The gates of hell have reopened! We took a tour of the relaunched Hellgate to check out its gameplay and new pay structure.

PvP Arena Mode

Once we were out of the tutorial, Erycksson introduced me to the PvP content in Hellgate. Known as the “Arena System,” this allows players to make their own custom battlefields. Currently there is only one type of battle available call Deathmatch, which involves fighting to the death, but in the future the team hopes to add others such as a capture the flag style Arena. Matches can fit multiple criteria: creators can choose level ranges, map types (of which there are currently four) and even a password if it should be a private match between friends. While there are no specific rewards yet, PvP rewards are expected to be implemented in the future for those of sufficient ranking. 

Hellgate's Five Acts and Additional Costs

When it comes to PvE content, there are five Acts that are roughly broken up by level range. The highest level characters play mostly in the Abyss at level 55. While Act 1 and 2 are free to all players, the subsequent areas require a one-time purchase. The Acts are then unlocked for all characters on a specific account. While the original Hellgate: London worked on a subscription plan, the new team aims to turn a profit through this payment as well as its cash shop, which includes perks such as an automatic dismantler, experience boosting, and temporary buffs. The in-game currency is called TCoins, which exchange at a rate of 1,000 to $1. To purchase the Act 3+ ticket, it costs $4 (although the minimum purchase for TCoins is 5,000 for $5).

Around Act 3 (and level 20 and above) players can access the Stonehenge area, where I had a chance for a brief tour and explanation. Stonehenge was released on the previous incarnation of Hellgate, and it serves as a leveling zone for mid-level characters. It boasts four dungeons with bosses, and once all are defeated, their quest items can be used to open a fifth dungeon map. Again, all of these areas are randomly generated, potentially allowing players a lot of replay. In addition there is an achievement system, consisting of standard fare such as “kill 50 zombies.” However, several achievements reward special effects which can be equipped; these include achievements like “Turning Into a Nerd,” which is completed by finishing the tutorial zone and, when equipped, grants +2% damage bonus for the character.

In-Game Events

The final sight on my tour was an explanation of events that the team is putting on in-game. These events currently change monthly, and right now two are on-going. The first is a 30% bonus to experience gain this month, along with mini-games and level-based rewards. The rewards are granted every 5 levels in the form of mail and include items usually only purchased from the item shop, such as an expanded inventory or increased experience. The second event is a “guild crusade,” where guilds of 30 or more members update their sites daily and send the updates to the Hellgate team to be judged on several criteria, including community service (in the form of blogs and articles) and website appeal.

Conclusion

So the big question comes down to: what did I think of Hellgate? Keep in mind, I never played the original, but it definitely seems to have potential. While I might get into it, I think it would require a time investment, especially without the intuitive controls and the quasi-necessity of some cash shop perks (such as expanded inventory space).

If you enjoy random dungeon-diving with friends, Hellgate's re-release should spark your interest; the game's formula is solid, and while the cash shop eventually makes you pay for content, it's only once and for a total of $4. You can think of the first two acts as a trial version of the game, and if they hold your attention, it's likely worth the additional cash to play further, especially since, for the first time in years, there is more content being developed. If you'd like to try out the game for yourself, head over to the official Hellgate site.

Paul "LockeColeMA" Cleveland, Staff Writer