I’ve heard several people, especially after last years E3, call Republic: The Revolution the “Future of Games”. Now this is a line that’s thrown about all the time just before a new game is about to hit our shelves but just how true will that be in this case? Well the simple answer is we won’t know until we see the finished product but we can look at the info that we have to judge Republic’s potential.

First off we have the Totality engine that seems to have many gamers and those in the game industry the most excited. This engine will allow an infinite number of polygons, which should only be restricted by our own video card. So instead of having to buy the latest, greatest 3D-video card to play Republic, we should be ok using just about any 3D card. Although this also means that every time the 3D technology is improved, we’ll all be trying it on Republic to see how much better the game looks. This could even end the problem that’s been troubling this industry for many years where we see the same games with just updated graphics. A game created using the Totality engine could have a shelf life of many years so long as it’s game play is up to scratch. Imagine new games being made that have to rely on story or content instead of graphics. Is Totality the Future of Games? Well if it does most of what Elixir tells us then for this alone Republic should handle that title easily.

Secondly we have the game play. Demis must be aware that because of the Totality engine, there will end up being a big emphasis placed upon how the game plays. From Jon’s journal on his visit to Elixir, I was pleased to see that Republic will allow for both the intensive strategist as well as the “just want to have a bit of fun” gamer. The ability to tweak the intensity of actions alone should mean that you’d never play the same game twice, helping to solve a pet peeve of mine with replay ability. Let’s not forget the new AI, which allows 1 million people to act upon situations that occur around them. The examples of the AI working in Republic are astounding to say the least and range from the ability for characters to walk past each other without jamming themselves or one having to retrace his/her steps while the other stands there looking silly to one character reacting aggressively toward another because the other is talking about a subject that the first one finds offensive. This opens the possibility of hours of watching how characters react to your decisions or even just becoming a voyeur and letting this fantasy world unfold before your eyes. Playing the same game twice will be almost impossible because the timing of your moves will just be as important as the moves themselves.

Thirdly there is the story. Politics may not be everyone’s cup of tea but in Republic there seems to be a lot more then just playing a politician and winning votes. We are given the freedom to choose how we achieve power whether it is Criminal, Capitalistic, Religious, Military or Political and in these choices you can also decide whether to do so ethically or not. There is supposedly no easy path to winning (fingers crossed) so you can choose whichever way interests you at the time. Religious Fanaticism or Gentle Priest, Military Strongman or Freedom Fighter, Tycoon or Hard Working Businessman, Reformist or Corrupt Politician, Underworld Kingpin or Rogue with a Heart of Gold. Or any degree in between. Each of these options would give you different challenges as well as other options such as Boxing Clubs, Charity Balls and organizing riots. Bribe, hypnotise, coerce and bash your way into the people’s hearts or just convince them that you’re better then the other guy. Have a film star or sports person indorse your way of thinking. Fill the airways with propaganda or dig up some dirt on the opposition. All of these options should mean that Republic: The Revolution could be played over and over again and each time we could experience something new.

Now if all of this is delivered in the final product then Republic should become an all time top ten game for years to come. If only part of it is delivered then it should at least become a milestone in gaming history. Either way, Demis Hassabis and his team at Elixir have set the bar higher for the computer games industry.

by Joecorp