The multiplayer online battle arena genre gets the VR treatment in this dark strategy title for the PSVR.
For those unfamiliar with the concept of MOBA’s, they can best be described as a mix of role-playing, real-time strategy, and action game play, usually consisting of fast-paced matches in which teams battle one another for control of a map. Players usually control a single character, or leader, each of whom supported by waves of loyal, as well as disposable, ‘foot soldiers.’ It’s an incredibly popular genre of gaming, spawning hit competitive titles such as League of Legends, Dota 2, and Heroes of the Storm.
And while the genre as found massive success on gaming platforms such as PC, we’ve yet to see the unique brand make its way to the PSVR; until now.
Developed as a passion project by Japanese developer and publisher, SUNSOFT, Dark Eclipse is a free-to-play VR MOBA coming to the PlayStation VR platform later this week. Although the games foundation is based in the MOBA genre, SUNSOFT has reimagined the classic format with several unique tweaks of their one. While standard MOBA titles involve teams of players, each in control of a single ‘leader’, Dark Eclipse opts for one-on-one battles, with each player holding the reigns of three different leaders.
Players must then use either their DUALSHOCK 4 or PlayStation Move controllers to strategically drag-and-drop their units throughout the field of battle. Further distancing itself from conventional MOBA’s, players are also allowed to choose where they place their five Towers (destroyable structures spread throughout the map that help establish player control) on the battlefield for maximum effectiveness. These pillars each also provide a different effect on the game play.
“With 40-years in the business, we’ve seen many gaming trends come and go, but few have been as exhilarating as VR’s expansion and mainstream acceptance,” said Shohei Sakakibara, Producer and Project Leader at SUNSOFT. “Everyone at SUNSOFT is enamored with this type of quick, strategic, multiplayer gameplay, so we brought our passion for the genre and combined the best characteristics of VR, MOBAs and RTS games into DARK ECLIPSE, a game that’s both familiar and eye-catchingly innovative.”
Dark Eclipse will be free-to-play via the PSVR starting September 25th and will launch with 25 unique leaders each featuring their own skill sets and abilities.
SUNSOFT will continue adding new leaders on a regular basis, as well as continuous fine-tuning and balancing; something experienced players know is essential for a successful, long-running MOBA experience.
While the MOBA genre hasn’t exactly taken off with console users, perhaps the in-depth interaction provided by VR will be enough to draw in current, and perhaps future, PS4 owners. With gameplay elements unique to any other game in the genre, intuitive controls, and an interesting, anime-esque artstyle, SUNSOFT clearly isn’t concerned about breaking conventions with Dark Eclipse; something that only excites me further for its upcoming release. Plus, it’s free.
Image Credit: SUNSOFT / PlayStation
