Turning Point: Fall of Liberty Impressions
By
Guy Cocker, Editor
Churchill has died and the Nazis are winning in this alternative World War II shooter. We see if it has the chops to compete with the heavyweights of the genre.
There have been so many World War II games over the past few years that it's no surprise to see both developers and gamers craving something new. Spark Unlimited, a development studio based in the US on the West Coast, has reimagined the Second World War with Winston Churchill's death leading to the Nazis winning the fight. The German army has progressed to the East Coast of the US, invading both New York and Washington DC, while the resistance makes a last-ditch attempt to fend them off in the surrounding waters and skies. We recently got a chance to watch the game in action.
The game begins in 1952 in New York. After viewing an introductory movie showing zeppelins and planes fighting it out above the city, you're dropped right into the action. You play as Dan Carter, an ordinary engineer who's caught at the top of a skyscraper as the city begins to fall all around him. As well as the sky-level action, tall buildings emphasise the drop below, and you can just about see vehicles and people scurrying out of the city down at street level. The only option is to try to make it down from the half-built structure.
This first section of Turning Point serves not only to highlight the difference between it and other World War II-based shooters, but also to provide a bombastic introduction to some of the game's mechanics. You soon get acquainted with a series of challenges and quick-time events, ranging from pulling yourself up if you fall off a girder to taking out enemy soldiers with melee attacks. Turning Point is presented from a first-person viewpoint for the most part, but zoomed-out sections let you see your character taking on the soldiers of the Third Reich.
The grapple system plays a large part in Turning Point's combat, and it adapts to environmental details such as walls, windows, and drops. You meet your first German enemy as you're heading down from the tall building, and as you approach him from behind you're given the choice to enter the grapple mode. As you are completely unarmed, it's the only option you have, so the camera zooms out to show you tussling with your enemy. The options on the D pad allow you to simply punch or head-butt the man, but because you're close to the edge of the building you can also throw him over. In other situations you could throw him through a window or smash him up against a wall--it all depends on the objects that surround you.
The demonstration we saw was on pre-alpha Xbox 360 code, but even at this stage the graphics are detailed and polished and run at a smooth frame rate. As your character heads down towards street level, the initial feeling of space turns to one of claustrophobia, and it's impressive to see the engine mix huge expanses and small streets within the first few minutes. After the New York level, we're promised a move on to Washington DC and the Nazi-occupied White House. Unfortunately we didn't get to see this level, and the Codemasters representative was reticent about revealing any of the other locations featured in the game.
While Turning Point's premise is certainly original, many of its gameplay dynamics will be familiar to genre stalwarts. Incoming attacks are indicated onscreen with red bars pointing in the direction of fire, and your health regenerates if you take cover. You can carry only one weapon at a time, but enemies drop weapons for you to use after they're killed. The story hints that the German success has been a result of its technological advancements, so while some of the weaponry will be from World War II, other weapons have been modified in line with the Nazi research that was happening at the time. There won't be any science-fiction-style energy weapons, but we're promised some subtle alterations to the familiar sidearms of the time.
We got to see only about 10 minutes from Turning Point's opening level, but it looks set to combine a novel retelling of World War II with exciting gameplay. Far removed from the trenches and fields of traditional wargames, the urban environment we saw feels like a fresh approach to the genre, helped in no small part by the impressive graphical capabilities of the PC and consoles. in question We hope to have more for you on Turning Point before it lands on the PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 in winter, so keep an eye on GameSpot for more details as we get them.
By
Guy Cocker, Editor
Guy Cocker is the Editor of GameSpot UK, a handheld gaming fan, and someone who actually managed to use video games to lose weight. He recently took up the position of games expert on BBC 5 live and is a BAFTA games judge.
198 comments
Hey, I think freedom fighting from the perspective of rebels in other countries would be an interesting story...but we're coming to the same conclusions: Nazis and Soviets bad, American ideology good. If you want to see something totally different, you'd get a game where you fight as a Nazi or Soviet to defeat the Americans and conquer the world. But for what? For genocide and hatred? THAT'S why the Nazis are always the bad guys, because they were wrong, and anyone who thinks that a game depicting them as being justified and thus a good protagonist, is in the vast minority. So I doubt any studio will produce a game for just you and your KKK buddies.
yea i agree with mr_funnyjoke, how is anything you are saying relevant to this game? no1 cares if u r from canada, america, spain, brazil or any other latin american, african, european, or asian country i neglected to mention in the sake of saving time.
@everyone who chooses to complain hey guess what, this is a comment section for a game not for you guys to btch about witch country is better for whatever reasons. each country has its benefits and vices so there is no point in arguing because our opinions will never be swayed by people we don't know over the internet. so stop having you stupid little fights in public and pm each other if u feel the need to btch
loved freedom fighters to bits, but i must say im sick of playing from the glorified perspective of the allegedly righteous Americans. not saying theres anything wrong with that, except its been done a million times before. i was kinda hoping to see a Nazi or a Communist rebel of some sort fighting against the issues in his own country. i mean, Hitler didnt exactly get into power by a vote and Communism's roots lie deep in mass graves and blackmail. it would be really nice to see Germany or Russia in an alternate reality where it gets dismantled from the inside by its own people. The whole american rebel thing is (aside from freedom fighters) a fairly new concept. and while i do appreciate the new angle, i cant help but feel that most video games seem biased towards americans saving the world
to be perfectly honest i dont think america is all powerful or is the greatest place to live but doesnt calling americans rednecks just give them more reason to hate you not very many of them are like that just a select few who decide to blow off their mouths on the internet where nowbody can see them and alot of those conflicts people listed were for peacekeeping and not war mongering or resource gathering i also dont completly support the war in iraq but you cant trust everything you see on the news because you dont know were there info came from because all they have to do to make a convincing story is take some footage of soldiers shooting and bashing down doors and adding misguided or hateful commentary and when you look on the news do you see any soldiers from countries other than america except maybe every now and then so to both those americans who hate on other countries and those people from other countries who hate on america think about where your drawing your info from and NEVER listen to sterotypes
I think It will be good too this will be probably one of the best games that I'll probably buy. Turning Point: Fall of Liberty comes out February 26, 2008.
Meh Just another game about: Good Americans VS Bad Germans (or bad Russians) I am really tired of the American propaganda ****
An yet ANOTHER game in which we get to headshot the stinky and idiotic nazis. Why can't we ever get to play on their side? The battles of Berlin and Stalingrad were the most frightening battles in history and yet we never get to experience the loosing side. If they have managed to make movies about good german soldiers (Three Lions) they can goddamn make a game about them. Ah no, that would lead to violence against americans, we can't have that... Nazis and Japs were not even human anyway... Can we please not have american patriotic games anymore? At least name the main character Bush. Then I can step on mines gladly.
@aram67 i live in America and I can tell you it is not the greatest country EVER!! Half of the population consist of idiots like you who think they are better than everyone and everything when they cant even locate Europe on the map! plus, the school system is horrible for the so called "Greatest country"
@ nosenosenose123 Well, neither US nor China have the biggest army. That is a title that North Korea can call for itself. Also, China cannot easily won the US, if they did, they would have invaded Taiwan a long time ago. The US does indeed have the biggest firepower in the world but it doesn't give them the power nor the morals to act the way they have acted in the last 60 years (yup, I'm talking about all the crap in South America and Africa, Vietnam, Nicaragua, Iraq, etc). @tristanguy28 It's people like you that make the US has the reputation of ignorance and prejudice. A philosopher once said: "If you have nothing good to say, don't say it". Well, you lost a great chance of staying quiet. @ the rest of the folks here I'm not an american nor live in america, but I happen to know a lot of americans (that sounded less repetitive in my mind lol), and they are nice people, that work hard and believe in a lot of things that are not represented by their government. And this tristanguy28 is the opposite of them. Unfortunately, is by the bad examples that people remember things.
Well tristanguy28, you do know that the Chinese can crush the Americans legally, easier than you can a coco pops thingy, plus they have the largest army.... still think USA is the best at war? Oh, and since you haven't realized that only the Americans REALLY have the Russians, Chinese, Saudis as enemy's = Those would only have the interest to invade USA since they don't hate the rest of the world that much... or at least that's what I read in a funny article.
**** you, Tristanguy. You don't deserve to live in America. So go over to Iraq or Afghanistan or wherever and become a suicide bomber, since no one likes you. Am I right? Of course I am.
Looks like all the shooters games are abandoning health packs in favor of using the cover system that regenerates health. First Gears of War, then RS: Vegas, now Turning Point. But I think it's more realistic. I mean, it's pretty stupid to be running around an enemy base and find a first-aid kit on the roof. And it's easier, since you don't have to hunt for health packs. I predict that we will never see health packs again (except for in crappy kids' games), just the cover system and food items, and maybe a first-aid kit in a realistic place, like a cabinet or something, not just randomly lying on the floor our outside behind a tree.
this is to that Tristianguy since when were Americans all powerful idiot last time I checked we don't start **** unlike you if ANYTHING were cleaning up your mess we may not be powerful millitary wise but we are sure as hell better peacekeepers then you could ever hope to be, so do us all a favour little boy and dissappear cause guess what, No one gives a **** what you think. On another note this Game does look good I may give this game a shot.
One man against an army. Sounds like fun. And while we're all debating alternate history, what's really scary is, this could have happened in similar fashion, particularly if the U.S. had continued to remain as isolationist and insular as it had been prior to Pearl Harbor, so it's actually not all that far-fetched. (Um, If we play an engineer in a skyscraper, who's the guy driving the cab? I want to play him!)
RE: tristanguy28 tristanguy28 Canada, simply put....is one of the biggest P*u*s*s*y*-ish countries that exist, reason being is that they KNOW that if they ever got into trouble, the U.S.A. would come to their rescue. Inarguable, truly. It's exactly why they don't even worry about building up any kind of military that is worth any significance. Pathetic and sissy-ish. _________________________ People like you are the sole reason why other countries hate us so much... As much as I want to lower my self to your level and start with the childish name calling I'm not going to... So ill let you continue to live your life clowned in ignorance... Because you are not even worth the time it took me to write this... P.S as much as I hate recommending crappy movies. go and watch "300" you might learn something about how 300 guys killed an army of 1000s.... Dont get your War strategy form Starcraft...
Fck You Tristianguy Every country can defend itself no matter what there area and oh btw we only have 70,000 soldiers becuase we are not going around making enemies at every possible moment and going hey look we need some oil so lets make the excuse that saddam has WMD's (when none were ever found) so we can go and get some oil and show the world what a bunch of dumba$$es we are and FYI any country CAN defends itself, Canada has only 70 000 soldiers in active duty doesn't mean thats all it can muster. If you need an example look at Finland. They had 40 000 soldiers (population below 5 million) in active duty in the 1980's but with 3 days they could muster a force of over 700 000 solders to defend against any attack that Russia might have sent at them. So don't going around saying well now we need to go save the world (when it doesn't need it). p.s. Canada would never get invaded by China or Russia becuase they don't go around amking enemies.
Judging from the previews this will be one of the best WWII shooters. If the Nazi's accually broke through and took over europe this is probably what would of happend. This is my second fav game im looking forward to. (1st is GTA)
@tristanguy seriously dude go play video games , fuq you and your typical american ego .....USA is like the dumbest country ever , who the fuq got the buildings blown the fuq off the map , it wasnt Canada you know why? cause the sht as you call them arent dipshts like you and cause all the sh!t ppl like you provoke with all your "oh look at my big toys , wutcha gonn do now b!tch" bullsh!t and blame it on Osama ya rrright its all you a$$hole's fault , plus what the fuq do you know about military power you fcking kid ; easy on shooters there bbuddy all that sh!t is getting to your head ....fcking redneck
I need MORE FPS, this one will hold me for a minute!.......Looking forward to playing the game.
This game looks awesome! Nothing I like more that shooting Nazis! Cant Wait! Bring on the WWII FPS games!
I agree with tristanguy on one point. Canada's military is too small. But this is the government's fault. They like to give themselves and their friends huge paychecks instead of spending the money on things like the military. So, its not Canada that annoys me, its Canada's government.
of course the usa asked for SOME assistance....why shouldn't they? The USA should't be THE ONLY country attempting to curtail or END terrorism. Right? Right. As usual, I am. "None of them would need the help of the USA".....laughable comment there bud. If China or Russia invaded Canada tomorrow...we'd be asked for help...and everyone knows that, including your 6th grade nephew. If China or Russia invaded Mexico tomorrow....we'd be asked for help. Even your pudgy not-too-attractive girlfriend/wife knows this Mr. 3Dpaper. The world knows this....so what a*s*s crack you been reaachin in to grab this outlandish and wildly inaccurate info from sir?
tristan, that is extremely racist, all countries can fight to defend themselves none of them would need the help of the USA unless they were desperate. Last time i checked the US was asking help from France and Canada to fight the war on terror
Tristan your a idiot, Canada can fight and so can every other country your blinded by patriotism. oh yeah Canada Owns anyway great game looks sweet!
Wow, this looks awesome. The storyline gives you a reason to want to play. Just seeing the screenshots with the troops marching in front of the occupied White House makes me want to go fight! Can't wait to get this game.
this one looks H-O-T. I've always loved WWII games because of their intensity and I've always loved alternate reality games because of so many visual and story creativities and now I'm witnessing a fusion of these two genres. My XBOX360 shall be a very happy XBOX360 this year indeed!
Looks like someone is gonna be getting this game! Moi! lol Looks excellent i am sure it will be right up there with the Call of Duty series' realeases!
Its about time someone has put a new twist on the WWII concept, but Im suprised there are not more WWI games, or civil war shooters with a twist...lol, like WWI Dance Dance Revolution...just kidd'n. Seriously though, stop trying to relive history because its been done to death, and have fun with it.
That sounds like it could be a really good game. But, eventhough its a new spin on ww2 i really am getting tired of ww2...
wow. this sounds like man in a high castle like phillip dick. without the japanese that is
Semi interesting although i grow tired of playing Americans in videogames, Resistance fall of man is slightly insulting in that respect.
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Game Info
- Release Date: Feb 26, 2008 (US)
- ESRB: TTitles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older.
Turning Point: Fall of Liberty
- Publisher(s): Codemasters
- Developer(s): Spark Unlimited
- Genre: Action
- Release:
- ESRB: T
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