First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)

[Falwell]

Since I know many of you are on the fence about Hellgate, I figured I'd post some things I've found here and there so you can make an informed decision.

The following review is a 12 page monster. Chock full of videos, screens, details etc. IMO it hits the bulk of the major points of the game and then some. (It's also riddled with spelling errors etc. so be warned)

http://www.gamersglobal.com/special/hands-on/hellgate-london

I'll keep adding to this OP as the day rolls out. With the launch tonight I'd wager we're gonna see a media landslide.

Here is the world map,  all of it. Definitely spoilers here if you want to keep yourself in the dark.

http://img508.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hglmapcleanjy1.jpg

As you can see acts 4 and 5 are roughly the same size as 1-3 put together.

[schild]

Gamersglobal.com is primarily a news website where every gamer can publish news just as we editors can. Still, we all have an extensive print and online magazine background, so a review without a rating at the end just doesn't feel right.

[Mrbloodworth]

http://img508.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hglmapcleanjy1.jpg

Dungeon Runners Map Build 0.95

[schild]

http://img508.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hglmapcleanjy1.jpg

Dungeon Runners Map Build 0.95

I don't understand the comparison.

[Mrbloodworth]

There isn't one, not really.

But i am of the opinion that Dungeon runners is a better diablo type game. But the two games are completely different tones... I think DR is more fun and funny.

Anyway, that map just reminded me of the DR map. *shrug*

[tkinnun0]

http://img508.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hglmapcleanjy1.jpg

Dungeon Runners Map Build 0.95

Compare those maps to this map. What are the implications to the game's design and gameplay? Discuss.

[Hoax]

I still can't get over the fact that there were no pictures in the news release or the thread on f13 about the chunk w/ more cleavage in DR...

[Xanthippe]

So how exactly does the mmo part of this work?  Is it like BattleNet?  GuildWars?  DungeonRunners?

Why does it have an M rating?

[Morfiend]

So how exactly does the mmo part of this work?  Is it like BattleNet?  GuildWars?  DungeonRunners?

Why does it have an M rating?

Its like GuildWars, but with much less interaction and grouping. Also it has a lot of cussing from some of the NPCs.

I like the game, and plan on getting it, but it has been so over hyped, I am expecting a clusterfuck launch of epic proportions.

[schild]

If anything, this game has been COMPLETELY underhyped. Due to the length of the NDA and crap PR they have, it has been ANYTHING but overhyped.

[Jamiko]

If anything, this game has been COMPLETELY underhyped. Due to the length of the NDA and crap PR they have, it has been ANYTHING but overhyped.

Correct. I've told over a dozen people about this game, people that I know would be interested in it, and none of them ever heard about it before.

[Mrbloodworth]

I still can't get over the fact that there were no pictures in the news release or the thread on f13 about the chunk w/ more cleavage in DR...

lol, yeah. I relay enjoy the news letters.

[Morfiend]

If anything, this game has been COMPLETELY underhyped. Due to the length of the NDA and crap PR they have, it has been ANYTHING but overhyped.

Did you miss the fact that they had 4+ page ads in PC Gamer, and Intel is using the game for their latest ad?

[schild]

If anything, this game has been COMPLETELY underhyped. Due to the length of the NDA and crap PR they have, it has been ANYTHING but overhyped.

Did you miss the fact that they had 4+ page ads in PC Gamer, and Intel is using the game for their latest ad?

Once again, I don't even notice ads.

[MrHat]

If anything, this game has been COMPLETELY underhyped. Due to the length of the NDA and crap PR they have, it has been ANYTHING but overhyped.

Did you miss the fact that they had 4+ page ads in PC Gamer, and Intel is using the game for their latest ad?

Once again, I don't even notice ads.

Neither do we.   

[sam, an eggplant]

It hasn't been underhyped. It's on the cover of next month's PC Gamer too, with the first magazine review. In classic PCG fashion, the review must have been written during beta. PCG gave it an 89%, which I strongly suspect will be the highest score HGL gets. It's a solid 8 on the 7-9 scale.

[schild]

Sam, an eggplant, newsflash.

People don't read fucking magazines. Especially not PC game ones.

They have not been hardcore with ads. Their community outreach is dick. And they JUST started tv ads in a tiny dosage.

[MrHat]

Sam, an eggplant, newsflash.

People don't read fucking magazines. Especially not PC game ones.

They have not been hardcore with ads. Their community outreach is dick. And they JUST started tv ads in a tiny dosage.

I read magazines.  At the book shop.  I like the HGL ads.

But ya, it's not so much the advertising as they (marketing) didn't really define what the game is to the user at all.

[schild]

You have 3,380 posts on f13.net.

You are not the public. You hunt down information and devour it like a wolverine.

[MrHat]

Wrong.

The public devours information.  The information being projected is inaccurate.

Edit: I'd like to add that 70% of those posts are made while procrastinating.

[Sky]

Sam, an eggplant, newsflash.

People don't read fucking magazines. Especially not PC game ones.

Err...you are incorrect. Before you tout my post count and information devouring trait, remember where I work.

I'd also like to point out that a 70% procrastination posting rate is amazingly low imo.

[Mrbloodworth]

Sam, an eggplant, newsflash.

People don't read fucking magazines. Especially not PC game ones.

They have not been hardcore with ads. Their community outreach is dick. And they JUST started tv ads in a tiny dosage.

Its gotten a good amount of "talk" over at MMORPG.com, mostly about what to classify it as.. But as far as news articles about it there, its been fairly slim.

[schild]

ONCE AGAIN, PEOPLE READING A FORUM ON THE INTERNET.

Please stop pointing at hardcore motherfuckers who browse specialty types as evidence of anything.

It's not even anecdotal, it's just silly.

[sam, an eggplant]

Of course people read magazines. They just aren't terribly relevant when the only way to get the review out before the game releases is to unethically evaluate an early beta.

MMORPG.com probably didn't cover it because HG:L isn't a MMORPG, just like GW or diablo2. It's not massively multiplayer, it's just multiplayer.

[Signe]

Why is schild shouting at us?   

[MrHat]

ONCE AGAIN, PEOPLE READING A FORUM ON THE INTERNET.

Please stop pointing at hardcore motherfuckers who browse specialty types as evidence of anything.

It's not even anecdotal, it's just silly.

I think it might be time to shift your perception on this.  We're not that special if we show up in google when you search for information about a game.

[Miasma]

People who don't know about Hellgate are not going to be able to google it.

[Mrbloodworth]

ONCE AGAIN, PEOPLE READING A FORUM ON THE INTERNET.

Please stop pointing at hardcore motherfuckers who browse specialty types as evidence of anything.

It's not even anecdotal, it's just silly.

It is valid, because in contrast LOTRO and many other AAA games get Lots of news articles there... That why i brought it up, even on the "hardcore motherfuckers who browse specialty types" sites, there is, and was next to nothing as far as hype/advertising.

I was agreeing with you...

Tell me then, what are valid advertisement then? Who should they have targeted if not gamers and gamers outlets?

Sometimes you don't make sense.

MMORPG.com probably didn't cover it because HG:L isn't a MMORPG, just like GW or diablo2. It's not massively multiplayer, it's just multiplayer.

They did cover it, and it is listed there as it does quallify for thier rules as a MMO, they also have Guildwars ETC...

Point being, there was no news to be posted, from the HG:L people, or otherwise. They definitely didn't take out many ads in comparison to other games that ARE listed there. They do have a few.

[eldaec]

Here is the world map,  all of it. Definitely spoilers here if you want to keep yourself in the dark.

http://img508.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hglmapcleanjy1.jpg

I notice that even after our inevitable slide into hell, there *still* won't be any decent transport links south of the river.

Ho hum.

[eldaec]

Why is schild shouting at us?   

I read all schild's posts in his shouting voice.

I suspect I have the tone right more often than wrong.

[Velorath]

ONCE AGAIN, PEOPLE READING A FORUM ON THE INTERNET.

Are there any PC gamers in HG:L's target market left who don't browse forums on the Internet?

[schild]

ONCE AGAIN, PEOPLE READING A FORUM ON THE INTERNET.

Are there any PC gamers in HG:L's target market left who don't browse forums on the Internet?

I bet most Diablo players don't. It sold what, 6M worldwide?

That would be part of their target audience, no question.

[Mrbloodworth]

ONCE AGAIN, PEOPLE READING A FORUM ON THE INTERNET.

Are there any PC gamers in HG:L's target market left who don't browse forums on the Internet?

I bet most Diablo players don't. It sold what, 6M worldwide?

That would be part of their target audience, no question.

What outlet do you recommended then?

[schild]

ONCE AGAIN, PEOPLE READING A FORUM ON THE INTERNET.

Are there any PC gamers in HG:L's target market left who don't browse forums on the Internet?

I bet most Diablo players don't. It sold what, 6M worldwide?

That would be part of their target audience, no question.

What outlet do you recommended then?

f13. We catch nearly everything.

[eldaec]

ONCE AGAIN, PEOPLE READING A FORUM ON THE INTERNET.

Are there any PC gamers in HG:L's target market left who don't browse forums on the Internet?

I bet most Diablo players don't. It sold what, 6M worldwide?

That would be part of their target audience, no question.

What outlet do you recommended then?

f13. We catch nearly everything.

I thought we were talking about where we should look to decide if HGL is hyped?

Here it has a whole subforum.