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Demigod is predominantly a strategy game. Just like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles pizza pie, though, this title has a whole lot of extra ingredients. A typical match will have players upgrading their base and troops, capturing and defending flags, buying equipment from shops, choosing abilities for their characters, and rattling the enemy's teeth in close combat. Just be careful not to swallow your bubblegum.
Chris Taylor and Gas Powered Games have a history of bringing us hardcore strategy titles like Supreme Commander and Total Annihilation, which was developed under the banner of Cavedog Entertainment. Demigod delivers a similar level of gameplay and depth, but in smaller portions. Whereas a gridlocked game of Total Annihilation may drag on for hours, matches here tend to last between fifteen and forty-five minutes. Whether you want to squeeze in a quick single-player skirmish before bed or you're settling in for an organized clan tournament, the matches are tasty and easy to digest.
Demigod forgoes a lot of the micromanagement common to strategy games and instead puts the focus on individual characters.
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While many games blend strategy, action, and role-playing elements, Demigod's particular recipe is unique among them. Its closest peer and inspiration is the Warcraft III mod Defense of the Ancients. At the onset of each match, players choose one of eight available demigods. You won't have to worry about commanding your army or building structures, because this game forgoes a lot of the micromanagement common to strategy games and instead puts the focus on individual characters.
Portals are located in each team's base and will intermittently spawn waves of autonomous reinforcement troops. These reinforcements, along with base structures and other elements, can be upgraded by spending your character's hard-earned gold at the friendly neighborhood citadel. Of course, any gold spent to aid your team is that much less you have to devote to character-specific items like equipment and potions. The constant need to balance team upgrades with personal improvement is an important contribution to the depth and elegance of the gameplay.
Regardless of a match's win condition, characters will earn experience points along the way. Choosing which abilities to learn as a result is another tactical variable, as it is impossible to gain every skill before reaching the level cap. Each of Demigod's characters, which are fun to both control and watch, comes with a unique skill tree. With distinct styles and designs, most players will quickly find their favorite demigods, but if you can't make up your mind, the giant hammer-wielding castle is a safe default.
As a single-player game, Demigod doesn't have a whole lot to offer; it's simply not the focus. There is no campaign, and the only semblances of a story are imparted in a short introductory cut scene and then upon completing an eight-match tournament mode. Skirmish mode is also available with any combination of up to nine computer-controlled opponents and teammates. This is perfect for getting acquainted with the game, but the enemy A.I., even set to Hard, will typically fail to pace a skilled player.
Multiplayer is where the experience shines. Street date mishaps and alleged rampant piracy left Internet-play crippled at best and utterly broken at worst during the game's launch window, but opening the in-game IRC client during that time revealed the staff of publisher Stardock denying their own sleep to code impromptu patches and walk individual players through network configuration. Their hard work was both obvious and necessary; after several days of rough sailing the skies have cleared for online play.
It's still important to note that the game connects players peer-to-peer rather than using a typical client/server configuration, which may be troublesome with particular Internet service providers or network setups. My experiences connecting with the latest build of the game have all been positive, though. In addition to hopping into a custom game, players can choose to connect to the Pantheon - a persistent, online tournament between the forces of light and dark. It's a fun idea that, ultimately, doesn't offer anything not found in other game modes.
All of Demigod's elements combine to lay an impressive foundation for competitive strategy play. It is a venue in its own right that, while beautiful, is completely dependent on its gladiators. The game's future is rooted in a multiplayer community that, fortunately, is off to a healthy start. Stardock and Gas Powered Games have confirmed that additional characters are under development, which is great to hear so soon after launch. If we could get some additional maps to boost the stock line-up of eight, it would be better yet. Despite being light on off-the-shelf content, the solid design and unique perspective on the strategy genre make this an experience that is both enjoyable and extremely replayable. |
