Blood Line: A Rebel Moon Game preview – “Anarchy reigns”

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Blood Line: A Rebel Moon Game preview - "Anarchy reigns"

  • Blood Line is the first Rebel Moon game to be published by Netflix
  • A four-player co-op game, it comes to us from Super Evil Megacorp
  • It was announced as part of Netflix’s Geeked Week 2024

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that Blood Line has caught my attention like a beacon in the night. Having played my fair share of top-down shooters and isometric games, this title seems to have struck a chord that resonates deeply within me.

To wrap things up during Netflix’s Geeked Week, we have some exciting mobile gaming news to share with you! You might have already heard about it, but the developer Super Evil Megacorp (yes, that’s their actual name) is working on a game inspired by Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon series.

Title Translation: Rebel Moon Game – Blood Line: A Four-Player Collaborative Adventure

Sure thing! “Indeed, sir PocketGamer. I have already seen the trailer myself, so could we perhaps move on to discussing something new or addressing any questions I might still have?

In a hypothetical scenario, you might find it interesting to note that we’re not simply repeating information; we were aware in advance that “Blood Line” was due for release, and recently had the opportunity to get a firsthand experience with it.

As for myself, I’ve got a lot to share regarding the forthcoming title. Why don’t we settle in, unwind, and together uncover the intrigues of Blood Line?

The World of Rebel Moon

For those of you not familiar, Rebel Moon is the brainchild of Zack Snyder, himself a well-known director behind movies like 300 and Batman v Superman. Intended to be a massive multimedia franchise, it takes place in the distant future, in a universe dominated by the planet Motherworld and its military might, and focuses on those rebelling against them.

Regrettably, I’m not deeply fond of Rebel Moon. I wouldn’t go so far as to label myself an opponent of Zack Snyder, but his work has never struck a chord with me personally. Considering my deep-rooted fandom for Warhammer 40,000, it’s clear that elements of both Warhammer and Star Wars are quite prominent in Rebel Moon, which I find somewhat overwhelming.

Despite some reservations, I must acknowledge Super Evil Megacorp’s skillful adaptation of the Rebel Moon universe in Blood Line. It seems to incorporate a hint of Firefly’s ambiance, blending a worn-out future with an alien culture, and offering a unique plant life that enhances the science-fantasy vibe.

What to expect

Alright, first of all, let’s dig into the gameplay. This is a multiplayer premium experience with a single-player option. Like all of Netflix’s offerings, you won’t be paying a dime in microtransactions or watching in-game advertisements to interrupt gameplay. It’s mainly focused on multiplayer, but there is the option to play offline in single-player mode if you need to.

If you’ve dabbled in cooperative games like these, you’ll have a good idea of what’s in store. Here, you’ll find four distinct roles: the Bulwark (Tank), the Outcast (DPS), the Archer (Sniper), and the Mystic (Support). However, let me assure you, this isn’t just another Diablo-esque game – far from it! In fact, it appears to draw heavily from a rather unusual corner of the gaming world.

For devoted followers of Arrowhead Studio, the initial game in their Helldivers series might ring a bell – it’s a fast-paced shooter with a top-down view, pitting you against endless waves of enemies. Blood Line offers a similar feel, infused with elements reminiscent of Diablo and horde shooters for good measure. In this game, you’ll find yourself immersed in missions, swiftly traversing open terrains while firing at mooks or tougher adversaries indiscriminately as you accomplish various tasks.

In the game I’ve played so far, the gameplay loop appears straightforward. If you prefer a solo playstyle, you won’t have to depend solely on your teammates for essential items like medkits and ammo because they often drop from defeated enemies. However, it’s always advisable to cooperate with others to ensure a more enjoyable experience, as working together can help you avoid unfortunate deaths.

According to what I’ve been informed, Super Evil Megacorp primarily caters to an audience who are often pressed for time. The matches we played typically lasted no more than five to ten minutes, sometimes even less, but they still managed to be thrilling. It seems appealing to join in, though it remains to be seen how well it will sustain interest over the long term – a mystery that only time can unravel.

How does it run?

This is definitely a tricky question, because as I’ve found, my Samsung S20, though venerable, is now decidedly ageing. However, I’m happy to report that while only in alpha, Blood Line ran very well on my device, even if it did start heating up after a while. And it doesn’t look half bad either! Although the folks at SEM did confirm they wouldn’t be offering much in the way of graphics options, instead hoping for a fully optimised experience when it hits release.

The process of joining parties and making new friends during gameplay felt effortlessly seamless, requiring just a solitary menu to access. Initially, there were minor issues when downloading the alpha version, but once we got into the game, everything ran smoothly. I managed to join the test group swiftly, encountering minimal lag or freezing issues.

The graphics were quite appealing, featuring realistic lighting effects particularly noticeable on night maps, along with clear and intriguing environmental details that added depth to the gameplay. If you appreciate the ‘viewing miniature worlds’ aspect of isometric games, you’ll surely find a lot to admire as you peer closely at all the environmental elements and additional features.

Final thoughts

If this is what Netflix turns out in the future games-wise, I think they may be onto a real winner. I was already quite impressed with Netflix’s game offerings with some great indie titles like Into the Breach but was always somewhat disappointed at the games they had produced based on their series. And while I don’t necessarily jam with Zack Snyder’s vision or the film series the game’s based on, I think it’s testament to what SEM have done that I’m intrigued regardless.

Unlike many tie-in or standalone games that seem incomplete, Blood Line feels fully developed and polished. Although it may not completely replace my affection for other cooperative games that have become a significant part of my life, I believe it has the potential to be highly successful among fans of Rebel Moon. Furthermore, I think it offers enough quality to attract not only its dedicated fanbase but also casual gamers as well.

It’s likely that the game “Blood Line” will debut on both iOS and Android devices around 2025. Notably, this game will be accessible to you at no cost if you already subscribe to Netflix Games.

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2024-09-20 04:48