The next reveal of the Platinum 4 is here, and it’s a new game from the studio’s best-known director, Hideki Kamiya. The creative lead behind Bayonetta, Viewtiful Joe, and The Wonderful 101 is working on a new IP under the working title of Project GG, and it looks to follow up on Kamiya’s previous tributes to Japanese-style superheroes and tokusatsu productions.
The CG teaser trailer doesn’t show much, but it does show a city in a panic as a kaiju stars wreaking havoc. As a puppy comes close to getting crushed by debris, someone steps in, does a traditionally ultra-cool hero pose, and grows to giant size in order to fight the monster and protect poor, innocent dogs from destruction. Then we get an Ultraman-style standoff between giant hero and giant monster.
We also get the message that “Project GG a-go-go!” That’s a very direct reference to Viewtiful Joe’s catchphrase, which will surely set the hearts of fans ablaze. Despite that sort of reference, it’s an original IP – and Platinum’s first self-published game.
“Unlike any of the games we’ve made so far,” Kamiya writes, “it’s going to be a 100% Platinum Games title. For everything from its setting and characters, to its game design and story, to how it’s promoted – Platinum Games is in full control.”
That’s in contrast to previous Platinum titles, including the Nintendo-published Wonderful 101. Those publishing arrangements have made it difficult for many Platinum games to come back for future releases, which is why the recent Wonderful 101 Kickstarter was such a big deal. Platinum hopes to avoid those hassles with this self-publishing initiative.
Two more of the formerly-mysterious Platinum 4 have yet to be revealed. Get into some anime games if you need to extend the power of Japanese superheroism as we await further reveals.