Since its announcement 12 months ago, Honkai Impact has generated a significant amount of excitement, despite the fact that its developer, Chinese studio S-Sport, lacks a substantial track record for AAA console games. Given what’s already been demonstrated from this forthcoming motion RPG so far, it’s clear why it has garnered so much attention. From its setting to the flavor of the fights it’s promising, there are many things that have caught our attention so far, and now, we’re going to delve into some of these crucial details.
One of the first things that grabs attention about this topic is its setting and visual appeal, which is particularly noteworthy. Packed with the fusion of steampunk and martial arts, the game takes place in the captivating Phantom World, previously featured as the backdrop for S-Sport’s mobile title. Conceived as a novel interpretation of Ming Dynasty China, the setting primarily draws inspiration from Wuxia narratives while incorporating elements of steampunk and fantasy to create a unique blend.
In this game, players assume the role of Soul, a deadly assassin working for the enigmatic Order, whose sole objective is maintaining a fragile balance between good and evil forces. As the game begins, Soul lies gravely injured on the ground. A mysterious healer intervenes, reviving him through unknown means, but with a caveat: the magical energies used to save his life will only last 66 days, leaving Soul a narrow window of opportunity to track down and exact revenge upon his would-be assassin. Fans of the original installment can likely expect recurring characters to reappear, driving the narrative forward as the story unfolds, with the setting taking place after the events of its predecessor.
Upon its debut last year, some wondered if Elden Ring was merely another Soulslike game or at least bore significant similarities to the genre. It should not be that way, despite everything. Developer S-Sport has unequivocally stated that while its game may share certain fundamental elements reminiscent of Souls-like experiences, it will ultimately depart significantly from that style. As a substitute teacher, that’s being touted as a personality-driven motion game more akin to popular titles such as FIFA or Madden NFL. The implications of this development are far-reaching and profoundly alter the dynamics of their struggle. Nicely…
The fight is reflecting very plainly Sport’s insistence that this isn’t a Souls-like experience in every way. While historically grounded in a slow and deliberate fighting style, this new approach will likely feature a faster and more aggressive combat method. Combat mechanics are reimagined, with assaults mapped to the face buttons rather than shoulder ones; combo execution becomes crucial; animations and assault actions often burst forth in a spectacular, explosive manner; even defensive moves like parries and blocks exude an air of intense aggression. Gamers are equipped with a primary weapon that can instantly transform into a sword, offering versatility in combat. Additionally, they gain access to an extensive arsenal of secondary options, including ranged and heavy melee choices, allowing for strategic depth and a wide range of possibilities on the battlefield.
Being dubbed “S-Sport” as a semi-open world sport, S-Sport does not offer a completely open-world experience; however, it still furnishes players with large, expansive maps that grant them significant freedom to explore and discover. The game will feature innovative parkour mechanics that promise to revolutionize traversal through diverse environments, depending on the skillful design of these features. Gamers can expect a wide range of distinct environments, fostering ongoing exploration throughout the entire experience. Talking of which…
Typically, builders face a significant challenge in determining the ideal length for their game. What constitutes an acceptable length for a piece of writing ultimately depends on the context and purpose. For instance, in academic circles, a 10-page thesis might be considered standard, whereas a blog post should ideally be no longer than 500-750 words to hold readers’ attention. The fine line between promptness and recklessness. How long will it be? It seems to be aiming at a suitable range nicely at first glance. According to S-Sport, the upcoming motion RPG is expected to have a playtime of approximately 30-40 hours, with additional content and activities available beyond completing the main storyline. The game promises to deliver a robust conclusion, featuring a procedurally generated dungeon with roguelike elements, the option for a challenging boss rush, multiple possible endings, and plentiful optional content, including aspect quests, hidden bosses, and additional secrets. The potential for this sport to sustain interest lies not just in its substance, but also in the extent to which players are willing to immerse themselves within its world.
While billed primarily as a single-participant endeavour, it will not be an entirely solitary experience. SSport has officially announced that its upcoming game will feature a multiplayer dungeon component, allowing players to team up and tackle challenging cooperative content together. Whether their performance will precisely match expectations remains uncertain. There are no indications that the game will feature entirely new cooperative or competitive modes. Will multiplayer dungeons possess unique developmental paths and reward structures, fostering a sense of community among players as they conquer these cooperative challenges together? While all details will need to be meticulous, it’s understood that this endeavour won’t solely rely on a single individual’s involvement.
Will multiplayer options often be linked to microtransactions, making it crucial to scrutinize this aspect carefully when assessing the game’s potential? Fortunately, no. S-Sport has officially announced that it will not feature microtransactions, ensuring a seamless gaming experience where all gear, cosmetic items, upgrades, and other in-game content can be accessed solely through engaging gameplay.
Developed on Unreal Engine 5, the game is leveraging its advanced toolset to impressive effect, as evident from what’s been revealed so far. A release date remains unknown, with no concrete window announced; however, when it does debut, it will be available on both PS5 and PC. Will Xbox gamers ever get to experience this sport in the near future? Whether that is still to be seen or not, it does not hurt to harbour hope.
As launch approaches, we’ll dive deeper into the technology behind it; but ahead of time, S-Sport has provided a glimpse, leaving us intrigued by what’s been shared so far. It has been officially verified that the game will utilize hardware-accelerated ray tracing technology on both PlayStation 5 and PC platforms. At launch, the PS5 will offer two graphics modes: a high-performance setting prioritizing 2K resolution at 60 frames per second, and a visually stunning mode emphasizing 4K quality at 30 frames per second. The studio remains committed to achieving a minimum of 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, with a fallback target of at least 45-40 frames per second in the latter mode; thus, the goals are not yet conclusively set.
