Being a massive fan of live-action video games for more than twenty years, I was eagerly awaiting my gamescom appointment with Allan Plenderleith and Simon Sparks of Splendy Games, creators of the upcoming FMV adventure The Bunker. Before we sat down to record a lengthy video interview, however, I got a hands-on glimpse of their ambitious project, which will be released on the 20th of September.
The game consists entirely of filmed material, whether you’re exploring locations or watching cinematic cutscenes play out. One thing that’s obvious from the get-go is that the quality of the live-action video footage is on an entirely different level than it was in most games from the (rather short) heyday of FMV. You might say this isn’t a surprise as the technology has changed drastically in the meantime, and you might be right. However, I’m not just referring to the video quality, but also to the quality of the acting, the direction of the film sequences, and the way the oppressive atmosphere is created. In fact, you don’t need to spend much time in the bunker to realize this title was created by people who understand the craft of filmmaking.
If you like your gaming nice, clean, and family-friendly, The Bunker is definitely not a good choice for you. Aside from the all-pervading feeling of claustrophobia, a few of the early cinematics contained some very dramatic emotional scenes. And according to the game’s creators, things are going to get a lot worse during the course of the story. Obviously I can’t judge how good the overall story is or how well the other interactive mechanics complement the narrative, but even at first glance it's clear that Splendy’s upcoming release has enormous potential to be a remarkable (interactive) horror drama.
The following video interview with Simon Sparks and Allan Plenderleith will offer additional insight into the creators’ minds as we thoroughly discuss The Bunker, Splendy’s background, and all things FMV. Enjoy!