The Checkpoint 04.14.08: Why Console Game Developers Should Revive Heaven vs. Hell

Posted by John Curry on 04.14.2008

Controlling your choice of Mortals, Heaven’s Soldiers, or Hell’s Minions in an epic battle to take over the world during the end times in a LOTR: Battle for Middle Earth format. Sounds like an awesome game? Too bad it never made it to the shelves. The Checkpoint argues why this game should be remade for the console systems.





In 2005 TKO studios announced that they were creating Heaven vs. Hell for pc's everywhere. They released a synapses of the game that sounded as follows:

"Heaven vs. Hell will put players in command of angelic, demonic and mortal forces battling to determine the fate of humanity. In the mid-25th century, human technology has become so advanced that they have learned to manipulate the natural order of the universe and begin meddling in God's design. Not since Satan challenged God for the throne of Heaven, has there been such sheer defiance of his will. Humanity's arrogance infuriates God, so he plans to cleanse the Earth of mankind and start anew. With the sound of a trumpet, the seal is broken and Heavenly forces descend upon the Earth. The Devil, fearing his own loss of power wages Armageddon, the war to end all wars, for the remaining souls of men.

Players control one of three factions: Heaven, Hell or Humans, each with their own distinct units, abilities and instruments of war. Their goal is to destroy their enemies by amassing an army and sending them into a holy/unholy war."

--courtesy of 3dgames.com




This sounds like an awesome game premise doesn't it? The concept of having the choice to destroy the world, save humanity, or surrender to your human ego in your quest to take over the role of God, sounds intriguing and brings something interesting to the gaming consoles. Unfortunately the game was never released. In 2005, shortly after releasing the information that they were working on Heaven vs. Hell for PC's, TKO studios shut down their PC and console game development studio in order to devote their attention to the creation of games for the cell phone and handheld gaming system industries.



The main reason I believe that Heaven vs. Hell would have been successful and could still possibly be successful is that TKO studios was not an up and coming studio with no credentials but a studio who could stake claim to having worked on Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault, and Golden Eye: Rogue Agent. All of these games were palatable if not good. Using these games as a foundation for how the Heaven vs. Hell game would have looked and played, one could assume that the game would have been very well thought out and would have been extremely popular, especially considering the potential of online play.



Another reason for my pushing to create a console version of the Heaven vs. Hell series is the increasing popularity of religious themed media. For example, the Left Behind series has sold more than 65 million copies since 1995, The Da Vinci Code has sold over 61 million copies while the film starring Tom Hanks was the 2nd highest grossing film of 2006, and the Passion of the Christ grossed over 610 million worldwide on a 30 million dollar budget. While I understand that not everyone wants to have religion involved in their everyday life, which is their right, it is hard to argue against the creation of a game with religious overtones when the numbers look like they do.



However, the game doesn't have to be "preachy" or "divine" towards one person's faith while chastising everyone else's, i.e. The Left Behind game. The game presents three different armies to choose from with each one having a different set of powers and capabilities and three different outcomes. These selections allow those who don't want to follow the whole "good always conquers evil" mentality various opportunities to play as the evil.



I do think that there could be several ways to go about this game format though. One way would be to create the game in an RPG format similar to the Elder Scrolls format. In the selection of which army you would want to play as there would be different choices for the type of soldier you would want to be as well as t he different powers and capabilities your character would have. There would be a main mission based on the army you have chosen as well as several side missions in which you would try to recruit more members into your army or destroy other characters from rival armies while gaining upgrades along the way.



Another way to go with this game would be to follow the LOTR: Battle for Middle Earth format. This idea would simply be a strategic battle game based on the armies you have chosen. Full scale religious battles, weapons of the "other worlds", and the power of advanced human thinking would allow gamers to fully enjoy destroying earth in the name of their egos.





While there are several ways to approach the creation of Heaven vs. Hell for any of the next gen consoles, I believe it would be a success. It is sad to think that this is not the only game that has been scrapped due to a company's shutdown or merger. Sometimes though, other game companies should try to acquire these games and develop them with their own twists in order to create games that they know will sell. In my opinion, Heaven vs. Hell should be one of these games. I ask you as readers of The Checkpoint to join in my campaign to have Heaven vs. Hell be reworked and brought to a next gen console.