Lexis Numérique, the largest indie studio in Europe that you never heard of, has revealed more details on the story and gameplay of upcoming PlayStation Network game AMY. As you may have read before, Paul Cuisset -- creator of Flashback, Operation Wolf and most importantly Shaq Fu -- is heading development on the promising survival horror.
Set in December 2034 in a world where global warming has resulted in the spread of diseases and natural disasters, protagonist Lana wakes up after an object from outer space nearly destroys her hometown somewhere in the Midwest. As a result of the impact, all the people in the town of Silver City have now turned into some kind of 28 Days Later rage-zombies.
The virus that has changed the town's inhabitants has apparently also started to affect Lana, but a screenshot from the game's Facebook page shows her injecting some stuff in her neck, which probably is a gameplay mechanic to add tension to a genre where you can generally take your time in 'safe' areas.
Although that sounds interesting, or at least more interesting than just having a "wild horde" of enemies to survive, the addition of a little girl called Amy might make this game stand out as a top title to keep an eye on this year.
The presence of Amy, an enigmatic eight-year-old autistic girl with strange powers, who seems defenseless, will force her to make choices that will change both their lives. Both Lana and Amy will have to trust and help each other to escape various pursuers who take the form of infected humans, grisly creatures, military Special Forces and even other survivors.
Yep, that sounds like something I want. Need even. Apparently AMY will focus on "extensive cooperation with a supporting character" (i.e., Ico). Amy's small size and weight can be used to perform certain actions and reach normally inaccessible locations; you know, what you'd probably expect in a game like this. But to survive, you're also supposed to win Amy's trust as Lana -- whatever the cost.
The game is being pitched as a story-driven survival horror with a strong emphasis on eliciting emotion. Character background and behavior are one part of this, but audio and sound design -- and a "very unique use of camera setting" -- should add to the emotional elicitation as well.
Gameplay will be a mix of stealth and action, with some combat but only used "sparingly." Because Lana and Amy are much weaker than their enemies, they'll have to use "tactical approaches" to deal with enemy encounters. Also, while Lana will have to fight the infection and will mutate if she is "exposed too long," Amy apparently has special powers that can temporarily cure and protect her.
This all sounds great to me, especially the highlighting of creating emotion instead of just focusing on survival horror in itself. As the game is made by French indies, the kind of people who have made some of the more f*cked-up horror movies in recent years, it sounds like AMY could turn into a lilttle cult hit.
AMY will hit PlayStation Network "exclusively" in June 2011. However, Lexis Numérique has a couple of games lined up for both PSN and XBLA, so it might end up being a timed exclusive.
Also, there's a concept art image (courtesy of the game's Facebook page) and some 1920x1080 screens in the gallery if you need a new wallpaper.
Contest:
12:00 PM on 04.07.2011 | 
If you skip a game because it's only available as a download, you're only hurting yourself.
Creator of Shaq fu is ind of worrying....
360 release please?