Spawn Updated Impressions

Namco stopped by our offices today with the latest build of Spawn for the PlayStation 2, and we checked out some of the new features that have been added to the game since we last saw it. Spawn is an action platformer very much in the spirit of Devil May Cry in that it gives you a large number of attack options--including several guns, Spawn's signature axe and chains, and several hell powers--and throws you at hordes of enemies. From the looks of the new build, Spawn is developing into a solid action game that ought to please fans of that sort of thing.

At this point in development, pretty much all of Spawn's basic abilities have been implemented, though the team is still tweaking the graphical effects and some of the behaviors that accompany them. We got to see Spawn's cape, which flares out at the press of a button and lets him glide slowly from the height of a leap. Spawn's trademark chains were also included in this build, and they let you perform a variety of maneuvers and attacks. You can use them to simply strike at the targeted enemy, or you can hold the attack button down and raise the enemy into the air, eventually tearing it apart with your two chains. It looks like Spawn's development team has made good on its promise to include gameplay mechanics that capitalize on the unique elements of the Spawn franchise.

We also saw all six of Spawn's hell powers, which let him fire a large ball of necroplasm, dash forward quickly, and slow down time, among other things. The hell powers drain your supply of necroplasm, which is Spawn's life essence, so you'll have to be conservative in their use. In addition to these supernatural abilities, you'll be able to purchase upgrades for your regular firearms between levels. Each weapon will have two upgrades: one corresponding to power and one corresponding to range. Between the axe, chains, guns, and hell powers, there's a lot of diversity in Spawn's combat, from what we've seen so far.

Graphically, Spawn seemed to be running quite well on the PS2. The graphics were solid and clean, with the exception of a few effects that are still being filled in, and the frame rate was generally high. We also got to sample some of the game's voice acting, which sounded distinctively appropriate for the license. The voice for Malebolgia is especially otherworldly, especially when taking into account that the voice samples received no postproduction effects after recording.

Spawn is currently slated to ship on all three major consoles in time for Christmas. We'll bring you hands-on coverage of the game soon.