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Evolve
Like a lot of games, Evolve's character classes are important in defining roles for players. But Evolve's classes – assault, trapper, medic, and support – are just the start of what the game's hunters are about and why they are important. Developer Turtle Rock Studios has unveiled a new map and four new hunters, each with their own weapons, special abilities, and ways of contributing to the mission of bringing down the monster.
The Dam
The map is an important part of any match. The Dam has its own characteristics – namely its rocky canyons. The hunters each have rechargable jet packs that help them climb up the steep terrain. Getting up some of these could be a little tricky, which means that you have to be careful that your party doesn't get separated. This can also happen if one of your hunters wanders off and gets attacked by some of the wildlife. Of particular trouble are the megamouths that wait in ambush for nearby prey like a venus flytrap.
Bucket (support class)
Bucket is pretty powerful for a support character. He's got guided missiles, sentry turrets, and his head can detach and be used as an aerial drone. Furthermore, he's got a cloaking field that can cover multiple nearby hunters.
Hyde (assault class)
Hyde's flamethrower deals the most damage of any weapon in the game, but it also has the shortest range. Nevertheless, Hyde can use his personal shield to help him get in close for a few crucial seconds. He also sports a minigun and toxic grenades.
Maggie (trapper class)
Maggie's harpoon traps will anchor the monster in place so other members can blast at it like a sitting duck, but just as valuable is Maggie's unique ability – a trapjaw pet named Daisy. Daisy will track the monster, so if you can't find it follow Daisy. She can also revive hunters.
Lazarus (medic class)
Lazarus isn't as good at healing wounded hunters as the previously revealed medic Val (although Lazarus does have a healing burst that heals hunters in the vicinity). His main skill is reviving other characters from the dead. In fact, you'll get back in the action sooner if you can wait for Lazarus to revive you instead of hitting the respawn button and getting carried back in via the dropship. Lazarus also has a personal cloak to help him move around and aid his fellow hunters.
In my playtime with the game, carefully coordinating all the characters was the key to victory. This includes everyone not spamming their weapons and abilities so they're on cooldown when needed most. For instance, Maggie's harpoon traps can pin the monster for a time allowing Bucket to lay down some sentry guns or Hyde to get close to the monster to fry it with the flamethrower. The hunters' weapons and abilities are mapped to specific buttons, so it may take you a few rounds before you're comfortable with where everything is in the heat of battle.
Evolve comes out for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on October 21.
For more on the game's previously announced characters, check out the hub stories from the February cover story by clicking on the banner below.
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