Demigod Review

[Frozencry]

Demigod Review by Denny

PC Review: Does it reach Godhood, or suffer from a Mortal blow?

[View Article]

[Starman]

Just couldn't help yourself could ya Denny...
_________________

[Jahanzeb]

[Nietzsche]

Wish I could run demigod, looks like I need a new computer

[Frozencry]

[emech]

All true and all good. Buying it off impulse for $55 makes for a wiser choice then waiting for a retail box EXCEPT for a game that is multiplayer focused (with no real single player campaign but rather a training tournament ala unreal tournament) having some seriously flakey match-making and net code is a massive problem. A visit to the demigod forums will proide details but baxically they are trying to peer network rather then server deliver and to date it is still not proving adequate for 5v5 maps (or smaller for some) -- the complete lack of being able to "clan" matchup (promised for later) also means that multiplayer games are played with (ranked) strangers unless you go the custom game route also limiting appeal. Also having no in-game voice-chat support limits team work communications.

None of which are major faults in most games except as already mentioned this has been designed and sold as multiplayer from the get go. At the moment it feels like a beta product. Given stardocks track record it will improve, but for now its flawed.

In other faults there is no real oppurtunity to make a comeback. Once a side turns the tide through a couple of victories they get significant advantages making it that much more for the loseing side. As a result matches are often over long before they end.

Having no control over the spawning AI units means that your strategy has to adapt to supporting their scripted movements. Over several games this means that conquering the map devolves into 2 or 3 proven strategites leading to game repetition and predictibility. Only 7 maps also limits replayability as each strategy puzzle is solved.

Im being quite negative, but the above review didnt point these things out. The game is good, and has alot of potential. As more maps and demigods are addded and stardock sort out their systems (and i have faith they will) it will be something of a cult classic - but at the moment its an enhanced mod and not worth retail prices. A solid 7 from me.
_________________

[Frozencry]

Well aware of the networking situations, which I didn't run into at all in my time playing some matches. It's why it wasn't mentioned as at the time of my purchase of the game, everything was smooth for me from the get-go. I've seen some people suffer a few issues with match making but it's been a rare sighting, from my end anyway.

I could argue that there are huge opportunities for comebacks, plus to pit yourself in a situation which is nearly insurmountable is usually a fault that happens early game in terms of teamwork and overall tactics. Having played quite a few MP matches now, there have been moments where my team just didn't click in fast enough to disallow such huge advantages for the other side. Most of the time it's a difficult and gruelling process to break through either lines, especially when each team knows what they're doing and are playing with wit rather than sheer brute force.

But I believe a lot of these things come from different experiences - from the several hours I've put into the game over the past 2 weeks, I have honestly not experienced a single problem in connecting to matches and gameplay wise it's fairly balanced. There are a few minor niggles here and there with some Demigod combinations and abilities, but otherwise it's been playing smooth and most things feel clicked into place.

It's good to hear other sides of the story though, so I appreciate the comments
_________________

[grim-one]

Now I want this game even more. Curse you Denny and your glowing review!

Must wait for a sale.... =)
_________________

Steam:grim_one | PSN/Live:najakh | Flickr

[Windburn]

Actually, emech's comments are mitigated dramatically due to the timing of this review. To coincide with the PAL release of demigod, they have been labouring hard at their server code and it is now in a state where only a fraction of people are experiencing the day 1 problems.

There are 3 fallback network systems in place if the preceding configuration doesn't work, so there really shouldn't be any network problems, particularly as we in Australia don't generally have too complex a setup (certainly don't have too many isps that block torrent data, as some countries do).

Clan matchups in Pantheon are coming soon (as emech said), but it's hardly fair to call this a beta experience. You can still organise clan matches through custom match, which is the more commonly used method of doing so in all other games. That they are building a clan system into their pantheon tournament is above and beyond what other multiplayer games have out of the box.

Plus, I rest easy at night knowing that Stardock are on top of this one, because it means we're going to see bucketloads of content patches over the next year or two, including new maps, new game types and new demigods. Yay!
_________________

[Lord Haart]

So does anyone have any of the half-price coupons for this game? I would certainly be interested - I have some unused Steam games I can gift IIRC.

Game certainly looks like a lot of fun, thanks for the detailed review, and for the detailed posts in this thread.

[Additives]

All the reviews i had seen so far were out of the US, and as such colored by the aunch time networking problems. Buttt...assuming thats all patched up, time for me to buy a gaming PC again (currently my PC gamming beast is a netbook )
_________________
Visit my website:

http://additives.freehostia.com

[grim-one]

[notsofat]

[Lord Haart]

[grim-one]

Hmm... I don't know anyone who bought it that early =\
_________________

Steam:grim_one | PSN/Live:najakh | Flickr

[emech]

I did (and mentioned it in the bargains thread) - but my voucher hasn't arrived yet.
_________________