Aero-Cross
| Aero-Cross | |
|---|---|
 Game logo | |
| Developer(s) | Namco Bandai Games |
| Publisher(s) | Namco Bandai Games |
| Series | Metro-Cross |
| Platform(s) | Xbox 360,PlayStation 3 |
| Release | Cancelled |
| Genre(s) | Platform |
| Mode(s) | Single-player,multiplayer |
Aero-Cross[a]is an unreleasedplatform video gamethat was in development for thePlayStation 3andXbox 360byNamco Bandai Games.It was intended as a modernized sequel to the arcade gameMetro-Cross,and the third released under theNamco Generationsseries of video game remakes. Players control a runner through each level in an effort to get to the end stage goal before the timer runs out.Levelsfeature hazards that must be overcome, and there are alsopower-upsthat grant player with different abilities, such as a speed boost or being able to glide over the level.
Aero-Crosswas produced byHideo Yoshizawa,the creator ofKlonoaandMr. Driller.Yoshizawa liked the originalMetro-Crossfor having the player try to find the fastest possible route to the goal at the end of each level, and wanted to expand on this concept inAero-Cross.He also focused on stage hazards, player acceleration, and co-operative play. The game was announced in October 2010 and cancelled in December 2012 following a lack of updates on its production. Compared to the other cancelled Namco Generations game, a reboot of the infamous puzzle gameDancing Eyes,critics felt thatAero-Crosshad potential. They praised its gameplay and evolution on the originalMetro-Crossgameplay, and showed disappointment in its cancellation.
Gameplay
[edit]
Aero-Crossis presented as an arcade-style platform game, with emphasis on speed and acceleration.[1][2]Players control a runner through each course, with the goal being to reach the end before the timer runs out. The end of each level is indicated by a large circular goalpost, with a map being provided at the bottom that shows how far they have reached.[1]Levels feature different themes, such as futuristic cities, deserts, and factories.[1]In these levels, players will need to overcome different stage hazards that will cause their runner to be temporarily stunned and their timer to deplete further. Hazards include giant steel cylinders, tiles that slow down the player if touched, walls that emerge from the ground, and computer-controlled opponents.[1]There are item capsules placed throughstagesas well, each containingpower-upsthat grant different abilities. Three items were revealed: a speed boost, a clock that stops time, and a hoverboard that allows players to glide over the level.[1]Running behind opponents creates an effect called a "slipstream",allowing players to run faster than usual.[2]Players can also perform an "air dash" that grants them a temporary boost in speed. Air dashing can also be used to knock opponents off of the map and destroy incoming obstacles.[1]
History
[edit]Development and promotion
[edit]Aero-Crosswas intended as the third game under theNamco Generationslabel, a brand created byNamco Bandai Gamesfor use on modernized remakes of their older titles.[3]The first of these wasPac-Man Championship Edition DX,a critically acclaimed follow-up toPac-Man Championship Edition.[4][5]Aero-Crosswas produced byHideo Yoshizawa,the creator of Namco'sKlonoaandMr. Drillerfranchises and the chief producer of the Namco Generations series.[6]It was intended as the sequel toMetro-Cross,a 1985 platform arcade game that was popular in Japan.[7]Yoshizawa appreciated the game for having the player try to find the fastest possible route to the goal at the end of each level, and wanted to expand on this concept inAero-Cross.[6]He also wanted to focus on co-operative play, player acceleration, and variations in stage hazards.[8]Many of the game's mechanics and concepts were kept secret.[6]
A trademark for the game was filed in Germany and Australia in August,[9]followed by a rating by theEntertainment Software Rating Board.[10]Namco Bandai officially announcedAero-Crossin October 2010, alongsideGalaga Legions DX.Due to the obscurity of the originalMetro-Cross,and for it being released alongside more recognizable series likePac-ManandGalaxian,the reveal was met with confusion from publications.[11]The company described it as a "dynamic running action" game, and advertised its speed and acceleration.[2]Namco Bandai also said that it would be published for thePlayStation 3andXbox 360as a digital download.[1]
Cancellation
[edit]As the years progressed, Namco Bandai remained relatively silent towardsAero-Crossand the Namco Generations series itself.[12]This was met with confusion from video game news sites, who were speculating if the game was even in production or not.[13]In December 2012, the company revealed thatAero-Crosswas officially cancelled, alongside the indefinite discontinuation of the Namco Generations brand.[14][15]They cited "various circumstances" as the reason for its cancellation.[16][17]
Publications showed interest inAero-Cross.Writing forEngadget,JG Fletcher said that compared to the other cancelled Namco Generations game, a remake ofDancing Eyes(1996),Aero-Crosshad potential.[13]Describing it as "a much more sensible update", Fletcher commented on the game's new features and for building upon the originalMetro-Crossgameplay in an interesting manner, writing: "I do wish I'd had the opportunity to play that, as I spent a few really happy hours in college working through the arcade original on PlayStation. UnlikeDancing Eyes,I can admit to wanting to play that without ending up on some list ".[13]Game Watch's Kenji Saeki andGame*Spark's Rikusyo stated that the game's cancellation was disappointing to hear.[16][18]Jordan Devore ofDestructoidbelieved that the game would likely never have had that large of an audience, and would have made much more sense as a mobile phone title than a console game.[19]He concluded in his article: "Considering how much we've actually seen of the project (very little), it shouldn't be too heartbreaking to hear thatAero-Crosshas been canceled. If I'm being generous, I could maybe see this type of game performing decently on mobile devices, but it was likely never destined to have a huge audience no matter the platform. Bummer, though --Metro-Crosswas great ".[19]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^abcdefgMatsumoto, Ryuichi (16 July 2011)."バンダイナムコゲームス, “エアロクロス” の chế tác を phát biểu. あの “メトロクロス” が hiện đại の kỹ thuật でド phái thủ なアクションゲームに sinh まれ変わった ".4gamer.net(in Japanese). Archived fromthe originalon 28 November 2019.Retrieved25 April2020.
- ^abc"Aero-Cross official homepage"(in Japanese).Namco Bandai Games.Archived fromthe originalon 20 November 2012.Retrieved24 April2020.
- ^Dutton, Fred (26 June 2011)."Aero-Cross is next Namco Generations title".Eurogamer.Archived fromthe originalon 8 September 2011.Retrieved25 April2020.
- ^Hatfield, Daemon (16 November 2010)."Pac-Man Championship Edition DX Review".IGN.Archived fromthe originalon 19 November 2010.Retrieved25 March2020.
- ^Petit, Carolyn (17 November 2010)."Pac-Man Championship Edition DX Review".GameSpot.CBS Interactive.Archived fromthe originalon 24 November 2010.Retrieved16 December2011.
- ^abc"Aero-Cross – Interview #2 with Hideo Yoshizawa, Producer of Aero-Cross".Vol. 13.Namco Bandai Games.NG News. Archived fromthe originalon 25 April 2020.Retrieved25 April2020.
- ^Shiga, Yasuki (16 June 2011)."バンダイナムコ, PS3/Xbox 360 “エアロクロス” “メトロクロス” が "Siêu tiến hóa" を toại げて phục hoạt! ".Game Watch(in Japanese). Impress Group. Archived fromthe originalon 27 June 2019.Retrieved25 April2020.
- ^"Aero-Cross – Interview #1 with Hideo Yoshizawa, Producer of Aero-Cross".Vol. 12.Namco Bandai Games.NG News. 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 25 April 2020.Retrieved25 April2020.
- ^Fletcher, JC (31 August 2010)."Namco's 'Metro Cross' and 'Aero-Cross' rated".Engadget.Verizon Media.Archived fromthe originalon 25 April 2020.Retrieved25 April2020.
- ^Barker, Sammy (11 October 2010)."Metro-Cross Successor" Aero-Cross "Confirmed For PlayStation 3".Push Square.Gamers Network. Archived fromthe originalon 18 July 2017.Retrieved25 April2020.
- ^Totilo, Stephen (16 November 2010)."New Pac-Man Begets New Galaga Begets New, Uh, Metro-Cross".Kotaku.Archived fromthe originalon 25 March 2020.Retrieved25 April2020.
- ^Fletcher, JC (6 December 2012)."Aero Cross release plans crossed out".Engadget.Verizon Media.Archived fromthe originalon 25 April 2020.Retrieved25 April2020.
- ^abcFletcher, JC (19 October 2012)."Dancing Eyes and the death of a Generation".Engadget.Verizon Media.Archived fromthe originalon 25 March 2020.Retrieved25 March2020.
- ^"With Aero-Cross Canceled, The Namco Generations Series Ends Too".Siliconera.8 December 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 25 March 2020.Retrieved25 March2020.
- ^"プレイステーション3・Xbox 360 ダウンロード chuyên dụng ソフト “エアロクロス” khai phát trung chỉ のお tri らせ "(in Japanese).Namco Bandai Games.6 December 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 22 December 2012.Retrieved22 April2020.
- ^abSaeki, Kenji (6 December 2012)."PS3/Xbox 360 “エアロクロス” khai phát を đoạn niệm. ".Game Watch(in Japanese). Impress Group. Archived fromthe originalon 27 June 2019.Retrieved25 March2020.
- ^"『メトロクロス』をリメイクしたACT『エアロクロス』が khai phát trung chỉ".Dengeki Online(in Japanese). Dengeki. 6 December 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 27 June 2019.Retrieved25 April2020.
- ^Rikusyo (6 December 2012)."ナムコ danh tác 『メトロクロス』のリメイク tác phẩm 『エアロクロス』が khai phát trung chỉ".Game*Spark(in Japanese). IID, Inc. Archived fromthe originalon 5 March 2015.Retrieved25 April2020.
- ^abDevore, Jordan (8 December 2012)."Namco Generations game Aero-Cross canceled".Destructoid.Archived fromthe originalon 1 November 2015.Retrieved25 March2020.