Software:Legendary (video game)

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Legendary
Developer(s)Spark Unlimited
Publisher(s)
Producer(s)John H. Garcia Shelton
Designer(s)Stephen J. Skelton
Artist(s)Steven Firchow
Composer(s)
  • Jack Grillo
  • Ricardo Hernandez
EngineUnreal Engine 3
Platform(s)PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360
ReleaseXbox 360
  • EU: October 24, 2008
  • NA: November 4, 2008[1]
  • AU: December 4, 2008
PlayStation 3
  • NA: November 4, 2008
  • EU: November 7, 2008
  • AU: December 4, 2008
Microsoft Windows
  • NA: November 18, 2008
  • EU: November 21, 2008
  • AU: December 4, 2008
Genre(s)First-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer[2]

Legendary (previously known as Legendary: The Box[3]) is a first-person shooter video game developed by Spark Unlimited and released in 2008. It was published in North America by Gamecock Media Group, and in the PAL region by Atari Europe.

The game takes place in New York City and London.[4] The protagonist is a professional thief named Charles Deckard, who is hired by a mysterious organization known as the Black Order to steal an artifact from a New York museum which turns out to be the fabled Pandora's Box. Unaware of the Box's nature, Deckard opens it, unleashing a plethora of mythological creatures rampaging throughout the world, as well as granting him a strange power (the Signet) which could be the key to resolving this crisis. It is up to Deckard and a secret paramilitary force known as the Council of 98 to set things right, while the Black Order seeks to acquire the box and control the creatures to conquer the world.

Gameplay

Gameplay is similar to many other titles in the genre of first-person shooters, with a strong focus on immersion and penetrating atmosphere, creating a first person movie-like experience. Several different weapons can be found and equipped, generally being taken from dead humans. The only melee weapon available in the game is a fire axe, which cannot be removed from the player character's inventory. In addition to the axe, two other weapons can be carried, as well as grenades and molotovs. The player also has access to a PDA-style journal, which updates with messages as data is found and whenever Deckard is given orders or instructions. It also includes detailed information on the monsters and weapons encountered. Throughout the gameworld, numerous objects must be interacted with to proceed, including switches. wheels and lockboxes. The player's health is monitored by a bar in the corner of the screen, while Animus energy is represented by a spherical gauge. Animus energy can be collected by killing monsters, which leave behind bluish gaseous residue. The player can then absorb the residue, replenishing the Animus gauge. This energy can then be used to heal the player, or to send destructive pulses towards monsters (human enemies are not affected by this), stunning them. Additionally, certain objects must be fed Animus energy in order to function properly.

Multiplayer

There is one mode in multiplayer, which can be played with up to 8 people online or through system link (1 player per console). Multiplayer pits the Council of 98 and the Black Order against each other. The multiplayer portion's objective is not to kill as many opposing team members as possible. The objective is to collect Animus Energy and put it into a machine. The team that fills up the machine first wins. There are creatures on the field, and the player has to kill them in order to harvest Animus Energy. The creatures automatically attack team members with the lower amount of Animus Energy in their machine.

Plot

The game's prologue slide show shows the original myth of Pandora's Box; in reality, Pandora's Box was a device of incredible power. In the early 21st century, archaeologists found the artifact in a ruin at the bottom of the ocean. Unable to pinpoint its origins, they place the artifact in a New York City museum for safe keeping. A wealthy millionaire named Ormond LeFey, knowing the true nature of the box, hires a professional thief named Charles Deckard, tasking him with opening the box, and stealing the contents inside (with, of course, a substantial payment).

The game opens with Deckard sneaking into the museum, easily bypassing all the security and opening the box. When he does, he has a Signet branded onto his left hand, and the box suddenly releases a huge energy surge that shoots toward the sky. Deckard gains the ability to absorb Animus Energy, which he can use to heal himself. He escapes the museum to discover that griffins have materialized, and are flying through the city attacking people.

After fighting various mythical creatures summoned by the box, Deckard finds out that LeFey has sent his private army, known as the Black Order, against him. He fights his way through those soldiers, eventually meeting up with the Council of 98, the group that originally concealed the box. They are distrusting at first, especially their commander, Lexington White Deer, but eventually agree to help upon seeing the Signet on Deckard's arm. A deal is struck; in exchange for his associate Vivian Kane's information on the Black Order's plans, the Council will help them.

After defeating a golem, The Council takes Deckard, Kane, and the box to where the headquarters of the Council is stationed: beneath the Houses of Parliament in London. After a mission to locate a hard drive detailing LeFey's plans in an abandoned cathedral, Deckard finds out that LeFey has built a machine that could harness Animus Energy and control the creatures. He aims to use it to take over the world. The surge of energy could also find its way to Deckard's Signet, and the energy surge could kill him.

Suddenly, the power goes out. It turns out that the hard drive also contained a Trojan Horse, which powered off all the power in the facility. All the creatures that they were keeping are released. The hard drive also gave the location of the headquarters away, and Black Order soldiers land and attack. Deckard and all the Council soldiers get up onto the roof, where they wait for reinforcements from other parts of the world. Suddenly, a Kraken surfaces in the Thames and attacks. Firing several rockets down the Kraken's mouth, Deckard succeeds in killing the Kraken. While the Council was distracted, however, the Black Order manages to steal Pandora's Box, and kidnap Vivian Kane. Deckard and the Council chase after them back to New York City.

In New York City, Deckard and the Council launch a full-scale attack on the Black Order headquarters. Inside the building, he manages to free Vivian, and she goes up the command post to help Deckard. On the roof, Deckard finds the machine. It turns out that Deckard can overload the machine, and destroy it by putting a lot of Animus Energy inside of it. In the end, the machine overloads, and then explodes. LeFey is hurled out of his control booth by a werewolf, grabbed in midair by a griffin and impaled on the machine, killing him. After the explosion, Vivian is nowhere to be seen. The Council arrives, and assumes that she was vaporized. The Council immediately turns on Deckard, locking him up, stating that Deckard's Signet contains information that could create a new Pandora's Box, the first one being destroyed when the machine exploded. Later, it turns out that Vivian survived, and Deckard, being a thief, easily escapes. A final picture shows Deckard holding his Signet branded hand out to a griffin, seemingly taming it.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPS3Xbox 360
EdgeN/AN/A4/10[9]
EurogamerN/AN/A2/10[10]
Game Informer6.5/10[11]6.5/10[11]6.5/10[11]
GameRevolutionN/AN/AD−[13]
GameSpot3.5/10[14]N/A3.5/10[15]
GameZone5/10[16]5.6/10[17]7.5/10[18]
IGN2.5/10[19]2.3/10[20]2.5/10[2]
OXM (US)N/AN/A7.5/10[21]
PC Gamer (UK)40%[22]N/AN/A
PSMN/AStarStarStar[23]N/A
VarietyN/AN/A(mixed)[24]
Aggregate score
Metacritic50/100[5]50/100[6]47/100[7]

The PC and PlayStation 3 versions of Legendary received "mixed" reviews, while the Xbox 360 version received "generally unfavorable reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[5][6][7] Eurogamer noted that the Xbox 360 version was "hilariously bad" citing unresponsive movement and twitchy crosshairs as well as Spark Unlimited managing "to take Unreal engine 3 and make it look like a 1997 Half-Life mod".[10] X360 Magazine (later X-ONE Magazine) faulted the game for unskippable cutscenes and "Action sections that feel like a movie you just happen to be walking through, and not interacting with."[25] IGN said of the PC and Xbox 360 versions, "the gameplay comes across as messy and incomplete, the arrangement of hazards and threats from monsters is ineffective at best and boring at worst."[2][19] It also noted the PS3 version's long load times, frame drops and a lack of trophy support.[20] According to The UrbanWire, the game "falls short".[26]

References

  1. ↑ Sinclair, Brendan (October 30, 2008). "Legendary gets dates with destiny". Fandom. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150526022320/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/legendary-gets-dates-with-destiny/1100-6200362/. Retrieved September 30, 2017. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Haynes, Jeff (November 6, 2008). "Legendary Review (X360)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on August 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180818202501/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/07/legendary-review-3. Retrieved September 30, 2017. 
  3. ↑ Boyes, Emma (July 9, 2007). "E3 '07: Gamecock gets in The Box". Fandom. Archived from the original on December 10, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081210031150/http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/legendarythebox/news.html. Retrieved September 30, 2017. 
  4. ↑ McInnis, Shaun (August 7, 2008). "Legendary Updated Hands-On". Fandom. Archived from the original on October 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171001074553/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/legendary-updated-hands-on/1100-6195621/. Retrieved September 30, 2017. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Legendary for PC Reviews". Fandom. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230425054136/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/legendary. Retrieved May 8, 2012. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Legendary for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Fandom. Archived from the original on July 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220716130630/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/legendary. Retrieved May 8, 2012. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Legendary for Xbox 360 Reviews". Fandom. Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230112150512/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/legendary. Retrieved May 8, 2012. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Nelson, Samantha (December 21, 2008). "Legendary". G/O Media. Archived from the original on February 26, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090226002524/http://www.avclub.com/articles/legendary,17090/. Retrieved June 28, 2023. 
  9. ↑ Edge staff (December 2008). "Legendary (X360)". Edge (Future plc) (195): 98. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Whitehead, Dan (October 31, 2008). "Legendary (Xbox 360)". Gamer Network. Archived from the original on October 31, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141031191402/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/legendary-review. Retrieved June 28, 2023. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Cork, Jeff (January 2009). "Legendary Review". Game Informer (189): 66. Archived from the original on October 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171001082050/https://www.gameinformer.com/games/legendary/b/xbox360/archive/2009/09/22/review.aspx. Retrieved October 1, 2017. 
  12. ↑ Workman, Robert (November 11, 2008). "Legendary Review (PS3)". AOL. Archived from the original on November 13, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081113165942/http://www.gamedaily.com/games/legendary/playstation-3/game-reviews/review/6915/2187/. Retrieved June 29, 2023. 
  13. ↑ Card, Ben (February 2, 2009). "Legendary Review (X360)". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 11, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150911234507/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/legendary-the-box. Retrieved October 1, 2017. 
  14. ↑ VanOrd, Kevin (November 24, 2008). "Legendary Review (PC)". Fandom. Archived from the original. Error: If you specify |archiveurl=, you must also specify |archivedate=. https://web.archive.org/web/20140518032922/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/legendary-review/1900-6201614/. Retrieved October 1, 2017. 
  15. ↑ VanOrd, Kevin (November 10, 2008). "Legendary Review (X360)". Fandom. Archived from the original on October 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171001075441/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/legendary-review/1900-6200825/. Retrieved October 1, 2017. 
  16. ↑ Lafferty, Michael (January 7, 2009). "Legendary - PC - Review". Archived from the original on January 16, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090116144537/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r32990.htm. Retrieved October 1, 2017. 
  17. ↑ Myers, Dallas (December 15, 2008). "Legendary - PS3 - Review". Archived from the original on December 19, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081219140850/http://ps3.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r32990.htm. Retrieved October 1, 2017. 
  18. ↑ Platt, Dylan (January 1, 2009). "Legendary - 360 - Review". Archived from the original on March 21, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090321110038/http://xbox360.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r32990.htm. Retrieved October 1, 2017. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Haynes, Jeff (December 5, 2008). "Legendary Review (PC)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230112152858/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/12/05/legendary-review-2. Retrieved September 30, 2017. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Haynes, Jeff (November 6, 2008). "Legendary Review (PS3)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230628234413/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/06/legendary-review-4. Retrieved September 30, 2017. 
  21. ↑ McCaffrey, Ryan (December 2008). "Legendary". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 90. Archived from the original on November 19, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081119161729/http://www.oxmonline.com/article/reviews/xbox-360/g-l/legendary. Retrieved September 30, 2017. 
  22. ↑ "Legendary". PC Gamer UK: 70. January 2009. 
  23. ↑ "Review: Legendary". PlayStation: The Official Magazine (14): 88. December 25, 2008. 
  24. ↑ Dahlen, Chris (November 13, 2008). "Legendary (X360)". Variety (Penske Media Corporation). Archived from the original on October 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171001075349/https://variety.com/2008/digital/features/legendary-2-1200472219/. Retrieved October 1, 2017. 
  25. ↑ David S. (December 2008). "Legendary". X360 Magazine (40): 103. Archived from the original on February 10, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090210195906/http://x360magazine.com/games/legendary/legendary.html. 
  26. ↑ Elliyani (December 4, 2008). "Legendary Falls Short". Archived from the original on October 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171001031648/https://www.theurbanwire.com/2008/12/legendary-falls-short/. Retrieved June 28, 2023. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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