Unbound Saga
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| Unbound Saga | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer | Vogster Entertainment |
| Publisher | Vogster Entertainment |
| Platforms | PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360 |
| Release | PSP
|
| Genre | Beat 'em up |
| Modes | Single-player, Multiplayer |
Unbound Saga is a 2.5D side-scrolling beat 'em up video game developed and published by Vogster Entertainment and also a one-shot comic book published by Dark Horse Comics. It was released July 16, 2009 for the PlayStation Portable via the PlayStation Network, and on December 1, 2010, for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade.
Unbound Saga is the story of Rick Ajax, a comic book character who is aware he is in a comic. Ajax and fellow comic character Lori Machete seek to confront the artist who created them and be freed from constantly fighting.
The game received moderate reviews from critics, with the PlayStation Portable version averaging 52.60% at GameRankings and 56/100 at Metacritic. Reviewers felt that the art direction was well done, with several reviewers praising the cutscenes, along with the voice acting. Some reviewers said the combat was unpolished, and that the upgrade system lacked depth. Others lauded the simplicity of combat, likening it to classic beat 'em up titles.
Unbound Saga is a 2.5D side-scrolling beat 'em up game.[1] The game is played as though the character is reading a comic book. In individual comic panels, the player character fights off enemies using a combination of three attacks, which can be chained together in combos. When a character is defeated, the hand of The Maker appears and draws additional enemies.[2] In order to complete a panel, the player must defeat all the enemies The Maker draws. As a panel is completed, the character jumps to the next one, similar to Comix Zone. The environment locales vary and include areas like sewers, city slums, jungles and tundra.[3]
Each of the two playable characters has a unique animation set and fighting style.[1] Rick uses a fighting style similar to wrestling and can also pick up and throw enemies. Lori's moveset is more reminiscent of kung fu, and she has the ability to use smoke pellets to sneak up on enemies.[3] Character moves and abilities can be upgraded to gain more powerful attacks.[3] Two players can team up to complete the game on the Xbox 360, each taking a respective character.[4] Objects can also be picked up and thrown. These objects decay into smaller objects after each use.[5]
Plot
The game follows Rick Ajax, a bartending comic book character aware of the fact that he is in a comic. He knows of his creator, whom he refers to as The Maker. A second character, Lori Machete, is also available. They journey together through the fictional city of Toxopolis to confront The Maker.[6]
Development and promotion
Unbound Saga was first announced by Vogster Entertainment for the PlayStation Portable at New York Comic Con 2009.[1] It was released on July 16, 2009. On April 23, 2010, Vogster announced that the game was being ported to the Xbox 360.[4] The port was announced to have cooperative gameplay, a feature absent from the PSP version.[4] It was subsequently released on Xbox Live Arcade on December 1, 2010.[7] In an interview with Mike Kennedy from Vogster Entertainment, Kennedy said the game was influenced by Final Fight and Streets of Rage.[1]
The art for the in-game cutscenes was done by Cliff Richards.[1] A one-shot comic book was also created and published by Dark Horse Comics in conjunction with the game. Richards also created all of the art for the comic book.[1] Mike Kennedy stated in an interview at St. Louis Comic-Con 2009 that the game and the comic had always been developed as one, rather than one being an adaptation of the other.[8] The comic was launched on July 1, 2009.[9] Limited edition figurines were also created to promote the game and comic book launch.[10]
