Maxis has taken it's Spore brainstorming sketchbook and developed their co-op action-RPG title, Darkspore. At a glance it may feel like other titles currently on the market, is it though? Mike B brings us the full report... ;
Didn't like the "turning creature" animation, seemed like a preview on maya or 3dmax of some model, no life or art, and that is something unexpectedly important, talks a bit about the quality too.
I played a few betas of this and have been interested in this game. The detail is amazing and the customization on the characters are very well done.
I think overall the RTS style/single/multiplayer aspect of this game is a really great design and it is good to know the fact that it isn't going to be a sub based game.
I do feel like the pvp part of the game although I didn't get to really try it out very much I think it may become a great e-sport game.
Mike maybe you could talk about it with Gary and Jas in GBTV on TWIMMO. :)
Defintely might get this game to play on the side with playing other true sub based MMOs.
I played the Beta, and one thing I encountered was the sheer number of heroes to choose from, and how I wanted to play them all at the same time. It was like playing WoW with one character that could be any class/spec combo on a 30sec cooldown. Other than that, I really enjoyed myself.
I wonder if you create a giant charging penis, like I have in regular Spore (original, I know ;)). One game I would like to suggest is Forsaken Worlds, where people can be REAL vampires and female dwarves aren't a shunned choice, but a staple. PS: Sorry, I goofed and posted on Rift as well, wasn't watching where I was posting. X0
Hey Mike love your work and all. I was lucky enough to get into the beta, nice review on the game. I also agreed with the forums that it is to soon for release. Few things i didn't like about it was how the movement worked. I had problems moving and attacking. Other than that it seemed fun.
overall it feels like a different take on those old school missions in command and conquer where they would give you a set amount of troops (or a tanya) to get through the map with. combine that with all the other games you mentioned HoN/LoL/SC2/Diablo etc sprinkle in some new mechanics (swapping out hero's) and thats a pretty cool mash-up. I think they might have something here with this concept.
PvP will definitely be tough to balance (isn't it always?) with everyone having 3 heroes at once..
not sure if im all that keen on leveling up via the weapons you use (might be misunderstanding that but it seems weird).
EA though is starting to trip me out with all the crazy security measures they are implementing into their games. The fact that i need to go out and "check" with their servers to get into dragon age 2 is a bit to big brother for me..
Did you decide whether or not you are going to keep the classic reviews coming? (once a month or so if you have time..)
darkspore looks like a cartooner Diablo but could be good.....
however i wanna ask again that you please review Darkfall Online, its a fantasy mmofps with no lvs and is generally skill based/time you put in. The main things about it are first person spell shooter/archery then third person melee, full loot system, the entire world is one zone no loading screens, world boses (dragons who patroll the skys and crackins in the ocean), its a massive MASSIVE world, main focus is world domination and pvp
ive looked around and no one else has given this a good review and would love to see this game reviewed by someone like you :)