Hellgate: London
After a long discussion with the local manager at Gamestop (where we both waxed intellectual about the properties of what makes an MMORPG fantastic…I think the conclusion was, if we like it, it’s good, because our tastes are so refined, if we like, the game is quality, if not, the developers need to be fired and sent to work for the perpetually disappointing NCsoft), I heard about the new MMORPG that is going to be released, as word has it, by former folks of Blizzard (rumor rumor…I am simply regurgitating the spoken word) over at Flagship studios. The title? Hellgate London.
Now that this means for video game zealots is that the peeps that brought you Diablo, are bringing you another Hellfire rich, immersive story about the struggle of good versus evil. From their site:
London, 2038.
According to legend, when the ravens depart the Tower of London, it will crumble to rubble and disaster will befall England. As man became more dependent on science, believing only in what he could define or create, ancient knowledge and rituals were lost to the antiquity of time. Prophecies that had stood as warning for untold generations were seen as archaic folly or ignorant superstition; so when the harbingers of evil began to manifest, few saw and fewer believed.
When the demons finally came, there was little that stood in their way.
Emerging from the swirling chaotic Hellgate, they overwhelmed humanity’s defenses quickly and systematically. Even the nuclear and biological weaponry employed by a few desperate nations did little more than slow the apocalypse. The nature of the demons’ attack presented little in the way of strategic military targets to the generals of mankind’s armies. With no obvious headquarters to bombard, visible supply lines to cut, or known leaders to assassinate, the usual tactics of war were useless.
…
Amazing story. The cinematics look superb, and the gameplay…well, we still have yet to see, things miiiiiggghhtt fall apart. The mythology though is classic. There are supposed to be several different modes of gameplay available to the user. Free, subscription (which offers more quests and more items), and then the classic Diablo-style, “one life to live” mode…which in an MMORPG is pretty ballsy. You die once, you’re done. Game over. Make a new character. Definitely would drive one to be a bit more…conservative (teehee) with their game play.
Word has it that the game will also be equipped with American Democratic politicians, who try to reason with the Demons, and Kucinich is said to make an appearance, and in a brilliant CGI sequence, ask who we are to judge their lifestyle and cultural choices. France probably already long since surrendered again, and Hitler’s armies from Hell march on Paris again. None of that is true of course, but it would ad an interesting dynamic to the game. Imagine having to fight them with only golf clubs because assault weapons are banned…hey, you wouldn’t want to point a gun at them and possibly escalate the situation…or, if you do have weapons, you have to make sure the ACLU isn’t around when you attempt to save civilians…otherwise you might be tried for war crimes. You’ll also be equipped with silk zip ties, so you can peacefully detain the Hellspawn in an attempt to rehabilitate them, maybe they were abused by their parents…who are we to judge…remember boys and girls, there is no evil, just a large spectrum of assorted degrees of gray.
Now that I’ve got my rocks off on cheap political points…the game I think speaks for itself. Diablo developers, hybrid views for both first person shooter style play if your weapon is a firearm, or the traditional chaser camera if your weapon of choice is magic. Simply delicious.
We’ll see as the -08 release approaches. There’s a lot of hype around this one.
UPDATE AND CORRECTION: Scapes, the Hellgate Guru, corrects me.
A few corrections. First, it is no rumor that Flagship Studios’ founding members were originally part of Blizzard North, previously known as Condor. They left Blizzard around the time World Of Warcraft released. Second, the release window is set for Summer of this year, not 2008. Third, cheap (and pointless) political points, indeed.
If you’re a video game junkie…check out the site, TONS of great info. I try to defer to the experts, and Scapes seems to be one.
A few corrections. First, it is no rumor that Flagship Studios’ founding members were originally part of Blizzard North, previously known as Condor. They left Blizzard around the time World Of Warcraft released. Second, the release window is set for Summer of this year, not 2008. Third, cheap (and pointless) political points, indeed.
Holy crap…this year? I heard Beta was late this year. Huzzah!
And Sir…cheap political points are my bread and butter.
Yep. Alpha’s about to start pretty soon, too. Beta’s slated for July, at least in Korea. Common sense would dictate that the US beta will happen around the same time. If you loved Diablo, you’re almost guaranteed to love Hellgate: London.
I’ve played it, and it pretty much lives up to its developers’ reputations.
Must say, pleasantly surprised that your entry was updated with my comment. My (and Hellgate Guru’s) thanks!
I’m telling you, this one has me salivating, and it’s not often than it happens. Most of the MMORPGs that have been released as of late seem to be a rehash of the same old (though tired and true) engine. It’s nice to see someone taking more of a risk, not only with gameplay style, but story choice. The hyped ones as of late have been a big let down. Even Blizzards expansion wasn’t that big of a deal (considering the wait) for WoW.
Anyone who knows how to get into that beta…I will love you forever.