Yes, Platinum Games is working on ‘The Legend of Korra’
By Gieson Cacho | Contra Costa Times (MCT)
When I heard that Platinum Games was working on a project based on “The Legend of Korra,” I had to do a double take. It seemed out of character for the Japanese developer to take on a licensed project (they mostly work on original games), but here I was getting a rundown of the game from Activision producer Robert Conkey and Atsushi Kurooka, producer from Platinum Games. And as I saw from a few levels, the animated series is made for action.
For the uninitiated, “The Legend of Korra,” the cartoon, is the sequel to “Avatar: The Last Air Bender.” Both shows take place in a fantasy universe where people are able to wield elements and mix them in with martial arts. Most characters can use one element but the avatar is the only one in the world who can use four — fire, air, water and earth. Like the dalai lamas, the avatar is reincarnated every generation and Korra happens to be the one for her era.
As for the campaign itself, it’s set between the second and third season of the series. Conkey said it acts almost as a lead-in for the new episodes. The premise for “The Legend of Korra” game is that a mysterious old man takes away her powers and she has to spend the rest of the four-hour campaign trying to get her bending power back.
How did Platinum and the Korra crew team up? “We were blown away by the show,” Kurooka said. “There are four aspects we enjoy: action, the quality of the story, relationships of people and the really good blend of comedy and romance.” He also mentioned that he appreciated the complex themes the cartoon tackled.
But what caught the team’s interest was the high-production value and attention to detail, especially in creating the world and fighting styles. Kurooka said the creators used real martial arts moves and blended them with each elemental bending style.
That interesting amalgamation of combat falls nicely in Platinum Games wheelhouse. The creators of “Bayonetta” and “Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance,” know how to make action games. They’ve developed deep and rewarding combat systems and “The Legend of Korra” is no exception.
Korra will have to fight different teams in the Probending, an extra mode available in the game.
Korra has a light and heavy attack with ability to do a powered-up version of each by holding down the necessary buttons. She can dodge and block with the trigger buttons. Players who can anticipate attacks can hit block in time for a powerful counter. There is some slight platforming with a jump button, but nothing too difficult. But where the combat gets innovative is in the ability to switch between Korra’s bending powers with the shoulder buttons.
Each element has its own strengths and weaknesses. Water bending is quick and great for ranged attacks and juggling. Earth is slow but does the most damage. It also has the ability to launch foes for midair assaults. Meanwhile fire bending is fluid and combo-centric. It’s designed to keep foes in a chain of punches and kicks. Lastly, air bending is versatile with a good mix of speed and power, allowing her to knock foes into the air and to perform dash-throws on them. It arguably has the best mobility with an air sphere that lets Korra get around the levels quickly.
Going even deeper, players will be able to purchase new moves by collecting souls. They can also level-up Korra’s powers until they hit the level 10 cap. Near the end, Korra’s powers will get so strong that she can potentially freeze mecha tanks with water or melt them with fire. To help the teenage avatar out, she has the ability to carry items that heal her or add status effects. Lastly, there’s an Avatar mode that lets her use all her powers at once.
To break up the monotony of constant fighting, there are endless runner stages where Korra rides Naga, her polar bear-sized dog, and races through narrow corridors. In the Republic City, she dodges cars and leaps over gaps. Her avatar powers help her overcome obstacles like large pits. It looks like a nice break for the game’s eight chapters.
Lastly, there is an extra mode in addition to the campaign. Platinum Games is including Probending, a sport in the Avatar universe. A masked Korra takes on teams of three benders and push them back by dodging, countering and delivering her own attacks.
Fans of Platinum Games may be disappointed that the team toned down its over-the-top style for most of “The Legend of Korra.” (Hey, they need to fit it within the logic of the universe.) But Kurooka assured me that the last boss will have some surprises. He said it will represent the Platinum Games feel. That’s the payoff that fans of the studio will be looking for when “The Legend of Korra” launches this fall on the PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One and Xbox 360.
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One and Xbox 360
Style: Single player
Publisher: Activision
