Hellgate: London is somewhat similar in nature to Dungeon Runners, as it's mostly a Diablo-esque adventure game. However, where Dungeon Runners can only be played online as an MMORPG, Hellgate has both offline single-player and an online multi-player capabilities, with the online system allowing both free and subscription access (which seems to be increasingly the norm in the MMORPG world). The gist of the storyline is a demonic invasion of London circa 2038. The entire city is destroyed, ransacked, burning, and covered in hideous demons. And you, of course, are there to destroy said demons and save the world.
Hellgate has six classes of characters, split evenly among three "factions". The "Factions" are the Templar, melee warriors who fight with swords and shields (Guardians and Blademasters), the Cabalists who use magic to summon mystical forces against the demons (Summoners and Evokers), and the Hunters who use weapons and technology as their method of purging the demonic hordes (Marksmen and Engineers). Each faction has a unique play style, and even the specific classes within the factions have somewhat unique characteristics. Similar to many MMORPGs, you develop your character by selecting from subsets of skills in a tree, and specialize amongst the available options.
Gameplay is straightforward, what you would expect from what is essentially another Diablo clone (albeit, a VERY good one given the company it keeps in that category). Kill creatures to get equipment, use equipment to kill creatures, and level up your abilities when you've killed enough creatures. There are a few nifty added tweaks to the classic recipe - you can upgrade your weapons using different types of fuel, ammo, relics, etc. You also have the ability to "break down" almost anything that you pick up, so that you can use its component parts to build further upgrades or weaponry. And you can use machines in-game to add rare or unique qualities to your equipment, provided you have the money and components necessary.
Finally, as with seemingly all new games (thanks, no doubt, to Microsoft and XBox Live), there are achievements. Some fun ones include points awarded for breaking objects, for completing a certain number of quests in a given amount of time, and other similar and interesting things to do in the game.
All in all, it's a very fun game, whether you're a single-player Diablo-lover, or a very basic casual MMORPG player. Subscribers to the online system ($9.99/month) get additional content and certain perks that non-paying players do not get, but only when they are playing online.
Hellgate has six classes of characters, split evenly among three "factions". The "Factions" are the Templar, melee warriors who fight with swords and shields (Guardians and Blademasters), the Cabalists who use magic to summon mystical forces against the demons (Summoners and Evokers), and the Hunters who use weapons and technology as their method of purging the demonic hordes (Marksmen and Engineers). Each faction has a unique play style, and even the specific classes within the factions have somewhat unique characteristics. Similar to many MMORPGs, you develop your character by selecting from subsets of skills in a tree, and specialize amongst the available options.
Gameplay is straightforward, what you would expect from what is essentially another Diablo clone (albeit, a VERY good one given the company it keeps in that category). Kill creatures to get equipment, use equipment to kill creatures, and level up your abilities when you've killed enough creatures. There are a few nifty added tweaks to the classic recipe - you can upgrade your weapons using different types of fuel, ammo, relics, etc. You also have the ability to "break down" almost anything that you pick up, so that you can use its component parts to build further upgrades or weaponry. And you can use machines in-game to add rare or unique qualities to your equipment, provided you have the money and components necessary.
Finally, as with seemingly all new games (thanks, no doubt, to Microsoft and XBox Live), there are achievements. Some fun ones include points awarded for breaking objects, for completing a certain number of quests in a given amount of time, and other similar and interesting things to do in the game.
All in all, it's a very fun game, whether you're a single-player Diablo-lover, or a very basic casual MMORPG player. Subscribers to the online system ($9.99/month) get additional content and certain perks that non-paying players do not get, but only when they are playing online.
