Everyone who went to the Electronic Entertainment Expo likely noticed -- and promptly threw away -- the insert in their badge holder. Atlus of America undoubtedly dropped a sizable amount of cash into this marketing campaign for the unknown title Rock of Ages, coming to the PS3 next spring, and from the first time I saw the ad attached to my lanyard to the minutes before my appointment with Atlus's public relations staff, I wanted to know why.
Rock of Ages is the latest project by Ace Team, the same developers that brought us the strange but intriguing Zeno Clash. At first it is difficult to draw many comparisons between the games, but the chaotic charm so prevalent in Zeno Clash rings true.
While Rock of Ages strikes a familiar chord when compared to Odama and Crush the Castle, it stands alone in its inventive and artistic world as you crash through multiple periods of classic art. You play as the giant rolling bolder, but before it wreaks havoc on the landscape, you spend turns erecting various fortifications as you would in any tower defense/strategy game. The idea is to slow down the opposing team's rock while maneuvering yours toward their castle gates. The first to smash into the enemy castle wins.
It's difficult to properly describe this game, and even though a trailer played in the background, Atlus of America Manager of PR and Sales Aram Jabbari had a great deal of trouble putting Rock of Ages into words. It's a visual experience, one that cries out for a stealthy viral marketing campaign that tempts people to gaze at the unfolding insanity. As far as I know, the title is only a reference to the gameplay -- a rock smashing through ages -- and isn't an allusion to religious song of the same name.
Rock of Ages is by far the strangest thing I saw at E3, even when compared to semirobotic first-person shooter armor and the free Bulletstorm hamburgers at the last day of the convention. Re-watch the video above and tell me if you feel the strange allure of this completely bizarre upcoming PlayStation Network release.
(4)
