Game developer and publisher Webzen Inc. are taking first person shooters to a whole new level this fall with their Xbox 360 title Huxley. The idea behind this one is to create a unique online experience by combining the MMORPG genre with the fast paced adrenaline pumping action of a FPS game.

Huxley takes place in a devastated world at some point in the distant future. The cause of the destruction that will be visible in every part of the game was a large nuclear asteroid that struck the planet and wiped out most of the population. The survivors of the impact were quickly divided into two factions. The plain and simple human beings known as sapiens and the Alternates — a race of mutated humans spawned by the radioactive materials left over from the asteroid. These two groups lived in peace with one another until a new energy source was discovered. This discovery soon leads to a war between the two factions as each wants to save it all for their own use.

Once players have selected which side they wish to fight and die for, they will be launched into the game. From here you begin to fight for your faction either in the form of quests against computer controlled enemies, or you can launch into battle against players of the opposing side. Each race has its own distinct advantages and weapons at their disposal. It is also possible that anyone fighting for the Alternates will have some unique abilities due to the mutations that created this faction.

The features that will separate this game from your typical shooting game are the RPG qualities that have been mixed into the game. As you play the game and earn experience, you will be able to learn new abilities to use them during combat, and gain access to new weapons. You can also specialize in one particular type of soldier and level up as you go to make your character a more formidable opponent.

The ultimate goal of Huxley is to advance the cause of your group and conquer the planet by annihilating the other side. Every action that a player takes in this game will either help your faction or hurt it in some way. This will add a whole new tension to the overall gameplay. If you and your comrade’s make too many mistakes, it could spell doom for your entire species.

What’s it About - from the devs

Huxley is a massively multi player online first-person shooting game (MMOFPS) developed by the H-Studio of global online entertainment company, WEBZEN Inc. Huxley takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where human beings have mutated and are divided into two opposing races, Sapiens and Alternative. At the center of the battle for survival is Lunarites, a promising new energy source that both sides seek to obtain. Forced to battle against one another for the continuance of each race, Sapiens and Alternatives are willing to do whatever it takes to wipe out the conflicting race and gain control of the world and its resources.

In near future, Nuclearites bombard the World. Destructive earthquakes, massive tidal waves and dramatic climate changes wreak havoc around the globe, isolating continents and driving the human race into chaos. Those who survive the destruction dream of tranquility, but an eruption among the human race and the appearance of horrible mutants drives the world into further disorder. Racism and oppression cause rebellious uprisings and war that divide the landscape between two powers: Sapiens and Alternative, At the heart of the war emerges a powerful energy source the Lunarites created by Huxley, a scientist and possible savior.

Both factions seek glory and victory, fighting mercilessly for the Lunerites and their very existence.

Gameplay Features - from the devs

• FPS IN A PERSISTENT WORLD.
  Huxley delivers the excitement and rich gameplay experience of an MMORPG while combining the knuckle-whitening action of an FPS. Players can communicate with each other in a virtual online city, and participate in side battles with the intuitive PvP (player vs. player) system. Everything a character does in the Huxley world directly affects the success of not only the individual, but also of their race and party; from battles to behaviors, all interactions are linked to the survival of a characters entire race.
• LARGE-SCALE BATTLES.
  Huxley goes past traditional death match FPS gameplay by challenging players to adapt to new forms of combat to protect the interests of the camp. Servers will be solely dedicated to accommodate millions of users engaged in fast paced, large-scale combat. Players will require strategy and cooperation to achieve victory. Extensive multi player battle modes are available each with a variety of unique fighting techniques and special characteristics.
• ADVANCED A.I. AND QUESTS.
  Huxley has advanced A.I. that rivals other online games. Enemies in Huxley demonstrate remarkable intelligence, which can be used to a player’s advantage or demise. Quests in Huxley will take players on paths of intrigue to uncover conspiracies resulting in confrontations. Each quest is continually updated so players feel as though they are enjoying a new story mode every time they play.
• CHARACTER GROWTH AND UNIQUE PLAY STYLES.
  The characters in Huxley are continuously growing, which is rare in FPS games. Players are able to enhance their own combat styles by obtaining out-of-this-world weapons and new skills, which in turn continuously challenges players to adopt different gameplay styles as they progress.

Huxley Screenshots

View All Huxley Xbox 360 Screenshots

Huxley Resources

• Developer: Wezben Games
• Publisher: Wezben Games
• Official Huxley Site
• Release Date: Fall 2007
• Huxley Xbox 360 Screenshots

Our Say - Final Thoughts

This title strikes me as an experiment with the potential to be a huge success. The developer is attempting to take the FPS genre in an entirely new direction by adding a new dynamic to the way the game is played. I am very curious to see exactly how the leveling up elements of an RPG are going to be introduced into a military shooter. One thing that worries me about that feature is if it will somehow unbalance the game. I hope that we will not have to worry about situations where a better player gets beaten by someone all because of a difference in their level.

Another thing that has me curious is how the story line will unfold. I wonder if it will be completely open ended or if there will be set points in the story line that players can unlock as their faction progresses. The weapons that will be available to each side are another aspect of the game that has sparked my interest as well. The two warring nations each have unique abilities available to their species. So each side should have their own unique upgrades and firepower to employ against their enemies. Overall I think Huxley is going to be an experience that no FPS fan will want to miss, and should prove interesting enough that any video game player could sink their teeth into it.

Written by XBS Previewer Pure Ego.

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