Though the game’s Blade Runner-esque aesthetic might have been intriguing, when an initial trailer and first details came in for Human Head Studios’ Prey 2 many gamers were wondering where Prey 1’s protagonist Tommy would fit in. Set on the planet of Exodus, and taking place apart from many of the events of the first game, Prey 2 follows Killian Samuels’ quest to make a living and hopefully return home to Earth — a far stretch from the spirit-walking and survival story of the first game.

But now, with the dust and the backlash over Prey 2’s lack of portals and spirit walking behind us, Human Head Studios has started talking about Tommy, and how his story will figure into the events of Prey 2. As it turns out, the character might actually be playing a larger part in the story than Human Head was initially letting on.

Our preview of the game dropped a small hint that Tommy wasn’t just going to be a “cameo” appearance in Prey 2, but aside from that, it was slim pickings for information. IGN, however, was able to get Human Head’s Chris Rhinehart on record talking about Tommy, and though it isn’t much, it does acknowledge Tommy is in there.

"He's a character that you encounter many times throughout the game. It's not just a single cameo where he shows up and takes off. He's integral to the story and events on Exodus. One of the big things is, the unique abilities that Tommy has, specifically spirit walk and death walk, are integral to his role and how he actually fits into the story."

What’s actually unfortunate about this news is that it wasn’t revealed earlier. Sure, seeing the game in action has the potential to make a believer out of Prey fans and the uninitiated alike, but it might be too little too late. Rhinehart does claim that Tommy is integral to the world, as are his powers, but in what capacity?

Human Head made a conscious decision to hold Tommy back at first, one that Rhinehart acknowledges, but now it’s time to let the spirit walker out of the bag. Show gamers how this story isn’t just a unique take on the first-person shooter, but also will satisfy those gamers who discovered Prey and made it a cult hit.

Why do you think that Tommy’s role in Prey 2 was kept from gamers initially? Are there any fans of the series who are now interested to check the game out after hearing this news?

Prey 2 is scheduled for a March 2012 release on the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.

Source: IGN