Hunted: The Demon’s Forge Preview

GameShark is next in line with a hands-on preview of Hunted: The Demon’s Forge, the upcoming co-op dungeon crawl from Bethesda Softworks and inXile Entertainment.

Both Caddoc and E’lara expanded their skill sets by buying upgrades from that shifty Seraphin character with crystals collected during their travels. During the demo we were shown spells (Hellfire), which shot a big ol’ fireball, and (Levitate), which rendered enemies helpless by lifting them off the ground. We were also shown a co-operative mechanic called (Battlecharge), in which one character charged up another with spells, giving both of them more power. After fighting their way through a slew of demons both armed and armored, and moving out to a vast outdoor arena where a humongous demon was seen moving in the distance, the heroes were confronted by a big horned boss demon that appeared to be immune to basic attacks. After vainly shooting, pounding and casting spells on it, E’lara cast lightning on Caddoc’s sword, giving him a much more powerful Lightning Sword, and they beat the ugly thing, taking it down with an impressive co-op finishing move.

Combat is definitely a big part of Hunted, but it’s definitely not all of it. Environments contain puzzle elements and obstacles and these things are often overcome thanks to Caddoc’s strength; for example, in the arena space, Caddoc made it possible for the two of them to progress by toppling some precariously placed stone towers. Of course, he nearly buried himself and E’lara in rubble in the process, which points to the next unique thing about Hunted its sense of humor. E’lara and Caddoc are an unlikely pair in any case, and they become unlikelier still once you get to know them. In an obvious type reversal, it was the slight, elegant female who kept diving into danger while the big muscular bruiser kept hanging back. E’lara also seemed like the smarter (and more sarcastic) of the two, as indicated by their banter. Upon being accosted by a giant Beholder, Caddoc said, (Do you think it saw us?) whereupon E’lara responded, (It’s a giant EYE. What do you think?)