Splash Damage’s new FPS Brink has been flying under the radar in terms of media attention. The game was announced at last year’s E3, showing gameplay demos and trailers of its unique gameplay systems and improvements to the FPS genre. Brink is taking huge steps forward in the control, customization and team elements from what is used in FPS games today and is aiming to make unique, accessible, and streamlined FPS experience. Brink looks like one of the most interesting new FPS IPs coming this year. Here is what Brink is all about.
Split Storyline
The story of Brink puts the player on one of two sides of a civil war. The year is thirty years in the future and all of the world’s natural resources have been used up. Mankind’s last hope is the the Ark, a self sustaining island in the middle of the ocean. Refugees have come to the ark, live in poverty, and have started a Resistance to take control of the Ark and its resources. The security forces, who are seen as an oppressive force to the Resistance, are struggling to keep the peace on the man-made island. Whichever side the player chooses will have different story, will run through different events and will have an entirely different experience than the opposing side. Players will have to fight to help their respective side take absolute control of the Ark by building up their character and completing missions.
Fully Customizable Characters
The trend for current first person shooters is moving more and more toward character customization and making the player feel like their character is unique and not just another cog in the machine. Brink is taking this concept to another level. In addition to a full character creation mode, which enables you to create the exact character you want from the face and body type right down to the armor, there is an entirely customizable arsenal of guns with scopes and attachments up the wazoo.
Character creation allows the player to pick skin color, hair color, clothing and armor colors, and body art with many more options unlockable from the cumulative experience points gained from both single and multiplayer game modes. Not all of the character options are solely for aesthetics, however, choosing a body type will affect the way you play. Choose a heavy body type and your character will be able to take more damage and carry heavier weapons. Choosing a lighter body type will enable your character to be more nimble and parkour through the map to get behind enemy lines. If you like to play as a walking tank, carry a gatling gun and mow down foes, you can do it. And if you want to be a nimble ninja, climb to high vantage points and pop some heads with a sniper rifle, go right ahead.
Smooth Movement Across Random Terrain
One of the things that I am absolutely tired of is getting stuck in FPS games. Getting slowed down by a small rock, knee high crates and missing a jump is a thing of the past in Brink. The SMART system allows players to wall hop, mantle, vault, climb and slide through the maps with ease. The system dynamically assists the player move where he or she wants to go. So, the player moves about stylistically and efficiently through the game space jumping off walls, grabbing ledges and sliding under barriers.
Team Play
The single player campaign allows for up to 7 other players to join up in your game and up to 16 total players in competitive multiplayer. Objectives in the game are achieved through teamwork and balanced team skills. Players will also be able to complete dynamic objectives based on class that will benefit the entire team and help them progress. In one scenario a group of soldier class characters were assaulting an armored gate while an operative used the distraction to parkour behind enemy lines and gather intel which in turn gave a bonus to the rest of the team. In another instance, an engineer used his repair skill to fix a crane which opened up a new path for the team to push forward. There are a variety of roles can be taken including the nimble and stealthy operative, the defense centric engineer, the powerhouse soldier and the medic for support.
Brink has one of the most innovative first person shooter game concepts I have seen for years. The team is dedicated to improving the traditional mechanics of the FPS genre with the SMART system and is taking strides in player customization, mission objectives, and storytelling. Brink is exactly what the FPS genre needs — something different from the modern warfare trend that implements new ideas and provides a unique experience. I have high hopes for Brink but determining whether it will be everything Splash Damage and Bethesda are promising will have to wait till we get our hands on the final product on May 17th.
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