The gameplay reminded me of Torchlight, but I can't put my finger on it, there's something different about this one that makes it Torchlight level of exciting. But it is still enjoyable, just not that much. It can be termed as an Action-RPG with all the elements there, like levels, XP, currencies, loots and so on, but everything is in moderation, that keeps new comers from being overwhelmed.
The premise of this game is that you have these Super-Scientists going around enhancing organisms using genetic modification, and like all such stories to become full circle, these modifications became unstable and mutated and they turned on their creators, thus giving rise to Darkspores. Fast forward a thousand years, and you are one of those last remaining Super-Scientist packed up in a cryogenic sleep and kicked into orbit, with an AI babysitting you while you and also trying to figure out a way to stabilize the mutations to create a prefection in the genetic heroes that your ancestors couldn't. So, at the game's start you awaken with the analysis reaching 100% and thus giving you access to perfect genetic heroes, with which you are now tasked with clearing out the Darkspore hordes from the different galaxies.
After a quick tutorial, you are allowed to choose one extra hero from 3. There a different classes of heroes like in all action RPGs, including tanks, medics, long-range etc. Being me, I tried out one with healing and range, and I quite enjoyed it. The campaign can be played solo or co-op and there's even PVP for the moment in the Beta. You can also deck out your heroes with extra war-gears that range from defense to offense to even augmentations to increase the levels, making the game something more than just mindless hack-n-slash. And I have a feeling that EA might cash in with this point and make custom heroes put up for cash, along with gears. Although the number of in-game hero number is quite large.
Although my game ran at the lowest graphical settings, the level designs were quite good, reminding me of the worlds of Spore. Maybe, when the game reaches the final stage of release and goes out of Beta, they might tie in Spore in some way. The movement is done entirely with the mouse and special abilities with the keyboard. But I would really like to see keyboard shortcuts integrated more for movement and interface controls too. Maybe they'll do it in the final release.
I tried the co-op in the single player campaign, through the Matchmaker. The experience was quite smooth, with the matches taking only about a second to be found. The matches with 2 others, for a total of 3 players, was even more fun than the solo campaign. Not only are you able to easily take on the hordes that would otherwise overwhelm you, but you are also able to amass a greater number of loots, that help in making your genetic heroes even more powerful. The players you're matched are appropriate too, with your level, so that you don't feel out of place, and the social component works without any fuss. Plus, chaining levels becomes that much easier. You can keep track of your co-op mate through 2 extra cards on the top-left of your screen which not only tells you how much energy or health they have left, but also the genetic heroes they are playing as. I tend to stay away from multiplayer, but this is one game that made me go back to the multiplayer. The only gripe that I found with this is that the game takes way longer to load, for the first time only, when you are playing with other players. But I guess that's just because of the Beta, and it will be ironed out eventually before the final release. Though after the initial load, my second game and so on for the session took just about 5 seconds to load.
Overall, I quite liked the Beta, and just might get the game. But for people who like Action-RPGs and multiplayer, this is a good game to try out. For the casual gamers, it could be used as nice break from the more hectic routine, and a must for Spore-fans.
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