Taking a quick break from his busy film career, Hong Kong action star Jet Li turns up in Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.’s latest action video game. Rise To Honor, developed exclusively for PlayStation 2, kicks its way to retail outlets today.
One of the first PS 2 games created and developed by Sony Computer Entertainment America’s Foster City, Calif. studios, Rise To Honor was produced with the help of acclaimed action director Cory Yuen. Yuen has collaborated with Li on numerous films and was brought on to enhance the cinematic quality of the game.
“I love the stories that motion pictures tell, but video games are able to take that story a step further by allowing players to experience the action first-hand, playing as me instead of just observing the action,” says Li. “I enjoyed the opportunity to help bring Rise To Honor to life, a process that allowed me to develop a newfound appreciation for the hard work that goes into the development of a video game.”
While he’s not the first movie star to lend his talents to interactive entertainment, Li has done more than just provide voice tracks (in English and Mandarin Chinese). The martial artist was involved in extensive motion capture sessions and provided creative input regarding game design.
SCEA incorporated many of Li’s signature moves into a unique 360° fight system–one that puts players in the middle of the game by allowing them to simultaneously battle multiple enemies in any direction, at any time.
The game’s storyline revolves around family, deceit and honor in a chain of dangerous events extending from Hong Kong to San Francisco. When notorious Hong Kong crime boss Chiang is assassinated, trusted bodyguard Kit Yun (Li) is charged with delivering a message to his employer’s estranged daughter in San Francisco. In carrying out the task, Kit becomes entangled in a web of alliances and hidden agendas that unveil a great struggle between his sense of duty and honor.
Rise To Honor is rated “T” for Teen.
