Game Informer has been pretty good about putting up a significant amount of content on their site already, and it sounds like most of the rest of the magazine content will be up there soon. Gearbox also released a FAQ, so I think we have enough to make this thread now.
The Game Informer preview goes into notably more detail about their actual impressions of each of the things listed below, so if you're interested I suggest clicking the link.
I'll update this thread with the nine character reveals as they go up throughout the rest of the month.
Game Informer: http://www.gameinformer.com/b/featu...orn-hands-on-impressions.aspx?PostPageIndex=1
Gearbox FAQ: http://forums.gearboxsoftware.com/showthread.php?t=377857
Basics:
-The game is a full priced retail AAA FPS title featuring a variety of multiplayer modes with varying team sizes (capping out at 5v5) and a full narrative-based co-op campaign that can be played with up to 5 players.
-The only thing they have shown so far is the 5v5 Incursion mode, which is the mode most similar to a MOBA.
-The game is developed by Gearbox, published by 2K (Take-Two), and coming to PC/PS4/XB1 in 2015.
Incursion/General Gameplay Details:
-For the unveil, Gearbox let Game Informer play several hours of Incursion mode across two different maps, and unveiled to them nine of the game's characters, six of which were playable. This represents most of what is detailed in the magazine.
-Incursion mode is a 5v5 mode where players select a hero and then work with their team to attempt to destroy the enemy's base.
-To destroy the enemy base, each team must first take down two giant spider-bots guardians who serve as gatekeepers. While you can wander around solo in other parts of the match, taking down a spider-bot guardian requires a lot of team work.
-Mini-spider-bots spawn at your base and march toward the enemy. They server two purposes. One is helping take down spider-bot guardians, as their weapons quickly lower the spider-bot guardian's shields, allowing you to get straight to attacking its health. The other is that you can kill enemy spider-bots to help level up more quickly.
-Gearbox is aiming to have 20 playable characters in the game. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess they will add more over time.
-Each character tries to fit a different shooter playstyle. For example, there's a class that's big and slow that uses a minigun, and another that's very fast and agile with a slow-firing-but-high-damage bow and arrow. There are also classes that resemble MOBAs more such as a the mushroom guy from the first screenshot below that heals allies and tosses kunai knives while exerting area control. Some characters can even throw out AI minions that can help attack the enemy and even kill them after you die if they were almost dead.
-If you're having trouble envisioning what I just described about the characters, think about Team Fortress 2 and the differences between The Heavy vs. The Scout vs. The Engineer.
-I've detailed the characters more extensively in the section immediately below this.
-Each match, the characters start at level 0 or 1 (they didn't specify) and levels up to at least level 7, at which point they get their ultimate. On each level up, you can pick from one of two abilities. Often, one is more defensive minded and the other more offensive minded.
-One of the examples they gave is that on one of the level ups for the minigun guy, you can choose either freezing bullets, which let you fire your minigun longer (it's unclear if they freeze the enemy) before it malfunctions due to overheating, or fire bullets, which add burning damage to your weapon but cause it to overheat even faster than normal.
-Other examples included having a faster fire rate or gaining movement speed while getting hurt as the archer or choosing between a scope and red dot sight for the military assault rifle character.
-An example of an ultimate ability is that the mushroom guy can remove his cap and create and area of effect in which enemies are damaged and allies are healed.
-You can customize your level up choices as you play the game and unlock more choices, though I think you only ever have two per level active in a given game.
-Characters also have different movement capabilities. For example, the archer can jump up ledges and paths that many other characters can't reach, while the minigun guy is so large that he can't fit under a bridge most other characters can.
-The map is also not divided into explicit lanes and is instead full of various paths you can take (depending on your character as detailed above).
-Gearbox is working to add body awareness to the game. So, for example, when you're playing the mushroom guy you can see his skirt while you're sprinting or looking down.
-You also see a bunch of animations on other characters like the robot gentleman trying to keep his hat on.
-They mention that they found the various multiplayer dialog in the game quite funny. I imagine it's probably the same humor style as Borderlands, so personal amusement may vary.
-Despite the similarities to MOBAs detailed above, Game Informer notes that the core gameplay feels like playing a shooter as opposed to playing something like Dota or LoL, so don't expect to start doing things like auto attacking enemies.
Characters/Character-Specific Gameplay Details:
-Let me apologize in case I get any of this wrong as it's not entirely clear who they refer to in the previews.
-Thorn: This is the archer girl on the center of the box art. She's very fast and can reach areas that require enhanced movement abilities. Her bow does a ton of damage, but has a notably slow firing rate. One of the level up abilities is that she can choose between firing her bow faster, or gaining movement speed when she's being attacked.
-Oscar Mike: This is the character for people who want to play a traditional shooter character. He has an assault rifle and frag grenades and gets upgrades like scopes or red dot sights.
-Rath: I believe he is the guy with the red katanas. He's a melee character as is probably inherent.
-Miko: This is the mushroom guy. Gearbox described him as a support character. He tosses knives that regenerate and has an ultimate that damages enemies and heals allies in an area of effect. Miko also has relatively low health, but his health fully regenerates. They note that Miko is a harder character to play than some of the others, like Oscar Mike.
-Marquis: He's the robot sniper. We didn't really have any other details there.
-Montana: He's the guy with the big minigun that can't fit under a bridge on one of the maps. His minigun fires can overheat, and one of the upgrades detailed for him is freezing bullets that let him fire longer (it's not clear if they freeze or slow enemies) and fire bullets that add a burning effect to his attack, but make his gun overheat faster.
-The woman with the red hair/eye patch/pistols(?) was not detailed in the online preview.
-The woman with the giant dress and cutlass was also not detailed in the online preview.
-There must be at least one other character that was not listed here since they previewed nine.
-Gearbox hinted at a 10th character that is a deadly penguin.
-Gearbox has not ruled out having Vault Hunters from Borderlands as possible characters.
-Game Informer will be putting up articles about the nine characters they saw on their site over the course of the month.
Character Specifics:
Articles:
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/featu...car-mike-miko-and-phoebe.aspx?PostPageIndex=1
Screenshots:
The Game Informer preview goes into notably more detail about their actual impressions of each of the things listed below, so if you're interested I suggest clicking the link.
I'll update this thread with the nine character reveals as they go up throughout the rest of the month.
Game Informer: http://www.gameinformer.com/b/featu...orn-hands-on-impressions.aspx?PostPageIndex=1
Gearbox FAQ: http://forums.gearboxsoftware.com/showthread.php?t=377857
Basics:
-The game is a full priced retail AAA FPS title featuring a variety of multiplayer modes with varying team sizes (capping out at 5v5) and a full narrative-based co-op campaign that can be played with up to 5 players.
-The only thing they have shown so far is the 5v5 Incursion mode, which is the mode most similar to a MOBA.
-The game is developed by Gearbox, published by 2K (Take-Two), and coming to PC/PS4/XB1 in 2015.
Incursion/General Gameplay Details:
-For the unveil, Gearbox let Game Informer play several hours of Incursion mode across two different maps, and unveiled to them nine of the game's characters, six of which were playable. This represents most of what is detailed in the magazine.
-Incursion mode is a 5v5 mode where players select a hero and then work with their team to attempt to destroy the enemy's base.
-To destroy the enemy base, each team must first take down two giant spider-bots guardians who serve as gatekeepers. While you can wander around solo in other parts of the match, taking down a spider-bot guardian requires a lot of team work.
-Mini-spider-bots spawn at your base and march toward the enemy. They server two purposes. One is helping take down spider-bot guardians, as their weapons quickly lower the spider-bot guardian's shields, allowing you to get straight to attacking its health. The other is that you can kill enemy spider-bots to help level up more quickly.
-Gearbox is aiming to have 20 playable characters in the game. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess they will add more over time.
-Each character tries to fit a different shooter playstyle. For example, there's a class that's big and slow that uses a minigun, and another that's very fast and agile with a slow-firing-but-high-damage bow and arrow. There are also classes that resemble MOBAs more such as a the mushroom guy from the first screenshot below that heals allies and tosses kunai knives while exerting area control. Some characters can even throw out AI minions that can help attack the enemy and even kill them after you die if they were almost dead.
-If you're having trouble envisioning what I just described about the characters, think about Team Fortress 2 and the differences between The Heavy vs. The Scout vs. The Engineer.
-I've detailed the characters more extensively in the section immediately below this.
-Each match, the characters start at level 0 or 1 (they didn't specify) and levels up to at least level 7, at which point they get their ultimate. On each level up, you can pick from one of two abilities. Often, one is more defensive minded and the other more offensive minded.
-One of the examples they gave is that on one of the level ups for the minigun guy, you can choose either freezing bullets, which let you fire your minigun longer (it's unclear if they freeze the enemy) before it malfunctions due to overheating, or fire bullets, which add burning damage to your weapon but cause it to overheat even faster than normal.
-Other examples included having a faster fire rate or gaining movement speed while getting hurt as the archer or choosing between a scope and red dot sight for the military assault rifle character.
-An example of an ultimate ability is that the mushroom guy can remove his cap and create and area of effect in which enemies are damaged and allies are healed.
-You can customize your level up choices as you play the game and unlock more choices, though I think you only ever have two per level active in a given game.
-Characters also have different movement capabilities. For example, the archer can jump up ledges and paths that many other characters can't reach, while the minigun guy is so large that he can't fit under a bridge most other characters can.
-The map is also not divided into explicit lanes and is instead full of various paths you can take (depending on your character as detailed above).
-Gearbox is working to add body awareness to the game. So, for example, when you're playing the mushroom guy you can see his skirt while you're sprinting or looking down.
-You also see a bunch of animations on other characters like the robot gentleman trying to keep his hat on.
-They mention that they found the various multiplayer dialog in the game quite funny. I imagine it's probably the same humor style as Borderlands, so personal amusement may vary.
-Despite the similarities to MOBAs detailed above, Game Informer notes that the core gameplay feels like playing a shooter as opposed to playing something like Dota or LoL, so don't expect to start doing things like auto attacking enemies.
Characters/Character-Specific Gameplay Details:
-Let me apologize in case I get any of this wrong as it's not entirely clear who they refer to in the previews.
-Thorn: This is the archer girl on the center of the box art. She's very fast and can reach areas that require enhanced movement abilities. Her bow does a ton of damage, but has a notably slow firing rate. One of the level up abilities is that she can choose between firing her bow faster, or gaining movement speed when she's being attacked.
-Oscar Mike: This is the character for people who want to play a traditional shooter character. He has an assault rifle and frag grenades and gets upgrades like scopes or red dot sights.
-Rath: I believe he is the guy with the red katanas. He's a melee character as is probably inherent.
-Miko: This is the mushroom guy. Gearbox described him as a support character. He tosses knives that regenerate and has an ultimate that damages enemies and heals allies in an area of effect. Miko also has relatively low health, but his health fully regenerates. They note that Miko is a harder character to play than some of the others, like Oscar Mike.
-Marquis: He's the robot sniper. We didn't really have any other details there.
-Montana: He's the guy with the big minigun that can't fit under a bridge on one of the maps. His minigun fires can overheat, and one of the upgrades detailed for him is freezing bullets that let him fire longer (it's not clear if they freeze or slow enemies) and fire bullets that add a burning effect to his attack, but make his gun overheat faster.
-The woman with the red hair/eye patch/pistols(?) was not detailed in the online preview.
-The woman with the giant dress and cutlass was also not detailed in the online preview.
-There must be at least one other character that was not listed here since they previewed nine.
-Gearbox hinted at a 10th character that is a deadly penguin.
-Gearbox has not ruled out having Vault Hunters from Borderlands as possible characters.
-Game Informer will be putting up articles about the nine characters they saw on their site over the course of the month.
Character Specifics:
Articles:
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/featu...car-mike-miko-and-phoebe.aspx?PostPageIndex=1
Oscar Mike
Description: [See Game Informer website.]
Primary Weapon: Assault Rifle – Oscar Mike's assault rifle is the most straightforward weapon in Battleborn. Players shoot with the right trigger, and can aim down the sights for greater accuracy by holding in the left trigger. One of Oscar Mike's level upgrades allows him to choose between a scope or red-dot sight; since Battleborn's rapid leveling system resets after every match, players can adapt and experiment with their upgrades more easily than the slow progression paths military shooters usually afford.
Unique Abilities:
Frag Grenade – If you've ever played a first-person shooter, you know how Oscar Mike's frag grenades function. However, like all abilities in Battleborn, these explosive accessories work on cooldown timers, so you won't have to worry about scouring the environment for extra supplies.
Pulse Grenade – Oscar Mike's pulse grenades work exactly like frag grenades, but deal a large amount of damage to an enemy's shields instead of their health. These are especially handy when facing the opposing team's giant spider mechs, should your A.I.-controlled minions come up short during the heat of battle.
Tactical Rounds – This passive ability causes the first and last round in every one of Oscar Mike's magazines to deal three times the normal amount of damage. Later upgrades in Oscar Mike's upgrade tree can apply further modifiers, such as a concussive effect that causes the first round of a magazine to slow enemies.
[Ultimate] Airstrike – Unlocked at level seven, Oscar Mike's ultimate ability allows him to call in a missile strike, which deals major damage to an area for a short period of time. Airstrike is powerful enough to take down an entire swarm of minions at once, and can be used to disperse an opposing team that makes the mistake of sticking too close together during firefights.
Hands-on Impressions: [See Game Informer website.]
Miko
Description: [See Game Informer website.]
Primary Weapon: Kunai – Miko is a support character, and thus focuses mostly on healing and helping out other team members. However, Miko's poisonous kunai shouldn't be underestimated as an offensive weapon. Pressing the right trigger throws them one by one, while the left trigger unleashes seven weaker blades at once in a horizontal spread.
Unique Abilities:
Cloud of Spores – This offensive ability allows Miko to throw down an exploding spore sac that damages enemies caught in the blast. It also slows them down, making it a valuable support tool as well.
Poultice – Miko's Poultice ability allows the player to instantly heal a teammate. The power also acts as a buff, providing additional health to the ally for a short period of time.
Medicinal Mycology – This passive ability adds poison damage to Miko's kunai, dealing additional damage over a short period of time. This poison damage does not stack, however.
[Ultimate] Fungus Among Us – This ultimate ability allows the player to drop Miko's mushroom cap on the ground, which deals area-of-effect damage to enemies for several seconds. It also simultaneously heals teammates within its radius.
Hands-on Impressions: [See Game Informer website.]
Phoebe
Description: [See Game Informer website.]
Primary Weapon: Rapier – In addition to her four floating rapiers, Phoebe holds a fifth blade in her right hand. Pressing the right trigger will stab at an enemy within close range, and it can be chained into a three-attack combo. Pressing the left trigger performs a swipe attack that can hit multiple opponents and can be chained for a two-hit combo.
Unique Abilities:
Balestra – While not completely finalized, Balestra allows Phoebe to instantly teleport to a targeted area while simultaneously reducing the damage she takes. Gearbox says the ability may also buff teammates or de-buff enemies.
Blade Whip – This powerful offensive ability sends Phoebe's floating rapiers flying out in front of her in a direct line of attack, providing her with a little more range than her melee attacks afford.
True Strike – Phoebe's passive skill causes her telekinetic blades to deal extra damage to her primary attacks; right-trigger attacks prime the floating blades, increasing their strength, while left-trigger attacks unleash them on the targeted enemies. True Strike can be further augmented by Phoebe's level upgrades, providing additional buffs to herself or allies when triggered.
[Ultimate] Riposte – As the name suggests, Phoebe's ultimate ability gives her the opportunity to block a single incoming attack from an enemy. Phoebe can't move while triggering Riposte, but if the block is successful, her telekinetic rapiers strike out in a series of attacks that damage and temporarily stun all enemies in their path.
Hands-on Impressions: [See Game Informer website.]
Screenshots:
