Demigod Preview

The balance of power is changing. As a demigod, your strength is limited. You aren’t in complete control – but that is about to change. One of the gods has disappeared, creating a vacancy that must be filled by the toughest, most influential demigod. If successful, that demigod will successfully make the transition to full-fledged god, granting him (or her) unimaginable power.

So goes the story of Demigod, a ruthless RTS of unique proportions. Part strategy game, part real-time action, Demigod gives players the chance to control the world’s most destructive beasts. But “destructive” – or even words like “crushing,” “dominating” or “overpowering” – do not match up to what the game actually delivers. The Rook, for example, could be described as a walking castle. His enormous size isn’t the only thing that allows him to intimidate others: with a large hammer in one hand, he comes to each battle ready to annihilate everything in his path.

When the proper attack has been activated, The Rook can shoot arrows from his shoulder, which is designed like the top of a castle, complete with openings for tiny servants to peek through and fire. He can also throw a boulder that will crush smaller enemies standing in its path. This is only a small sampling of his attack features, we’re told, which will offer great variety in the final version.

If, despite his great abilities, the battle becomes too much for the Rook, he will collapse with an impressive death animation; in one instance he fell to his knees and stumbled forward, then fell flat on his face. His movements were somewhat clunky, almost uncoordinated, as you would imagine for something that large and heavy.

And he is just one of four demigods currently available in the beta version, which was shown to GameZone before diving in for some hands-on action. Regulus, who appears to be somewhat of a fallen angel, is more of a mechanical fighter. He uses weapons, such as mines and a crossbow, to strike with explosive results. His standard attack is a basic (but slightly powerful) arrow shot – however, he can also attack with charge fire that inflicts several times more damage. The catch is that you have to wait while the arrow charges. But if the target is reached, it will most certainly leave a lasting mark.

We also got a glimpse of the Torchbearer, who hurls fireballs and other flamed assaults at his enemies, as well as the Unclean Beast, who can kill his enemies by inflicting diseases. All four of these demigods are being classified as assassins, but another class will be included in the final version: generals. Those demigods command minions who battle for them – sort of a walking army that will make life very difficult for their opponents.

The Waterfall is a gorgeous arena.

Demigod controls like an intense RTS that utilizes one primary character – the demigods. Standard functions, such as attacking or adjusting the camera, mirror those of other strategy titles. But when jumping into the depths of battle, Demigod does a nice impersonation of an action game. With three other demigods storming the scene (and 8 – 12 in the final version, plus the potential for more post-launch), it quickly became a battle of the titans.

As an Unclean Beast attempted to get in close, Regulus' projectile attacks were helpful in retaliating from a distance. They didn't do much when minions started to surround him, however, nor were they capable of stopping the Rook's hammer from crushing Regulus to pieces. But that's why you have to pick your battles carefully in this fight to dominate the arena. Death is not permanent -- demigods re-spawn at their bases shortly after dying (the time it takes to re-spawn depends on your demigod's power). But while you’re waiting to re-spawn, the enemy could get the upper hand.

Demigod is diving head first into the multiplayer arena, but there will be a single-player offering as well. “It doesn’t have a campaign in the traditional sense,” said Brad Wardell, President and CEO of Stardock. “We wanted to do something that had a little more playability because typically you play a campaign and then you’re done. Our single-player persistent mode is called The Pantheon, and in that mode you actually go on a quest to become a true god. You pick your demigod. You then go into matches in which you go into an arena [and] combat other demigods. If you win you get achievement points that can be spent to help you ascend [to godhood] or be used to make your guy tougher, or to knock someone down, away from ascension.

“So you have some tough choices at the end of each match. Do I make myself better so it’s easier to win future matches? Or do I move a little closer to ascending? Or do I want to put points against someone else to keep them from ascending? Of course, it’s not you versus one other guy, it’s you versus a half-dozen to a dozen other guys. So you don’t know what they’re going to choose.”

Set for release in March 2009, Demigod looks to enter new territory in real-time strategy gaming. Stay with GameZone for more on this exciting RTS leading up to its release and beyond.