Hellgate: London Preview

Shacknews previews Hellgate: London based on the multiplayer beta version that’s been making its preview rounds. While noting it needs some work, they’re very impressed by what they deem a recreation of the Diablo experience.

Lead by ex-Diablo devs, Hellgate developer Flagship Studios has clearly not gone in a radically new direction. Some in-game assets–such as the user interface–are clearly derived from the previous efforts, while other specific elements are unarguably direct transcriptions. Identifying scrolls have become Analyzers. Town portals have turned into Personal Relocation Devices. Hardcore mode is, well, Hardcore mode. Even the infamous Wirt–and his leg–make a humorous cameo early on.

With so many similarities between the two franchises, it’s far easier to focus on their differences, likely the most significant change being Hellgate’s firm rooting in a 3D space. As such, the top-down camera view is all but gone, present in only one oddly-chosen video. Instead, you’ll be at street level, either looking over the shoulder of your avatar, or witnessing the hellish landscapes directly through his or her eyes.