Review Fix chats with Memetic Games Producer Joe de Lange, who chats about the HD remake of “Dementium II.†Easily one of the biggest sleeper classics on the Nintendo DS, the game now is in the midst of a super sexy remake on the PC. Discussing everything from future DLC to the development process, de Lange manages to get us even more excited for a new version to one of the best-forgotten games in handheld gaming history.
Review Fix: What was the attraction to the original game? What made you guys want to add a few coats of paint and put it on steam?
Joe de Lange: Dementium II was such a compelling title on the DS and certainly unique in terms what was available on the system. It used the same ingredients that make up so much of the horror genre but Renegade Kid got the mix just right. The atmosphere and storyline was what made Dementium II such a memorable game. This game has personality and that’s why it still has such a following.
Review Fix: What have been some of the biggest challenges in porting the original Nintendo DS gameplay to the PC and how have you addressed them?
de Lange: The low-fi DS version had a grittiness to it that was quite charming and added a certain edgy quality to the general atmosphere. We have tried to retain that in some ways but converting to HD graphics meant we had to create a lot of new visual detail that just wasn’t required on the small screen of the DS. For the most part, we couldn’t use the original models, animations, textures or sounds. That being said, we wanted to preserve the feel of the game; it’s soul. The single biggest challenge was not technological but rather the fact that that playing games on PC is a very different experience compared to playing on the DS. We spent a lot time trying get that balance right.
Review Fix: Have you added anything new to the formula?
de Lange: We enhanced the experience. Visually, we have created a lot of details that weren’t in the original. The soundscape has been substantially expanded to add to the unnerving ambience. We did add one new monster.
Review Fix: When you play the game you’re developing now, what are you most proud of?
de Lange: Watching people play it for the first time and seeing the look on their faces when the Gnaw makes it’s first appearance.
Review Fix: What’s the development process been like?
de Lange: We’re a small indie developer and this is our first port. It took a lot longer than we thought it would and we had to overcome a lot of challenges. It’s been a real learning curve and an amazing experience. You can’t learn this stuff in school.
Review Fix: Can you give us a sneak peek in regards to the DLC, what can gamers expect?
de Lange: Of course, there are a lot of great ideas floating around but our biggest focus after the PC launch will be getting the Mac version ready. I can say that we will be adding an additional game mode as well as a tougher, “Demented” difficulty level that was not in the original game that will be available around the time of the Mac launch. We will also be taking advantage of the Steam Trading Card program but those will be in the game at launch.
Review Fix: For those that played the original DS version, why should they come back to the series?
de Lange: It’s like watching your favorite movie again but on blu ray this time instead of VHS.
Review Fix: How do you want this remastered version to be remembered?
de Lange: Fondly. Worthy of the original. Ideally as the definitive version of a great game.
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