The Eurogamer TV Show - Episode 4
Rare exposed, Viva Pinata chronicled and EGTV irradiated by S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
Episode 4 of The Eurogamer TV Show is now live and, in the case of one of this week's features, literally dangerous.
First up, hot on the paper-furred heels of yesterday's in-depth feature, EGTV's cameras plunge the hidden depths of Rare's heavily-guarded development compound.
After stumbling around all starry-eyed like a golden ticket-clutching Charlie, we speak to the key architects of the studio's irresistible new 360 title, Viva Pinata. (The one of which Tom wrote: "After some of Rare's recent sins this is a welcome return to form, and something into which I know I'll happily sink myself for many weekends to come." And you know what a miserable bugger he is).
You will, in no particular order: discover how the game evolved from its original concept, including a sneak peek at the original PDA version, Your Garden; hear how veteran Rare composer Gavin Kirkhope's enlisted a full orchestra to bring his quirky compositions to life; learn how Rare has handled the unprecedented criticism it has received in recent years; lay eyes on the actual barn in which the new Banjo game is being made.
And from cute paper animals to one of the most intensely depressing locations on planet Earth. S.T.A.L.K.E.R - you and I have been hearing about this FPS for over five years - was supposed to be out in 2004 and appeared to be heading into Duke Nukem Forever territory until THQ grabbed the project by the scruff of the neck.
It's big draw is still the chillingly unique nuclear disaster of Chernobyl. THQ and developer GSC took us on a guided tour, so we could learn the background to the tragedy and witness first-hand the key locations which you'll be stalking through in the game. It was quite an education, believe us. And our exclusive in-game footage show just how spookily accurate the virtual recreations are.
We also interviewed a real-life Stalker who is, somewhat unsurprisingly, a little jaded - not to mention heavily irradiated - by his experiences. But he likes the game.
In our interview, GSC's Oleg Yavorksy explains why, five arduous years on, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. can still hold its own in the fiercely competitive genre. And there might just be an interesting tidbit for console shooter fans on this allegedly PC-exclusive title...
Episode 4, bursting at its laboriously-edited seams with exclusive footage from both games, is now showing on Eurogamer TV.