Valve has a history of cradling world-renowned games. It’s that one studio in the industry that secretly works on a promising game, only to never market it much in advance. But, when it does decide to break the silence, we’re presented with something like Deadlock – a title that hasn’t even been released, yet has started setting new benchmarks.
It’s tough to put Deadlock into a single genre of gaming. Rather, it mixes some of the best parts of popular subgenres of competitive online games, such as multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) and hero shooters. In doing so, it also introduces new mechanics that set itself apart from other titles.
What Deadlock Isn’t
If you haven’t played Deadlock before, there’s a chance that you’ll be led to believe that the game resembles something like Smite or Gigantic. After all, the visuals boast third-person gameplay with a diverse roster of characters. Don’t be fooled though, as the game thrives on components that are more than what meets the eye.
The biggest misconception would be to think that it’s a third-person variant of something like Dota 2 or League of Legends. Again, that’s not the case! However, many components of the game resemble those found in popular online games.
So, if you’re someone used to these gameplay mechanics, you’ll feel right at home with Deadlock… until, of course, you realize the game requires fast-paced movement and aiming, along with a bunch of other skill sets.
How Deadlock Manages to Stay Unique
If you take a brief look at the developer’s history with co-op games, there’s a pattern of experimentation that eventually worked out in its favor.
Counter-Strike revolutionized competitive first-person shooters. Dota 2 became the ultimate MOBA title that took the world of e-sports by storm. Left for Dead became the household name for player versus environment (PvE) survival shooters.
These games took the reins of experiences that would keep players up at night, creating memories through “LAN parties” and keeping its playerbase entertained for years to come. Fortunately, this philosophy has remained strong and reflects heavily in Deadlock’s gameplay.
In my hours of playthrough, I’ve come to realize that no matter how good I get at playing a hero, there’s always a playstyle that I haven’t mastered yet. Even though each one of these characters (from a roster of 21 playable ones) feels different from one another, there’s always a hero you’ll familiarize yourself with based on the multiplayer game you “mained” before.
I’ve been playing Apex Legends for the longest time, and heroes like the turret-wielding McGinnis and frost-loving Kelvin quickly became my favorites, as I enjoy playing defensive and controller Legends in Apex Legends.
How and Why You Should Play Deadlock
Whether you’re an Overwatch or Dota 2 veteran, or simply someone who’s looking for a new online game to dive into, Deadlock remains a charming entry into the world of competitive games that’s going to appeal to a majority of players, especially those who have been PC gamers for a long time.
Even though the game is in development at the moment, it feels like a polished product that’s extremely close to release. The heroes feel balanced, the gameplay loop stays engaging, and there’s always something to look forward to every time you jump into a match.
Is this going to be the next big thing in online gaming? Absolutely! You don’t have to take my word for it. Rather, trust Valve’s history with game design and how the studio comes up with genre-defining titles.
In the meantime, you can try the game out and see it for yourself.
To play Deadlock, you’ll need to be friends with someone on Steam who can invite you. Additionally, you can also refer to the game’s subreddit where users like JaymzCS share information about the same.
Have you tried the game yet? What are your thoughts on Deadlock? Do you think it’s going to be the next big deal in online gaming? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
