It’s not every game release that has a Hollywood cast, but Quantic Dream’s Beyond: Two Souls for the PlayStation 3 is set to star both Ellen Page (To Rome With Love) and Willem Defoe. The creators of Heavy Rain have gone all out to bridge the gap between computer games and films and if the trailer is anything to go by they could be on to something.
The psychological thriller centres around misfit Jodie Holmes (Page) who’s life is affected dramatically by a bizarre spiritual connection she has with a powerful being she calls Aiden. The game spans a large proportion of her life ranging between early parts of her childhood to her as a young women in a whole world of trouble.
Beyond: Two Souls is set for release on the 8th October 2013, which places it around the time we’re expecting Sony’s next generation games console to be released, but there’s no word as of yet for a PS4 release, which would be a shame as the game would look even more amazing in next gen detail. It will, however, be one of the big swan song titles for the PlayStation 3, delivering both a cinematic and action packed experience that promises to be emotionally charged.
In terms of the gameplay style, expect to combine Jodie’s human fragility with the spectacular powers of Aiden as they work together to solve the puzzles that will eventually lead them to the truth behind who she is. There will be a unique control engine to take over to harness the supernatural powers Jodie has available to her thanks to her psychic connection. If you’re still not sure what to expect, imagine that you’re about to fall down a cliff, Aiden catches you, or you need to turn off an alarm and get inside a building, send in Aiden, need to get someone to do something, just get Aiden to possess them. There’s a whole wealth of possibilities for powers to control.
To show how close the link is between the game and a cinematic experience it was first presented at the Tribeca Film Festival this year where it was described as “a groundbreaking example of the potential in the marriage of gaming and cinema”. The exclusive PlayStation title is definitely a a step into the unknown.
While we’re genuinely excited about getting to watch/play Beyond: Two Souls, the real bridge between gaming and film will only really be crossed when you can take your controller to the cinema with you, throw on a pair of 3D specs and take control of the big screen. However, with technology like Google’s Glass will we really need cinema’s to experience big screen movies and games in the future.
