D2 for Sega Dreamcast - Preview

originally written for Gamers.com

Survival horror is a genre dominated by the Resident Evil line of games, and, with the release of Resident Evil: Code Veronica, there is only one game that will challenge that title: D2.  D2 is the pseudo-sequel to the horror graphic adventure D that was released on 3DO, Sega Saturn, PSX, and PC.  D2 is a sequel in name only, however.  It does star the same digital thespian, Laura, but the two stories in no way intersect.  This time around, Laura is on an airliner over Northern Canada when a meteor strikes the recently hijacked plane sending her, the other passengers, and the terrorists plummeting into the snowy wastes to fend for themselves.  The game mixes several kinds of genres into one cohesive package, using elements from the original D in the form of the graphic adventure interface, first-person shooter style combat and sniper modes, third-person survival horror movement, and role-playing styles of character advancement.  The combat is based on random encounters when the camera will switch to a first-person perspective where Laura is fixed in place defending herself from enemies on, sometimes, all sides of her.  D2 will feature an engrossing story told using game-engine cinematics, however, the US version of the game is being severely edited due to sexual content that sheltered, closed-minded American audiences might find offensive.  The graphics for D2 promise to be some of the best to date for the Dreamcast, sporting vastly expansive outdoor environments that allow almost limitless exploration possibilities.  The incredible sense of scale that the player feels is especially evident when approaching the downed airliner, as you can see it from quite a distance, but approaching it takes time.  The models for the mutated passengers of the plane borrow largely from John Carpenter’s The Thing, not to mention the feeling of isolation and distrust that game creator Kenji Eno is hoping to convey.  D2 should continue Warp’s track record for creating esoteric games with an artistic shine to them, and should make Dreamcast gamers very happy in August when it is due out.