinced that the troll-like Grendel, who feeds on human flesh, represents a different, more sinister, and ancient threat.

Though Baldur remains the most popular Aesir among humanity, there remain those unconvinced of the purity of his ideals. Meanwhile, many of the Aesir question whether Baldur is too sympathetic to humanity. Baldur is caught between loyalty and duty on both sides.

While his personality and standing may be rooted in the story and your decision-making, his style of play is entirely up to you. You can choose among five distinct classes:

Beware the troll.

• Champion: This jack-of-all-trades fighter works best up close, specializing in critical strikes and air juggles.
• Berserker: If it's all-out attack you crave, the dual-wielding combo-crazy Berserker has you covered.
• Defender: This defensive guru is master of the sword and shield, and can take a tremendous beating over time. If you prefer the classic "tank" role, give the Defender a look.
• Commando: No one rivals the Commando at long range with pistol or rifle. If you prefer shooting elements, try the Commando.
• Bio Engineer: The game's resident healer, the Bio Engineer excels in keeping everyone healthy, staving off certain doom.

In Combat
You may find the occasional respite in the halls of Midgard or even Norn-supervised Cyberspace, but the bulk of your time will be spent grabbing glory by the throat in battle. Use your weapon, wits, and powers as you smite armies of robotic goblins, dark elves, and trolls.

Too Human employs an unusual but wonderfully accessible combat mechanic, opting to use the analog thumbsticks to execute most attacks rather than complex combinations with the face buttons.

Want to wail on a nearby enemy? Just hold the right thumbstick in their direction. Want to execute a devastating combo, fling a monster into the air for an acrobatic juggling attack, or hurl your weapon across the room at a group of monsters? No problem. No attack requires anything beyond ordinary skill. Likewise, your dual pistols or rifle are fired with the left and right triggers, while your special abilities are powered by the face and shoulder buttons.

Need some help? Go co-op.

The battles themselves usually include enormous waves of enemies, so the challenge is not so much in discovering how to defeat a single enemy, but rather how to manage the hordes sweeping down upon you. You'll find yourself sliding back and forth between enemies as you pick your way through the masses to isolate and destroy the more powerful creatures first.

In fact, "sliding" between enemies is itself a major mechanic. There's no need to run towards an enemy, attack them, and then run towards another. Shifting the right thumbstick towards an enemy will send Baldur hurtling towards them automatically. It's wise to prep your attacks mid-slide. For example, slide and double tap the right thumbstick before you reach the enemy to knock them airborne instantly for a juggle.

Constant Loot
Raising your weapon in victory after a spirited battle may be reward enough, but in Too Human, there are more tangible rewards at every turn. Every room, hallway, alcove, and enemy is seemingly brimming with loot.

You'll be overloaded with new bits of armor, ranged and melee weapons, special Runes that imbue your gear with extra powers, elusive Charms, and even blueprints for creating especially rare and potent items. Some loot you can use right away, others you'll have to wait to equip until you reach the required level, and still others may not apply to your class, but you can sell them instantly (no need to search out a vendor) for cash.

Now that's a suit of armor.

Gathering loot is always rewarding, but what makes it especially gratifying here is its luck of the draw nature. Loot drops aren't predetermined, so you never know when you'll find an epic piece of gear or an especially rare Rune or Charm. Every crate, obelisk, or enemy could contain something truly spectacular.

Too Human is too epic an undertaking to cover entirely in just a single preview. In upcoming Treit and True columns, we'll be covering the game's RPG elements and customization options, as well as tips and tricks, and even a feature dedicated to the game's remarkable cooperative mode.

Too Human manages to maintain exceptional accessibility and white-knuckle action while weaving a story that reaches far beyond standard video game fare. Once again, Silicon Knights has cultivated originality in its efforts, offering a game that's equal parts gorgeous, fun, and conscientious. Midgard awaits you.

Article by Ryan Treit