Spellbreak

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Spellbreak
Spellbreak cover 2020.jpg
Developer(s)Proletariat
Publisher(s)Proletariat
EngineUnreal Engine 4[1]
Platform(s)
ReleaseSeptember 3, 2020
Genre(s)Battle royale
Mode(s)Multiplayer

Spellbreak is a free-to-play, class-based third-person shooter video game developed by Proletariat for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, released on September 3, 2020.[2]

Gameplay[]

Spellbreak is a projectile-based PvP shooter, however, unlike other shooters, it uses gauntlets that fire magical spells in place of guns. Additionally, players can levitate and carry one 'Rune,' giving access to abilities like flight, teleportation or invisibility. Players choose from one of six elemental classes: wind, fire, ice, lightning, stone and toxic, which grant in game benefits related to that element. Each player starts with their class gauntlet permanently attached to them and can pick up one of the other five as a secondary. Gauntlets can deal a primary attack, called a spell, and a secondary attack, called a sorcery. Spells are limited by Mana which is an energy pool shared with levitation, while using a sorcery triggers a cooldown timer. Elements from different gauntlets can be combined to make spells more powerful, provide crowd control effects, or reduce others, depending on strategic desires.[3][4][5] According to the developer the game also includes role-playing and roguelike elements.

Current game modes include battle royale and Clash, a team deathmatch. With the release of Chapter 2 on April 8th, 2021, Dominion, a 5v5 mode featuring control points will replace Clash.[6]

Development[]

The core combat was inspired by old school shooters like Quake and Unreal Tournament.[7] At the time the Battle Royale genre was and CEO Seth Sivak remembers thinking "was really a competitive roguelike for people that didn’t play roguelikes" wondering "Could we do a cool, interesting fantasy version of that and make it into something awesome? All the mean while finishing it up with in 2 years and with a team of 6.’"[8] The setting was decided on after the team realized that most Battle Royale games were gun based and felt that they could produce a fantasy themed version of the genre. According to executive producer Cardell Kerr the game was initially more "swords than sorcery" although the balance would eventually switch.[9] The gameplay was influenced by such games as Unreal Tournament and Quake, while the visual design was influenced by such animated movies such as Akira and Princess Mononoke as well the TV show Avatar: The Last Airbender. Further inspiration for the visuals came from games with "gorgeous visual effects like 2D Castlevanias, League of Legends, and Breath of the Wild"[10]Spellbreak Devs, social media etc. have all but stopped any type of communication with the player community on any future updates for this game. While sad, the game has a lasting community of players that are still in and having a blast with this great game- all hoping, and wishing that they would hear something from the devs soon on future updates to keep the game going!

Reception[]

Spellbreak received "generally positive" reviews for Microsoft Windows and Xbox One and "mixed or average" reviews for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, according to review aggregator Metacritic.

References[]

  1. ^ "Spellbreak is a unique battle royale game that combines magic, roguelike, and RPG elements". Unreal Engine. February 19, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  2. ^ "Spellbreak to launch as free-to-play title". Gematsu. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  3. ^ Hargreaves, Jim. "Preview: Is Spellbreak the next must-play battle royale game?". The Sixth Axis. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  4. ^ Orland, Kyle. "Spellbreak beta stands out from the copycat battle royale crowd". Arstechnicha. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  5. ^ Chandler, Sam. "Spellbreak hands-on preview: Battle royale with a magical twist". Shack News. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  6. ^ "Spellbreak officially reveals new Dominion game mode details". PC Invasion. 2021-03-23. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  7. ^ Hargreaves, Jim. "Spellbreak developer talks PS4, inspirations, and cross-play". TheSixthAxis. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  8. ^ "Spellbreak is a chaotic, magic-slinging take on battle royale". Venturebeat. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  9. ^ Shubhankar, Parijat. "Spellbreak Interview – Progression, Upcoming Improvements, Possible Next-Gen Ports, and More". Gamingbolt. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  10. ^ Hargreeves, Jim. "Spellbreak developer talks PS4, inspirations, and cross-play". The Sixth Axis. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  11. ^ "Spellbreak for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  12. ^ "Spellbreak for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  13. ^ "Spellbreak for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  14. ^ "Spellbreak for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  15. ^ Jagneaux, David (19 September 2021). "Spellbreak Review". IGN. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  16. ^ "Spellbreak Review (Switch eShop) | Aces high". Nintendo Life. 19 September 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  17. ^ Andriessen, CJ (19 September 2021). "Review: Spellbreak". Destructoid. Retrieved 19 September 2021.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""