Turtle Rock Trades In Zombies For Aliens In Next Gen IP
DJ Arruda ’16 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer
Coming off a month of coverage on Game Informer’s website in January, Turtle Rock has released the first trailer for their new title, Evolve. The studio, best known for the hit zombie co-op shooter Left 4 Dead, is taking that core teamwork inherent in Left 4 Dead and translating it into a new, exciting form. Evolve features four players as alien hunters on the planet Shear, whose goal is to take down an extraterrestrial played by a fifth player that starts the game weak but grows over time, gaining fearsome new powers and turning the tables on the hunters. This unique 4v1 style of shooter has yet to be seen. The fact that there are a number of classes and subclasses for the hunters to choose from, as well as a number of different monsters for the enemy to choose from, means high replayability and even higher stakes in this new sci-fi shooter.
The trailer, while not showcasing any actual gameplay, features the four classes of assault, medic, support, and trapper landing on Shear and going on the hunt. The luscious CGI of the flora and fauna of the planet are shown, the latter providing sustenance and the means by which the alien grows stronger and is eventually able to attack the hunters. As a cover of Danzig’s “Mother” by Lissie plays in the background, the trailer sets a somber tone for hunting as the team scouts the jungle. The heightened tension of being the stalked and the stalker will hopefully translate into playing the game, as the hunters mistake the alien’s food for the alien itself before all hell finally breaks loose and the classes get to show off their powers against the Goliath-type alien.
Turtle Rock has also released an inside look, showing off some actual gameplay. Boasting gorgeous next-gen graphics that bring Shear to life, there is a healthy dose of footage showcasing both the alien and hunters. The assault class plays like a traditional FPS protagonist dealing the main damage, while the trapper finds and corals the monster, the medic heals and disables, and the support offers both defensive and offensive aid. The alien is also seen at various stages and progressing via eating the wildlife, while also dealing damage with high level powers like breathing fire and throwing boulders. Overall, the game seems like a breath of fresh air for the somewhat stale FPS genre, looking not to be a Call of Duty clone, but instead taking the co-op magic of Left 4 Dead and bringing it into a new setting. Each match is like a boss battle with players controlling both sides, and the asymmetrical nature of this new endeavor ensures no two matches will be the same and that there will never be a dull moment. Look for Evolve this fall on the PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.