Existing levels have been reworked they reveal and sports a ”proper, dramatic new ending” along with new voice actors. Hydrophobia Prophecy is the name.
If at first you don’t succeed then listen to fan feedback and then re-release with 70 percent new stuff. The game’s cover system has been improved with combat now available when you’re climbing. It has an expanded storyline with new voice talent.
”It’s Hydrophobia 1.5, really,” said Dark Energy’s Deborah Jones. ”It’s also not the original and it’s also not Pure.” Hydrophobia Pure released on Xbox 360 back in December.
”The game is now hugely longer,” said studio boss Pete Jones. ”We’ve honed, refined and developed the stuff people liked, and we’ve added a bunch of new stuff that’s gone down really well in usability tests.” PSN’s version will launch after PC and supports Move.
”We want to be the first game and the first developer that truly has a one-to-one connection with the community,” Jones said. The game features a fan feedback system called Darknet which supports contextually augmented comments feeding DED’s servers.
”We’re a bit of a slow starter and we made mistakes in the beginning, but we’ve got there in the end. We’ve been committed heart and soul to this project. We believe in it completely. We’ve created something now we’re all very proud of.”
Here’s is a feature list of improvements with Hydrophobia Prophecy, due May 9th:
Graphics
- Enhanced environmental lighting throughout the game
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High resolution textures
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Updated video texture work
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Hugely improved particle systems throughout the game
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Depth of field effects implemented
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MLAA anti-aliasing
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Improved lighting and shadowing solutions
HydroEngine Enhancements
- Enhanced character DripMapping technology
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Improved reflection and refraction mapping
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Enhancement underwater visual effects
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Underwater depth of field effect
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Enhanced particle system and improved performance
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New high resolution RippleMap simulation responds to characters and objects
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Jump distance more accurate relative to movement speed
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Added stationary jump
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Speed of movement through vents increased and animations improved
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Speed of movement with MAVI increased
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Various animations refined to provide better feedback
Narrative and Backstory
- Scoot character remodelled
Scoot character recast, now played by Oliver Vaquer (GTA: Liberty City Stories, The Warriors, Law & Order)
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Characterisation improved with remastered voice acting and additional scenes
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Mila characters role has been enhanced with compelling new scenes
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Storyline enhanced and completed
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Dramatic new plot points shed light on the back story and the Prophecy of Malthus
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New in game video communications enhance the narrative without disrupting gameplay
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Compelling new cutscenes and dramatic twists
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New mechanics designed around the deeper narrative
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Hydro Kinetic powers brought into the main story
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Dramatic new ending completes the story arc
Wading and Swimming
- Reworked Kate’s bracing animation and responsiveness
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Eliminated undesirable situations where the character was swept out of player control
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Increased speed of recovery after being wiped out by water
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Removed invasive reactionary animations after being wiped out by water
Art Direction
- Improved environmental lighting
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Re-designed locations add variety and drama
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Spectacular new environments introduced
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Reworked environmental assets
Audio
- New and improved music tracks
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Re-mastered audio and improved sound design
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New SFX added to various feedback systems
Puzzles
- Improved lock-on effect for electric cable puzzles
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Added mini-puzzles to existing areas
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Exclusive new environments introduce new physics based puzzles
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Ability to manipulate floating objects to solve bouyancy based puzzles
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New narrative based challenges
Combat and Cover Systems
- Individual bone based enemy lock on feature (depending on difficult setting)
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Improved aim assist functionality
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Dynamic aim reticule adapts to different ammo types and combat behaviour
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Destructable object system reworked for greater feedback and effectiveness
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Greater variety of ammo earlier in the game
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AI enhancements and performance improvements
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Instant ammo collection features eliminates unneccessary button presses
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Rebalanced Sonic Rounds for more effective combat
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Reload times reduced for better combat flow
Cover System Enhancements
- Blind fire functionality added
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Turn corners while in cover and engage in flanking maneuvours
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Cover animation improvements
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More responsive and smooth cover transitions
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All new Floating Cover system
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Grab bouyant object to use as dynamic cover in water
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Use floating cover on the surface or during underwater combat
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New Climbing Combat system
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Ability to shoot and engage in combat while climbing or hanging
Levels and Game Balance
- Enhanced and redesigned levels
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Exclusive new levels to explore throughout the game
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All new mechanics, puzzles and combat added
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Dramatic new end sequence using Hydro Kinetic abilities
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Decrypting doors sequence shortened
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Tutorial added for hack mini game
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Improved feedback, waypoint design and tutorials
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Better checkpoint design
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Improved difficulty setting design
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Rationalised waypoint system choice allows players to set their preference for how much hand holding they want independently of difficulty setting
Darknet
- Contextual Dev Feedback System - bring up Dev Feedback from the pause menu at any time to comment on your experience
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Your feedback is uploaded to Dark Energy augmented with contextual information about the gamestate
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Dark Energy will continue to act upon gathered data from the playing community
GUI and Front End
- Menus reworked
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Front end menus re-designed
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In game menus re-designed
Value
- Pre-purchase the Steam version for just $10.19 / £7.64 (including 15% pre-purchase discount)
- New locations, mechanics and narrative elements extend the lifespan of the main game massively
