Anyone up for some Parkour?
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Jun 29th 2005 at 3:27PM }
We recently stumbled across a video for Eidos' Free Running—on the official website. It's been under the radar, but we do know that the game is slated for a fall release on the PSP and is based on Parkour; that's French for, "the art of movement". So let me guess? Tony Hawk on foot? Yep, Free Running is definitely akin to the chain of tired "extreme" sports titles. Still, something about the concept looks refreshing (see right). We'll keep our eyes on this one for you…
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dmitri @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
I wouldn't mind picking that up. Sounds like fun.
32_Footsteps @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
Who the heck is translating "parkour" like that? That has to be the most pretentious use of language I've seen, and I majored in French.
It just means "by running." Isn't that simple enough without giving it some absurd meaning?
That said... in any game that emphasizes agility, I always loved bouncing around, trying to pull off the most tricky areas in the most artistic fashion possible. I could have fun with this.
asdfa122 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
I saw the vids, it's exactly like prince of persia Sands of time. Play that instead.
Ryun @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
There's a great issue of the comic Global Frequency in which the protagonist is a Parkour expert.
Captain James Skull @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
its gonna make us actual parkourers look like tools :
PDX Parkour @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
James Ransom-Wiley could you please not be so arrogant and brief about a sport which you don't even know the true meaning of the name! I can tell there is no research involved in this, and you just made S%$# up.
The true sport of parkour is not about huge tricks, but rather it is about finding and sticking to a creative path. This of course translates into a philosophy about life as well. I don't think any other "extreme" sport goes this route.
For example, a pro snowboarder can party all night at a rave and then show up totally rolling from the night before, without sleeping and pull off the most amazing tricks. This is not so in Parkour...I could go on of course, my point is just that you not be so narrow minded, and short-sighted when it's your job to review things. I know you're focused more on the game, but I think you should view things a little more broadly in the future, and not damn the sport based on some video game.
Chris @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
http://www.le-parkour.com/ is a cool site if you didnt already know about it. I bet that is kinda where they got the idea for the game.
Chris @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
Watch the videos on the site.
Mark Cook @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
Looks cool. Like an urban Prince of Persia without the crappy fights. Looking forward to it, assuming that's actually what it turns out to be.
Twist @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
This same video (only higher quality) was featured on Game Trailers before or during E3.
At least they have stopped referring to this sport as Extreme Walking like they used to. Just made me think of Power Walking when I heard that.
tristan @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
holy crap. i mean, this looks like a fun as crap game, but i really cant stop thinking about the first prince of persia and the sands of time for xbox. i mean, the movements are almost EXACTLY alike.
Twist @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
P.S. Marc Ecko's Getting Up also features Parkour type moves for getting around and getting into interesting places to tag.
Ryuukuro @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
PDX Parkour: are all parkour enthusaists as nasty as you are? If so I'll just stick to the video game. You should be happy your sport is getting some attention but instead you stick your nose in the air and...ugh! It's called humility, pal!
Lesbian Ham @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
Hmm,
This seems a little like "Jump" for the Gizmondo, which looks fuckin amazing
Daniel Fasco @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
Le Parkour doesn't translate into "the art of movement" because it is not the art of movement... it is the art of fluid and efficient movement from A to B.. If it doesn't get you from A to B in an efficient manner, it's not parkour. If you've heard of Urban Freeflow, they're the ones who took the art a different direction - what they practice isn't real parkour, but what I like to call freestyle running or run-dancing. If you'd like to know more about parkour, go to parkour dot net and read the articles, the forums, and watch the vids.. there are some non-parkour things in some of the vids, like flips and tricks, but neither parkour dot net, nor David Belle (the founder of parkour) would ever say those things are parkour.
Danny from Miami