Note to indie developers: if you're depending on building a community around your multiplayer game at launch, it's a really, really bad idea to release it just as the holiday flood of big new games begins. Post-apocalyptic shooter Ravaged did just that, and as a result the promising Road Warrior-style shooter is struggling due to a severe lack of players -- even with free demoers currently mixed in with paid customers.
Where is Everybody?
On those rare occasions when I've been able to compete in a full 16v16 post-apocalyptic FPS-and-vehicle donnybrook, I've had fun in Ravaged. The mix of skill-based driving and shooting makes for tough, action-packed matches, and there are some well-designed maps and modes available. Unfortunately, it's been nearly impossible to see it all, because at any given time there are only roughly 120 players on all servers combined. That means there are typically one or two full matches going on, and those are on the free demo servers which only feature one map, Canyon, and one mode, Resource Capture. There are no bots.
No Vehicles = No Fun
Ravaged goes astray when it inexplicably removes vehicles and focuses solely on FPS killing on maps like Oil Rig and Ice Breaker. These maps only succeed in highlighting how Ravaged's class-based shooting is run-of-the-mill at best, with toylike weapons that lack punch and are prone to dodgy aim and hit mechanics. It also loses its luster when resources are dropped for Thrust, a domination mode without the fuel-tank capturing that produces so many of Ravaged's crazy vehicle races, chases, and battles.
On those rare occasions when I've been able to compete in a full 16v16 post-apocalyptic FPS-and-vehicle donnybrook, I've had fun in Ravaged. The mix of skill-based driving and shooting makes for tough, action-packed matches, and there are some well-designed maps and modes available. Unfortunately, it's been nearly impossible to see it all, because at any given time there are only roughly 120 players on all servers combined. That means there are typically one or two full matches going on, and those are on the free demo servers which only feature one map, Canyon, and one mode, Resource Capture. There are no bots.
It's a shame, because Ravaged actually features eight maps, and a handful are real standouts. The Liberty Island-based Liberty, complete with headless Lady Liberty, The Bridge, in a dried-out San Francisco Bay, and Indian nuclear power plant-based Chasm are terrific post-apocalyptic playgrounds, with plenty of room for vehicle combat and multiple structures for gunfights. They're also easy on the eyes, with cool character and vehicle designs that lean heavily on their Mad Max source material running on the Unreal Engine 3. I can't help but grin when I get behind the wheel of the Hotrod, a car that lovingly captures the look and feel of Max's famous V8 Interceptor. I just wish there was a tutorial to teach me how to fly those crazy helicopters.
Resource Capture, a mix of capture the flag and domination, is great fun on these maps, because the goal is to steal the opposing team's fuel tank while simultaneously trying to secure and defend bases. These bases are critical because they allow for respawning closer to the base where the enemy fuel tank is stored. The mash-up keeps players constantly focused on multiple objectives as the tug-of-war over eight fuel tanks plays out with car chases and intense firefights galore.
No Vehicles = No Fun
Ravaged goes astray when it inexplicably removes vehicles and focuses solely on FPS killing on maps like Oil Rig and Ice Breaker. These maps only succeed in highlighting how Ravaged's class-based shooting is run-of-the-mill at best, with toylike weapons that lack punch and are prone to dodgy aim and hit mechanics. It also loses its luster when resources are dropped for Thrust, a domination mode without the fuel-tank capturing that produces so many of Ravaged's crazy vehicle races, chases, and battles.
Ravaged didn't help itself with its $25 price tag, either. It's not an unreasonable cost by any means, but with a growing number of strong free-to-play shooter options and Valve doing the Valve thing by charging $15 for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Ravaged seems slightly overpriced by comparison -- especially without bots to give it value when no one else is playing.
It likely wouldn't be a dealbreaker if I were able to quickly scan server lists and find matches with an adequate number of players on the modes and maps Ravaged does so well. Sadly, without much of a community, the bright spots of this promising game will likely never live up to their potential.
It likely wouldn't be a dealbreaker if I were able to quickly scan server lists and find matches with an adequate number of players on the modes and maps Ravaged does so well. Sadly, without much of a community, the bright spots of this promising game will likely never live up to their potential.
No comments:
Post a Comment