Bringing PC games to consoles used to be a difficult task — and in some ways still is, depending on control inputs and infrastructure. A few genres have especially been tough, namely anything that requires a lot of clicking. But, it can be done, and games like Diablo and Doom have taken terrific recent turns on TV-connected devices.
At PAX East earlier this month we had the fortune to be treated to the latest build of Masquerada, now coming to PS4 & Xbox One, and can confirm that it definitely makes the jump to consoles look effortless.
For the uninitiated, Masquerada is a tactical RPG that takes place in the midst of Venetian style political intrigue, where honor and magic (via masks) come together. It’s heavy on the narrative and plot-building, as even moments into the game’s tutorial we’re thrown into the middle of a power struggle. With memorable, enjoyable characters and terrific pacing, the game coordinates combat and story well. Releasing on PC last year, it was instantly met with high praise and high sales.
But, moving to a console brings an entirely new set of issues, especially for a game like Masquerada.
From font sizes and layouts to menu design and access, moving from a screen that sits 18 inches away to one that’s 8 feet away requires secondary looks at very specific design elements. The same goes for aspects like audio, where sounds have to be adjusted when booming out of a TV’s distant speakers instead of a fancy headset. Luckily, not a whole lot of that had to take place with the new version. That’s because the team seemed to have the “big screen” experience in the back of their minds from the onset of the game’s development. Sure, there are minor tweaks, but it translates over extremely well.
In fact, on a bigger screen the visuals perhaps pop more than they do on a PC. The added real estate on a 50″+ TV screen means that the characters are bigger, bolder, and clearer, and the animation even smoother. It’s even prettier now.
Using a PS4 gamepad works just fine, as buttons and analog stick movement seem natural for the game. Though it’s coming to both PS4 and Xbox One, I doubt there will be any issues with the Xbone controller either.
There aren’t enough games like Masquerada: Songs and Shadows on consoles, so it’ll be a welcome addition when it arrives later this year. For all its machinations and depth, it feels right at home.
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