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Posted By Shaun K. about 11 months, 1 week ago
Perfect World, a Chinese game publisher long known for their copious selection of free-to-play MMORPG titles, is looking to branch out even further with three new games in development that they hope will push the overall MMO genre forward. We here at BT got a chance to check out these titles recently at E3 and are now here to share with the rest of you our findings, starting with the free to play FPS Blacklight Retribution.
Released in 2010 as a downloadable title to PC, XBLA, and PSN, Blacklight: Tango Down was decently reviewed FPS that unfortunately got lost in the all too crowded shuffle that is the FPS genre in the modern day gaming industry. Now the game’s developer Zombie Inc. has decided to try a different tactic with the game’s planned followed, Blacklight Retribution. Being developed as a free-to-play PC title, I recently got to sit down and get both some hands-on time with the game itself and some interview time with the game’s lead designer Jared Gerrtitzen. Check out my interview with him and then stay tuned below for my hands-on impression of the game.
Overall, I came away impressed from my time with Blacklight Retribution. While I have never been the biggest FPS fan, largely due to my lack of skill with the genre, even a non-regular player like myself could tell that Zombie Inc was well on their way to developing something special, an assessment shared by my fellow BT writer (and gracious camera man) Austin Y, a man far more plugged into the FPS genre than I am. While the inclusion of elements like a mech-suit might seem like a balance killer, the developers at Zombie Inc have worked hard to ensure that the game has a proper balance. Even ensconced in the powerful mech-suit, I still managed to get myself killed by a skillful player armed only with a pistol who managed to make that just-perfect shot to the suit’s weak spot.
The game’s mixture of elements, from the ability to purchase upgrades, weapons, and vehicles mid-battle to the various vision modes at a player’s disposal, seem primed to create an enjoyable long term FPS experience. Combine this with the game’s impressive graphics, particularly for a free-to-play game, and the promise of frequent updates such as new weapons, maps, and gameplay modes, and everything seem ripe for a FPS with some real long term potential. The idea of free new maps every two months in particular will likely appeal to fans of the FPS genre. Blacklight Retribution will enter its beta stage in Q4 of this year with an official release to follow sometime in 2012. Be sure to stay tuned to Blistered Thumbs for continuing coverage of this exciting new title and share your thoughts and reactions below with your fellow BT readers.
Ability to purchase upgrades, weapons, and vehicles mid-battle based on your cash is taken straight form Counter Strike and to tell the truth I loved it. This game look promising BUT for a game that’s made on UE3 with DX11 support the trailers graphic were really mehh.
Eh, the only way I see that Counter strike had the concept first is that you earned money as the rounds continued, and you bought guns right at the start of each round. (That and armor, grenades and so forth.).
This … That would have been a good question towards the developers, is it round based or respawns? The mid battle call ins feels like players may be respawning in waves, otherwise vehicle call ins are either cheap, or don’t get used long enough to justify their cost.
I remember hearing about the original Blacklight as well, but, just like you said, it got lost in the shuffle and I didn’t pay it much heed. However, this new one seems pretty interesting. I like that it’s free to play and I especially like how they will continue to support it after it releases, because that can really help keep it from being stale.
Hopefully, things will go well for these guys and I guess I have another game to add on to my ever-growing list of games to watch.