Heaven and Hell collide in Spawn

by Louis Bedigian

Spawn will re-emerge in the video game scene with the release of this all-new action-shooter.  Producer Glenn Cureton tells GameZone all about Spawn’s exciting gameplay. 

It’s not easy having inner-demons.  When you’re not ridding the world of all things evil, you’re contemplating whether or not you should rid the world of yourself.  Slowly it binds you, tearing you up inside, like a burrito from Taco Ball.

Wrestling such issues is hard enough, but throw in a psychiatrist, a psychotic villain and some ugly monsters and you’ve got yourself the plot of a new reality-based TV show: The Unbelievable World.

Such is the case with Spawn, an all-new action-shooter from Namco.  Published by the developer of the world’s best fighting games, Spawn looked like it would follow in the footsteps of Tekken and Soul Calibur by bringing a lot of unique, arcade-style fighting to the table.

Although a picture may be worth 1000 words, it’s not always easy to figure out how a game will play when it’s released.  Despite having a release that’s only a few more months away, GameZone Online couldn’t wait any longer – we needed to know more now.  So we turned to the producer of Spawn, Glenn Cureton, for answers. 

Spawn has been re-created in the form of side-scrollers and 3D arcade games.  What kind of a game is this?

Glenn Cureton: This Spawn game is a 3rd person perspective, 3D action-shooter.  The player controls Spawn throughout an interactive game based in New York City.  The player has full control over the camera in the majority of the game, and in special locations, the camera is controlled by the game.  This allows the player to have full freedom on moving around the game environment.

What is Spawn's combat going to be like?

GC: Spawn has three different combat methods: melee combat, Hellpowers, and an arsenal of weapons.  First, in the melee combat, Spawn relies on his living suit that has his chains and the axe that was also used in Soul Calibur II, Agony.  Second, he has a number of different Hellpowers that can be used offensively or defensively.  For example, the Hell Speed slows down time, while the Necroplasm Ball is an attack that sends a powerfully charged attack at enemies.  Finally, Spawn can use a variety of conventional weapons and also those of Angelic and Demonic origin.

In this highly-anticipated action-shooter, Spawn looks better than ever.

How many of Spawn's powers will be included in the game?  Will there be any new ones?

GC: Spawn can use his powers to traverse through levels, in addition to those combat methods I've just mentioned.  Spawn has an extraordinary ability to jump, and can use his suit to go even further.  He can use his cape to glide across dangerous terrain, or use his chains to grapple and climb up to higher ledges.

What about his weapons?  Which ones will be featured in the game?

GC: In melee combat, Spawn can use the chains and axe of his suit.  In ranged combat, Spawn has his arsenal of different weapons including machine guns, shotguns, chain guns, and weapons that we wouldn't expect to see.

Who are Spawn's enemies in the game?  Who will players battle?

GC: Spawn is caught between a rock and a hard place … err … between Heaven and Hell.  He fights creatures from both.  Some of the characters from the comic book series that appear in the game are the Curse and Violator, to name a few.

Be careful Spawn!  This isn’t an FPS.

If you die, you can’t just re-spawn.

Could you describe some of the attack styles that the enemies use?

GC: The enemies have a variety of different powers, much in the same realm as Spawn's.  The creatures from the underworld are imbued with innate abilities such as breathing fire or draining Hellpowers.  On the other side, the creatures from the heavens have technically advanced abilities and weapons.

Where will the game take place?  What environments will players see?

GC: There are seven different regions in the game for the player to explore in New York City and the two other areas you'd expect to see.  The game starts off in the alleyways of Rat City, and goes through environments such as the Docks, Central Park, Hell and the Angel Space Station.

Who is writing the story for Spawn?

GC: The development team, Point of View, wrote the original story.  Todd McFarlane reviewed the story of the game, had some great ideas to add to the story, and is very excited about how it turned out.

Does the game follow the traditional Spawn storyline?  (Please provide some details.)

GC: Yes.  The game storyline follows the comic book series, and is a sub-plot of issues 1-99.  Some of the characters in those comics appear throughout the game.  I would list the characters, but that might give away some of the story!

Are all of Spawn's powers/special attacks available from the start, or must they be earned in some way?

GC: Spawn earns different weapons and Hellpowers as he advances through the game.  Some must be earned by completing missions, while others are given to him by people he meets.

Spawn will use his Hellpowers to destroy familiar comic book villains.

What are some of the other cool things that Spawn can do?

GC: Spawn has special attacks that he can use against various creatures in the game.  For example, he can grab humans with his chains, lift them up into the air, and rip them apart!  He also has special attacks that he can perform on specific creatures [and] can defeat them with just one blow.

Spawn's inner-demons have always haunted him.  Will that play a role in the game, and if so, how?

GC: Yes, Spawn's inner-demons play a role in the game.  Let's just say that Spawn makes a deal with Malebolgia again to help him exercise his inner-demons.  For more on this, make sure you pick up a copy of the game and play it to find out the full story!

Thank you for your time, Glenn.  I anxiously await Spawn’s release.  After hearing what you’ve had to say, my anticipation level for this game has gone through the roof.