ReCore Preview - E3 2016

Microsoft has taken many initiatives in recent years to create more unique experiences, as a way to diversify from the usual selection of triple-A projects. From the ID@Xbox program to other third-party agreements, the publisher hopes to attract new players by offering unique and exclusive experiences. One such project is ReCore, a game that was revealed last year. Co-produced by the talented Keiji Inafune and Mark Pacini, ReCore aims to combine a heartfelt story with classic action and platforming elements in a unique game world inspired by Japanese culture. We got an opportunity to see an extended demo of the game and chat with both producers at E3.

Our presentation took place close to the beginning of the game. Earth has become uninhabitable, so humanity has begun to search the far reaches of the galaxy to find a new home. Players assume the role of Joule, who is a worker on one such planet called Far Eden. The crew was there to terraform it, and in between shifts they go into an extended sleep, leaving the robots in charge of automated tasks. But as Joule awakens, she finds that something has gone wrong. The robots have turned on the workers, and a deeper mystery lies within the planet. We pick up the demo with the immediate goal of finding a power core.

Because each worker on this planet-terraforming assignment gets a power suit, right from the start our heroine is able to jump, boost and slide around. It gives the game a fast paced feel, and also helps traverse large gaps and other environmental challenges. Players will quickly vault over any terrain, as the goal is to provide quick traversal, not detailed climbing mechanics. The action is similarly fast paced – upon encountering some hostile worker bots, Joule was able to dispatch them fairly quickly thanks to strafing and lock-on aim. The focus is on the movement and flow of combat, not on precision aiming.

Our journey is being narrated by a mysterious man, who the developers say will be revealed later. Joule believes that the power core is in the mountain, so we climb high enough to find an opening and enter a cave. Here, a locked door blocks progress so we go around; a nearby worker bot scurries along, still trying to complete its duties and thinking that humans will eventually arrive after their nap. Joule comes across a security laser grid, which is dispatched by a charged shot from her rifle. After boosting and jumping across large gaps, we arrive at a clearing in the cave where more malfunctioning robots await.

In combat, we can use an Extractor tool on weakened enemies to remove their own power core and shut them down for good. As Joule strafes around the area, the screen lights up with combo numbers for successful hits and experience gains. The game's focus on color is intentional – you have four different weapons, assigned on D-pad as red, blue, white and yellow, and each must be used against the corresponding enemy that often also glows or has elements of that same color. It's an interesting mechanic that adds a dynamic element to the combat. It becomes even more relevant during the boss encounter in the next area. The boss continuously changes color, which not only modifies its own attack patterns and abilities, but also causes the player to constantly swap weapons as well.

The above-mentioned experience will be used to improve Joule throughout the game. But when it comes to weapon upgrades, because of the game's reliance on using the same weapons of different color, you'll be instead upgrading your robotic companions. Mack, the dog-like companion that accompanied us during the demo, was just one of the multiple helpers that players will get to meet. The developers promise a lot of choice and variety when it comes to using companions in both combat and platforming.

With the boss defeated, Joule and Mack grab its power core. As it turns out, this is a unique core that they've never seen before, one that contains all colors. Perplexed but satisfied, the duo use a newly available exit to return back outside quickly. It is here that our demo concludes.

Based on what we've seen from ReCore this year, it seems likely that the game will offer plenty of satisfying combat and platforming, with some unique elements thanks to the focus on color and companions. Look for the game to be released exclusively on Xbox One and Windows 10 (with Play Anywhere support) this September.