Primal Image Preview

Fans of Japanimation and video games have long held "characters" like Reiko Nagase (Ridge Racer), Kasumi (Dead or Alive), and Taki (Soul Calibur) in high regard. As virtual pinups to an adolescent market, these characters are the video-game equivalent of Sports Illustrated swimsuit models, but never before was there a game that let you create and manipulate these characters outside of the typical fighting game. Until now. Developed and published by Atlus, Primal Image is a virtual-model game that lets you manipulate female CG models and take photographs of them posing. This is Atlus' first PlayStation2 title, but the company has been popular for such games as Persona and Maken X. The company is working with the production team responsible for D's Garage 21, a Japanese TV show that features CG animation and games from different artists in Japan. The company will use the PlayStation2's Emotion Engine processor to calculate and simulate realistic body movements for the characters instead of using motion captures.

You can select from different virtual models. Atlus so far has revealed three virtual models: Yuki Terai, Anna, and Non. Though most of the models are original characters, Yuki Terai happens to be a guest star in Primal Image. Created by manga artist Kenichi Kutsugi, she is a virtual model from the future - year 2017. She has appeared in numerous TV shows and even a published photo book in Japan.

The game features two modes - memory mode and posing mode. In the memory mode, the models move on their own, whether they are on the catwalk, by the pool, or on the dance floor. They perform various actions such as dancing, exercising, and so on. You equip your camera and try to take good photographs. These will earn you score points called "bits," which will be of use in the posing mode.

In the posing mode, you use the bit score points and, depending on the amount, you can instruct the models to pose the way you want them to. You can also add props like chairs, a microphone stand, a beach ball, and many others. Each model has three outfits prepared. Since the game is based on a movement-simulation program modeled after real humans, requesting poses that are humanly impossible will garner you complaints from the CG models, so beware.

At the time of the writing the game is 60 percent complete, according to Atlus. This also happens to be the first volume, and more volumes are scheduled for a release in the future. Primal Image for the Sony PlayStation2 is slated for an April 27 release in Japan. Jeff Gerstmann's Gameplay Impressions:

Primal Image takes the Pokemon Snap concept to its next logical step. This PlayStation2 game from Atlus puts you behind the lens of a camera. You pick a model and an outfit, and then you must skip from angle to angle, snapping as many high-scoring shots as possible along the way. At the end of each shoot, your pictures are graded and scored according to angle and pose. The different characters include Anna, Non, Yuki Terai, and Nobu - a male model. In the version shown at the Tokyo Game Show, each model had a few different outfits.

The current version is limited only to a few photos per shoot, and it's tough to get into any sort of shooting rhythm without being interrupted, but it looks as though that limitation at this point is merely for demonstration purposes.

The game looks pretty good, though it is chock-full of the same jagged, aliased edges that stick out like a sore thumb in games like Ridge Racer V. Beyond that, the backdrops look nice, and the characters are animated quite well.

With a longer photo-shoot time and picture limit, Primal Image could be a fun little game. But right now I'm not quite sure what to make of it. Will it come out as a legitimate game or as simple, gimmick-based software with little going for it beyond attractive renderings of the female body?

Ike Sato's Gameplay Impressions:

What easily may be called "Pokemon Snap with babes," the first title from Atlus for the PlayStation2 is not much of a game at all. Primal Image Vol.1 features three female models - Yuki Terai, Anna, and Non - and a male model Nobu. The game consists of three different modes - memory, produce, and album. The memory mode lets you choose from the four models, and the objective is to take six photo shots while the model is moving about in a particular set. Shots taken at the right moment will garner you a high score. Accumulated scores will allow you to have more options in the produce mode. The produce mode allows you to choose a particular set, add props, and provide specific poses to the models. Since the game was developed with realistic human anatomical calculations, you can't force models to pose in awkward positions - such as bending knees forward. You can save your favorite photos in the album mode where you can view them anytime.

Each sequence in the memory mode only lasts about ten seconds or so, and as you play the same sequence over and over, you will easily know what particular timing is best to earn higher scores. Among the three modes, the produce mode seems to be the more enjoyable. Since you can choose your own set, add your own props, and even tell the models how to pose, the level of freedom in this game is all in this mode. Unfortunately, the interface to change the poses of the models is not user-friendly. The graphics are not exactly top-notch quality, and you will notice Yuki Terai's render in the game is not quite to the level of the CD renders appearing on multimedia software. The music used is upbeat pop, but nothing special. There are voice-overs from each model as well, giving a little life to these virtual idols.

From what we've seen so far, there isn't too much to Primal Image Vol.1, and only players who are interested in taking pictures or making their own model shots would probably consider a purchase.