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Following close on the heels of news that this third-person shooter had gone 'gold,' Ritual Entertainment has announced that Mac Heavy Metal F.A.K.K. 2 should be shipping to stores by the end of this week. This unusual (and somewhat risque) title has turned heads on the PC platform for its gorgeous visuals, blazing weapons and fantastic level design. Thanks to the efforts of Contraband entertainment and the portability of the Quake 3 Arena engine, this title has come to the Mac in a short span of time; there is currently no word on whether there will be a Mac demo, however.

Here are excerpts from the press release:

Prepare to enter the surreal Heavy Metal Universe. Ritual Entertainment today announced that a Macintosh version of its third-person action/adventure game Heavy Metal: F.A.K.K.2 (Federation Assigned Ketogenic Killzone) will ship to stores nationwide this week. The game, which was released for the PC in August, is based on Kevin Eastman's Heavy Metal 2000 movie, the sequel to the explosive and groundbreaking animated film Heavy Metal. Published by developer-driven computer and video game publisher Gathering of Developers and distributed by Take Two Interactive, Heavy Metal F.A.K.K.2 will be available for a suggested retail price of $39.99.

"We are bringing dedicated Mac enthusiasts the twisted fun and action of Heavy Metal: F.A.K.K.2 that took PC gamers by storm," said Robert Atkins, Ritual Entertainment co-founder and art director. "We are committed to being important players in the Mac development community and will continue to bring Mac gamers the best gameplay and action through our games."

Featuring artwork and themes from the Heavy Metal 2000 movie, the game is set in the Melting Pot Universe thirty years after the movie leaves off. The player controls Julie as she fights to defend her homeworld Eden from the marauding Gith Industries despoilers. Heavy Metal: F.A.K.K.2 combines exploration and puzzles with a unique fighting-game style combat system for an original hybrid gaming experience.

Heavy Metal: F.A.K.K.2 for the Macintosh features include:

• Heavy Metal-inspired worlds that bring the pages of Heavy Metal comics to life.

• Two-handed combat system allowing players to use 2 different weapons simultaneously.

• Dozens of fantastical creatures that adapt to the player's attack and change behavior as the game progresses.

• Over 20 brutal weapons including combo-based melee weaponry, conventional and futuristic tools of destruction.

• Massive and beautiful environments filled with mind-bending puzzles.

• Custom music soundtrack featuring over three hours of original Heavy Metal inspired music.

• Main character Julie has over 7000 frames of animation, including fighting game style multi-tiered attacks, which unlock throughout the adventure.

• Movie-like storytelling with numerous in-game cinematics, powered by enhanced Quake3 Arena technology.

In a related note, you might want to visit the Gathering of Developers web site and vote in the poll which is in the bottom right-hand corner of their main page. The poll asks, "What platform do you think will have the best games in 2001?"; The Mac platform is one of the choices, and is currently in third place.

Heavy Metal F.A.K.K. 2 Preview

Gathering of Developers

Heavy Metal F.A.K.K. 2 Web Site

Gathering of Developers (add to watch list)

Ritual Entertainment (add to watch list)

Heavy Metal F.A.K.K. 2 (add to watch list)

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