Demigod Overview
Demigod is a multiplayer online battle arena video game developed by Gas Powered Games for Microsoft Windows platform and released on April 14, 2009. The game's title refers to the powerful player characters that battle for supremacy over various zones. The game is multiplayer-oriented and competitive in nature, though it also features a single-player mode against CPU commanded characters. A free demo featuring a multi-player option became available on July 30, 2009 with all gameplay modes unlocked.[1]
Gameplay
There are two distinct types of Demigod: Assassins and Generals. Assassins rely on their varied combat abilities in a direct fight to kill other Demigods. Generals are a hybrid Demigod that create and support their own minions and other Demigods.[2][3]Demigod launched with eight Demigods available, four for each type of Demigod, and added two additional Demigods after release.[4]
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Gold and experience points are earned as the player defeats the enemy and captures nodes. There are a few different buildings that assist your team which include shops, flags which can be captured, and a citadel which is the main base of each side. Portals are another kind of building that must be captured. When your team owns a portal, troops will start to spawn onto the map to help your team. As the player's Demigod levels up, the player also gains access to new abilities through the respective skill tree. Each Demigod has its own unique talent tree with a blend of offensive, defensive and team focused abilities.[5] Demigods can also purchase items to boost their abilities. Achievements earn the player favor points, which can be used to purchase favor items. Players are allowed to choose one favor item that can be used throughout the match, but once the favor item has been chosen, it cannot be replaced until the next match. Once a favor item is purchased it will be available for use in following matches for free.
Launch
On April 9, 2009, GameStop began selling Demigod before its release date of 14 April. The game's servers were not yet launched thus not allowing preorder customers to have online play as originally intended. The issue was compounded by a cracked version of the game available for illegal download on torrent sites.[6] In response, Stardock activated all pre-orders a day early from the planned release after returning to work on Monday April 13, 2009.[7] The game also had technical problems during online play. Players experienced connectivity issues until June when a patch was released.[6]
Reception
Reviews for Demigod have been highly varied. The ratings aggregator Metacritic currently reports an overall score of 76, reflecting scores from constituent rating sites ranging from as low as 50 to as high as 92.[8] Gaming website 1UP.com summarized much of the negative and angered criticism the game received with the following quote: "If you're interested in throwing down cash for a beta and maybe getting in some practice before things get smoothed out, go ahead and bump that score up a letter grade. Anybody else should find something else to do until then.[13]" On the other hand, Neoseeker's Lydia Sung gave the game a perfect 10, specifically noting the game's breathtaking visuals and sound, saying "Most games worth reviewing will look good and maybe have a decent soundtrack, but Demigod is absolutely stunning in both sight and sound. Words cannot describe how beautiful this game is, folks, and my screenshots don't even begin to do it justice.[16]" Cheat Code Central gave the game a 'Great' rating of 4.3/5.[17]
GameSpot reviewed the game with a rating of 6.5/10, noting major online connectivity problems and the lack of tutorial or story based campaign as major problems.[11] Stardock has commented by stating that they are currently working on all of the multiplayer issues.[18] Graham Smith of PC Gamer rated the game 8.1/10.[12] IGN's Jason Ocampo gave the game a 7.5/10 citing bad multiplayer netcoding and stating "you'd best wait a while for the developers to get things working before you dive into Demigod[10]"
Demigod Screenshots
