BATTLE ROYALE SPELLBREAK SERIES

Spaces not only neglect to provide reason for their existence, but it doesn’t even feel like a space that was made to be entertaining in the first place. Battles feel as if they would be better suited in a different competitive context rather than aiming to survive. In fact, it makes everything seem incredibly empty. In a world of colorful, lighthearted magic, the sole survivor design doesn’t sit well. While the new aesthetic on top of a familiar form of game may be comfortable for some, it also feels conflicted within these two values. Players run around the map looking for armor, items, and weapons to plunder from buildings, seemingly abandoned for years. A broken down castle can become a cursed forest can become a burning desert. The map has been painted with the design of a theme park, each section harshly cutting between architectural and thematic cartoon styles.

Alongside these abilities, Spellbreak stays true to the successful battle royale formula for the most part. Apex Legends gives characters abilities that create team and competitive dynamics as well. These interactions aren’t uncommon for the genre. The ice user can shoot frozone-like ice trails to skate faster to their destination. The poison user can become invisible when walking into a cloud. The player also has passive abilities which allow them to interact with the elements in unique ways. For example, a toxin cloud can be hit with ice to become a large poisonous obstacle, and electricity can hit wind to create a lightning tornado. The game utilizes these elements by having each projectile remain on the field in some capacity in order to interact with another element. There are six types in total: air, earth, fire, ice, toxin, and lightning. Instead of guns, players choose a magic type to enter into a match with as their main hand gauntlet, and then find other gauntlets to use as their off hand throughout gameplay. Spellbreak’s main selling point is magic. The returning elements of disastrous landscapes and independent survival reminded me of many challenges our own world face today. However, as I played more I found that removing the grit and guns from this design only revealed that my issues with battle royales lied deeper than the aesthetics. The pieces were all in place for this to be the battle royale I stuck with after trying nearly 10 different others.

BATTLE ROYALE SPELLBREAK SERIES

It distinguished itself from other genre entries with a magical setting and an art style that compared to a favorite animated series of mine, The Dragon Prince. May the best, or in some cases luckiest, murderer win.Ībout a month ago I was hopeful when I started playing the magical battle royale. You choose a spot on an island to drop onto, run through abandoned architecture, and hope that whatever conflicts happen you come out on top. A match of Spellbreak plays out similar to many other battle royale games.

Battle royale spellbreak