Darkspore Multiplayer Preview
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We managed to get through the map and even a boss fight done arena-style, with nary a death despite waves of bugs attacking. I used Sage's Tree of Life ability to keep Gamespot in the pink, and with a minimum of tactics we beat the map in about 10 minutes. Thomas explained that this single mission time range is what Maxis is aiming for, but upon completing the map we were offered an interesting choice keep our spoils and quit, or take on a bonus round for better prizes. But should we die, we lose everything we gained in the first round. Who said all-ages games couldn't have a nice little hardcore twist?
Gamespot guy, having played the game before, opted for a PvP battle instead, and I should have known I was in for a thumping. Thomas explained that due to the complication of balancing the myriad combinations available in PvP, Darkspore PvP would be limited to 1v1 or 2v2 battles conducted in an open-oval shaped arena with no walls or obstructions to break line of sight. Since I was lacking a Sentinel (Darkspore's tankish class), I had to rely on hit and run tactics with my vulnerable Ravagers (rogues), while swapping in my Tempest to pop Tree of Life and heal my DPS Heroes. Gamespot was onto me, however, and through slows, stuns, and channel abilities, easily wheedled through my Heroes. It's likely there was a far better way to play my deck, but I enjoyed seeing how quickly the tactics stack up.
Darkspore shows compelling evidence that it might offer the kind of whimsically, deceptively cerebral fun we were so desperately hoping Spore might offer. The game offers that elusive blend of all-ages fun and extreme tactical depth, not to mention a solid layer of co-op and PvP fun, tons of loot, wisely imposed design limitations (i.e. keeping PvP limited to 1v1 and 2v2), and, with collectible Heroes, lots of prospective merchandising saavy. Look for the game to launch on March 29th, 2011.
