Killer Instinct Xbox One: Double Helix posts terrifying breakdown of fan requests

Imagine how much goodwill Microsoft might have reaped, had it kept Rare and Double Helix's Killer Instinct reboot under wraps till E3. The project came to light back in September 2012, when some bright spark over at PlayXBLA pointed out that the manufacturer had renewed the trademark, but it was still a pleasant surprise to see the beast in action.

[jc48573]

no, Double Helix hardly made any good games. Don't ever touch Silent Hill and Front Mission ok?

[-Mika-]

Am im the only person who likes Silent Hill homecoming. I thought it was a well made silent hill game that stuck to the series roots.

[KillrateOmega]

Silent Hill: Homecoming was terrible. I'm honestly of the opinion that Homecoming is the worst Silent Hill game yet, even worse than Downpour.

You spend the entire game chasing some kid (your younger brother, Josh), whilst only getting brief glimpses of him. A kid who the devs clearly WANT you to care about, but ultimately fail in making you do so.

The monster designs are mediocre (though better than Downpour, with better names to boot) and you can pretty much just plow through the entirety of them, bosses included, with just the knife. Seriously, the knife is the most powerful weapon in the entire game, likely the result of their efforts to introduce a combat system into a SILENT HILL GAME. Stun-locks left and right.

I'd rant more and in greater detail, but that would require me to spoil the ridiculous plot and certain elements of the game.

[dedicatedtogamers]

If you liked Homecoming you should try Shattered Memories on the Wii (yes, the Wii). Probably the best Silent Hill game in years, and I've been playing the series since Silent Hill 2.

[Phil32]

Says all I need to know about -Mika-.

As if I needed anything else to think lower about it.

[georgeenoob]

"People worried because Double Helix never made a fighting game? Killer Instinct was Rare's first fighting game too."

He makes a good point. As far as I know this is the only announced fighting game for next-gen anyway, who WOULDN'T look forward to it?

[Picnic]

No - it was Silent Hill Downpour that was OK.
I admit that I only played a bit of Homecoming but it seemed so derivative.

[JokesOnYou]

Almost all of the old Rare staff is gone, however Ken Lobb one of the original designers of Killer Instinct is the Creative Director overseeing the game.

Looks like Double Helix is doing just fine, watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

-Ken said they had several devs all submitting stuff to make Killer Instinct, Double Helix did the best work and that's why they were chosen.

[HammadTheBeast]

Meanwhile I'm playing Tekken Revolution for free on PS3 with about 7 stages, 15 characters and free updates. The game runs like an arcade game with free tokens that replenish every 15 minutes, I'm actually struggling to get to the paid side to get the 5x XP you get with paid tokens.

[Megaton]

I liked it. Wasn't the best, wasn't the worst.

[TXIDarkAvenger]

I liked it. I would say its decent, not horrible in comparison to previous SH titles.

[EVILDEAD360]

@ Jokes

Well said. Hadn't read much on the game. Sounds like its in good hands regardless of their past. Especially with original team guidance for the overall vision.

Evil

[maniacmayhem]

Mika,

I liked Homecoming too. Konami it seems will never capture the glory of 1 thru 3 as long as they insist on giving this series out to devs who have watched to many Saw movies. But I can honestly say out of all the new Silent Hills, Homecoming was enjoyable.

On Topic:

DH has been going around a lot of places with the KI arcade cabinet and invited the fighting community to play and give their feedback and so far the community has had nothing but good things to say about the game.

I'm no KI fan but this game is looking pretty good.

[loulou]

i haven't bought a fighting game since tekken tag tournament on the ps2... but this will be getting downloaded day 1.

looks good

[Cam977]

I'd play SH:D anyday over HC, despite playing like a slideshow.
HC was abysmal.

[Jyndal]

The last SH game I played was The Room. Wasn't bad, but nothing I'd sit through again.

[Pope_Kaz_Hirai_II]

So you get one character ? whats that about?

[Fireseed]

So you don't what you're talking about? What's that about?

[Lvl_up_gamer]

As far as i know, you get 3

Jago
Saberwolf
Glacius

The rest you will have to purchase...which I am fine with since we get the game free and 2-3 characters off the start.

[malokevi]

3 characters, I think.

I'm excited for this game! I'm not a big fighting game junky by any means... the only Xbox360 fighting game I have is Fight Night Round 3... but this game looks like a ball!

Plus... FREE! I can see me and my only friend who plays games like me sinking some serious time into this.

[A_Gamer]

In my opinion, there's something wrong with releasing part of a game then charging people for the rest of it. I admit there is an advantage with having dlc but in this case it's just pathetic. Say you do get 3 characters to start with, is that enough??? Not for me. I am a fan of KI but I will be staying clear of this title. Can't wait to play Titanfall.

[malokevi]

Why avoid a fun game because of principals?

Is it so horrible just to get and enjoy the free content? If you really wanted the game, you can always buy out the rest of the characters... but even that isn't necessary.

They are offering you a free sandwich, and your going to refuse because its not a steak? hmm.

[Cmk0121]

its free, pay for the rest one buy one or buy whole package for 60 bucks. options is all

[A_Gamer]

This is my question, why not make a full game everything included, all characters playable, charge $60 on day one? Are they not confident that this title will do well?

Is there going to be a full retail version on the market? or is this just a plan to nickle and dime us the fans?

@ CMK0121, I did not see your comment. Ok so there will be options ok, that's better in my opinion.

[Paytaa]

I don't understand why Microsoft didn't just have Rare make Killer Instinct. Oh wait I forgot we need a new iteration of KINECT SPORTS! Yeah, no.

[Nicholasgliss]

I think Rare has been "requesting" to make it for a long time too. I hope this game doesn't get screwed up. They'll probably add nails to the coffin by making it Kinect only. Dang! Hope for the best; expect the worst!

[Syntax-Error]

Because RARE doesn't have the same people who made the original game. Just because RARE made it doesn't mean they have the talent to make it what it was. That's like having BUNGIE develop a new Halo when the people that made the first few are no longer there. Rare hasn't made a hit game in over 10 years

[Paytaa]

I believe Rare still has talent it's just they are withheld from doing much to prove it under Microsoft's conditions. You say the people who made the first few Halo's are no longer there? Not many people left Bungie for 343. In fact the majority of the team who worked on Halo is currently working with Destiny. I still believe Rare has potential it's just Microsoft hasn't done anything that allows them to show it.

[SilentNegotiator]

Request #1: Dear Double Helix; please do not be Double Helix.

Request #2: Please don't screw up this classic game.

[Cueil]

have you not been paying attention to fighting fans who have gotten their hands on this game?

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[SilentNegotiator]

Well, pardon me, if you've got a Youtube video of some people liking it, it must be gold.

/s

[MizTv]

I was looking forward to this game but I think it looks like shit

[DonFreezer]

Shut your fucking mouth.Shut it right now because I;m utterly pissed about your comment.Have you played Downpour?Have you even played the game for 1 hour?People like you made fans of the Silent Hill series abondon it.The games had extremely great premise and if Double Helix fixes some stuff like the generic monster design and the variety of the monsters they would have a great title.Shut your freaking mouth I have finished all the Silent Hill games existed except Shattered Memories and I can rest asure most people who are not blind delusional fanboys that Downpour was nothing like IGN made it look like.

[Mr_Nuts]

I just can't get excited by this...I love Killer Instinct but Double Helix, they are just awful

Metacritic

Silent Hill Homecoming: 71
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra: 42
Front Mission Evolved: 58
Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters: 59
Battleship: 49

I think Silent Hill only got the best score since it was Silent Hill and it got a little bit of a boost because of the brand name. So just let history speak for it's self, don't get your hopes up

It's the same feeling I got when Slant Six were doing Operation Raccoon City

[Fireseed]

Yeah but Slant Six didn't show their game off at almost every game convention since it's reveal to share it with as many players as they could.

[thehitman]

Sounds like a studio stuck with bad movie IPs. Those never turn out great usually.

[Bathyj]

Wow, thats quite damning.

It boggles the mind that MS would give such a revered and requested IP to them.

[Mr_Nuts]

I think they were chosen not because they were the best fit like MS has said but because they were cheap like why Slant Six were chosen from Capcom...this boggles my mind because of all the money MS has. If they really gave a crap about gamers and KI fans they would of gotten a great studio to do this.

[slimpickens]

Strange pick but regardless this one looks like it's coming together very well.

[maniacmayhem]

So are we going to bash the game based solely on Metacritic now?

Is this the new thing to do? Or do we actually judge the game when we get it in our hands?

DH may not have a great record according to *cough* metacritic but look what they were handed. And the one game that wasn't a movie tie in was actually pretty good in my opinion and that was Homecoming.

How about we stop going into every and any KI article and bring up metacritic/Double Helix/I Hate KI and focus on what they are actually:

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

The game looks fantastic and I heard it is even in the Alpha stage.

[grimmweisse]

Nobody is bashing the game...yet. As it's unreleased. People are bashing the developer, even if you take their metacritic record out of the equation, they still have a poor track record with their released titles. Fact!

But, I do hope that make good with KI regardless of their previous track record.

[RM-TatoTiburon]

so why everybody was excited about Killzone 2? Guerilla Games before KZ2 only made two games Shellshock (5/10) and Killzone (7/10) the worst fps last generation by far. But when the first KZ2 trailers came out everybody had a big orgarms.

[Belking]

Look at all the jealous fanboys trying to downplay KI. MS has a good fighting game launching with xb1. Every preview of this game has been great and the videos of gameplay prove it. At least it is better than PS all stars. That is the one you should of been worried about.

[rdgneoz3]

No one is bashing the game or the platform, they're just questioning the devs making it. As Mr_Nuts said, their track record according to metacritic isn't that great at all. You have a classic series going to the devs that made Battleship...

[Belking]

They are co -developing with RARE. And please don't act like you guys didn't see this game demoed already. The game looks and plays great, and it's 60 FPS with awesome particle effects. Did you expect them to bring the same exact game we had ages ago....lol

[AusRogo]

@Belking I honestly wouldn't mind that, in HD!

[Reborn]

I see them downplaying Double Helix, based on past creations. Where does PS-All Stars even come into this?

We reading the same comments?

On-Topic: I hope they can step up, and show what they can do with the coming gen.

[Transporter47]

Does Double Helix have someone as talented as Seth Killian? I don't think so.

[ps3_pwns]

killer instinct sucks you should just give up before you lose all your bubbles. if you like killer instinct that's cool keep it a secret to yourself. but make sure you say that its not worth getting an xbox one for. survival of the fittest and smartest wait until you get your bubbles back up before you start trying to take the xbox one side

[CRAIG667]

you are a nob.

[MarkusMcNugen]

lol. Yeah. Take advice about the Xbox One from the guy whos name is ps3_pwns. Killer Instinct is not some game changer, but really what launch game ever is? N4G never disappoints with the fanboyism. Both Xbox and Playstation alike.

[gamer2013]

What an immature and idiotic comment. Just when I thought that I've read it all here on N4G. This site is definitely overrun by 12 yr olds.

[ps3_pwns]

ps4 is where its at those who fight it will have a sad gaming life in the new gen

for those who embrace the ps4

Welcome to the party pal!

[NeoTribe]

Ps allstars? Considering there nothing alike ill just take that as a failed troll attempt. Nobody was comparing or bashing the game until you did. People just dont trust the developer.

[gravv]

im gonna laughed at you when the game is released and getting flop scores left and right, no sane person is jealous over this ***t but you can be jealous with SONY fans cause they're playing LAST of US right now when you get nothing on 3rd60

[slimpickens]

What the hell language are you speaking? Also I'm sure you're not playing "Last of Us" right now because you're here on N4G nagging like a grandpa!

[BlaqMagiq24]

No one is downplaying KI and why are you bringing PS All Stars into this? Damn Xbots.

[Pope_Kaz_Hirai_II]

No one is downplaying KI and why are you bringing PS All Stars into this? Damn Xbots

Cause the xbox fans ( i use that term loosley because someone who suports xbox is probably doing it to wind people up) are the biggest trolls on every site cause they have nothing worth playing atm so all they can do is troll troll troll

[Pope_Kaz_Hirai_II]

Belking + 12h ago
Look at all the jealous fanboys trying to downplay KI. MS has a good fighting game launching with xb1. Every preview of this game has been great and the videos of gameplay prove it. At least it is better than PS all stars. That is the one you should of been worried about

Facepalm time

[Groo]

I have KI for Super Nintendo, no need to spend $500 on a console and then pay for each character to play this fake version... thank you

[Belking]

lol..Fake version. Yea man you are in denial. You can also purchase the whole game or the F2P version. No one plays Super Nes anymore.KI for xbox-one looks and plays 10 times better. 60FPS and awesome particle effects and only on xbox-one.

[grimmweisse]

@ Belking

First all stop talking nonsense about a game that hasn't been completed, you haven't played it, only SEEN some videos. Reviews are not made by just looking at a video.

Co-developing with Rare you say, you do know most of the members from Rare when acquired by MS left, it's not the same Rare, only by name. Rare's major talents have left.

What you have now is new Rare making shoddy kinect games. Founders Tim and Chris Stamper left the company to pursue "other opportunities". Rare only by name now, not by reputation!

[Groo]

Belking is blind to the truth bro, I personally would buy the arcade machine itself rather that buy a XB1 to play this version... a game like KI is Legend, if the xb1 version looked more like the original and tried to stay true to the roots, I'd be interested. This version looks like its completely different game... The graphics for the original were unique and this doesn't really look like they are trying to rebuild the classic but make a different game and stamp KI on it... I really hope I'm wrong because KI is well respected and is one of the best ever made. It should be developed with the utmost respect with the impact the original has made in mind. Like I said, I hope I'm proven wrong about this...

[4logpc]

Everything I have read and seen doesn't make me worry one bit.

I get it, Double Helix's track record shows nothing too good, but I would bet money that they were limited by time and budgets on all of their titles. Especially the movie based ones.

Microsoft not only gave them time and money, but boosted their dev staff for this project specifically.

Also most people who have played it, have had a positive reaction. Very few have had anything negative to say.

I'm pumped. This game will be great.

[Stryfeno2]

Maybe the fighting genre is their niche...I'm a huge fighting game fan and from what I'm seeing KI is looking good. Keep it up.

[WeAreLegion]

Maybe fighting games are just easy to make. Honestly, it's not like the fighting genre has evolved like the other genres. It's still stuck in the 90's.

[project_pat36]

no fighting game can ever hope to be what the Tekken franchise is/has become.

[Mikefizzled]

Oh the arrogance!
Street Fighter > Mortal Kombat > Tekken

[Stryfeno2]

@WeAreLegion

Really? So you think the fighting genre hasn't evolve...Then I'm sorry to say that its just that you haven't evolve as player. If you think SF, MK and KOF are just the same game as they were in the 90s, then you know nothing about the genre.

[DFresh]

Free 2 Play Model is going to hurt this game badly.
Shipping a fighting game with only character.
Are you kidding me?

[4logpc]

You do know you can buy the game at regular price as well.

far from free to play. Only one character is free to play.

[Fireseed]

Even if it was F2P not sure how that would hurt it...

[DFresh]

Because your not getting a full game.
Your paying micro transactions for part of a game.
I could understand if maybe you'd pay for costumes or items in a game but never playable characters.
That's just too much.

[Fireseed]

Well just to set the record straight you can get the full game.

But in the case of F2P we don't how much they would charge per character. But charging for a character is too much? At least 30,000,000 people would disagree with you, including myself (the number is the amount of LoL players in the world)

I've spent over 200$ in my tie with LoL which sounds like a lot but when you consider I've been playing since Beta that's roughly 4 years of play. If anything I've spent less on one game I've enjoyed to no end with continuous support (and what looks like support for many years to come) than I would have buying one new game each year. And even if that's a lot consider you don't need to pay as much as I did. Say you only enjoy Fulgore, and Jago. You don't need to immediately drop 60$ to play them.

[GurlPleaseBye]

So let me get this right. Them giving you a portion of the game for free(demo) is bad? Child, Let me get to deleting all these demos off my ps3 and xbox 360 before is get a bad case of the "Bads".

You can buy the game in full, this Is just an option for those who decided they don't want every character. I think its dumb (im a big fighting game player), but I see its purpose.

[DFresh]

The difference being any fighting game gives you more then one character to play with when trying out the demo to that game.
Boom.
Proved my point.

[Loki86]

They give the full game with only one character to play all the modes including online, you can then purchase the characters that you want or just buy the retail edition. This is an excellent F2P strategy especially if you only play 3-4 when you play fighting games.

[GurlPleaseBye]

@DFresh CHIIIIILLD did you really end that stupid statement with "Boom"?! I cant!! LMAO! Sir, have several seats over there ==>. . there's no demo guidelines or mandatory rules that defines what EXACLTY have to be included in a demo. If you find this strategy an inconvenience, How about you just avoid taking the time out to download the game in general and save yourself time or just buy the game in full. whats the issue, child?

[fenixm]

Killer Instinct = Buying xbox one.

[NeoTribe]

Thats sad. Figher games are a weak genre in low demand. If thats what sells a system in your eyes thats pathetic. Plus theres so many better games comming, thats the last one id be excited about. Halo or forza for example, not some repetative fighter that will collect dust after a week.

[theEx1Le]

So its sad that he enjoys a genre you do not. Really? Lets all be excited for FPS #45 and Driving game #120, those aren't repetitive at all.

[MarkusMcNugen]

You obviously are not a fighting game fan. I can tell you having been a a fan of 2D fighters with a ton of friends who love them as well, Killer Instinct has been a running joke and passion for a long time. Its a classic fighting game we all love. The joke was when if ever a true sequel to KI2 would ever get made. It certainly can carry quite a large weight with the fanbase of fighting games, just clearly not you.

[BlaqMagiq24]

Yes I'd rather buy an Xbox One for KI than Halo or Forza. Halo has lost its spark and there are WAY better shooters out there. And GT is a better racer than Forza any day of the week. You mad?

[GurlPleaseBye]

Whats "sad" is wasting your time, rushing in this topic and busting your fingers on the keyboard with such angry fury just to talk about how "weak" the fighting genre is. you ever heard of competitive gaming in the fighting community? You know they have those, right? Child, you wanted to be seen...now we see you. #Bye

[Groo]

Goodluck with that, hope its money well spent.

[DrRobotnik]

My question is this...were is Rare in all of this? Did they just give up and resort to making Kinect games and live avatars? I wonder if they regret leaving Nintendo.

[Transporter47]

Rare's original team isn't there, its just Rare by name and name only. The team that is now rare is made just to develop games on kinect sadly, just like how 343 studios was made to only make Halo games.

[4logpc]

Most of rare is gone that was part of the rare we knew during the Nintendo days.

The lead developer of the older Killer Instinct games is over seeing the new one.

[sAVAge_bEaST]

I think Rare is depressed, for having sold out to Micro$oft,.. They wouldn't even let a fan funded documentary, be filmed at their studios. -for their 25th anniversary.
Recently, Rare has denied a fan site, MundoRare, from filming a documentary about their studios, at MundoRare's own expense. The film was meant to celebrate Rare's 25th anniversary, and would have been distributed over the Internet and Xbox Live. Rare, however, denied permission to shoot this film, claiming it was not "on message". This led to controversy about Rare's current direction with Microsoft, as well as the shutting down of MundoRare, claiming that the site could not support Rare's new direction

[SCW1982]

Rare is DEAD. Long live Rareware

[xyxzor]

Don't forget guys. Mercury Steam made Clive Barker's: Jericho. Then they go on to make Lords of Shadow. Give DH a chance :)

[WeAreLegion]

The difference is that Mercury Steam had never done a full game before Jericho. We gave them exactly two chances.

Double Helix has made five HORRIBLE games. I don't trust them one bit.

The same went for Nihilistic. They made absolutely terrible games and yet, were given the Resistance and Call of Duty franchises for Vita releases. Why?!?

[Groo]

I agree with you bro, everyone should get a shot to prove themselves.. one thing I don't know if we should be worried or pleased but the F2P thing raised a couple flags for me.. if this version turns out to be crap, well people will say it was free to play so I didn't waste any money. If it turns out to be great then I believe MS will find a way to try and nickle and dime people by rushing out crappy content.. We know how MS is... I can't justify going out and buying a XB1 just for this.. they could be trying to do it right after all the f2p model can be seen as a demo to possibly tweek it and make it better.. who knows.. I'm confusing myself... Please DH don't ruin the Killer Instinct Legacy..

[plsburydoughboy]

I guess most of these are actually workable, now we just have to see Double Helix deliver.

[Smokingunz]

Killrate omega, you must be smoking crack to say homecoming was wack! Homecoming was one of the last good silent hill games' downpour was the one that was terrible.put that crack pipe down baby. Now back to the situation at hand, they should give back killer instinct its dark, gritty,blood everywhere look, better character design, destructble stages, pretty muc the game should be more like a refined KI gold.

[BlaqMagiq24]

I seriously hope Double Helix knows what they're doing. It looks good but I hope they don't screw it up in the end.

[no_more_heroes]

Like I said below, they seem to be doing their homework based on interviews so far, so there may be hope. Maybe this will be the genre they're good at.

[Atomicjuicer]

If they sell xbone without kinect I will buy this.

In the meantime - PS4TW!

[zippycup]

its sad i used to love killer instinct but wont buy an xbox1 for just that game guess i will just have to pull out MAME and play the original

[TXIDarkAvenger]

I wanted KI3 for so long but since Double Helix is developing, I'm going to pretend this game doesn't exist. I wish I had done the same with Nuts and Bolts.

[MoveTheGlow]

"Darker announcer" was one of the top requests. "Darker." "Announcer." I don't even. Terrifying indeed. What, was the crazy monster-truck announcer from last time too uppity for you, or are you just frightened that you'll get Street Fighter Alpha 3's guy this time around? Let's have Christian Bale Batman announce it.

[Loki86]

Double Helix has picked up talent from several different developers with fighting game experience, the project lead for the original KI is on board to over see. They have been asking for community to feedback to tweak and adjust things. They came together just for this franchise, I have no doubt they will succeed.

[Parasyte]

Why is it so hard for people to understand?! You're not getting the game for free if you have to pay to unlock the other characters!

[Foxgod]

It one of the games i am buying an XB1 for, and not just because of its name, but because of what i saw of it.
I wasnt much of a KI fan in the snes days, i was always more of a Street Fighter fan, but i am liking what Double Helix is putting out.

Double Helix found a genre they are good at.

[TuxedoMoon]

I'd love to see tag team in ki3

[Novistador]

I would bet a large sum of money if Killer Instinct was a Ps4 exclusive everyone here would be praising Helix.

[superterabyte]

You would lose that sum because I really dislike fighting games so I couldn't give a flying fuck.

Pay up please I need them moneys for a PS4.

[Groo]

because Sony doesn't put out Crappy exclusives, they have earned gamers trust with their content. I personally have never felt ripped off by Sony, unlike with MS.. If MS had that kind of reputation then so many gamers that love KI wouldn't be voicing their conserns

[Loki86]

Sony does put out crappy exclusives huh? Socom, Mag, Lair, The Fight, Kung Fu Rider, should I keep going?

[Novistador]

All stars, Remember Me, hell even insomniac is slipping Full frontal assault was just horrible (and i Love insomniac games btw)

[no_more_heroes]

Been hearing a lot of bad things about these Double Helix guys, rightly or wrongly (I've never played any of their games, so I can't say for myself).

They've also never made a fighting game before, so there definitely seems to be good reason for pessimism. Let's not forget though, Rare hadn't made a fighting game before Killer Instinct 1 either and Double Helix at least seem like they're doing their homework based on the interviews so far.

Hopefully this will be their breakout "good" game.

[hairy]

it is the only fighting game being launched for either next gen console as far as I can tell. but being a launch title under the helm of a studio that is known for a couple shit games, I am not to excited for it. though all they really need is to copy the n64 killer instinct and add new graphics. been so long since a new KI's come out, nostalgia will do the rest

[fenixm]

The got people from street fighter third strike, skull girl, street fighter turbo, one of the original killer instinct creater, some dude name filty rich or something. They have fighting game experience. Killer Instinct it's shaping up to be an awesome game. I can't wait to see glacius at evo friday or sunday.