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The archer has a roll that allows for quick movement away from enemies or out of danger. On the other hand, the mage is a glass cannon who can obliterate swarms of foes but doesn't do well when someone punches him in the face.Įach character has a different archetype skill that's controlled with the right analog stick. The soldier is a powerful, slow, durable tank who can smash through enemies and form a powerful frontline. They're all fairly classic adventurer roles, but each functions differently. You can choose from one of four characters: a wood-elf archer, high-elf mage, dwarven slayer and empire soldier. It doesn't do the best job of explaining some mechanics, so some familiarity with the genre is assumed, but you can puzzle things out with trial and error.Īt first blush, Chaosbane makes a positive impression. Chaosbane does an excellent job of making the game feel smooth and uncomplicated when playing on a controller. The core gameplay is very familiar and controls well. Repeat, sometimes with friends via multiplayer. Go into a hub world, get a mission, go into a dungeon, murder every moving thing you see until swords, armor and gold pop up.
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If you're familiar with the Diablo style of game, you know what to expect. The player takes control of one of Magnus' four soldiers and sets out to find the attacker and save Magnus. This would be a short game if all evil were eradicated, so Magnus is promptly attacked by a mysterious Harbinger who locks the emperor in a magical force field from which there is no escape, dooming him to a slow death. Warhammer: Chaosbane is the latest attempt to show exactly what makes an action-RPG fun, but unfortunately, it's also the latest example in how clever ideas can falter due to basic mistakes.Ĭhaosbane begins after the emperor Magnus has defeated the evil forces of Chaos. The halls of gaming history are littered with would-be Diablo contenders, and even the originator has had some serious missteps. However, it's difficult to find the right balance of variety and create the sense of ever-increasing power. It looks easy on the surface, with lots of enemies to kill and lots of loot to collect. Action-RPGs in the vein of Diablo are a difficult thing to do well.
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