Platinum Games hits the stage at Gamescom 2016 to give Xbox fans a closer look at Scalebound, including systems that will let players customize and take control of their dragons.

Xbox One exclusive Scalebound has seen some ups and downs throughout its development, with its first reveal at E3 2014 causing it to become a highly anticipated title for many fans based off its amazing graphics alone. But while the game's gigantic dragons certainly got the attention of Xbox fans for a while, no one was sure how Scalebound would actually play. Then, after originally getting slated to be released this year, the game was ultimately pushed back into 2017.

At last year's Gamescom, Platinum Games' Hideki Kamiya finally showed off some in-game footage for the title, including 4-player co-op. Now, one year later, the developer has again used Gamescom to give fans some more in-depth details.

Scalebound's Gamescom 2016 presentation, led by Kamiya and creative producer J.P. Kellams, kicked off with a pre-recorded video that detailed Dragon Links and the game's customization system. The premise of Dragon Links, according to Polygon, is that the game's protagonist, Drew, and his dragon, Thuban, share a life force. Drew can essentially link up his mind with the dragon and take direct control.

"While they are physically two different beings, when you go into Dragon Link their minds are merging into one," Kamiya said via translator. "You're controlling Thuban through Drew's perspective and using his powerful attacks and moves. At that point, Drew is going to be defenseless."

Polygon notes that swapping back and forth between the dragon and Drew looked seamless and that it appears that the game's combat will be based on unleashing a combo of attacks from both perspectives.

Kamiya said players will be able to customize their dragons, with three basic types in play: a well-balanced rex, a heavy tank and a speedy wyvern. Each dragon's attributes can be changed with the use of gems and it will be possible to take, say, a well-balanced rex and turn it into a tank. Additional customizations are available, including some that will change the look of one's dragon.

"You're welcome to go down one path and develop in that way, but there are all these intermediate states where you can create your own dragon," Kamiya said. "The customization is so deep that you're going to be able to create your own play style of dragon. There's advantages to having different kinds of dragons."

Scalebound was already getting some hype after its E3 2016 presentation thanks to its huge battles and flashy combat system but the ability to directly control a dragon does raise the anticipation a bit. After all, it's not every day a gamer gets to go full "Dracarys" from Game of Thrones. The customization system also sounds like it will be pretty deep and may keep players busy just trying out different combinations of gems and armor.

Scalebound is due out on Xbox One and PC in 2017. The game is an Xbox Play Anywhere title, which means that gamers who buy the title on one platform will get it on the other for free.

Source: Polygon