SDCC 2014: Our First Impressions On Square-Enix’s Free-To-Play ‘Nosgoth’!

At this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, I had a chance to sit down and play a little game called Nosgoth. To put it simply, the game pits humans and vampires against each other in a player vs. player environment. Coming out of Square Enix, Nosgoth is a planned free-to-play title that is currently in beta. We also took a look at it back at E3, and we’re happy to say that the game is coming together nicely.

Now, like every game that pits _____ vs. _____, replayability and repetition becomes an issue. From the few rounds I played, I found each session to be far different from the last. Part of the reasoning behind this are the abilities that are incorporated into the game. Some of the abilities include the standard grenade toss and such, but a limitation on said abilities employs a sense of strategy.

The art style and different player models also help Nosgoth create its own image. There are a variety of classes that players can choose from. Unfortunately for me, playing with a band of randoms did not make for great team strategy. Still, the door is open for team communication and domination.

While I was only able to play one map, the session made a lasting impression, part of the reason being that in each of the rounds, there was not one set meeting place between each team in which combat would ensue. For players that yearn for team-based combat, this should come as refreshing news. Perhaps the most telling aspect of this game are how weapons and upgrades work. In fact, there are no upgrades, but rather “side-grades.” This decision was made in an effort to create a fair free-to-play environment. The same goes for weapons. No one weapon is better than the other!

Nosgoth is free to play now, and from my first impressions, I’d definitely recommend checking it out.