EGX 2014: New Quantum Break Presentation Reveals More Details
Running Out of Time
During the EGX event in London between September 25th-28th, Pure Xbox attended a Quantum Breakpresentation which was an extended version of the Gamescom demo shown in August, earlier this year. This version included some extra dialogue and cinematics before and after the original demo.
The extra dialogue and cinematic before was between Jack Joyce and his partner Beth Wilder, taking place just short of halfway through the game's story. Remedy told us "Beth isn't just another AI companion. In certain parts of the campaign she is playable but Jack Joyce is our main hero of Quantum Break".
The two characters were discussing the best place to regroup and escape together, from Riverport bridge. Jack suggests that Beth travel to the neon-lit docks nearby and she says how that is a bad idea because Monarch Solutions (the enemy faction led by a now twisted version of Jack's best friend Paul Serene) after a failed time related experiment would easily locate the duo since they already had Riverport on lock-down. That is exactly what happens, because a civilian thinks he is doing a favour by shouting to warn Jack as he stealthily makes his way down to the docks, but this attracts Monarch's attention who call for a strike team.
The demo then proceeds to play out the same way as the Gamescom one did in a very action-packed manner, until after the boss fight segment near the end of the Riverport bridge. However, the Remedy developers informed us that the full game will be playable in many styles - including stealth - so the time powers can be used for a variety of situations and tactics.
The next section was previously unseen and involved Jack continuing to make his way through the time-stutter on the bridge. He looks out in the distance and notices a cargo ship which seems to be at a safe distance but then suddenly, showing how unstable the stutters can be, the ship jumps forward violently.
It smashes into the bridge and Jack tumbles on to the ground. He gets up and moves quickly as the ship and bridge are falling apart and exploding, the whole environment is completely unstable. The final section that we saw was a navigational puzzle full of hazards that activate, explode, collapse and then spontaneously rebuild themselves. It required patience for some parts, but at other times patience alone was not enough, as the use of time powers was necessary to freeze or boost past obstacles.
After this, Jack Joyce reached apparent safety and the demo ended. The entire thing looked graphically stunning and the transition from cinematic to gameplay was incredibly smooth.
When asked more about Quantum Break's live-action show, Remedy said "Nothing is currently locked down but we plan for an act of the show to last about one hour and thirty minutes. We believe in keeping players immersed so the show will be on the same disc as the game and will be inter-connected. It is being filmed in Hollywood. Every player will get there Director's Cut of the story. In the show, you see things from the point of view of Monarch Solutions and their leader; Paul Serene."
"He has the most powerful ability of all, he can see clues and hints about several possible futures where events occur or don't occur and then the player can choose one. This is reflected in the rest of the game."
Quantum Break is currently on track for a Spring 2015 release, exclusively on the Xbox One.