Hunted: The Demon’s Forge Preview

The folks at Mana Pool have conjured up a quick preview of Hunted: The Demon’s Forge, the forthcoming co-op dungeon crawler from Brian Fargo and inXile Entertainment.

More than a simple hack ‘˜n’ slash, Hunted will also pose puzzles for the duo to solve and this will often require an element of cooperation such as Elara using her fire arrows to light torches, while Caddock ‘˜s brute force is needed to simultaneously push around lumps of stone. In addition to these environmental obstacles which must be overcome in order to progress through the area, there are also optional, more difficult (Deathstone) puzzles from time to time. (Deathstones) can be used by the pair to speak to the dead, who will provide you with clues (both audio and visual), in order to complete these challenges and, naturally, reap the rewards! Another cooperative element of the game comes in the form of the magic system which can be used to (battle charge) (offensive buff) your buddy during combat. Drawing another parallel to Gears of War, you can also revive your team mate, though mercifully this does not require you to run across the battlefield in Hunted; rather you can use a magical potion to revive your companion at range.

As well as reaping the usual spoils of war as you rampage through the land weapons, shields and so on you will also be able to upgrade your character’s moves via the game’s crystal economy system. For example, Caddock can unlock a ground pound move which flings enemies surrounding him into the air, allowing Elara to snipe at them as they fall, defenceless. If you join a friend’s game, you’re still able to collect the crystals to spend as you wish.