‘Evolve’: Top 10 Facts You Need to Know

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‘Evolve’ Review: The Juicy Fruit of Games?

Turtle Rock Studios has a high pedigree when it comes to creating the finest 1st-person shooter experiences ever released. PC and console gamers have come to appreciate the fast-paced gunfights and tight multiplayer components of games such as Counter-Strike and Left 4 Dead. Now, gamers can look forward to engaging in a new FPS format with the release of Evolve. Here’s everything you need to know about this brand new 4 vs. 1 multiplayer experience.

1. The Gameplay Focuses on 4 vs. 1 Multiplayer

The basics for Evolve’s 4 vs. 1 gameplay is as follows – during live online multiplayer and offline matches, five players will be thrown onto a large map. Four players will take control of their own class of Hunter, while the solo 5th player will take control of a massive alien Monster.

The four Hunters and single Monster are set out to accomplish a different set of goals among the game’s four game modes. Each of the playable Hunters come with their own special powers, which must be used properly in conjunction with other players in order to fend off other creatures and fell the major Monster.

As for the solo Monster, players will have to roam around the map killing other monsters and evolving so they unlock new powers. These powers must be used to complete game mode goals and kill off any Hunters in its way.

2. There are Four Separate Game Modes to Enjoy

Upon release, Evolve will come with four separate game modes. Here’s the official description of each mode straight from the game’s official website:

– Hunt: It’s a race for the Monster to eat enough within the environment to evolve to stage 3, and find the power relay on the map to destroy the objective. All along, the Hunters and Monster play cat-and-mouse, hoping to kill for a quick victory.

– Nest: Nest mode has the Monster player protecting its brood, randomly scattered all over the map, while the Hunters are out to scramble some alien eggs. If the Monster is able to get to the eggs, it has the option to hatch one of them into a minion – a stage 1 Goliath that runs around, aggro-ing Hunters. Hunters win by destroying all the eggs and the minion, or killing the Monster.

– Rescue: Injured colonists trying to escape the Monsters are placed randomly on the map. Hunters need to locate, revive and protect them as they make their escape. Monsters need to munch on as many of these colonists as possible and keep them from getting away. Whoever saves – or kills – the majority of the colonists, wins.

– Defend: This is it – the last stand. Winner takes all. If you’re playing from the Hunter perspective, you’re desperately defending the Evacuation point while the ship is fueling up to escape. As a Monster, you’re leading hordes of Goliath minions as you attack the Evacuation point in waves. Will the Monsters break through and destroy everything? Or will the colonists get away in time?

3. Each of the Four Game Modes Can Be Played Differently in Two Separate Structures

Playing Evolve’s four separate game modes can be experienced in two different ways. The Quick Play mode allows players to play each mode in single matches. As for the Evacuation structure, this operates as the 5-match online multiplayer story mode.

Check out the official inner workings of this mode from the official game website below:

While it isn’t a campaign in the classic sense, there is a story to tell: The planet Shear is getting overrun by Monsters. Within five days, the battle for Shear will be won or lost depending on the actions of four Hunters…and, of course, one mutating Monster. Those five days are broken up into five rounds as you fight your way across the planet. The first round is always Hunt, on a randomly chosen map.

4. The Main Storyline Involves Elements of Planetary Travel and Monster Hunting

Evolve’s plot takes place among the stars. It’s story takes place a distant planet called Shear. The human race has veered off onto this planet and into the “Far Arm” of space in the distant future. Humans have established colonies within this region of space due to its valuable resources.

Monsters soon invade Shear and attack the people trying to operate there. A former tamer named William Cabot comes out of retirement to help kill off the Monster threat by assembling a team of Hunters.

5. The Assault and Trapper Hunter Class Roster Includes…

The Assault class of Hunters are considered to be the main damage-dealers of the game. Their main special ability comes in the form of a Personal Shield, which gives Assault Hunters temporary invulnerability. The Assault Hunters that will be available upon release are Markov, Hyde and Parnell.

The Trapper class aids their team by tracking down and trapping down the Monster. Their special ability is the Mobile Arena, a force-field item that closes the area within it in order to trap the Monster. The three Trapper characters available upon release will be Griffin, Maggie & Daisy and Abe.

6. The Medic and Support Hunter Class Includes…

The Medic class is mainly there to keep all of the other team members alive. Their Healing Burst ability is a special power that gives all nearby allies an increase to their health meter. The three Medic characters that are playable once Evolve launches includes Val, Lazarus and Caira.

The final Hunter class in the game falls under the title of Support. The Support class utilizes a wide variety of skills to aid their party members. Their main special ability is the Cloaking Device, a power-up that makes all nearby allies invisible. The launch character roster for this class includes Hank, Bucket and Cabot.

7. The Four Separate Monsters Available Upon Launch Includes…

The Monster faction in the game comes with four massive creatures once the game officially releases. The Goliath is a huge creature that focuses on melee skills. It’s attack repertoire features four abilities – Rock Throw, Fire Breath, Leap Smash and Charge. The Kraken is a Monster that is more comfortable with long-range attacks – Lightning Strike, Banshee Mines, Vortex and Aftershock.

The more stealthy melee Monster is the Wraith, who can use these four tricky abilities – Abduction, Warp Blast, Decoy and Supernova. The final Monster that can be used upon release is the Behemoth, a gigantic creature that is powerful yet unable to jump. The Behemoth can use these four special skills – Lava Bombs, Rock Wall, Tongue Grab and Fissure.

8. Three Separate Editions of the Game are Available for Pre-Order

Players interested in pre-ordering Evolve have three version to choose from. The Standard version of the game will come with exclusive DLC offered by different retailers. The Standard edition comes with the Monster Expansion Pack, which comes with the Behemoth and the Savage Goliath Skin.

The Digital Deluxe version of the game is a download code of Evolve, plus it also comes with the Monster Expansion Pack contents, three exclusive Monster Skins and four extra Hunters.

The PC Monster Race Edition comes with a host of features, which can be better explained by the game’s official website:

– Everything in the Digital Deluxe package
– The Game
– The Fourth Monster, Behemoth, when available after launch
– The Hunters Season Pass + Magma Monster skins
– The unannounced FIFTH Monster still in development
– Two additional Hunters (beyond the four available in the season pass)
– Four Monster Skins that are exclusively available for PC in this edition for 30 days

Evolve’s Season Pass can also be purchased before the game’s official release as well.

Buy Evolve here.

9. A Cool Live Action Trailer Has Hit the Web a Week Before the Game’s Official Launch

The hype has already entered overdrive for Evolve, which can be perfectly illustrated by this big-budget live-action commercial. You can check out that new game advertisement in full with the video posted above.

10. A Mobile Puzzler Has Been Released in Preparation of the Console Game’s Release

A mobile match three puzzle game based on Evolve is now playable on iOS, Android and Windows Phone platforms. Future players of the full version of Evolve will want to put some time into Evolve: Hunters Quest, since they’ll be able to unlock different items for use in the main console game. Check out the official gameplay trailer for this mobile puzzler above.

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