Hellgate: London

[Spiffy13]

After playing the demo of Hellgate: London and beating it today, I decided to write this review and share a few thoughts about it to everyone:
Title: Hellgate: London
Genre: Role Playing Game
Format: Computer game
Date: 10/20/07
Rating: :heya::heya::heya:
Review:

The good: Nice commical relief, very cool terrain

The bad: Long load times, way too easy


Gameplay: 2.5/5 - I just never really got into it. I was expecting a Diablo type hack & slash game, and got an RPG trying to be a mix of Diablo and Two Worlds, which I guess could be awesome, but they just didn't cut it. The game is extremely easy from what I played; I was one hitting every single creature other than bosses, so I decided to equip a crappy weapon so that it would be a bit more of a challenge. But, there are some good things about the gameplay, like how it has the classic Diablo II humor (boss names, ect.), and how they have a NPC who's a kid named Joey who has a peg leg; after you complete his quest he says something along the lines of, "I want a cool name like you! I'm gonna call myself Wart from now on!" (Wirt is a character in Diablo 1 who is also a kid/teenager and also has a peg leg).

Graphics: 3.5/5 - The terrain of the game is pretty well done, and even the graphics of your surroundings are, but the character models look like they're made out of clay. That's really what lowered that from a 4 or maybe a 4.5 to a 3.5.

[NVM]

The game came out today.
At least give it time.

[Smooth B]

Did you play the beta or the demo?

[Infammo]

Its just a demo you fucking idiot.

[Smooth B]

Thats why I was confused. The game doesn't come out until the 31st.

[SWiTCH]

There's a ton of hate for this game/demo. The majority of impressions I've read are massive disappointment.

But I friggin' love it! Anything resembling Diablo is like crack to me.
Also Hell is awesome.
*twitch* Need moar loot...

[Smooth B]

I just beat the demo with a blademaster and I enjoyed it. Marksman is next. I wanna dual wield some SPAC's.

[Spiffy13]

It's a demo. The game is comeing out in 11 days, do you really think it would get that much better in 11 days? I think my review is pretty good...

[Smooth B]

Do you even know what a demo is?

[Spiffy13]

It's a program that you download which shows you a portion of the program before it's released.

[Infammo]

Honestly, are the first twenty minutes of any game ever difficult?

[Smooth B]

It's a program that you download which shows you a portion of the program before it's released.

It doesn't even have to be a portion of the actual game. It could just be some short demonstration on the basics of the game.

[Spiffy13]

Honestly, are the first twenty minutes of any game ever difficult?
No, they aren't, but are usually harder than one hitting every damn creature :ahe:

[Smooth B]

Ever played Diablo 2?

[Matterialize]

I loved the similarities to Diablo. There was even a quest which rewards you with Wart's Peg Leg.

Sure, I was 1-hitting monsters at the start, but that's how it was with Diablo as well. And even the boss strengths seemed similar. I'm pretty amazed at how well they've managed to basically convert the game into an FPS.

[Spiffy13]

Played both. Beat both. Even in the Blood Moor you never 1 hit any mobs. You always 2 or 3 hit them.

[Matterialize]

What class did you pick? I was a hunter, and with the best gun I (short of a $500 rare one in the shop) was definitely 1-hitting but I was also making 2- and 3-hit kills. I don't know what you're complaining about.

EDIT: Wait - no 1-hits in D2? Yes there are.

During CES 2007, it was announced that the game will support a single player mode as well as some form of free online gaming, but also a paid online mode, where it is still to be decided exactly which method of payment that will be used.
:frown: This saddens me. Wiki also mentions that the payment plan isn't yet 100% certain, but it looks like it will be. I was hoping it'd be 100% free, like the Diablo games.

[Smooth B]

Played both. Beat both. Even in the Blood Moor you never 1 hit any mobs. You always 2 or 3 hit them.

Maybe if you are meleeing with a sorc, noob.

[Spiffy13]

Maybe if you are meleeing with a sorc, noob.
Go back and play the game with a barbarian new character. You cannot one hit zombies with the starting weapon like you can in Hellgate.

[Smooth B]

:frown: This saddens me. Wiki also mentions that the payment plan isn't yet 100% certain, but it looks like it will be. I was hoping it'd be 100% free, like the Diablo games.


There is going to be free online play, and you can play with subscribers. You just can't trade for the cool loot that subscribers get =(.

[Matterialize]

That's what I mean. Non-subscribers will probably get a crappy version of the real thing.

[Smooth B]

From what i've read the gameplay will be the same. Except that subscribers get expansions sooner.

[Infammo]

Apparently the 10$ a month fee will get you mostly some extra PvP stuff, like arenas and a ranking system. Since virtually the entire multiplayer will be based around PvE (player vs. enviroment) the extra stuff is primarily just a way to cash in on the RPG junkies. I'll still pay though...

[Smooth B]

Theres the goddamn 3 players slots. If you pay though its 12. No multi accounts like in D2 either.

[Matterialize]

That's a relief, then. I'll probably buy it, despite only 3 slots.

[SWiTCH]

HEEELLLLGAAATE

nnnggggggghh... *splut*


urrgh...

[Smooth B]

I got this from a source on the inside. By that I mean someone that has a beta account and can access the beta forums.


These are some changes that will be made for the actual game from the beta.

Bigger Levels in Nightmare Mode

These increase the time players get to spend in each area, giving the game a more expansive feel at higher difficulty levels.

PVP

Players can both duel and elect to enter free-for-all PvP Mode. To duel, a player invites the person they wish to duel into a group, and heads into an adventuring area. Duelers, then right-click on the portrait of the person they wish to duel and select the Duel option from the displayed list. Dueling can only take place outside of Underground hubs.

Players can also choose to enter into PvP mode which means they can be attacked and harmed outside of Underground hubs by anyone else that has chosen to enter PvP mode. That is, those in PvP mode, must always be ready for PvP. This is a way to have wide-ranging free-for-alls, or create your own “friendly-fire” way of playing the game.

Tuned Game Progression

Level and monster progression is more thematic in nature. While this does not affect the overarching layout of the world map, it does make each act feel more defined and focused.

Gossip

We’ve added loads of additional details on the people and places in the game through various NPCs in the world. This definitely helps make the stations feel more alive and provides players with more of the back-story.

More Quest Information

Quest NPCs do a better job of getting you prepared to know what you’re fighting and why. The overall story flows much better, the named demons that are encountered are given more story weight, and players gain a much better sense of overall direction.

NPC Tweaks

The vocal responses given by NPCs have been tuned so that they tend more towards the serious and “normal”, reserving the twisted commentary for specific player characters or in rare moments for the general populace.


Also, here is a list of the perks of subscribing(They call subscribers Elites).


Elite Mode

This is for those players that always feel a game is too easy. The demons are tougher, deal out more damage, move faster, travel in larger groups, and have more champions at the ready. Numerous tweaks to the overall balance and progression of the game make this an extremely challenging mode.

Hardcore

Hardcore mode takes away the various resurrection options. For the gamer that wants the ultimate test, try playing an Elite Hardcore character!

Themed Events and Items

Halloween (October 31 – November 4)

Zombot - A special pet just for All Hallows’, this amalgam of meat and metal is sure to frighten and delight those players that are willing to put in the time to find all the necessary pieces in order to construct him.

All Hallow’s Visage - A Unique Helm that has not only very special properties, but as well a look unlike any other helm in the game. Ghost Rider would be jealous!

All Hallow’s Treats - Delicious and devious, these different candies do everything from temporarily boosting stats to temporarily altering the appearance of the devourer.

All Hallows’ Quests - There is a pair of special quests available, including one that is repeatable for continuous fun.

Nemo ~ Master of Festivities - This special NPC can first be found in Covent Garden Station to greet players and send them on their way with quests specifically crafted for the season.

Guild Creation

Buy purchasing a Guild Herald, a character can form a new guild. Characters can only be part of one guild at a time and should a Guild leader decide to abandon their post, they can pass leadership of the Guild to another subscribing guild member.

Achievements

These are long-term goals for players. The player starts with a few new goals in an Achievement Log. These can be as simple as slaying a certain amount of specific demons to something as difficult as completing quests without the benefit of armor! Players uncover new goals as they start to meet the requirements of that achievement. For example, after 50 zombies have been slain, an “Achievement Unlocked” message displays on the screen. Checking the Achievement Log shows how many zombies must be eradicated to complete the achievement. Rewards for completing achievements can be anything from reputation to tags on the player to special particle effects to items to special skills to – well, anything is possible!

Extra Character Slots

While everyone gets 3 character slots, subscribers can have a maximum of 24 characters.

Larger Stash

Each character’s storage locker is doubled in size with an extra 6x8 section, making the hoarding of all sorts of goodies that much easier. Packrats rejoice!

Founder’s Perks

Name Color
Forum Icon
More to come… (this will be an on-going area, as well)

[Matterialize]

So, they've upped it to 24 characters for subscribers...

Well, I might be getting a big raise at work soon. I'll try it out as a non-subscriber, and if I really like it, I'll start paying.

[Tyler_Legrand]

Don't write a review for a fucking demo.