Home Gaming Is Evolve the game for you?

Is Evolve the game for you?

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Rage2014 evolve

In just under two weeks, Evolve will launch around the world. It’s a game that’s received critical acclaim and a ridiculous amount of hype. But not all games are for all people. Here is a rundown of the various game elements and who they might appeal to; hopefully, this helps you decide if it’s the type of thing you might like.

First up, a disclaimer. I have been very open about the fact that this game was not on my radar at all. Then, 2K were kind enough to come all the way down to South Africa and let a select group of journalists play the game in its early build. I snuck my way in (Geoff was supposed to be the only one of us going) and had an absolute ball with the game – it’s not my usual genre but I just can’t get enough. So, while I’m a fan and have enjoyed my numerous hands-on opportunities, I do recognize it’s not for everyone. Here’s why.

Multiplayer

Best for: shooter and multiplayer fans

Worst for: those who can’t cooperate and offline gamers

Evolve multiplayer

Evolve is built around asymmetrical multiplayer. With four players facing up against one player-controlled boss/monster, the game are fast paced and exciting. Players are forced to play to their role – the medic is completely different to the assault or support and must be played accordingly or the whole team could fail. Due to the various roles and the need for close cooperation, this aspect of the game only works if all the players communicate. As a result, those people who prefer to play without a headset or listening to the other participants may find this gameplay too social, particularly if you choose to be matched with strangers instead of playing with friends. I have never played with strangers who weren’t journalists at events, and I worry that the game might not work too well with the usual trolls of the internet.

Playing as the monster is a lonely and terrifying experience as you must eat and evolve while knowing that a team of four other players are hunting you throughout the entire game. Additionally, this role has the added pressure that the whole game relies on you – if you’re a lame and useless monster, the match will be over quickly and the whole experience will feel lackluster. If, however, you are hard to find and give the hunters a real challenge, it can be an exciting and desperate scramble for both sides.

Be aware that randomized multiplayer will run through a server which may mean that you’ll experience lag (servers will be overseas). In general, the targets are big enough (have you seen Goliath?) that even with a slight delay you should still have a fun experience with the game. Peer to peer multiplayer is also an option, but you will need someone with a fast enough line to host for everyone, especially if you’re playing with a full contingent of five players.

Single Player

Best for: lone wolf gamers

Worst for: variety, multiplayer fans

Evolve goliath

I really enjoy the single player. It is a great way to get a better feel for the game and experiment with various techniques. Plus, the AI is actually really intelligent, and there are options to ramp up the difficulty further if you’re not feeling enough of a challenge. I will never forget playing as the monster and finding that the hunters had set a trap for me involving dead prey and harpoon traps. Definitely something I decided that I wanted to try when playing as the hunters next.

Of course, it isn’t the same experience as playing in multiplayer. You will need to chop and change between the various hunters if you aren’t happy with how the AI is functioning and there isn’t the camaraderie and social fulfillment that can be achieved from playing the game with others. The gameplay itself is still enough fun on its own to be enjoyable, especially thanks to the various modes and maps.

The Grind

Best for: patient people, those who enjoy the game and play it a lot

Worst for: impatient people, those with a preferred tier 2/3 hunter/monster

Evolve Wraith

When I flew to London, I fell in love with the Wraith. She instantly became my favorite hunter – working perfectly with my preferred play style. Unfortunately, I couldn’t use her when I first loaded up the Beta. Instead, I had to grind through unlocking her by playing enough games with Goliath and then Kraken. It’s not just about playing enough games, though – you have to deal damage with each of the four monster skills in order to eventually unlock the next monster.

The same is true with the hunters. This means that I can’t play with my medic of choice (Caira) until leveling up Val and Lazarus. While playing as the other hunters or monsters is fun, it can be frustrating if that particular one doesn’t fit with your normal play style. I understand that they didn’t want to overwhelm players with all the hunters and monsters at the start, but the skills required to become good with Goliath are extremely different to those necessary for Kraken or Wraith – leveling up the one doesn’t mean that you will actually be good at the next one.

Variety

Best for: replayability

Worst for: predictability

Evolve evac

No two games of Evolve are the same. Even if players choose the exact same combinations of hunters and monsters (which is unlikely), each map and mode completely changes the gameplay experience. You simply can’t play a game of Rescue mode or Defend in the same way you do Hunt. Each mode requires a different strategy. Add to that the various maps and map effects and you’ve got a varied and replayable game.

Of course, if you’re looking for a game that will offer predictably repeatable gameplay, this is not that game. Sometimes you will find a map that is particularly challenging as monster or hunter, especially when map effects are in play. As a result, some players may feel that there is an unfair advantage or disadvantage or difficult in preparing for that exact experience. This is meant to keep you on your toes, but not all gamers might enjoy that.

DLC

Best for: die hard fans, those who want particular hunters/monsters

Worst for: old-school gamers who want to only pay once

Evolve behemoth

DLC is a tricky topic for Evolve. They wanted to offer a variety of hunters and monsters to players. At the same time, they know that as people play the game, they will get used to the options available and get bored. This will lead to them moving on to other games. In order to extend the life of the game, Turtle Rock has extra hunters and monsters up their sleeves, for an added price.

I will not be purchasing the season pass. I have no interest in getting all the hunters and monsters. Instead, I will wait for characters who particularly interest me and sound like fun to play and buy them if I’m that keen. The base 12 hunters and three monsters are already plenty of variety, but if I eventually get tired of them, I will buy those that fit my play style. However, for those who want to play as all the things, of course the full DLC will be worthwhile. I’m just not that person.

Platform

Cabot evolve

Finally, remember to pick a platform to play on where you’l have the maximum opportunities to play with friends. Don’t worry about console wars or PC remaster race – in the end you will want to play with friends and should find the place that will be best to do that. Of course, this might mean that you don’t play on your actual platform of choice, limiting your real zeal for the game. It’s a choice you will have to make.

Last Updated: January 30, 2015

28 Comments

  1. Jason

    January 30, 2015 at 15:41

    “this aspect of the game only works if all the players communication”
    *communicate

    Reply

  2. Galbedir

    January 30, 2015 at 15:49

    Worst for “Old school gamers who only want to pay once” So now we’re classified as the “Old Gamers” because the gaming industry is fallen to greedy money grabbing companies? Kind of offended by that. ‘Oh he doesnt believe in paying over R1000 extra for DLC, such an old school gamer!’ Soon they will be charging you to buy the game, charging you a fee to install it on your system, and a fee for bug fixes.

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      January 30, 2015 at 15:53

      We’re old school, not old.(Well tbh the years are ticking on) Old school refers to us not being used to DLC in gaming. It’s hard paying R1000 but it’s worth it for the right game. The only DLC I ever bought without regret was for Borderlands.

      Reply

      • Ghost In The Rift

        January 30, 2015 at 15:57

        Mass Effect for me, Citadel DLC!!!!

        Reply

      • CAE9872

        January 30, 2015 at 16:23

        Cannot complain about Borderlands DLC – speaking about 1st one specifically, they all pretty good although Zombie Island was probably weakest. Armory of General Knoxx very good.

        Reply

    • William Jock

      February 11, 2015 at 00:31

      Yeah that comment made me cringe.I am an old school gamer in that i go back to the nes/master system(although i was barely out of nappies) but i have paid for plenty of good dlc and expansions that were of value.I have nothing against good dlc,i do have a major problem with pre-order bonuses,day 1 dlc/content being ripped from the original game and sold as dlc,micro transactions(particularly in triple A titles) generally worthless tat dlc being way over-priced,(which btw,usually segregates the playerbase in not only online play and game population,but also creating plenty of bad feeling between players) and ofcourse review embargoes.There’s nothing old school in not wanting to be ripped off by publishers,and sadly gaming these days is just one giant rip off.The gaming journalists by and large are in bed with them and complicit in this due to the all the perks and money being bandied around.

      I do consider turtle rock and 2k now as being among the worst,along with EA and Activision.

      Reply

  3. Hammersteyn

    January 30, 2015 at 15:50

    I find myself playing Destiny more and more on my own. Because of animal errors and scheduling issues we still need to play the new raid. This will probably happen here as well and I don’t like playing with unknowns. Also what happens if no one plays medic O_o That would be a pretty short game.

    This game can be played along but with bots…. so basically that’s a tutorial mode for the single player. There’s no school like old school. Yea I’m still not happy about paying full price for a game and then shelling out extra for more content. Are they planning to bring out just three monsters are are there more to come in the future?

    How do the lobbies work. Do you and three friends stick together as hunters or could a fifth player be a hunter instead of a monster thereby breaking your group up? Because a troll can spoil that experience as well. I want to buy this and yet I don’t I cant remember when last I was so conflicted over a game.

    Reply

    • Tarisma

      January 30, 2015 at 16:20

      Gimme a shout if you on PS4 we always looking for peeps

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        January 30, 2015 at 16:25

        Hehe will do

        Reply

        • Tarisma

          January 30, 2015 at 16:32

          Same user name as here

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            January 30, 2015 at 16:35

            Nice, it’s a bit confusing when it differs from Lagz

    • Fact Cat

      January 31, 2015 at 04:26

      This IS NOT TITNFALL. I’m not shouting, but to answer your first question: if no one plays medic the AI takes over. Someone can join your team or say they disconnect, they have 2-3 minutes to restore connection and can join back in the same match (i thought was cool) However, the AI is extremely smart. There was time I thought “Man these guys can really play” and it was the AI. Usually if my team didnt seem too keen, they were real players.

      There is a DLC fourth monster in the works, pre-ordering gets you it free. Let me explain DLC with this game since it has a few people in a fluster. All DLC such as maps, map effects, game modes, campaign content will be free. Now there is also paid DLC which would be monsters and hunters. If you’ve played the game you should know that this doesnt mean just a new “character” with a different outfit, this means a new weapons, tactics, and gameplay experience. Kraken, Goliath, Wraith play nothing alike: except they all get HUNGRY! So each monster completely feels different. ***Important DLC note*** You still get access to ALL DLC withouth purchasing it. You can play with people and against people with the DLC and you can use the DLC in offline play. And the way Turtle Rock has balanced the game. The 1st tier hunters will be just as effective as the 4th or 5th tier.

      I’ve been burned by DLC in the past (Arkham City) (every COD) but i’m optimistic by this. It seems Turtle Rock is fighting the good fight against it’s publisher 2K. And it was annouced by TR that 2K will be funding TR for another year for Evolve support/content. So TR doesnt have to jump into another game. They can keep making this game better instead of what some companies do, hire 2-3 developers and make versions of the same game over and over: Evolve 2, Evolve Origins, Evolve Survival, Evolve 3 etc,

      Ive got my game pre-ordered, ($5 down at gamestop) and cant wait to jump in. I’ll be playing this for most of the summer i think and hopefully past it. Happy Hunting Yall

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        February 2, 2015 at 08:04

        Gamestop? Are you in the states? If so your internet experience will be ten times better than ours. Me and a mate tried playing GTAV online but we kept getting disconnected. I’ve read about their DLC and whats free and whats not and kudos to them but it’s still irritating reading about all the additional content you can buy even before the game launches.

        I still think it’s clever on their part letting you play with people that bought the DLC. Because you get to see how the new monster or hunters looks and plays and eventually you are going to want to buy those extra characters just so that you can play with them too and not feel like you’re missing out anymore.

        Reply

        • Fact Cat

          February 2, 2015 at 08:38

          i never thought someone would say that american internet would be superior. we’re just now getting fiber optic in some places.

          From what I’ve read TRS wanted all DLC to be free. But 2K is the publisher and they want they’re money. I think if they keep the balance they’ve had with all the characters thus far people might have their favorite class character and not feel the need to get a new hunter or monster but we’ll see. I was talking to someone about price vs gameplay value. How many hours justify a $60 dollar game purchase? I loved GTA5 but after the story mode i was done. If I play this game for +80 hours i think i will be satisfied. I’m hoping this game will be something i continue to pop back into my xbox throughout the year.

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            February 2, 2015 at 09:05

            Fiber obtic rofl. Try gaming on a 2mb ADSL line with the nearest servers being in Europe like we do here in South Africa. Yeah the publishers are just in it for the money. A $60 game must have at the very least 10 hours of game play. That’s the norm these days. I’m sure Evolve will get much much more than that so in that case one can argue that spending $80 or even a $100 on Evolve is worth it. I’ve put in over 200 hours on Destiny but it’s becoming tiresome. I can at least say I got my moneys worth out of that.

  4. Kensei Seraph

    January 30, 2015 at 15:54

    So what platform are you thinking of getting Evolve on (assuming you are acting thinking of getting it)?
    PC for me because mouse + keyboard.

    Reply

    • Ghost In The Rift

      January 30, 2015 at 15:55

      Yup, PC for me dos!

      Reply

  5. Ghost In The Rift

    January 30, 2015 at 15:55

    I will most definitely pick this up,about 3 months after release to see if their are any issues on the servers or bugs, but should be a blast playing with my friends,no “stranger danger” for me thanks.

    Reply

  6. ReaperOfSquirrels

    January 30, 2015 at 16:03

    I don’t think I work well in a team… unless if it’s close quarter, against humans. 🙂

    Reply

  7. L337J1MB0B

    January 30, 2015 at 17:20

    This game is getting more hype than it deserves.

    Reply

  8. Raptor Rants A Lot:Original #7

    January 30, 2015 at 19:31

    HGNNNNNNNNN. I may be old school but I really want this

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      February 2, 2015 at 08:00

      There’s that sound again

      Reply

      • Quo Vadis?

        February 2, 2015 at 08:12

        He’s been making that a lot lately. I think he may have had a stroke last week :'(

        Reply

  9. Farqwad

    January 30, 2015 at 21:52

    How does a grammar nazi explain “the game are fast paced and exciting”?

    Reply

    • Brady miaau

      January 30, 2015 at 22:26

      You dont. At lease the game is good

      Reply

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