Meet Shu A New 2.5D Side-Scrolling Platformer From UK Developers Coatsink
INTERVIEW
Action platformer Shu is coming to PlayStation 4 and PS Vita. We speak to Coatsink and get the latest news from designer, Jonathan Wilson on this rather endearing little game.
How long has the game been in development?
Shu has been in full development since December 2013 so 18 months in total. Development has ramped up recently as we push towards making the game the best it can possibly be. The last 6 months has been very interesting for us and the game has benefitted a lot from the changes that we have made based on internal and community feedback.
Which other games or companies have members of Coatsink worked on before?
Coatsink have worked on a number of other titles aside from Shu. Prior to partnering with Secret Lunch to work on Shu, other titles include Chip, Pinch and Fatty which have appeared on PC and mobile. While working on Shu the studio has also been working on Super Glad, and our first VR title Esper.
How important is a PS Vita release as Shu looks a perfect fit?
The PS Vita release is very important to us. Like you said it’s a perfect fit and it plays a vital part in the larger PlayStation ecosystem. Shu is a game that can be enjoyed on the go as well as on the big screen via the PS4. We understand that everyone is busy with their day to day lives and might not always have access to their home console, but with Vita they can enjoy Shu whenever and wherever they are.
When we played the game last year Shu looked stunning. How has the look developed over the last 12 months?
Over the last 12 months the game has changed a lot. Not only from an art perspective, but from a gameplay one too. Each world has undergone a major overhaul where we’ve improved the 2D and 3D art as well as making improvements to the overall gameplay. This has also allowed us to create more variation between the locations you encounter and find the best way to use each villager's power.
How many hours does the game take to complete?
Total gameplay time depends on player skill level. Someone that picks up the mechanics and controls straight away will most likely work their way through each world faster than someone not accustomed to platformers. Levels vary in both length and difficulty. In total the game will probably run you 3 - 6 hours depending on whether the players try to get 100% completion. (Rough estimate. Needs more testing to verify)
Many thanks to Jonathan Wilson for taking time out to tell us more about Shu. Shu is expected to release in 2016 on PS4 and PSVita.
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