Game Preview 22:Lair

Publisher: Sony CEA
Platform Available: PS3
Release date: 2007 (specific period unknown)

Developer Factor 5 is not making any Star Wars game this time round, but this game is still about flight. Not flight with spacecrafts or aircrafts, but with dragons. The first thing you should know about Lair is that it is filled to the brim with stunning details, be it with the dragons or with the environments. Soldiers can be viewed from afar and they do not suddenly pop up out of nowhere. For the most parts of the game, you will be riding on your dragon, participating in dogfights occasionally and sometimes, swooping to the ground to take out those pesky soldiers. You can toss them like rag dolls with your dragon’s horns or you can choose to devour them, with the option of having your meal roasted. There are on-foot missions, though. But the fights in on-foot missions will be relatively simpler than those on your dragon. No doubt, there will be boss fights, mini-bosses and so forth. To add to the enjoyment of the game, Factor 5 has included meters at the top of the screen, depicting the morale of your troops and that of the enemy’s. Do more damage to your enemy and the enemy’s morale meter will fill up in no time, and their fighting spirit will be lowered. Similarly, the enemy can do the same to you as well. Now, going on to the unique controls. Lair utilizes the functionality of the SIXAXIS PS3 controller by implementing tilt controls to steer your dragons. You can also pull the controller up to do a round turn, suitable for the dodging of fireballs spat out by enemy’s dragons. Yank the controller down for a claw attack on the opposition – controls will be intuitive. Speaking of fireballs, you can have your dragon dispensing them as well by pressing the square button. Hold on to the button and your dragon will constantly spit fireballs. Make your dragon flap its wings and build up the momentum of speed by hitting the X button repeatedly. However, the analog sticks are not forgotten either. They will be used frequently in the game, but further details are still unknown. If you are expecting to fly through diverse environments, you will not be disappointed with what Lair will have to offer. From jungles to wastelands to ice fields, you will be assured that there will be plenty to explore. Of course, a game like Lair will not neglect multiplayer. Leaderboard, Xbox Live-like achievements, in addition to downloadable content are all possible. As the game nears its release date, more information will be made available.