Interview: Price Talks Rise of the Argonauts

Eurogamer interviewed Liquid Entertainment’s lead designer Charley Price about the upcoming game Rise of the Argonauts. The game is based on the Greek mythological tale of Jason and the Argonauts. Argonauts is set in the role-playing game genre, but Liquid hopes to redefine what gamers expect of RPGs. Price explains his vision in these words:

Rise of the Argonauts is a role-playing game that focuses on the strengths of the genre (strong story, character development, meaningful choices) while discarding the antiquated trappings that plague it (endless menus, bag/inventory management, minor statistic-tweaking, etc.).

Players will control Jason in the game and gameplay promises to be different in Argonauts. Every choice made whether in combat or dialogue will effect your character’s progression. Combat promises to be real-time and lethal. Once you by pass your opponent’s shield by deflecting it, dodging around it or smashing through it combat will be quick and bloody. Characters are procedurally animated making every combat unique and small adjustments matter.

Gameplay will be free-form with each island setting interconnecting like a web so that not only can Jason visit them in any order, but he will revisit them as new events are triggered. Price covers interactions with the Argonaut legendary figures and the four gods; Athena, Ares, Hermes, and Apollo. Jason must gain the favor of the Gods to progress and develop his character. He can win their favor by dedicating Deeds to them and through dialogue choices.

In Rise of the Argonauts, the gods are always watching Jason’s actions – even in dialogue. As such, when you enter a conversation, each of your choices is represented with an icon reflecting one of the patron gods – each of which infers a tone for the line in question. An aggressive or confrontational choice will please Ares, causing your Favour with him to increase, whereas a cunning or manipulative choice would please Hermes, and so on. As such, every narrative choice that the player makes will level-up their character.

Rise of the Argonauts is scheduled for release in 2008 for the PS3, Xbox 360 and the PC.

via Eurogamer