I took a bite out of the Cursed Apple and I have a few thoughts.
Valve’s newest multiplayer sensation, Deadlock, has been popping off quite a bit and I got a chance to try it and get an overall impression of the game. The game is clearly a work-in-progress but there’s enough here that makes me excited for the eventual complete product.
First off, let’s clear things up and define Deadlock. It is a third-person shooter MOBA. People seem to be confusing this as some kind of hero shooter similar to Overwatch but it’s not. People are also comparing this to Smite, another MOBA played in the third person, but it’s not quite that either. Deadlock is this weird marriage of third-person shooter and MOBA mechanics that’s strange and janky but thrilling and strategic. Learning how to deal with that weirdness is likely going to determine your enjoyment of the game.
As someone who’s been playing MOBA’s since the original Dota Allstars in netcafes, getting the hang of Deadlock’s MOBA elements was almost seamless for me. From the lanes, the minion and turret analogs, and the “jungle” in between them, it was all familiar fare. The only friction came from having to get a basic understanding of what heroes and items do but that was always going to be the biggest hurdle in a new MOBA anyways.
Two Different Games Being Played at the Same Time
The biggest challenge for me was getting used to the third-person shooter elements as this is a genre that I’m rather weak at. In particular, are the universal movement options that are found in more fast-paced shooters. There’s dashing, double jumping, dash jumping, wall jumping, sliding, and you can combine all of those to make a speedy getaway or make it hell for your opponents to shoot you down.
The shooting elements at play here are not decorative either. Aim is crucial, especially when it comes to the last hit and denying mechanics as a small soul orb begins floating away every time you secure or assist in a kill. Shooting that orb grants you souls that you use to buy items but your opponent can shoot them down as well, taking that resource for themselves.
While there’s an interesting dance between you and your opponent trying to secure/deny souls, it can quickly get overwhelming. Hero skills drastically change the way you approach engagements as it’s not as simple as having the better aim. Items also present power spikes that can flip entire games on their heads. And of course, teams still need to work together when pushing for objectives or throwing down for team fights.
I’ve spoken before about the inherent difficulty of learning how to play a MOBA that Deadlock faces. After playing it for myself, I felt like there was one half of the game, the shooter side, that I had to dedicate time to in order to play at a comfortable level. Imagine what it’d be like for a complete newbie. That kind of information overload can certainly skew one’s impression of Deadlock.
Early Days But Already a Step Ahead
That is to say that this is all still a work in progress. Valve has been very transparent that while the game is open to the public, it’s still in its alpha stage. Many parts of the game are using placeholders or are downright unfinished. And if it comes down to it, Valve is likely to completely change key elements of the game if they feel like it’s not hitting the mark.
But even in this unfinished and constantly worked-on state, the game is fun. Learning hurdles and awkwardness aside, the core of Deadlock is so strong that it’s already captured an audience. Its world of prohibition-era New York steeped in the occult is refreshing and intriguing. And its weird mixture of shooter and MOBA gameplay has already garnered a competitive scene. So much so that they’ve got tournaments for a game that’s not officially out yet.
Overall, my impression of Deadlock is that it’s a game that can only get better from here. It’s got a strong foundation in both style and gameplay, even if it may not be to everyone’s taste. It made a good first impression and I can’t wait to see where Deadlock will be in the future.
Banner image from Steam.