Tags: Games   Hellgate: London


I was interested in Hellgate: London when I first heard about it in 2005. Since then, I haven't been paying any attention. Today I decided to check it out to see if it should be on my wish list.

Some background: some of the developers of Diablo I and II left Blizzard to form Flagship Studios, and Hellgate will be their first game. The hype is building as it finally gets closer to a release. Is this the new Diablo? Will it create a new genre of game the same way Diablo defined the action-RPG genre? How many explosions per minute (EPM) can I achieve in this game?

A new gameplay trailer has been released in high-def as part of E3, as reported by Blue’s News. Compared to other YouTube videos I’ve seen of the game, this trailer makes it look kinda boring. The action is slower, and it looks and plays a lot more like World of Warcraft. The action is still fairly quick, but nothing like Diablo or older Hellgate videos. The EPM in the video is too low. Check out this older Hellgate gameplay video for the kind of Diablo mindless fun I’m hoping for:

Good Old-Fashioned Super-gogo Action

Looks like a great way to blow off some steam! The environment looks very atmospheric: ruined London, hellish skies, dark subway. Subway systems and sewers are two of my favorite environments for video games! Not so much in real life.

The action looks fast and furious, with non-stop bullets mowing down zombies and demons. I need a good game where I can blast zombies in subway tunnels!

Here’s another video that is slightly less super-gogo, showing the inventory screen, HUD interface, automap, and item pickups:

Where Do I Equip A Feasibility Modulator?

Some item names I noticed in the videos: Feasibility Modulator, Firestarter, Plagueblaster, Spectral Hardened Templar Legs, Buffering Templar Helm, Firebrand, Spike Bolter, Shock Blade, Spark Rifle. That's a lot of nonsense... But I remember some of the Diablo item names, like Cursed Club of Healing? Who would make such an item?

Anyway, another thing I find is that all the misshapen demonic monsters start to look ridiculous after 30 seconds, but it hardly matters since they're just going to blow up within seconds anyway.

I'm not crazy about the "hell on earth" theme, though. It worked in Diablo because it took place in a fantasy world with magic and mythology having nothing to do with real world religions. I’ll find it impossible to get immersed into a game that is based on the premise of demons and other denizens of hell attacking real-world London. But I doubt that storytelling and role-playing are going to be strong features of this game. The context of Hellgate: London is something I'll just have to get over. Since the action seems to be fast and comical, it probably won't be an issue. I get the impression that the setting and story are intended to be light-hearted. Still, an alien invasion would have been a much better premise, and the same silly monsters could have been used just as well.

Looking at the comments at Blue’s News, interest in the game seems to be waning among some enthusiasts. Complaints are aimed at the monthly fees, third-person perspective, and MMORPG-style combat. I agree that the E3 video is boring and certainly hope they aren’t slowing the game down to be an MMORPG. Do we really need another MMORPG? Does anyone else hate the acronym MMORPG?

Hellgate: London could be the first Massively-Multiplayer First-Person Shooter Action Role-Playing Game. MMFPSARPG. Supergogo!

More info can be found at Hellgate Guru, and in a preview from E3 by Gamespy.

Chance I'll buy this game: 90%

Doubts: Subscription fees, MMORPG-style combat, low Explosions Per Minute.

Hooks: Zombies, post-apocalyptic London, fast action, assisted FPS targeting, lots of quests, ability to find an item called Feasibility Modulator.

Anyone else intrigued by this game? Thoughts on the new (disappointing) trailer?