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Bionic Commando screenshot

VideoGamer.com: Tell us how swinging around in BC will blow swinging around in the Spiderman games out of the water.

BJ: Both Spiderman 1 and 2 had a different type of control mechanism. Spiderman 1 used fixed swing points that increased the challenge of swinging but decreased the speed at which you could move. Additionally, it restricted freedom since you could only attach to limited number of anchoring points. In Spiderman 2 the web would just randomly connect into the sky which required a bit of suspension of disbelief from the user but it did speed things up and give swinging the visceral feeling that I feel it should have. Unfortunately, they sacrificed any sort of user-based skill by making this choice. In Bionic Commando, not only can you shoot enemies while swinging, the base swing mechanic is also much more advanced. The user feels in control, they can go where they want when they want to. However, swinging is skill based so you can't just button mash your way through levels. It truly does feel like the next evolution of the swing mechanic.

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VideoGamer.com: What arm features have you decided upon as of now? Can you tell us anything about how you might upgrade it?

BJ: We will be using a unique upgrade system that will give the player incentive to do different speciality moves with their arm. As far as the base mechanics go, let's just say that we have taken a page out of Devil May Cry's book. After all, blending the Capcom feel into this game is also of huge importance to us.

VideoGamer.com: Can you give us any hints on the game's story - anything that hasn't already been announced? For example, why was Spencer imprisoned and what is Spencer's primary goal once he escapes from prison?

BJ: I wish I could, but the PR team will have a fit and they know where I live!

VideoGamer.com: We've already seen Ascension City - what can you tell us about other environments you'll see in BC? Is AC the only city you'll see in the game?

BJ: If you took a careful look at the end of the initial trailer we released you will see a quick glimpse of a Boss character in a different environment to that of Ascension City so yes, there are definitely other areas for Nathan to explore and we'll be revealing more of these as we move closer to the game's release.

VideoGamer.com: Is there any word on any multiplayer features? Will BC have any online functionality?

BJ: Watching multiple "commandos" swing though a variety of different environments certainly sounds appealing to me as a fan. However, we are currently focused on the single-player gameplay.

VideoGamer.com: Is there any word when we might be seeing BC? Is a demo a possibility?

BJ: The game will be released this year for sure and yes, if the schedule permits we would like to release a demo.

VideoGamer.com: Could the game ever come to the Wii? I'm thinking it might be pretty cool to swing Spencer around with the Wii Remote.

BJ: It will largely depend on what the fans want for the future of Bionic Commando. If the interest is there, of course we want as many people as possible to appreciate this great franchise.

Bionic Commando is due out for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC in 2008.

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