Overstrike Gets a Makeover, Becomes FUSE Because...Video Games
By Joseph Christ on September 12th, 2012 (13 comments)
Thinking back to E3 2011 you might remember a quirky 4-player cooperative title by the name of Overstrike. It had a lighthearted, almost Team Fortress 2 feel with a broad color palette and a humorous undertone.
Here, allow me to remind you.
Looks pretty good right? Different. Standing out. Well guess what...VIDEO GAMES! We, and by 'we' I mean 'EA', can't have anything truly different in their itinerary. What if it doesn't sell a bajillion copies like, oh say...Call of Duty?
No problem! We'll just cut down the color palette to the usual string of grey and brown hues, remove most of the humor, because the last thing people want is to laugh while they are playing games, and then make the entire thing GRITTY and DARK with RAIN POURING DOWN ON THE CONCRETE because gamers are DARK LONERS who love the DARK and the DARK GRIT, especially when that grit is grey and brown like the DARKNESS usually is.
Basically, Overstrike is now called Fuse. A more serious and gritty third-person shooter that controls well -according to some hands-on previews which have hit the net today- but otherwise doesn't really stand out in any exceptional way. Strange how that happens.
From the official EA Press Release:
Fuse is a 4-person co-op, story-driven, action game where even solo players can experience the unique attributes of each agent by using the game's LEAP feature to switch between the four characters at will during combat. Each agent is equipped with unique skills and weapons not only integral for survival, but that also allows for unexpected and extraordinary results.
Experimental Fuse weapons are powered by a volatile alien substance that gives players unique capabilities that expand their strategic options in and out of combat. Through lethal teamwork, players can complete objectives and kills to earn Fuse points for powerful upgrades.
Players can also play online or offline and level up along unique character paths, allowing players to unlock more powerful Fuse-driven abilities as the game progresses. In addition, the game's progression system is unified between different play modes, allowing players to continue improving their agents regardless of how they play.
In Fuse, the members of contact team Overstrike 9 attempt to thwart a rogue paramilitary organization called Raven from stealing the Fuse source located deep within a classified government facility. Overstrike 9's pursuit of Raven will take them around the world, from the fortified desert facility to underwater bases, island strongholds, icy mountain peaks, palatial hideouts and beyond. Later, as the team closes in on Raven, another more sinister enemy reveals itself as a truly horrendous global threat.
We'll be keeping watch as response to this grows, and interviews hitting later today should be touching on why the complete overhaul of Overstrike took place. For now, check out the screens for FUSE. They are just positively DARK and GRITTY and I'm sure everyone will buy this game because people like their games DARK, RAINY AND GRITTY with shooting and DARKNESS. DARKNESS so DARK that the concrete EXPLODES into grey clouds which blots out the sun to make it even MORE DARK.
FUSE is currently set for a March 2013 release, which we all know is the grittiest and darkest of months.
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Joseph Christ
Joseph Christ is the Reviews Editor and a Podcast Personality at 4Player. Specializing in reviews, editorials, drinking, and saying inappropriate things about gaming franchises that are beloved by millions, his satirical and sometimes edgy style offsets a more serious and penetrating substance lurking below the surface. He is also the host of the Cocktail Time Podcast. You'll follow his Twitter if you know what's good for you.
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I don't want to blame EA right away. I mean, it feels more like a scapegoat. I think it's just depressing that insomniac is actually excited about making a gritty, "realistic" third person shooter as apposed to bringing characters to life through a pixar styled secret agent co-op shooter. This just didn't need to happen. Probably delayed the game a few years too.
Link / ReplyGod forbid we have anything fun or interesting in the games market, oh no. I really feel that EA needs to stop existing now.
Link / ReplyWho do we need to bombard with criticism to get this reversed "due to public outcry"?
Link / ReplyThis would be the only time I am totally for this. My god I am worried about what could happen to Insomniac. Of all companies they need to keep their charm its them.
Link / ReplyAll of the charm is gone. It seems that there is still a mechanically solid game underneath, but wrapped in the dullest scenario imaginable. While I think the game it self may still merit playing, my interest in this has been massively reduced. Not going to rush to play this at all.
Link / ReplyToo bad. Overstrike actually looked interesting.
Link / ReplySo... this is the anti-TF2? Went from bright and colorful to realistic and generic instead of the other way around.
Link / ReplySeems that way. Went from a unique, interest grabbing style to a boring and ordinary looking game. "The anti-Borderlands" would also be acceptable.
Link / ReplyI'm not sure if anyone has read this but Polygon actually wrote a good article about the change and what not. It does not quell my fears but it does help calm me down.
Link / Replywhat a shame
Link / ReplyWell I guess you could call me an emo but I still have hope that this could be a good game because the last 'dark' and 'gritty' game insomniac worked on was resistance 3 and that IMO was a fantastic game. Although I admit I would much prefer the original Overstrike over Fuse its a bit excessive to immediately drop interest in the game because of the sudden change (which doesn't surprise me considering its EA).
Link / ReplyWell that sucks hard. I hope this trend doesn't continue with any other insomniac projects
Link / Reply[...] difference is quite stunning when you compare the Fuse trailer below with the original Overstrike trailer from E3 2011. Fuse certainly looks like it’s lacking in personality and humor but at least it [...]
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