Star Wars and Mature-rated cover-shooter aren’t exactly a typical association, but LucasAarts has thrown its hat into the third-person shooter ring with Star Wars 1313, a title starring a bounty hunter stalking the underworld of the vast city-world Coruscant.
Comparisons with Gears of War might be drawn, but really, the trailer makes 1313 look much more like the Uncharted series, with cinematic setpieces and a somewhat stylized artstyle that’s nonetheless far more lifelike than the cartoonish models used in Star Wars Kinect or the Clone Wars cartoon. The trailers show off a firefight in the depths of a shuttle, followed by the protagonists leaping across to another damaged craft while both plummet into one of those endless chasms so common in the Star Wars universe.
Conspicuously absent are any traces of Jedi or the Force; 1313 seems to be marketing itself as a look at the grittier side of the Star Wars ‘verse. Check out the two videos after the break.
Here’s the official press release for more information. No official release date was included.
LUCASARTS DROPS GAMERS INTO THE CRIMINAL UNDERWORLD WITH NEW MATURE THEMED VIDEOGAME FRANCHISE, STAR WARS 1313 ™
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif – May 31, 2012 – LucasArts, a Lucasfilm Ltd. company, announced today a new internally developed videogame franchise, Star Wars 1313 ™. The game will make its formal debut at the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles June 5-7. As players take control of a lethal bounty hunter in a never-before-seen dark and mature world, Star Wars 1313 introduces an integrated development approach by bringing together great artists across the Lucasfilm organization, including LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic, Lucasfilm Animation Ltd. and Skywalker Sound. A third person cinematic action adventure game, Star Wars 1313 will bring to life the Coruscant underworld, the most dangerous place in the Star Wars™ galaxy.
Named for Level 1313, a ruthless criminal underground deep below the surface of the planet of Coruscant, the game puts players in control of a deadly bounty hunter as he uses an arsenal of exotic weaponry to hunt down his marks and uncover the truth surrounding a criminal conspiracy. Star Wars 1313 emphasizes epic set pieces and fast-paced combat with a hero who uses human skills and gadgets, rather than supernatural Force powers, to make his way through this dangerous world.
“We’re excited to share one of the projects LucasArts has been hard at work developing,” said Paul Meegan, President, LucasArts. “Star Wars 1313 dives into a part of the Star Wars mythos that we’ve always known existed, but never had a chance to visit. We are committed to bringing the best gameplay experience and visual fidelity to life and I truly believe the work we are showcasing at E3 will speak for itself.”
More details about Star Wars 1313 will surface in the coming months. Visit www.StarWars1313.com for the latest updates.