Press release: 1996-05-10: Broken Helix for Sony PlayStation & Sega Saturn

This is an unaltered copy of a press release, for use as a primary source on Sega Retro. Please do not edit the contents below. Language: English Original source: Konami website (archived)

CONTACT:
Randy Severin
Senior Product Manager

WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER THE VICTIMS OF A BROKEN HELIX, YOU COULD BE DOOMED.

Konami (America) Inc. Announces This Thinking Man’s Adventure For Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn.

BUFFALO GROVE, IL--(May, 1996)--Mutations straight from the freak files fill the screen when explosives expert Jake Burton is called on to diffuse terrorist bombs set in the Area 51 base. In Broken Helix, the new all-out adventure game for Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn from Konami (America) Inc., players embark on a non-linear, mysterious quest encountering mutated aliens and creepy characters from all walks (and slimes) of life.

Incorporating thought-provoking role play game elements, Broken Helix demands careful consideration of every step, and every word, as players assume the role of Jake Burton, getting way more than they bargained for in the process. Multiple camera views provide different perspectives as players help Jake choose his weapons and use a 3D map function and radar to set the course for success. Technology reigns supreme, as Jake makes and controls security robots and warbots and uses security cameras to see various levels and eavesdrop on some of the other-worldly characters.

"In developing the storyline for Broken Helix Konami wanted to be certain to deliver a difference for adventure fans, creating a plot that drives the action forward with its intriguing twists, turns, tragedies and challenges," states consumer division president Andrew Donchak of Konami (America) Inc. "It’s not just fluff designed to wrapper some pseudo-adventuring. The Broken Helix storyline propels gamers down different paths, each with different outcomes based on the player’s choices, and branches in a compelling non-linear manner."

"Broken Helix has it all over other doomsday adventuring games," adds Konami (America) Inc. senior product manager Randy Severin. "Over 40 different 3D model characters, including mutant aliens, scientists, marines, alien-human hybrids, drilling rigs and alien spacecraft invade Jake’s world as gamers desperately seek to disarm the multiple time-bomb threats. Intense fire-power--including major explosives that will disintegrate entire levels--combine with player ingenuity to triumph over the mutants and their queen."

With a scale equal to 1,600,000 square feet of playing level, Jake’s world is immense, and his travels will take you through alien atmospheric processors, air ducts, warbot assembly plants, medical labs, dark caverns, satellite link ups and more. Mutated aliens hatch from larger-than-life egg sacks hanging overhead and slink and slime across floors, walls and ceilings doing their best to deter you. Other opponents move through the levels performing differing duties in real time. For example: a platoon of marines could start on level 1 and move out to level 10, placing bombs, talking to others and destroying important characters and information Jake needs on his quest.

Eye-popping polygon graphics, including light source shading, set the dark foreboding mood of this visually arresting adventure. Enhancing this mood element is interactive music that changes as the player’s path does or when approaching certain opposing characters.

Konami (America) Inc. is a leading developer of electronic entertainment properties, specializing in the home video game and coin-operated markets. In addition to the Konami Sport Series Games, Konami’s consumer titles include Castlevania and Contra among other top-sellers. Konami’s coin-op legacy includes such hits as Crypt Killer and Run and Gun 2. The latest information about Konami can be found at http:// www.konami.com. Konami (America) Inc. is a subsidiary of Konami Co., Ltd., a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan.

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