Robin Hood with Science Fantasy armors, weapons, and even futuristic buildings. That might sound different from the story you heard in your childhood, doesn't it? And yet, yes, it is the promise of Gangs of Sherwood.
How do we go from swords and arrows to futuristic weapons that even Luke Skywalker would dream of? Does it even make sense? Well... we believe it does, and that's what we will try to explain to you here.
When you think about Robin Hood, what comes to mind first? The book? Kevin Costner? Russell Crowe? Regardless of your answer, we can all agree that the bar is set quite high.
So how do you come up with a new approach that gives credit to "yet another" vision?
When telling a story, especially one that is well known, it must come with a fresh perspective, something unique that brings something new to the table. It could be a different approach, a different tone, or simply a way of making you think about it differently, entertaining you in a unique way.
This is particularly true when it comes to legends like Robin Hood, which have been told in so many ways across various formats. And we're not just talking about video games here. From the original books to plays, to movies from every decade since the inception of cinema, we have plenty of choices.
Playing Gangs of Sherwood must give you the feel of the Robin Hood story—its iconic places, its characters, their identities, and personalities, built over centuries in English folklore .
Obviously, gameplay comes first. After all, we are talking about videogames here. Every time we made an artistic decision, it had to serve the gameplay or at the very least, serve a purpose that has no downside on the gameplay.
We create a futuristic bow? Okay, it must make sense and be cool. I mean, it's a glowing bow—what could be cooler than that? But it also opens the doors to special arrows. It might be hard to find suspended arrows, levitating and finding their target in the late 12th century, but in Gangs of Sherwood, it totally makes sense. It gives players a new perspective on combat and introduces more gameplay possibilities. This holds true for all playable characters, and you can even extend that to the enemies, bosses, and even the environment. It opens the door to an infinite number of environmental interactions, traps, weapons, armories, and more.
If gameplay were the only consideration, there would be no need for a "Robin Hood" game. The challenge was to find the right balance between both ingredients.
From this perspective, we wanted to be as original and creative as we possibly could. We aimed to make “GoS” a game that was unique and beautiful in a way that had never been seen before.
We wanted to create an aesthetic that was magical to the eye, combining the strong aesthetics of both the medieval and fantasy genres. The technological aspect allows us to be creative as players traverse levels that don't resemble any places they've seen before. Within this familiar yet distinct world, we want Gangs of Sherwood to offer a truly unique Robin Hood experience within the realm of video games.
It was important for the game to serve the story, even if GoS is a co-op action game where the "story" is not the main attraction in this particular genre .
That’s also where Medieval and Science Fantasy operate their magic. They are so strong visually that you get it just by looking around while playing.
If you want to play simply for fun, to progress through levels without paying too much attention to why you're defeating all these foes, no one will stop you.
You can still appreciate the game for its artistic direction, cool enemies, and immersive surroundings, which are equally important. However, if you do pay attention to the details and seek a deeper connection with the story to fully appreciate the game, it was crucial for us to provide that additional layer.
There are many secret tweaks and surprises in the GoS story, and we genuinely want you to discover them for yourself. Revealing too much about it would spoil the experience. But we can't wait to hear your feedback once you've fully immersed yourself in the game.
Conclusion
As we bring our journey through the captivating world of Gangs of Sherwood to a close, it’s time for a reflective moment:
In Gangs of Sherwood, we have blended the familiar tale of Robin Hood with science fantasy elements, creating a fresh and original gaming experience.
By respecting the original while adding our own unique touch, we aim to provide players with a visually stunning world that sparks their imagination.
The gameplay serves as the foundation, offering new perspectives and possibilities through innovative mechanics.
Whether you approach the game for its artistic beauty or immerse yourself in its story, Gangs of Sherwood promises a unique adventure.
So, grab your glowing high-tech Bow, Retractable Sword, Energetic Sledgehammer or Metal Arms and join Robin and his gang as they navigate a world where Medieval meets Science Fantasy.
We can't wait to hear your stories and experiences in Gangs of Sherwood.