What do EA Games and pushing the release of unfinished games have in common? Let's think about this...
Hellgate: London has potential to be the next revolutionary Diablo, but notice I did not say it IS because there are some key factors. For one - the community behind it has a large influence. The designers that stick with the game also make a huge impact as well. I am astounded at the lack of faith that some people have in this game when it's been made clear that Flagship Studios is VERY passionate about this title, and they've shown it in more ways than one. I mean, honestly - how many companies do you guys know that take time out of their day to talk to you about their product personally? Because that's exactly what's happened in-game with the live announcements, the x-fire discussions, and many other clear representations of a strong passion for this game. That's dedication, and I don't care how you look at it.
The graphics aren't bad for how much content is in the game, and certainly not for the genre that is notorious for lower graphical eye-candy. The environments are relatively the same although randomly generated. There are some different environments, and I feel they fit the scene well. This isn't candy-land, and if you want green forests and night elves, I suggest you go play a different game because that isn't what they were looking for. Post-Apocalyptic environments are supposed to look bleak, and desolate. Throw in a taste of hell and you've got a nasty combination. The sound isn't horrible by any means, but it's not groundbreaking, either. The playability value is good, but the multiplayer aspect needs some work because they're having some problems with that, and they're trying VERY hard to fix those things. They've been working their hides off since before the release date because they acknowledged this game still had some things to clean up, and that's okay. The story isn't bad either, but sometimes it can be a little difficult to follow. Some quests are tedious and/or vague and need some fine tuning. The chat interface with others needs SERIOUS work because it's not very user friendly, and some of the rest of the HUD options need some work. This game is not perfect, and I am in no way claiming it is - but it's also not complete either, so judging a product when it's not even finished is not fair at all. Look at World of Warcraft. Blizzard is STILL fixing issues that they've had since BEFORE it's release years ago, and suffered from the same problems - but nobody is gnawing at their heels. Now tell me how that makes sense, because it sure doesn't to me - and I'm not attacking this title either, so don't get the wrong idea. It's just an easy one to compare to simply because of the relations of both of these companies, and the success World of Warcraft regardless of it's nasty bugs, glitches, problems, etc.
SUMMARY: This game has serious potential and just needs a little more time and it will be everything people have wanted to see, and a whole lot more. Flagship is working tremedously to improve the game because they really do care about their customers. If you're all really unsure of how things will turn out, all I can say is wait it out then and watch what happens. My money was well spent, and I support these guys simply because they've tried really hard to give something similar, yet completely different and I believe they have done just that. They never claimed this was an MMO, so if you are the kind of person that likes grinding and running 3-hour raids - this game isn't for you because it is very much pick-up-and-play. Every time you play you will accomplish a whole lot, and the variety in loot and chance of something good popping up just drives that sense of curiousity even more. I give this game an 8.5/10 and I stand firmly by this because I have faith that things are only going to get better.
- and for the record, Diablo fans should take note that the title they fell so in-love with wasn't free of problems either. In fact, it had quite a few on release; some of which were UNBELIEVABLE that they'de release a game with the elements that were missing. Many of you are comparing a incomplete game with a complete one, and that's simply not realistic because Diablo II had plenty of issues that apparently everyone has failed to remember. On this notion, I suggest you all at least give this game a shot. This game has so much incredible potential and some of you are just expecting unrealistic goals to begin with.