Too Human demo proves popular

By Ellie Gibson Published 1 August, 2008

Game still on track for August launch.

Microsoft has announced the demo for Too Human has been downloaded from Xbox Live 900,000 times.

Too Human, you may recall, is a 360 exclusive from Silicon Knights. Studio boss Denis Dyack is confident it's going to be marvellous - and he's not afraid to say so on the internet.

You'll be able to see for yourself next month as Too Human has gone gold and is on track for an August 29th release. Look out for a review soon.

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

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Comments (53) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Eraysor #1 4 years ago

    I'm expecting this game to be the Xbox 360's Haze.

  • Aretak #2 4 years ago

    Presumably the final game will be somewhat less popular as a result of it.

  • Ornithophobe #3 4 years ago

    A lot of rubber necking I expect.

  • thefishmonger #4 4 years ago

    Downloaded 900,000 times and played for 2 minutes/once?

  • Penguinzoot #5 4 years ago

    Downloaded the demo ages ago. Not even looked at it yet - is it any good?

  • groovychainsaw #6 4 years ago

    I thought it was ok, pretty mindless - actually quite liked the storytelling+looting (its the warcraft addiction in me, i suspect) , but the gameplay could be a bit tiring after a while. Nowhere near as bad as haze though, that game was awful!

  • UncleLou #7 4 years ago

    Why is a game that has gone gold released 4 weeks later, and hence pushed into the same 7-days timeframe in which a gazillion other games are suddenly out, while nothing is out now?

    Not that it concerns me in that case, I am just wondering.

  • smurphs #8 4 years ago

    I thought the demo was great, personally. Reminded me of Titan Quest, but crossed with Gears of War (obviously).

  • miiiguel #9 4 years ago

    I didn't play the demo, but pre-ordered the game.

  • andywilkie35 #10 4 years ago

    i really enjoyed the demo, but might wait coz that infinite undiscovery game comes out a week later, and thats more my kind of RPG

  • muscleblade #11 4 years ago

    @miiiguel

    Bad move. The demo sucked badly imo.

  • asphaltcowboy #12 4 years ago

    might be because there were ZERO other demos to get during the whole of E3!

  • Midian #13 4 years ago

    I actually liked it. Once you got the hang of directing your melee attacks you suddenly became bad-ass.

    Still unconvinced thopugh, I could see the combat getting a little stale after a while, and the skill tree looked pretty poor. BUT, the overall art direction (locations etc) was great and the story looked interesting - even if the animation on the main character was seven kinds of shit.

    Hmmm - has 6 or 7 out of 10 written all over it.

  • muscleblade #14 4 years ago

    @Midian

    My thouths exactly.

  • agparrot #15 4 years ago

    I loaded the demo up, but only got to the title screen.

    Must actually try playing it. Damn all those other games and their stupid distraction-factor.

  • miiiguel #16 4 years ago

    muscleblade, that's why I didn't play it, lol. I like to have this "historical" items. Then again, more money than sense.

    I knew I probably wouldn't like it much, as soon as I knew the right analog stick is used for actions (attacks ?) rather than camera controll. It's fukin unconfortable!
    Edited by 1 at 01/08/08 @ 12:13

  • kmittal82 #17 4 years ago

    one of the worst demos ive played!!

  • DjFlex52 #18 4 years ago

    Hmmm - has 6 or 7 out of 10 written all over it.

    @Midian

    Totally agree.
    So if you love hack&slash/loot games, it's more of a 8/8.5 score. Same as MGS4 is a 10 instead of an 8 to stealth/long cut scenes lovers :)

  • APHIZM #19 4 years ago

    Thought it was shite. Not sure if it's the game or the genre though.

  • Stuz359 #20 4 years ago

    Awful. I hope for the love of god that in the final game you can actually skip the death scene. Its around 30 seconds long!

  • anomagnus #21 4 years ago

    ignore the negative hype, and make your own mind up about it. Theres so much bullshit floating around this game its staggering.

    If you listened to most of the wankers bad mouthing it, you think it was one of the worst games of all time. Its not. Its far from it

    the demo was quite good, its far, FAR from being a haze.

    Most people are only hating on it because its internet cool to hate on it.

    Its actually quite good.

    Theres this bizarre effect on the internet, i'll call it the simpsons comic book guy effect, where if someone doesnt like its 'the worst game EVER'

    Lets be fucking clear hear, worst games ever are things like:-

    Eragon
    Golden Compass
    Two Worlds
    Vampire Rain

    These were travesties. There's simply no way you can lump too human into that category. Now, if you don't like the genre, thats fine, not every game is for everyone. But don't jump on the forum, write the game of, and make up bull shit reasons like 'terrible animation' (uh, what?).

    As for criticisms of its gameplay. Its a loot em up. Its like criticizing shoot ems for having nothing but guns and shooting people.

    Too human hating is the biggest band wagon i've seen in months, run by the fags and emos on the onefaq forum.

    Again, the demo was a lot of fun. Tough the first time round, but play three, i had mastered the combat system and was getting great drops. Learn to play it.
    Edited by 1 at 01/08/08 @ 12:33

  • Nocturne #22 4 years ago

    The camera was awful, dialogue atrocious, movement clunky and gameplay repetitive. If there were any strategy to the combat it was entirely unnecessary since button mashing worked fine. The biggest surprise for me were the poor graphics, from a developer who usually excels on that front; there were some ugly and washed out textures, at best functional animations, and dodgy character models. That said, the atrocious dialogue stole the show with a terrible script and poorly delivered lines, which ultimately made the story seem even more like a pretentious load of crap than it otherwise would have.

    There was a time when I was hopeful about this one, but now I just wonder what Silicon Knights have been doing all these years. Perhaps the final game will not be so bad, perhaps it just needs to be given more time to grow, perhaps I should wait for the reviews to come in. In the meantime, I will not be rushing out to buy it on its release date.
    Edited by 1 at 01/08/08 @ 12:33

  • bioreit #23 4 years ago

    I kinda enjoyed the demo - reminded me of older-style hack 'n' slash games. Brainless, but fun. Like Spartan: Total Warrior, which I loved for the mindless entertainment.

    What was weird was how the graphics in the first couple of cut scenes were absolutely appalling - I actually went straight to the dash to make sure I hadn't inadvertently set my 360 to "Master System Legacy Mode". Glad I pushed past them, though, because the graphics suddenly picked up after that - both in game and in-cut scene.

    I reckon a 6 or 7 is about right - as others have said. Good fun, but not ground-breaking. Worth picking up when it becomes a bit cheaper.

  • paulf #24 4 years ago

    once you get to the actual fighting it wasnt bad, too many cutscenes though. The lockon is a bit wierd as well when fighting the minibosses, however saying all that for some reason I did play the demo through to the end though. I'd cancel your preorder though miiguel or at least have a look at the demo

  • anomagnus #25 4 years ago

    @ nocturne

    I'm curious on a number of fronts. You say the graphics were terrible. I'd rank them as adequate, in some cases and quite good in i found the machines to be quite highly detailed, and the main character of balder, again, in my opinion, looked quite good after i had decked him out in a few purples.

    Secondly, you say there was no strategy, and you were just button bashing? What buttons were you bashing? You use the stick for melee, and the triggers for firing? When you confronted your enemies, what were you doing? Did you keep them at a distance? Did you roll in?

    Like any game these days, its designed to be played by anyway, you could chose to play it without strategy, but you could also choose to dress yourself in bing bags. That doesn't mean its a good idea.

    I actually gave the game a chance, and your arguments look like the same arguments i see from people who were DETERMINED to hate this game before it launched, and nothing, short of the Son of God himself will convince them otherwise.
    Edited by 1 at 01/08/08 @ 12:44

  • hiddenranbir #26 4 years ago

    I played the demo again exploring some of the side stuff more. Very fun. I hope it does well so I get my trilogy!

    As for graphics, they were good enough. Especially considering the size and scope of the place and the speed.

    Controls are lovely and camera is adequate, would like to rotate it myself but it doesn't become a bother since I can instantly attack anyone I need to with a quick directional change of the analog.

    Oh and I like norse godstuff so more fun, yay!
    Edited by 1 at 01/08/08 @ 12:45

  • Dizzy #27 4 years ago

    A lot of people seem to have changed their mind. Repetitive play of the demo has convinced quite a few of my friends they are going to get it. It think it will do quite well.

  • Nocturne #28 4 years ago

    anomagnus,

    Please read more carefully. First, I wrote that the graphics were poor, not 'terrible'. Second, I did describe the script as 'terrible' and I stand by that. Third, I wrote that 'if there was any strategy to the combat it was entirely unnecessary', not that there was no strategy to be found. Fourth, I have had Too Human down as a 'one to watch' for a long time and have enjoyed Silicon Knight's work in the past. In short, I am not determined to dislike Too Human, I am disappointed that I dislike Too Human.

  • Gastrian #29 4 years ago

    I really enjoyed the demo.

    Graphics may be basic butthey are nowhere near crap, we are talking early 360 standard if not better. The camera does take some getting used to as does the right stick, I found the close up camera best but thats just my opinion. When you get used to the left stick though I found it a better form of attacking than standard controls though I'm not sure what matters most, the loss of a fluid camera or a better attack system.

    Using the loophole to open up some of the other characters better demonstrates the fun of the game, two player co-op with a berzerker and defender is going to be great.

    What I think is really great about this game is that its the best Diablo clone since Diablo 2. I know it sounds weird but both Diablo games were essentially grind-fests, the combat was okay, the story line was okay, graphics were okay but there was a certain magic to it, something about the loot system which made the game addictive, a hard-earned percievable reward system and Too Human has that and that's the defining line as to whether to get this game or not, do you like to loot?

  • Cuke #30 4 years ago

    The horrible camera put me off after about 10 minutes so I've no idea how good the rest of the demo was....

    With so many buttons on a pad how can we go back a decade or so to the old one button to center the camera behind the person system... Ruined a game I was quite interested in...

  • BigJonno #31 4 years ago

    The combat takes a bit of getting used too, but I found it highly enjoyable (and it looks completely badass once you've got the hang of it.) The setting and story intrigues me and I like the mixture of Diablo-style itemisation with a combat system that I actually enjoy (I can't stand clickfests.)

    My only complaints are that some of the text is unreadable on a normal TV, the lack of local multiplayer and that Balder "the Beautiful" is dog ugly.

  • LiquidViolence #32 4 years ago

    Played through the demo loads of times using all the classes and I really like it.
    I'll get me coat.

  • muscleblade #33 4 years ago

    @miiiguel

    I also have more than enough money for games. I dont want to waste time on completing games that arent fun though. Life is just too short and theres enough good entertaining games out there. Too Human isnt to bad but it seems boring. We are playing games for fun arent we?

  • TOOTR #34 4 years ago

    Wasn't overly impressed on my first demo playthrough but that indefinable 'one more go' itch a la diablo meant I have played through a few times with different classes now.

    If you want to quickly build up xp and get better tech trees opened, better loot drops etc you can FORGET button mashing (um...i mean..right stick mashing).

    This is reminiscent of the old bioshock 'Learn to play the game - the depth!' - 'but I can get through it with just a wrench waah - bad game design' arguments here.

    But I really do feel some people have missed the point. Now they could argue that a) the demo should have spoon-fed them the point as a demo is supposed to draw in anyone and also b) this type of game just ain't their thing. Fair enough.

    For me its the best dungeon crawler since Diablo 2 and very much looking forward to co-op. I'll be buying for sure as the itch won't go away.

    And yes, I really must get some cream for that.
    Edited by 1 at 01/08/08 @ 13:48

  • Vin #35 4 years ago

    It's bollocks.

    Broken in every conceivable way. Don't waste yer dosh.

  • Gastrian #36 4 years ago

    So other than muscleblade who's comments are well thought out, pretty much every detractor hasn't giving any reasons as to why its "broken". If think that says enough.

  • anomagnus #37 4 years ago

    @vin

    wow, that was super insightful.

    Have you considered a career reviewing games?

    Perhaps you should stick to wiping your ass with your hand

  • Nocturne #38 4 years ago

    Gastrian,

    Huh? My explanation of how Too Human is 'broken' was quite specific: 'the camera was awful, dialogue atrocious, movement clunky and gameplay repetitive. If there were any strategy to the combat it was entirely unnecessary since button mashing worked fine'. In fact, the phrase 'button mashing' is somewhat incorrect, 'stick waggling' is more accurate and much funnier. That was my experience of the Too Human demo, I waggled my stick until there were no enemies left in the room. Moreover, because of a camera which was about as cooperative as an angry yeti, I couldn't even see the enemies I was waggling my stick at most of the time, not that the end result was any different.
    Edited by 3 at 01/08/08 @ 15:44

  • Vin #39 4 years ago

    Dyack apologists AHOY.

  • estoo #40 4 years ago

    900,000 opinions on it maybe. Not popular with all.
    I thought it was mince for my tuppence worth.

  • RedPanda #41 4 years ago

    Post deleted at 14:31:59 28-01-2012

  • Gastrian #42 4 years ago

    I do apologise Nocturne, I was just coming off lunch and Muscleblade's was the last one I read.

    You do have to admidt though that considering there are more people saying its crap there's people giving a reason why they enjoyed it than does who are saying why they didn't like it.

  • Eraysor #43 4 years ago

    The one thing that irritates me the most is that they could have made Eternal Darkness 2 instead of this.

  • T4RG4 #44 4 years ago

    I do wonder if Microsoft keep track of playing time and/or how quickly a demo is deleted.

    That would tell them an awful lot more.

  • Stuz359 #45 4 years ago

    It's obvious the Too Human demo is like Marmite. Personally I can't stand the stuff. Was looking forward to this as well

  • Pasco #46 4 years ago

    "It's bollocks.

    Broken in every conceivable way. Don't waste yer dosh. "

    Seconded. The game is ugly, the framerate is horrible, the controls are convoluted (seriously... triggering two analogue sticks in the same direction at the same time to hit someone?), the camera irritating, the sound effects sometimes unintentionally funny (I like the wolf howl when I am shooting fireballs) and you jump in a flashback and then in an alternate world in this flashback where three ugly grandmas are flirting with you. Just watch it a few seconds running next to Devil May Cry and ...cry!

  • Ghettomurph #47 4 years ago

    I was really looking forward to getting this, but I'll probably only actually buy it now when i see it in a bargain bin after playing the demo.

    Crap camera, dodgy combat and that 30 second, unskippable death cinematic needs to go.

    Graphics, sound & design are good though.

  • CARL05 #48 4 years ago

    I only downloaded it as there hadn't been a demo on live for several weeks!
    It was crap imo and I deleted it after one dull play through

  • Pastici #49 4 years ago

    I quite liked it, but then again I enjoy Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom too! Menus are too slow though.

  • Ryze #50 4 years ago

    I've watched the intro sequence several times, but haven't got around to pressing start yet.

    Too busy. But I'll ignote the bile being spewwed here, as I guess this crap is the same reason I've not devoted the time to finishing Bioshock yet.

  • bdgr #51 4 years ago

    i spent about 30 seconds playing the demo. Got too annoyed with thecamera and the stupid idea of using the secong analogue stick to fight with! Is it just me who kept trying to use that stick for the camera? You know, the way it always should be?!!!!

  • ASHBERY76 #52 4 years ago

    It was a good mix of RPG with action.FU.

  • Wildsleven #53 4 years ago

    not many of those 9k ppl will buy this game now will they ? :p