Rogue Trooper E3 2005 Preshow Report

Based on the 2000 AD comic of the same name, Rogue Trooper is being developed by British development house Rebellion, and it will be published by SCi in early 2006. The third-person action combat game tells the story of the last surviving Genetic Infantryman, a line of supersoldiers specifically designed to wage war on the poisoned battlegrounds of the future environments of Nu Earth. When the group is betrayed by its superiors, it's up to the lone survivor--the rogue trooper of the game's title--to seek revenge in the form of thousands and thousands of bullets.

One interesting twist on the game's plot is that your main character will retain the minds and expertises of your murdered GI squadmates--Helm, Gunnar, and Bagman--as they are electronically embedded in your helm, rifle, and backpack, respectively. How this will translate to the game remains to be seen, though it's conceivable that by channeling the specific abilities of your fallen comrades, you'll gain boosts to attributes, such as shot accuracy.

Though the game will make use of split-screen and online multiplayer modes, it looks like the single-player game will be the real heart of Rogue Trooper. Upgrading your soldier through his bio-chipped equipment will let you set up some truly devastating attacks, and the nonlinear gameplay will mean you'll have plenty of options as you make your way down the path of revenge. In addition to the dramatic, futuristic weaponry available to you, you'll also be able to get up close and personal with the jackballs that did your squad in by using brutal kill moves specifically designed for close-quarters combat.

Visually, Rogue Trooper has a nice gritty feel and yet a futuristic look, which is perfectly in keeping with the 2000 AD vibe on which the game is based. Screenshots of the main character feature a blue-skinned badass with glowing eyes who deals death with a variety of slick-looking weapons. It seems you won't always be shirtless, however, as some screens clearly feature your character in outdoor environments while wearing a HAZMAT-looking getup. Whether these suits will be required because of the toxic conditions of the environment or whether they provide any sort of enhancements to your character remains to be seen.

So far, Rogue Trooper looks to have nailed a nice blend of dysotopian destruction and futuristic stealth combat. We look forward to seeing more of the game in the near future.