Binary Domain: Why did we not get to this sooner?!

I’m sorry, I have to apologize. We’ve really been slacking when it comes to this and I have no clue why. We actually had a small blurb about it back at TGS2011 but since then Binary Domain has kind of faded into obscurity here at The Mog Blog. Whatever reason, that feels like a travesty for something that could actually be genuinely good. This game here, it may just been the something that could scratch that sci-fi shooter itch very much so.

This generation, the only things we’ve really had that breached into the Sci-Fi Shooter territory to reach any real acclaim were Mass Effect and Killzone 3. Although are both two good games, they are also very different. Mass Effect being the third person sci-fi shooter RPG, and Killzone 3 being just a straight up shooter with a sci-fi shooter. Binary Domain (referred henceforth as BD) however swings closer to that of Mass Effect. In terms of scope, no its not as galaxy spanning as Mass Effect but in its own I firmly believe that this is a game we REALLY need to pay attention to.

I’m sure many of you can agree that Sega as of late has really been letting people down in terms of games. The only thing that seemed to have interested anyone were games being developed by Platinum Games. I personally were all into the Yakuza franchise they do for Sony Platforms. The Yakuza games, developed by Toshihiro Nagoshi, at first glance may seem like your average beat-em-up but there’s a something there you don’t normally see in the genre as a whole. The Yakuza games delivered not only satisfying gameplay experience but a very engrossing and deep story if you were willing to give it the time of day. It was the only thing that personally saved my hope for Sega.

Binary Domain, also developed by Nagoshi and his Yakuza Team, seem to be following the same trend has the Yakuza titles. Delivering a satisfying shooter experience as well as compelling story mode. Surprisingly enough, to satisfy those of you that believe that a game needs multiplayer, especially a shooter, this will feature multiplayer as well. The multiplayer honestly is the least of my concern at this point. What we need to know is what about the game itself.

BD takes place in Tokyo 2080 where human kind and androids have becoming commonplace. The issue arises when a company decides to develop life-like machines. But instead of me talking about it, I’ll just shoot you the story trailer.

It’s fairly interesting if I don’t say so myself. Nagoshi is no stranger to crafting a good story and I have a strong feeling that this one will be one of his best and reach appealing. The thing is if we’re willing to accept this game for what it is. If you need more persuasion, then look no further than how the consequence system works in the game. The consequence system feels like how choices in Mass Effect determined outcomes in the story but this looks to extend further than just story but how teammates work together as well in the field.

The interface is also to incorporate voice commands as well which would allow for a more streamlined experienced where you can focus more on what you’re doing instead of selecting options in between segments. Honestly speaking, this might be the most ambitious thing Sega has done in recent memory. Last thing I can think of where it felt as if they put so much effort into a game was Shenmue and we all know how sad that makes us to think that we may never get a conclusion to that story. BD is looking to be my most anticipated game at the beginning of 2012 and I suggest that anyone that like shooters, sci-fi games, and good stories to take a look at Binary Domain. If anything, you’d have enough with it before you go off to the next big sci-fi game this year but this needs you attention. Sega is asking for your attention, at least oblige them and give them a look.

Additional videos can be found here.

Binary Domain is scheduled for release on Xbox 360® and the PlayStation®3 on February 28, 2012.

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OnesOwnGrief

Hi everyone! Names Edward "OnesOwnGrief" Walton, Associate Editor here at The Mog Blog, and I'm here to make sure all our gamers out there know whats hot out there and what isn't, at least in my own opinion anyways. Just want to remind everyone that a review is an opinion and never the final word on if you should try something.