BIOMUTANT Samurai Pizza Cat

You might not know the name Stefan Ljungqvist, but he’s been working on games for 15 or so years, both as an art director, designer and team leader on games ranging from the adventure game Gast, to the open world action of Just Cause 2 and Mad Max. After leaving Avalanche Studios in 2015, Ljungqvist founded independent developer Experiment 101. Don’t let the independent nature of the studio lead you to think that the studio isn’t ambitious, however – Biomutant, the first game from Experiment 101 looks about as ambitious as you can get.

An open world action RPG billed as a “Kung Fu Fable”, Biomutant is set in a post-apocalyptic universe of mutants in which a plague is further decimating the land. The Tree-of-Life has become the tree of death, spreading decay from its roots. The various mutant tribes stand divided. The world needs someone strong enough to either unite them or destroy them once and for all. The player, of course is that certain strong individual, an ugly/cute furry mutant cat/raccoon thing. At least that’s what they are in the beginning. Throughout the game players will be able to modify the character physically by mutating their body or adding cybernetic prosthetics. We’re not sure how the mechanic will work in practise, but in effect players will be able to grow claws for melee combat, wings, different kinds of legs and the like, each changing the way the character plays. Some mutations or prosthetics will alter the way an established mechanic works, while others will grant new powers and abilities.

Players will also be able to craft their own weapons from parts found throughout their adventures. Again we’re not entirely sure how this will work but the developers say that players will be able to mix and match parts to make unique one or two handed slashing, piercing or crushing weapons. Combat will be a combination of kung-fu and gunplay, and it looks as though players will be able to craft guns in a similar fashion to melee weapons. The gunplay looks fast and furious, dealing good damage and allowing the mutant hero to continue or extend combos, as well as having special moves – dual wielding one handed guns gives the players a short AOE flourish that can damage all surrounding enemies by the looks of it. We’re not sure of what long guns can do as yet.

Exploring the open world looks as though it will be a key component of the game, and to this end there will be a number of vehicles available to facilitate moving around. The b-roll footage we’ve seen includes a jet-ski, a wind up hand that functions as a mount but can also flick enemies or shoot them with a finger gun, and a hulking, heavily armed mech suit. There will also be gliders, hot-air balloons and more. Of course, with various mutations or prosthetics, players will also be able to run faster, jump higher and even fly under their own power. There is no official release date for Biomutant as yet, but Experiment 101 and THQ Nordic are positive the game will be available some time in 2018. DANIEL WILKS

that certain strong individual, an ugly/cute furry mutant cat/raccoon thing