GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

First look: Good Cop Bad Cop

Revolution Software's GBA port of Broken Sword has received a lot of attention recently, and its latest title--Good Cop Bad Cop for the PS2, Xbox, and PC--is sure to keep the developer's name in the news well into next year.

Comments

European developer Revolution Software is primarily known for its adventure series Broken Sword. The company is currently working on the third installment in the series and a GBA port of the first game. However, Revolution revealed today that it is working on a completely new project named Good Cop Bad Cop that will be coming to the Sony PlayStation 2, the Microsoft Xbox, and the PC in 2002.

In the game, players assume the role of Ben Kellman, a tough and cynical cop whose world is turned upside down when a suspect in a murder case is the same man who killed his father 25 years ago. Whether Kellman seeks revenge or justice is up to the player and how he or she chooses to play the game. Throughout Good Cop Bad Cop, the morality of the player is judged and the story and gameplay adapt accordingly. So, depending on the player's actions, the game can either end in a happy scene or with a scene of murderous revenge.

"For Good Cop Bad Cop, we're drawing inspiration from classic American cop films and will translate their explosive action into gameplay," said Charles Cecil, managing director of Revolution. "Featuring operatic shoot-outs and moments of unbelievable tension, the game will see the player embark on rooftop chases and gunfights across crowded thoroughfares, kick down doors, capture suspects, and arrest or execute them. Players are free to further their investigation as they wish, beating up or killing suspects, wounding or permanently silencing enemies."

Cecil is also very enthusiastic about the production values used in Good Cop Bad Cop. "Good Cop Bad Cop is a very ambitious title," he said. "It's certainly more action-oriented than anything we've done before, but we'll be using our experience within the field of interactive fiction to ensure this is not just another 'me-too' blast-'em-up. Advanced facial animation technology will ensure Good Cop Bad Cop features superb acting and characterization to set it apart and make it real. This game has the sophistication of a film like Heat with the action of Die Hard or Lethal Weapon, whereas most of the games out there are in cheesy B-movie territory."

"We're primarily interested in challenging the morals of the player," Cecil continued. "The most violent option within the game will certainly appeal to many, but Good Cop Bad Cop will present the consequences of those actions in a dark and mature way. We believe that players will soon feel uncomfortable playing Good Cop Bad Cop because of the things you might end up doing. By testing players' emotions on top of their reactions, we've come up with an extremely unique gameplay experience."

Good Cop Bad Cop is scheduled to be completed in the second half of 2002, and the game's publisher will be announced at a later date.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

Join the conversation
There are no comments about this story