I was antsy in my pansies to give Loadout on Steam my explosive attention. Similar to any high volume game release, there are connection issues. It took me a day after downloading Loadout to have a field day with it. Finally, some Loadout love from the developer Edge of Reality.
The gameplay itself is technically clean, fast, and the modes/maps are different enough from the popular ascetic comparison Team Fortress 2. It would also be good to mention that this game is the polar opposite of another massively popular Steam title; the knighted shooter Counter Strike (broke my multiplayer in). Slow paced movement means certain death in Loadout, and one shot kills are nonexistent. In fact, full clips are going to be needed to take down elusive opponents. That means team unison with three other players is essential for effective gameplay.
There will be a lot of Loadout comparisons. It’s like comparing my favorite manga Battle Royale to the Hunger Games. Yes Battle Royale’s theme/storyline came out first, but the rip-off; I mean Hunger Games is much more polished and elaborate for a 21st century product (so I’ve been told). Loadout has to be given a shot even by the pretentious veteran Steam player.
Loadout maps vary in size and construction. Some maps force you to make Mario like jumping moves if you want to take a fast route or you just may fall to your death. You’re automatically an accomplished mountain climber/hill walker. Jumping and moving to safer ground has never been easier do to all the foot holes and ledges .Playing other Steam shooters; the community always wants to play a few maps. There are no offices in Loadout. Map changes happen with turntable like quickness. Something to note, when I played Unreal tournament, I had to constantly change from my Flak Cannon or Shock Rifle to adapt to the geography. Loadout is so simple, that you’ll quickly understand that being devoted to one weapon will make enemies brains very happy.
Edge of Reality cherry picked their game modes, and the rotation of those modes flavor feels refreshing. The start to the game is always a Russian roulette style standoff. The standoff can establish game position, or everyone just blows up. The Capture the Flag mode has you carrying around a hammer instead of a flag. The hammer can be used to crush enemies. Kill confirmed, and another mode where teams collect blutes (gems), round out the game modes I’ve played. These modes are very different in scope and size to the competition.
This game is not pay to win. The gear that you accumulate comes quickly due to fast games and big currency bonuses (called Blutes). I have multiple guns upgraded to point where I can compete, and it’s only been a few days of play. You don’t need training wheels to learn how to play this game, but the developers have given the option for lots of help. I feel like my calico on a radiator when I play Loadout. I’m all stretched out and relaxed. I wish this game was around when I started dealing with syllabuses.
The weapon crafting and tech tree assentation isn’t breaking any new barriers. But that doesn’t mean the guns or gear aren’t fun to use around Loadout map’s. I still enjoy playing the COD, Battlefield, and can’t wait for Mario Kart 8. Some Loadout gun add-ons are OP to the uninitiated. I think that if you grab a shield, and upgrade a weapon for fire ammunition right away you’ll take advantage of the less knowledgeable (like me). I won’t care if you burn me to a crisp; just firing the weapons is entertaining. I was able to play at an above average level without those two items.
The matchmaking seemed to be a bit off. Maybe due to the instant popularity of it? If I played five quick games, three of those games had four experienced players on one team. Or maybe a player or two from my team just switched to the other team? The gameplay is so fast, it’s hard to comprehend anything but the ammunition heading toward you. Only one game I’ve played so far started had less than two full teams at the start (6am game). I wake up early for coffee and corn flakes.
The little things give Loadout gameplay a gigantic appeal. One nice option is naming your weapon. I named this multi-missile creation of mine “Game over Man Game Over”. I also have another weapon called “The Departed” (is an electro pulse gatling gun). You can add medical implications to your weapons as well. The gun visuals, like the cork screw missile system is mesmerizing when fired toward you. Another nice perk is that you can test every weapon option in a free testing mode where there are stationary and moving opponents. Once again, jumping and navigating around territory is so effortless compared to other games. The playable characters are big, and it’s comical to see them move around the map so quickly.
The taunts and skins look great, but that’s where you’ll need to spend some green paper. The costs for the aesthetics seem pricey if you’re not thinking about the fact that operating costs need to be considered. Complaints about those costs should make anyone feel selfish. Loadout is the most consumer friendly game I’ve ever played on Steam. Loadout truly feels like more of a “labor of love”, than the passion for a thick money clip. But, the amount of people playing this game on Steam should have the developers eating out a lot more often.
Loadout has the moxie to improve to a super gaming steroid type status. Just the type of juice Steam needs before the Steambox and its controller release. This game should be a console title. My quad-barrel, quad-cluster, 2 round burst rocket launcher with remote controlled scope would fire well with a controller in my mitts.
By the way, that last weapon mentioned isn’t even close to being my go to weapon for total Loadout devastation. That weapon, my baby as it were, is called “Say What Again”. Try this game, I dare you, I double dare you.