English
Gamereactor
previews
Hollowpoint

Hollowpoint

We take a closer look at the impressive dimensions of Ruffian Games' latest project.

Subscribe to our newsletter here!

* Required field
HQ

Towards the end of the 21st century the current world order has fallen. No more governments. Instead mega corporations have risen to take their place. It's not the most novel of concepts, but it's a backdrop that works for Hollowpoint - an innovative co-op action title from Crackdown 2 developers Ruffian Games.

Dundee-based Ruffian Games have an interesting story. Formed by a number of former Crackdown developers from Real Time Worlds and supported by Microsoft, they were pretty much set up with the sole purpose of creating Crackdown 2. After it released in 2010 the studio took odd jobs and contract work. Most recently they helped on the multi-studio patchwork development that was Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Prior to that they worked on a "big load of Kinect stuff I don't ever want to think about again" as founder Billy Thomson put it. Finally they've gotten another shot at creating something entirely of their own. Enter Hollowpoint.

The key feature of Hollowpoint is its blend of 2D and 3D action. Players move left, right, up and down on the 2D plane, while enemies appear both on the 2D plane and in the 3D backdrops. The idea is that you need to keep track of what's happening on both arenas and enemies will move from the backdrops and into the 2D space if they are melee focused. Find cover and you get an over-the-shoulder style zoom in to better view the enemies creeping towards your playing field from out of the 3D background. An interesting touch is that your bullets will travel in a trajectory from where your character stands (or crouches) and towards where your reticule is in the background. It may take a couple of minutes getting used to (we didn't play it ourselves), but given how you aim both into the background and along the 2D plane it makes sense. Naturally the system lends itself to team-play, where one player gets into cover and perhaps picks off enemies advancing towards in the 2D plane, while others have to cover their back (or left and right in this case).

Hollowpoint
This is an ad:

The maps are procedurally generated with layouts of levels and combinations of rooms and enemies all randomised. "You'll never play the exact same levels twice," says Billy Thomson. Players will play to complete various objectives, take down enemies and bosses; all in a bid to earn credits and further your operatives and corporation.

There is tremendous tactical depth in Hollowpoint. Way more than you'd think at first glance. And it's not just about the unique approach that mixes 2D arenas with 3D. There's almost insane depth to your operatives and their progression. Maybe not on par with Call of Duty, but not far from it.

Prestige an operative and you gain an extra ability point to distribute (this can be performed fifteen times for a total of forty-five ability points instead of thirty). It takes thirty to max out a certain archetype - say a sniper with the appropriate skills and abilities. There's simply a ton of longevity built into Hollowpoint. There are sixteen operative abilities, tailored for various archetypes (sniper, assault, and so on), you take four abilities with you, and with four players that makes for a tremendous amount of variation within the team (each player has four operatives to switch between). Add on top of that equipment and power-ups (like turrets and forcefields) and you've got a smorgasbord of possibilities.

The progression doesn't stop at the operative though, as you'll be levelling up your corporation to unlock more slots, operatives and discounts for asset packs. Assets packs are where you unlock customisation options (camo, colours), weapons, power-ups and equipment.

This is an ad:

Prior to the event we knew very little regarding Hollowpoint, but we came away impressed. Instead of a run-of-the-mill Contra style arcade shooter we're getting something with a lot more depth to it. While it is still early days (pre-alpha) and we have yet to play the game ourselves, there is tremendous potential in the concept. Hollowpoint is targeted for release later this year on PC and PS4.

HollowpointHollowpoint
HQ

Related texts

0
Hollowpoint

Hollowpoint

PREVIEW. Written by Gillen McAllister

After our first hands-off look at Ruffian Games' shooter we finally grab a controller and enter the battlefield for some frontline impressions.

0
Hollowpoint

Hollowpoint

PREVIEW. Written by Bengt Lemne

We take a closer look at the impressive dimensions of Ruffian Games' latest project.



Loading next content