The Power Review

Starhawk: Is Sony Biting off more than they can Chew?

Alright, now with the recent news of SCEA copyrighting the name Starhawk, it seems like the rumors about the next iteration of Warhawk being set in space have been all but confirmed.  This game has a lot to live up to, as its predecessor still remains one of the most played games on the PSN, and this is over 2 years after its initial release.  Fans of this series are going to expect a lot out of this title, and Sony has chosen to be extremely ambitious by setting this title in space where there is seemingly limitless potential.  However, are they shooting themselves in the foot by trying to attempt too much?  And what new obstacles does this change in scenery present for this new game?

Let’s start out with what is expected from this new game:

o     Better graphics – Considering the size of the maps and the number of players online at the same time, this was a feat to accomplish this in the first generation of games on the PS3.  However, now we’re in the third year of its lifecycle, and consumers have raised their standards.  The same cartoony graphics just won’t be acceptable for this new game.  Expect sharper textures, and GREATLY increased range of visibility on the horizon for both the environments and players.

o     Destructible Environments – This one really speaks for itself.  Especially with a game that offers so many amazing weapons to choose from, destructible environments would only enhance the game.  Not only would you be able to obliterate a squadron of enemies with cluster bombs, but now you also would be able to send the environment to the great beyond along with them!

o     Better Dedicated Servers - The outcry from this may have started in response to more and more information surfacing about M.A.G.  This game would have the potential to be the “MAG of space”.  I’m expecting to see at LEAST 60 player dedicated servers that would allow for all of these players to be in vehicles in the same sector of the map and all visible at the same time.  That’s going to require quite a bit of finesse to accomplish, but I have faith that it’ll be doable.

o     Single Player Campaign – PLEASE!  They teased us with a training mode that was implemented during the trophy patch on this first PS3 Warhawk.  Now people want a full blown campaign mode.  But the worst thing that the developers could possibly do is to just throw together a half-assed campaign just to say that they had one.  People don’t like being thrown into an online-only game without getting to practice first.

Now you may be wondering why I’m making such a big deal out of the game being in space?  It’s because there is not set ceiling for any of the environments.  Not only that, but in space there is not set floor, or walls, etc.  How do you make an environment that is supposed to be limitless into the size where players will be forced to interact with eachother.  It’s a very delicate balance.

What I am hoping for (but I doubt that I’ll ever happen) is for a space fighter game in the style of the old LucasArts game Tie Fighter.  I’m hoping that Starhawk could become the 3^rd person version of this, and if that’s the case, it would live up to all of my expectations.  Long story short:  SCEA has their hands full with taking on such an ambitious game as this.  Not only do they have their current player/fan’s expectations, but they also have the difficulties of being able to develop in an environment where they are trying to limit a limitless 3d/no gravity area.  I think they can do it, but they have their work cut out for them.  Look forward to hearing more about this title at E3 2009 in June.