In a blatant stab at my generation’s nostalgia glands, THQ has revealed the upcoming Voltron: Defender of the Universe.
Though the game is scheduled for an official unveiling later this week at Comic Con, IGN spoke to the developer and was granted early details.
Of specific interest, is that the game is based on the mid-1980’s Voltron. The good Voltron. The one where five color-coded lions merged into a wicked sweet robot and cut monsters in half with lasers and the power of friendship.
Gameplay details are scant, though IGN reports the following:
The game will include clips from the animated series and recreate some big moments that fans should recognize like the discovery of the lions and the first formation of Voltron. It’s described as an action adventure game.
Up to five players can team up as the Voltron Force online, or two players can cooperate offline (there will also be single-player gameplay). Each Lion has its own strengths, resistances, and elemental attacks. When formed as Voltron, players will have to work together to wield his enormous sword.
Cool, huh? That five-person multiplayer idea is just brilliant, as long as you get the Black or Red Lions. Even Princess Allura’s Blue Lion would be pretty choice. Just so long as you don’t have to play as Pidge. I hate that kid.
IGN also has a promotional trailer for the game that offers a very short look at the title’s gameplay. Unless I’m totally missing my mark, there are overhead shooter-style sections in which you play as your respective lion, as well as Voltron versus giant monster boss battles that seem less interactive than one might hope.
Though things initially sound intriguing, I would warn against getting too excited for Voltron: Defender of the Universe, as the game is being developed by Behaviour Interactive. No, there isn’t any reason why you should recognize that name. To date the company’s highest profile title is the PSP iteration of 2010’s literary blasphemy cum God of War clone Dante’s Inferno.
I’m not saying Behaviour is incapable of creating the Voltron game of my dreams, I’m just saying that, to date, the company has done nothing to prove itself. Fingers crossed that this project doesn’t result in yet another forgettable licensed title in Behaviour’s development history.
Voltron: Defender of the Universe is scheduled for release on both the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade. The former iteration will debut on October 25 and the latter will appear the next day.
Both versions will feature a $10 price tag.
Source: IGN
