Our Initial Thoughts on Valve's 'Deadlock'

Summary

In this episode of 'Topical Punch,' the Second Wind team discusses their experience with 'Vals Deadlock,' a new MOBA hero shooter. With varying backgrounds in MOBAs, the hosts share their thoughts on the game's blend of hero shooter and MOBA elements. They debate the game's accessibility, strategic depth, and character design, noting its potential while also pointing out areas for improvement. The conversation touches on the game's mechanics, map design, and the challenge of appealing to both MOBA and hero shooter fans.

Takeaways

• 🎮 The podcast 'Topical Punch' discusses the new MOBA game 'Val's Deadlock', focusing on the closed Alpha test experience.
• 👥 The hosts have varying levels of experience with MOBAs, from several hundred to over 4,000 hours played.
• 🔍 The discussion explores the game's balance between MOBA and hero shooter elements, with differing opinions on its success in blending the genres.
• 🤔 Nick, with less MOBA experience, found the game less accessible due to the genre's notorious steep learning curve and skill gap.
• 🏹 Jay, an experienced MOBA player, appreciated the game's faster pace and less rigid lane structure, which he found more accessible.
• 🎯 The game's mechanics, such as the ability to quickly move around the map and the verticality, were praised for enhancing the gameplay experience.
• 🛡️ The hosts noted the lack of clear character roles and the absence of traditional MOBA roles like ADC or support, which could confuse new players.
• 🎨 Jesse criticized the game's art and design, feeling the character models and color schemes were unappealing and lacked cohesion.
• 👾 There was a general consensus that 'Val's Deadlock' has potential, especially if it can attract players looking for a blend of MOBA and hero shooter gameplay.
• 📈 The hosts suggested that the game's success will depend on effective marketing and clear communication of its unique selling points to the right audience.

Q & A

What is the name of the game discussed in the 'Topical Punch' episode?

The game discussed in the 'Topical Punch' episode is 'Vals Deadlock'.

What genre does Vals Deadlock belong to?

Vals Deadlock is a new MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) and hero shooter light experience.

How many hours of MOBA experience does Jay have across different games?

Jay has about 4,000 hours of experience across various MOBAs including Dota 2, League of Legends, Heroes of the Storm, and Paragon.

What is Nick's experience with MOBAs?

Nick's experience with MOBAs is limited, having tried Dota 2 for a week and Smite 2 briefly after trying Deadlock.

What feature in Vals Deadlock helps players get back into the action quickly?

In Vals Deadlock, the zipline feature allows players to quickly get back into the action.

How does Vals Deadlock handle the traditional MOBA lane structure?

Vals Deadlock has distinct lanes but allows for a more free-form playstyle without strictly enforcing specific character roles in each lane.

What are the three main attributes players can upgrade in Vals Deadlock?

In Vals Deadlock, players can upgrade their characters' attributes in weapon, vitality, and spirit.

What is one aspect of Vals Deadlock that the panelists found lacking in terms of character roles?

The panelists found that Vals Deadlock lacks clear character roles and class definitions, such as support or jungler, which are common in traditional MOBAs.

What is one feature of Vals Deadlock that the panelists found appealing in terms of gameplay?

The panelists appreciated the third-person shooting gameplay in Vals Deadlock, noting that it felt solid and enjoyable.

What concern does the panel have about Vals Deadlock's ability to attract players from both MOBA and hero shooter communities?

The panel is concerned that Vals Deadlock might not fully satisfy players from either the MOBA or hero shooter communities due to its hybrid nature, potentially not focusing enough on the aspects that make each genre appealing.

What is one suggestion the panel has for improving Vals Deadlock's appeal to hero shooter players?

One suggestion for improving Vals Deadlock's appeal to hero shooter players is to introduce more uniform objectives and a clearer focus on the shooter elements of the gameplay.