New Anarchy Reigns Screenshots

Details about Platinum Games and SEGA's new sandbox brawler Anarchy Reigns have been thin on the ground. We've already met four of the heavily modified super-human protagonists, who have enhanced their bodies through the use of nanotechnology, but that's about it. Well, Eurogamer managed to gain a preview of the game, so here are a few more details.

We've met Jack Cayman, previously found in MadWorld, and his Gator Tooth, a retractable double chainsaw. These can be used to "slice an opponent vertically from the head down".



We've also met Sasha and Zero, and Big Bull. Two more characters that have been revealed are Madworld's Mathilda and Black Baron. Matilda's main weapon is the Iron Maiden, a "spiked barbarian's club that bristles with purple energy". The Black Baron is a brawler who prefers to fight using his Super Sexy Fists of Fire (honestly). There are more characters to be revealed too.



Players will have access to a variety of taunts, weapon options and special attacks for each character. Platinum Games producer Atsushi Inaba explained how the development of Anarchy Reigns has been influenced by the combat system implemented in Bayonetta.

In Bayonetta, it was more like you were basically pummelling the AI so you could do these huge combos," Inaba says. "Whereas in this it's human versus human, so it doesn't quite work like that. But we'd like to bring that feel to the table. There are many actions and attacks you can perform that will give that sort of feel. Each of the characters is very unique so there will be varied combos in that regard.

All characters will have their strengths and weaknesses, so fighting as part of a team is essential for success. For example, a very large enemy "may prove easier to break down with an initial combo flurry from your speed-based fighter before your oafish, towering friend finishes off the job". Most of you will realise that this hints towards a co-operative team-based multiplayer element, and you would be right. However, there will also be a single-player component. Further details on this mode are yet to be revealed, but Inaba provided a few more hints:

First of all, there's the story mode, which should be very entertaining. Also, you can basically play the online mode but versus AI. Even if you're on your own you get to have the best of both worlds.

The preview demonstrated two of the multiplayer modes. Battle Royale was the first. This is a ten minute "points-based, winner-takes-all affair". Players who are closely tied (on what is unclear) will compete against each other in a caged arena. The second mode was a survival / horde mode that saw a team of two fight against "increasingly deadly waves of enemy forces".



Platinum Games are reviving their Action Trigger Events, a gameplay mechanic that will be familiar to anybody who has played Split/Second. In this game, these are also "landscape-changing disasters", ranging from the man-made to the natural.

...a giant saw-blade grinds through the streets, clearing as much scenery in its wake as it does flesh; an alert sounds and the action freezes as the camera shifts its focus to a tsunami building on the distant docks; or a suspension bridge collapses, providing a tactical overhaul of the battlefield.

Black holes will also appear, and these are coupled with teleportation-style powers. Players will be drawn towards them before they are transported to another area of the map.



Players can also destroy and alter the world as they see fit. For example, Jack can bring towers down with his Gator Tooth in order to create new shortcuts.



Anarchy Reigns is due to be released in Autumn 2011.