Author Topic: NEW DOUBLE FINE GAME: Costume Quest! (Read 3354 times)

Himu · « **on:** August 10, 2010, 03:24:28 PM »

AFTER THE MEDIOCRITY OF BRUTAL LEGEND WHAT WILL DOUBLE FINE GIVE US NEXT?

Seriously, I think the dd way of doing things is better than giving the guys a budget. Smaller titles with great content should be the focus. This should allow them to pull off some creative stuff without risking bankruptcy.

Quote

Introducing Costume Quest

During his otherwise humorous keynote speech at Develop 2010, Double Fine Productions head Tim Schafer announced that there would be no sequel to Brutal Legend. Following Brutal Legend's mediocre sales, EA decided to discontinue rock-inspired RPG saga. That was the bad news.

Schafer's good news: to fill the development void, Double Fine had started work on a number of smaller titles; the first of which is Costume Quest, an adventure/RPG published by THQ and scheduled for an October 31, 2010 release on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network.

Dreamt to life by Double Fine lead animator Tasha Harris, Costume Quest marks Double Fine's departure from triple-A brick-and-mortar Schafer-led titles. Harris is now one of a handful of Double Fine employees who will lead their own projects, with Schafer providing a supporting role where needed.

Make no mistake, though, Costume Quest is very much a Double Fine, or Schafer-esque, game. Set on Halloween night across spookified suburbs, rundown carnival rides, and a local mall, the story follows a young boy searching for his little sister. Costume Quest feels familiar -- like a lost SNES role-playing adventure ported in high-definition 3D -- and laugh out loud funny -- like Double Fine's catalogue.

Similar to Monkey Island's Guybrush Threepwood and Brutal Legend's Eddie Riggs, Costume Quest's hero is an everyman caught in delusions of grandeur. Or, in this case, an everyboy or everygirl -- the gender's optional.

Costume Quest feels quirky from the start. The campaign begins when the hero and little sister embark on a night of Trick'r'Treating. Lil' sis, dressed as a candy cane, comes across a monster with a sweet tooth, and things go south from there. The hero battles monsters (that appear to be summoned by his imagination) in a quest to save his sister -- and be home before curfew.

Not to say sweet-toothed monsters are Costume Quest's only obstacles. As they say, hell is other children. Completing the quest also requires befriending and outsmarting other kids.

One quest sees the hero left off the guest list to an exclusive "Patriotic Party." The game's isometric view (think SNES-era games like Earthbound and The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past with a 3D facelift) reveals the party is being held in a suburban backyard; its trees festooned with ribbons and American flags.

This is a costume party with a simple entrance requirement -- a proper patriotic costume -- initiating a quest to find the necessary trappings of a makeshift Lady Liberty. Perhaps a broom for a bristly torch, or bed linens as impromptu toga. Completing these mini-quests generally scores some candy or info on little sister's whereabouts, and turns off the light on the front porch (an "on" light inversely represents an open quest).

Exploring Costume Quest

For more complex missions, the hero has help from up to 4 A.I. buddies, each with their own special abilities pertaining to their Halloween costumes. The knight can guard from falling objects above with his trash can shield, while another boy has Heely-like shoes for zipping across the map. Pieces of other special abilities can be found across the maps, affording some party customization.

Some quests can't be won by just zipping around town, deflecting falling rocks, or dressing up as the Statue of Liberty. Some require a fight. Battle scenes grow the hero and his enemies to skyscraper sizes. The party costumes manifest literally: a shabby robot costume becomes a giant Mech, while the medieval sweater grows into a towering knight.

A parsed RPG menu system controls battles. One button selects attack, another block, and another, a special attack that accumulates over time and requires a Quick Time Event to deliver maximum damage. As battles are won and quests completed, the boy collects candy wraps (XP), increases levels (represented by a gold star on the HUD) and earn Trick'r'Treat cards that go towards rewarding achievements and unlocking bonus costumes.

What Harris and her team have concocted so far shows a lot of promise. It's not Brutal Legend 2, but it is unique, funny and warm -- a trait missing from the mainstream bloodfests that shares its launch window. With a Halloween release date, Costume Quest looks to extend the spooking season. And with possible DLC down the way, maybe we'll see other holidays covered. But for now, we're eager to take the adventure door to door from the comfort of our own home.

demi · « **Reply #1 on:** August 10, 2010, 03:27:33 PM »

A total ripoff of a Penny Arcade game. What outstanding creativity

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2010, 03:28:25 PM »

I wish them well as I love Tim Schafer's sense of humour but I'm not sure all these little mini games are going to find any more of a market than his bigger budget stuff. I don't think this one interests me...

iconoclast · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2010, 03:51:19 PM »

Quote from: demi on August 10, 2010, 03:27:33 PM

A total ripoff of a Penny Arcade game. What outstanding creativity

It does seem like they lifted the combat straight out of PA. The first game was pretty fun at least so whatever.

Bebpo · « **Reply #4 on:** August 10, 2010, 04:29:37 PM »

Quote from: demi on August 10, 2010, 03:27:33 PM

A total ripoff of a Penny Arcade game. What outstanding creativity

haha, yeah the first thing I thought when I saw the town pic was "did they just re-use the Penny Arcade engine?"

I hope it's good, but I dunno. This doesn't strike me as interesting as Psychonauts or Brutal Legend.

The Sceneman · « **Reply #5 on:** August 10, 2010, 05:04:47 PM »

I thought these guys would have gone under after BL hit bargain bins within a week of release?

demi · « **Reply #6 on:** August 10, 2010, 05:14:50 PM »

Unfortunately Scenester, Tim Schafer somehow weasels his way into other companies pockets. First Majesco, then EA, and now THQ it seems. Running out of companies... it will be his time soon enough

Stand strong brotherman, and we will see this disgusting shit developer die soon enough.

Olivia Wilde Homo · « **Reply #7 on:** August 10, 2010, 05:29:06 PM »

It's a good idea to have it on XBLA and PSN. That spares the embarrassing humiliation of seeing another one of your games lose 80% of its value within a couple of months after release and clogging bargain bins nationwide.

Quote from: demi on August 10, 2010, 03:27:33 PM

A total ripoff of a Penny Arcade game. What outstanding creativity

Tim Schafer's ingenious gameplay ideas strike again!

Himu · « **Reply #8 on:** August 10, 2010, 05:30:03 PM »

this game isn't headed by schafer

Bebpo · « **Reply #9 on:** August 10, 2010, 05:47:28 PM »

Which explains a lot.

Schafer's stuff usually jumps off the screen with originality.

If this is great I'll give it a shot, but I'm certainly not day 1ing it.

demi · « **Reply #10 on:** August 10, 2010, 05:55:44 PM »

Unfortunately I have to boycott any product from Doublefine, so the poor Artist will have to be caught in the crossfire. Thems the breaks when it comes to WAR

Don Flamenco · « **Reply #11 on:** August 10, 2010, 10:10:45 PM »

OMG SO QUIRKY I LOEV TIM SCHAFFER HIS GAEMS ARE ART

Himu · « **Reply #12 on:** August 10, 2010, 11:16:56 PM »

It was canceled? Schafer has never made a sequel. It probably wouldn't have happened to begin with.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #13 on:** August 10, 2010, 11:40:12 PM »

Quote from: Himuro on August 10, 2010, 11:16:56 PM

It was canceled? Schafer has never made a sequel. It probably wouldn't have happened to begin with.

They started doing preproduction on a sequel, but EA cancelled it.

naff · « **Reply #14 on:** August 10, 2010, 11:45:30 PM »

Huh, well I guess he shouldn't of made the first game so dull, although tbh I would like a sequel. I Played through the original in ~5 hours, it was fun but just a rental. I have felt no desire since to replay that game again, stil would've liked a sequel though.

Himu · « **Reply #15 on:** August 11, 2010, 12:25:52 AM »

Quote from: Great Rumbler on August 10, 2010, 11:40:12 PM

Quote from: Himuro on August 10, 2010, 11:16:56 PM
It was canceled? Schafer has never made a sequel. It probably wouldn't have happened to begin with.

They started doing preproduction on a sequel, but EA cancelled it.

Fuck Brutal Legend then. I want a Psychonauts sequel.

The Sceneman · « **Reply #16 on:** August 11, 2010, 12:29:06 AM »

Quote from: Himuro on August 10, 2010, 11:16:56 PM

It was canceled? Schafer has never made a sequel. It probably wouldn't have happened to begin with.

Why are there 16 shit Monkey Island games?

Himu · « **Reply #17 on:** August 11, 2010, 12:34:35 AM »

Monkey Island isn't a Schafer game. He just wrote and iirc programmed for it.

The Sceneman · « **Reply #18 on:** August 11, 2010, 12:40:21 AM »

how is that 'not' a Schaefer game. It still stemmed from his insidious mind

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #19 on:** August 11, 2010, 12:41:36 AM »

Quote from: The Sceneman on August 11, 2010, 12:40:21 AM

how is that 'not' a Schaefer game. It still stemmed from his insidious mind

Monkey Island stemmed from the mind of Ron Gilbert, you jackwagon.

The Sceneman · « **Reply #20 on:** August 11, 2010, 12:56:17 AM »

Who cares, its still a shit game

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #21 on:** August 11, 2010, 12:58:07 AM »

If you're going to troll, you should at least have your facts straight.

The Sceneman · « **Reply #22 on:** August 11, 2010, 01:16:57 AM »

right, beacuse youre not allowed to rip on a game until you know the name of the janitor at Lucasarts from 1990-1992

Howard Alan Treesong · « **Reply #23 on:** August 11, 2010, 01:56:14 AM »

Quote from: The Sceneman on August 11, 2010, 01:16:57 AM

right, beacuse youre not allowed to rip on a game until you know the name of the janitor at Lucasarts from 1990-1992

Tim Schafer

chronovore · « **Reply #24 on:** August 11, 2010, 02:48:23 AM »

I loved Psychonauts, and thought Bwutal Legend was pretty great. Not as great as Psychonauts, but at least the ending didn't make me want to kill my TV.

This looks fun, and for 1200 spacebucks, I'll give it a demo try. For 800 pts, it will be a no-brainer purchase. I'm happy to see some of the other talented folks at DF be given a chance to come out from Schafer's talented but sometimes glacially slow production path.

demi · « **Reply #25 on:** August 11, 2010, 09:57:37 AM »

Quote from: Great Rumbler on August 11, 2010, 12:41:36 AM

Quote from: The Sceneman on August 11, 2010, 12:40:21 AM
how is that 'not' a Schaefer game. It still stemmed from his insidious mind

Monkey Island stemmed from the mind of Ron Gilbert, you jackwagon.

Monkey Island - shit

Deathspank - shit

They are all from the same tree. Shit.

Don Flamenco · « **Reply #26 on:** August 11, 2010, 09:59:23 AM »

sam and max - shit
"wacky" adventure game genre - shit

Himu · « **Reply #27 on:** August 11, 2010, 11:11:43 AM »

good god you guys suck ass

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #28 on:** August 11, 2010, 11:58:19 AM »

Lots of Philistines ITT

Robo · « **Reply #29 on:** August 11, 2010, 12:06:57 PM »

Quote from: Genghis Cohen on August 10, 2010, 06:16:25 PM

Day one. First xBox live game since that awful trash from Chair turned me off on the service.

Shadow Complex?

chronovore · « **Reply #30 on:** August 11, 2010, 05:31:04 PM »

Prolly that underwater one MS gave away for free after their for-pay online service shit the bed for a few weeks straight.

The Sceneman · « **Reply #31 on:** August 11, 2010, 07:06:51 PM »

Undertow, it was actually pretty fun for a couple of hours

The Sceneman · « **Reply #32 on:** August 11, 2010, 07:09:28 PM »

Quote from: quietID on August 10, 2010, 11:45:30 PM

Huh, well I guess he shouldn't of made the first game so dull, although tbh I would like a sequel. I Played through the original in ~5 hours, it was fun but just a rental. I have felt no desire since to replay that game again, stil would've liked a sequel though.

Yeah it was decent enough and the graphics were great. I normally hate Jack Black but he was fine in BL, becuase you didnt have to look at him. I actually quite enjoyed his VA for Eddie, I found it quite earnest.

But the ending was a cop out, and I didnt really feel the urge to go back for more achievements when I was done.

Robo · « **Reply #33 on:** August 11, 2010, 08:00:24 PM »

Then what is this?

The Sceneman · « **Reply #34 on:** August 11, 2010, 08:11:09 PM »

^ epic pwnage

chronovore · « **Reply #35 on:** August 12, 2010, 12:55:00 AM »

Quote from: quietID on August 10, 2010, 11:45:30 PM

Huh, well I guess he shouldn't of made the first game so dull, although tbh I would like a sequel. I Played through the original in ~5 hours, it was fun but just a rental. I have felt no desire since to replay that game again, stil would've liked a sequel though.

I think you only get to vote for a sequel if you purchased the game. Even at a discount.

I loved it, even the ending, I would buy a sequel in a heartbeat, but I have to admit that the RTS elements are not well reconciled against the open-world frame.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #36 on:** August 19, 2010, 02:07:33 PM »

[youtube=560,345][/youtube]

Beezy · « **Reply #37 on:** August 19, 2010, 03:55:13 PM »

The Wii can't handle this?

Bebpo · « **Reply #38 on:** August 19, 2010, 04:06:14 PM »

Looks way better than Penny Arcade Adventures.

Will pick up.

Raban · « **Reply #39 on:** August 19, 2010, 04:31:27 PM »

Holy shit that first page was physically painful to read. Since when did EvilBore turn into an idiot festival?

EDIT: just watched the video and this game looks pretty sweet

chronovore · « **Reply #40 on:** August 19, 2010, 06:26:37 PM »

Will purchase day 1.

at startselect - it was probably the rainbow unicorn that sold him.

Raban · « **Reply #41 on:** August 19, 2010, 06:38:42 PM »

Quote from: chronovore on August 19, 2010, 06:26:37 PM

Will purchase day 1.

at startselect - it was probably the rainbow unicorn that sold him.

Yeah, totally.

iconoclast · « **Reply #42 on:** August 19, 2010, 07:26:27 PM »

Looks good. Will buy at 800 pts. Will wait for a sale at 1200.

Himu · « **Reply #43 on:** August 19, 2010, 07:53:30 PM »

THE UNICORN

chronovore · « **Reply #44 on:** August 19, 2010, 07:56:06 PM »

Oh, man. Not you, too.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

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Stoney Mason · « **Reply #45 on:** October 01, 2010, 02:59:55 PM »

http://www.giantbomb.com/quick-look-costume-quest/17-3303/

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #46 on:** October 01, 2010, 03:37:30 PM »

It comes out on October 31st? That's a Sunday...

demi · « **Reply #47 on:** October 01, 2010, 03:49:25 PM »

That looks like SHIT

Enjoy your Penny ARcade Fuckfest

Raban · « **Reply #48 on:** October 01, 2010, 06:42:32 PM »

I'm pretty stoked for this. This is the one headed by the ex-Pixar animator, right? Totally down.

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #49 on:** October 01, 2010, 07:01:24 PM »

Quote from: startselect on August 19, 2010, 04:31:27 PM

Since when did EvilBore turn into an idiot festival?

7/27/2006

just sayin'

Yeti · « **Reply #50 on:** October 01, 2010, 09:08:03 PM »

It's so dumb releasing this the 31st. Everyone will be out trick or treating that night, and no one will want to play a Halloween game the day after

MyNameIsMethodis · « **Reply #51 on:** October 01, 2010, 09:38:04 PM »

Quote from: Dr. Feelbad on October 01, 2010, 07:01:24 PM

Quote from: startselect on August 19, 2010, 04:31:27 PM
Since when did EvilBore turn into an idiot festival?

7/27/2006

just sayin'

is that my join date

chronovore · « **Reply #52 on:** October 13, 2010, 02:58:57 AM »

Quote

It's official: Costume Quest is out OCTOBER 20! The price to you, a measly $15! That's pretty much free.

So, 1200 points and October 20. I'm happy they're getting 10 days of sales in prior to Halloween; seems like a near thing though. Three weeks into October is a silly launch for a Halloween game when all the supermarkets have their candy out before September's even done.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

EVEN SO, DAY ONE PURCHASE.

Double Fine

[close]

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #53 on:** December 08, 2010, 02:00:04 PM »

The new DLC popped up on the XBLA Marketplace this morning...

Robo · « **Reply #54 on:** December 08, 2010, 02:23:41 PM »

What's the take on this? Is it any good?

Bebpo · « **Reply #55 on:** December 08, 2010, 03:30:11 PM »

Depends on if you are a hardcore rpg gamer or casual rpg gamer with kids/wife.

The latter will enjoy it, the former will be sleeping.

Oblivion · « **Reply #56 on:** December 08, 2010, 05:08:54 PM »

Weren't they making that other game? Stacked or whatever?

Bebpo · « **Reply #57 on:** December 08, 2010, 05:37:35 PM »

They split from one big team of ~25 employees during Brutal Legend development to 4 smaller XBLA/PSN teams each heading up a project. Stacked is a different team.

chronovore · « **Reply #58 on:** December 08, 2010, 09:22:02 PM »

Quote from: Bebpo on December 08, 2010, 03:30:11 PM

Depends on if you are a hardcore rpg gamer or casual rpg gamer with kids/wife.

The latter will enjoy it, the former will be sleeping.

Hey, I resemble that remark.

tiesto · « **Reply #59 on:** December 08, 2010, 11:16:01 PM »

Quote from: Bebpo on December 08, 2010, 03:30:11 PM

Depends on if you are a hardcore rpg gamer or casual rpg gamer with kids/wife.

The latter will enjoy it, the former will be sleeping.

I only played the demo, but the combat was such a repetitive affair I highly doubt I'm gonna buy the full game. Kinda disappointing, I want to like Shafer's games - I love their dialog and "style", plus the dude shares my birthday - but the gameplay is just never up to snuff. Didn't like Psychonauts or Brutal Legend either

News:

Author Topic: NEW DOUBLE FINE GAME: Costume Quest! (Read 3354 times)