Hey...does anybody else think this is funny? I posted this back in feb 08 for a 40K game idea:
What would you think of a Warhammer 40K RPG/ARPG type game? Here's the way I have it imagined. The game play would most likely be from a 3rd person/over the shoulder view. It would have to have a mix of melee combat and ranged. I guess the closest thing would be kind of like Guild Wars, but the controls would have to be much tighter and rely more on actions rather then stats. The mouse buttons would be your left/right hand (and use whatever was equipped in each). So, for instance, in your left hand you could have a chain sword, and right hand could have a bolter, that way you can easily switch between melee/ranged as needed. WASD to move, spacebar jump, E to use, ect, ect. Hellgate London's control could be kind of used as an example, though it would be greatly improved. Movement would need to be more fluid (like Gears of War for example).
The game itself would be geared for single player (I think 40k is very cool world, and single player allows for better story telling), and have the player progressing through an epic story starting as fresh meat space marine squad leader. Opening level would serve as a tutorial of sorts, and introduce the player to the controls, as well as get the players "character" introduced in the story. Obviously space marines work in squads, so this would have to be a squad based game. Something similar to Star Wars: Republic Commando would work excellent, except your squad (when you eventually get one) is customizable and would be larger.
RPG elements will be in the game, but not in the manner most ARPG's have them. I guess it's "rpg-lite". Enemies won't drop items, instead, before each mission you have to select your (and your squads) load out. I think it would be cool, to have upgradeable selection though, so it wont be limited. Here's where some of the more unique RPG ideas come into place...instead of the ARPG staple of looting/buying/selling to upgrade items, you gain this by achieving your way through the ranks of the legion, including deciding which chapter to fall under. What will make this element so cool is through your battlefield achievements (or some other mechanic) you get to decide what route to take you and your squad. Would be awesome to move into devastator type load outs, then get promoted to terminators, ect. Or you could take other routes, for instance focus on psyker mutations and go for librian/chaplain/apocathary. I think the best way to implement this mechanic, is to gain "tactical points" after each mission. There would also be side objectives in each mission, allowing you to gain extra points. Not sure if there would be your standard RPG type stats (str, end, int, ect), but there would have to be something to gain to put towards upgrading and specializing so you can fall into the different chapters. Each chapter would have access to different equipment/implants/psyker powers/ect. There would also probably be different levels in each chapter, so as to build on that equipment.
For actual setting, I think the best would be to pit the Space Marines against the Tyranids. Though some of the other races could make cameos, I think the scale of the game would have to be realistic. So I think it can't be like Dawn of War with huge battles, it would be more tactical and smaller scaled (think Space Hulk).
Just had that idea and thought it was cool. I always loved the 40K setting (not a buff or anything though), and ARPG's are my favorite type of game. I think they could really make a neat experience have a heavy action orientated game but allowed for RPG element to shine through advancing though the chapters.
dnuggs40
Obviously some very key differences but I wanted a 40K Space Marine A-RPG over a year ago and now I get one :D
Log in to comment