Hydrophobia To Be Purified

Dark Energy Digital have today announced that their Xbox LIVE downloadable title, Hydrophobia, is set to receive an update which will improve the game in a number of areas. The update, which is titled Pure, will include “new button mapping, massively improved controls, combat, cover and camera systems, much clearer damage feedback and objectives, enhanced climbing, better graphics, and much more”. The Pure update for Hydrophobia is due out tomorrow (21st December) and coincides with the price of the game dropping from 1200 Microsoft Points to 800 Microsoft Points.

Adam Cook reviewed the game for GodisaGeek back in October and awarded it a 7/10. He described the game as a “labour of love”, but highlighted “frustrating signposting issues” as a major stumbling block. Let’s hope this update manages to fix these signposting issues, as it it sounds like they held the game back from being a true Xbox LIVE Arcade great.

Below you will find some quotes from Pete Jone (Joint Creative Director) and Mark Coates (Microsoft) regarding the update that is due to hit Hydrophobia tomorrow.

“Thanks to the bespoke procedural technology and data driven architecture of the InfiniteWorlds TM engine, we’ve been able to cram a huge amount into a tiny patch – to be honest we didn’t think it was possible to make as many changes as we have. The camera and control changes alone makes it play so differently; it’s a whole new experience. We have listened to what the community liked and disliked about the game; we know we didn’t get everything right first time around but we have taken this time to refine the experience.” – Pete Jones, Joint Creative Director.

“We are really pleased and impressed with Dark Energy’s response to feedback from the Xbox LIVE Arcade community in this title update. This just goes to show that gaming never stands still on Xbox LIVE, and for me this makes Hydrophobia TM one awesome Xbox LIVE Arcade title”. – Mark Coates – Microsoft.