Children of the '80s will no doubt still have nightmares about Dark Crystal's evil Skeksis, and Netflix is preparing to give a whole new generation the willies thanks to a prequel TV series, which airs on August 30th.
That series is also getting its own Switch game in the form of Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics, which was shown off during today's E3 Direct. Created by BonusXP and En Masse Entertainment, the game takes the form of a tactical strategy adventure where you guide your plucky Gelflings through the vibrant, puppet-based fantasy world created by the late great Jim Henson. There's no release date as yet.
Let us know what you think by posting a comment; you may also wish to check out the trailer for the TV series below.
Comments (55)
I want this game!!!!!!!!
A traditional turnbased strategy RPG??!
Bold move, Netflix!!
Oh, if this stays close to FFT or FFTA, I'm going to be buying this lightning-fast.
Is this exclusive to Switch?
I knew the birds in the game looked familiar.
This is amazing. I didn’t know I needed this until today.
I have been watching and waiting for the series for years. This game is a complete surprise and I really can’t wait! The original film was a puppetry masterpiece.
Who needs Fire Emblem with this game?
I'm intrigued. I thought it was a VERY nice surprise in the Direct. Unfortunately, I was also hugely annoyed by all the people in the chat complaining and whining about it, and how "ugly" it looked.
Well, I actually AM interested in this. I just LOVE a good strategy game, so I'll be sure to keep my eye on this one.
To be honest, I travel a fair bit with work and I would have been much more excited if this had just been the Netflix app
I hope it's not another "rogue style" game. Always enjoyed Jim Henson's creation's.
@rdrunner1178 Yes, it is.
@ThanosReXXX I am guessing they don’t know the series, the characters have a very unique look (my little brother was terrified of this back in the day!)
You either love it or hate it I think. I am firmly camp love.
Did anyone else think there would a Netflix for Switch announcement after that trailer?
I'm excited for the show....now a game! I love it.
If only I can watch The Dark Crystal and Stranger Things on Netflix on my Switch....that would be great!
@Digimmortal
Netflix is the Persona 5 of Switch apps.
I though it looked really good , but I am a sucker for SRPG’s
This was, by far, the weirdest part of the Direct. Why is this even a thing? I don't get it.
Happy for the people excited about this, I guess.
So they took a movie where literally everything was practical effects (there is only one non-practical effect in the Dark Crystal, everything else is puppets, prosthetics, miniatures, and physical props - and that's exactly how Jim Henson wanted it) and made a prequel series where literally every single object is digitally animated?
Classy, Netflix. Way to pay tribute to an artist's vision. But hey, I know how hard it is to resist the call of the fast buck.
EDIT: I'll leave my comments up, but several people have informed me that it is not what I thought it was. I'm beyond happy to be wrong about this if that's the case.
@Ralizah it’s a thing because the long awaited series is finally being released in August. There was a sequel promise for years but it kept falling through. Fans of the original are understandably excited to see the series and a game is a massive surprise bonus.
@JasmineDragon it’s being produced by Jim Henson’s Company it is also using puppetry, no CGI used. Green screen stuff is being used to remove the puppeteers only.
@CairiB Far as I'm concerned, it's just whiners. The game wasn't even visible for more than a couple of seconds, and already, the negative comments were pouring in. It was just pathetic. The same happened with that new Contra game.
Was really excited watching that lady talk, the game graphics not so much. Need to see more but I am excited. I think my YT stream was running at about 240p so everything looked bad really.
@JasmineDragon Far as I could see, the puppets were still puppets, for the most part. I'd say it's about 50/50 now.
@ThanosReXXX agreed. All you see is moaning about everything being too similar, nothing original. The slap this in and people can’t wrap their head around something different!
@ThanosReXXX LOL Sammy on PushSquare is roasting the Contra game in an article. Never seen such obvious editorializing before.
Looks better than the majority of AAA games announced for PS4/Xbone during E3, I felt.
@CairiB Oh. Cool. Thanks for the explanation!
@JasmineDragon That's not fair Jaz. From what I have seen, the series looks incredibly faithful to my favourite film of all time. (Second fave is Labyrinth.)
I...neeed this.
@Ralizah It even says gameplay not final on the trailer. They only understand CG trailers with movie stars in them it seems lol.
@JasmineDragon Addition/correction to my previous comment:
It's actually almost no CGI, so they certainly fooled you, apparently:
https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-dark-crystal-prequel-director-says-nobodys-fooled-b-1835382599
https://www.fandom.com/articles/dark-crystal-netflix-series-wont-use-cgi
@rjejr That bad in your area? I had the full quality stream over here. All games in the presentation looked fine to me. Right now, watching the Treehouse in 1080p. Luigi's Mansion 3 is up next...
@GrailUK Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Legend, The last Unicorn... I could go on. I have copies of these on VHS, DVD and Blu-ray (yeh.. geek I know, proud of it!)
Reading about the series, it sounds every bit as much a labour of love as the film.
@CairiB @ThanosReXXX I hope you're right, I don't mind so much if they're just using CGI to enhance some of the visuals, but I will balk at anything more than minor enhancements. There was a very specific vision behind TDC, and I consider it a monumental work of artistry.
A lot of what's happening in the trailer certainly looks like CGI, but I'm watching it on a cell phone screen! I'd be very happy to be wrong about it, though.
@CairiB We have the same taste in films lol
Me want this game now lol
@JasmineDragon I watched on a 42" plasma screen, and I assure you it was puppets alright. Besides, the makers themselves already said so in those articles I linked to, so you've nothing to worry about.
@GrailUK I know, I might have jumped the gun based on what it looks like on my phone screen. I'd be happy to be wrong. TDC is one of my favorite childhood things. I've actually handled some of the props from the movie. They are exquisitely made.
@JasmineDragon You can clearly see it's puppets. You have to understand we are now over 30 years further into the future and a lot more is possible now, even with puppetry.
@JasmineDragon a quick swoop round the internet and I think you will be pleasantly surprised, I honestly think the fan base would be up in arms if they didn’t stick to the formula that made the film so great.
I think what the series benefits from is better camera equipment and lighting!
@CairiB I already linked to a couple of articles in comment #29...
@GrailUK fantastic taste all round I say 😉
@ThanosReXXX I see that now thanks 😊
Super dope! Can't wait. The Dark Crystal series is my most anticipated thing outside of gaming right now. After that abysmal GOT "ending" I need something to refresh my love for the television medium. Having this nifty little nugget of a game to fanboy out with and play alongside watching the new series, I'm all set.
@ThanosReXXX I was excited! I’m down for it
The game itself seems really unambitious considering the property.
(And it has that ceramic aesthethic that I didn't care for with Link Between Worlds.)
For those of us of a certain age... this is a big thing.
I was fooled for a few seconds about a Netflix app for the Switch.
The announcement of the game instead was a letdown...
Why I want Netflix on my Switch? Because reasons.
Gameplay reminds me of Vandal Hearts
Day one buy. THIS was a surprise. And a realy good one.
@JasmineDragon Yes that is definitely the case! This prequel series is still made by the Jim Henson Company and is mostly practical effects like the original.
@MrGawain Hell yeah. Have been waiting for this series forever and Final Fantasy Tactics is one of my fave games ever so what a combination!
I'm interested. Hopefully it'll come out when I have time to give it my full attention.
A Dark Crystal tactical game? Sold.
Ah, because of a Netflix series, I should have known. I found it weird that all of a sudden there would be a Dark crystal game!
The prequel series looks great by the way.
@YouSeemFRAZZLED Muppets RaceMania is good, not the best 32/64-bit era kart racer and not even the best on the PS1 - but it's fun enough and has a good selection of Muppets, even including a Doozer from Fraggle Rock.
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