HUNTED: THE DEMON’S FORGE

FORMAT PS3 / RELEASED 2011 DEV INXILE ENTERTAINMENT

A name-drop to Brian Fargo’s 1981 text adventure tingles our retro senses (this game from Fargo’s InXile Entertainment is set in the same universe). Fed up with co-op games that simply have two players existing together, Hunted: The Demon’s Forge asks duos to work together; many puzzles demand we use both characters’ weapons and skills in tandem. E’lara uses a bow to shoot traps and Caddoc a sword to smash objects. 1 While there are secrets to discover working together, the merits of teaming up really become clear during combat as E’lara picks off enemies at a distance and Caddoc gets in close to dismember the orc-like foes.

While battling together is enjoyable, everything you do comes with a heavy spread of cheese. Visually it’s a high fantasy that’s more Beastmaster than Lord Of The Rings. Why go to war in armour when a string bikini will do?It’s a tone that stretches to the game’s supporting cast; sorceress Seraphine isn’t afraid to put the girls on show. 2

Once you buy into the game’s camp style you’ll discover a solid co-op action adventure that plays like a fantasy cover shooter with a love of showing some skin. And why not?

FOOTNOTES 1 The whole game is built around two players; just connect a controller and get going. 2 Selling the game’s pulpy feel, Xena’s Lucy Lawless voices the adventure’s is-she-isn’t-she villain.