Recently Namco Japan launched a new light-gun game to the arcade market called Dark Escape 3D. It’s somewhat similar in style to Deadstorm Pirates, but with a horror theme and heartbeat sensors built into the guns as opposed to the steering wheel of the boat. We’ve discussed it a few times already since Namco has been teasing it in the Japanese market for some time. I’ve mentioned many times that I knew this was coming to Western markets but I’ve had no visual proof to back that up – until today. Here is the first look at the game as it will be seen at Western arcades later this year (or possibly beginning of 2013) under the name Dark Escape 4D.
The cabinet design is pretty much the same as the Japanese version. While we do not know where it has been testing, it is out there for a few lucky souls to come across and as you can see it stands out. From the information I have received, it is posting strong earnings on these tests. Seeing how modern horror shooters have been in short supply in recent years, it seems like it is filling in that niche. The game does use 3D glasses that are attached to the cabinet, but they use anti-microbial material for anyone worried about that. As you can see on this picture, it also has seat vibration, air effects, surround sound and the aforementioned heartbeat sensors which are built into the gun handles.
Now for some new screenshots showing the English translation for the first time as well as some new enemies which all are mutated animal forms. If this uses the 3D technology I saw at IAAPA that they used with Deadstorm Pirates 3D, then it is impressively smooth with a convincing effect at a high frame rate and no tearing. :
And finally, in case you have missed it, here is the trailer for the Japanese version. I imagine that the English version trailer will be coming out soon. Dark Escape 4D is not at the AAMA Gala in Chicago that starts today but at this point I would say there is a 99% likelihood that it will be at IAAPA 2012 since that is more often the place for new arcade product launches each year.
This game actually looks interesting and I’m wondering how the glasses (putting them on and taking them off wise) will work.
They are kind of like the disposable glasses you find everywhere but a little higher quality – they use antimicrobial material of some kind according to Namco and are attached to the cabinet with a cord. Not sure what kind of cord either
The whole 3D Glasses issue has been the crooks of the evaluation process – as you can see on the Japanese original the glasses have their own placement and cleaning cloth – tests in the US seems concerned by this process:
http://www.3dvisionfr.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/borne-darcade-dark-escape-3d-lunettes-3d-4.jpg
If you see a Namco rep at the IAAPA show, can you nag them about a worldwide release for the latest Wangan Midnight game?