Splitgate played: Halo + Portal = The Hammer!

SPLITGATE is the perfect shooter to bridge the waiting time on Halo Infinite - and so much more.

What do Splitgate and Among us have in common? Science Fiction setting? Check! An indie studio as a developer? Check! Murder and manslaughter? Double check! Above all, however, both tracks are right spaighers. They appeared in 2019 (but not as a final game, but as an early access version), but at that time was hardly someone. Among US had his delayed breakthrough over a year ago thanks twitch. Splitgate took a little longer. In the summer of this year, it found the path to the consoles of Sony and Microsoft as a beta version - and that was everyone on everyone. The rush on the servers was so great that they were partially completely crowded. Developers 1047 Games wanted to officially publish the title this year, but then decided to maintain the beta status for indefinite time - because of great success. So what does not happen every day.

Also on the PC suddenly wanted many more people playing the thing as ever before. A look at steamcharts reveals: until June 2021, the average number of players, from the release month of May 2019, apart from the three-digit area. At no time in these two years were 1000 players at the same time online. Last July, there was an increase of more than 1000 percent on the 3,700 players on average - and in August it was over 36,000. Granted, the numbers have fallen again, to 6633 in the past 30 days. Nonetheless: For an indie game, it still reads quite well, right? In fact, Splitgate would have deserved success permanently, which it had in late summer, because playful it is a true highlight.

A mix that lets rubbish

Splitgate is nothing lower than a child of Halo and Portal. The core is an arena shooter with arcadig, but also not to simplem gunplay, in which you need to pick up most weapons on the map to use them. And there are jetpacks. So far, nothing is special, right away, apart from that type game is a rarity today. There were tries here and there s trying to establish something like that again (you remember the failed Lawbreaker by Cliff Bleszinski), but away from Halo lacked a successful representative for a long time, until Splitgate has now prevailed.

But this formula has added a bit added to this formula. Just like the Valve potting gameHit portal, you can always open two portals that are linked together. Instead of a heavy cannon, you simply use a device that is attached to your left arm - you have to leave your hands for the right weapons. Although the portals can not be placed on the cards anywhere, but only on specially designed, blue surfaces, but those are so numerous in the area distributed that the freedom from portal is not missing.

In addition, SPLITGATE is still a competitive multiplayer game where good balance is important. It is also part of the fantastic map design that you can only open the portals at specific locations. Enough tactical scope there is in any case. You can quickly save you from bridged situations, thanks to this SHOOTER GENRE feature, bridging wide distances in the NU and fall into the back to the opponent. Especially cool: Only you can see through your own portal and see what is on the other side. Anyone who cleverly agreed may be able to stand by an increased location in the level of snipers without even the place - the portals make it possible. Sure, you have to get warm with this mechanics and get to know the 20 maps, especially the 20 maps. But even if you do not use the portals excessively and splitgate plays most of the time like an ordinary arena shooter, you can celebrate a) successes and b) have fun.

We know the knears!

We are currently really pleased with Splitgate. And that, although we sometimes hard to do with the wise use of portals. But the idea and potential for cool maneuvers that allow you to see in any case. In addition, the pure shooter mechanics makes us great pleasure. The shooting prolifers all feel good and very different. It s just a mood to shoot opponents over the heap, especially as it will be happy to accompany the for Arena Shooter-typical comments like Double Kill! Or Killing Spree! . Hach, how much we missed that!

The weapons of Splitgate are reminiscent of the Arsenal from Halo. Just look at the fight gun with its 3-shot salves. It would not be unjustified to designate it as a threesome copy of the Knarre of Halo. Also, the Railgun we know in a similar form from the games of bungie or 343 industries. 1047 Games can not deny what they obviously have been inspired here. But what s the name of it? Better stolen well, made bad. Of course, this is just as important for the portal mechanics, which the indie team did not invent. But with the combination of the portal trademark and the halo gameplay, the guys and girls from Nevada have then created something innovative, which is why no one can be angry.

On (too) colorful pile

Splitgate is a free-to-play game and as such, it does not come without micro transactions. On his shop, it also likes to draw attention: always, if there is something new in it, under the corresponding button in the main menu denounces a new! - Graphic. And that goes away, if you really looked at the whole new way. For people who have the urge to watch such markings always, that s a gray (we speak of their own experience).

In the shop, however, there are only cosmetic items like skins for the weapons and their own character, which is why the business model for a free-to-play title is perfectly fine. The kind of design of the figures is quite questionable. SplitGate does not follow any clear line. While the standard characters correspond to the red and blue scheme from halo and wear normal sci-fi battle suits, there is also a skin with a bunny helmet, an undead pirate and a thick, anthropomorphic cat with vest and slide hat. Take these skins well done, even if they do not necessarily match any taste. But in combination, they simply give an inconsistent overall picture. You just do not know which tonality 1047 games seeks here: Splitgate should be cool and adult or more likely to fall into the Fortnite category?

Also economical nature are served

If you fear to run around as a non-returning player all the time with a standard character and weapons in standard looks: You also get pure for playing enough skins as a reward. With every exhibited game, your experience points collect, rises in the level and also fulfills numerous daily, weekly, seasonal and weapons challenges. Either your direct skins shuts off or gets drops, ie Lootboxes, each containing a random item. The virtual surprise balls are not available for real money - good! Oh yes, a Battle Pass is of course also with you and works as usual: There are a few free rewards, for most of the prices you have to buy it.

Honestly, we are even trying to rinse 1047 games a little money into the cash registers. Because what the developers serve us here on modes and maps can be seen. 14 Standard play variants are currently available, every now and then, event modes are also playable such as TeaBAG confirmed where kills only bring points if you have your victims ... well, you know. Otherwise, there are also the classics such as Team Deathmatch , King of the Hill , Gun Game , Domination and the good old Ingirth . Yes even a mode with big heads and merely the sniper rifle as equipment is included.

There is still the opportunity to deny race on all cards against the clock, including rankings - perfect to get to know the arenas better and, above all, place the fleet of portals to exercise. Oh yes, there is also a shooting range, and you can create your own lobbies with modifiers and evaluated modes are also on board. But you have to unlock the latter by achieving your specific levels.

Assessment

Splitgate is a true fun gaming, if you can start something with halo-like shooters. Through the portal mechanics, the title is really special within his genres and a game that is wonderful as ESPORTS discipline thanks to the tactical possibilities. The scope can also be seen and we already mentioned that splitgate looks good and sounds? No? Now you know it. If you are eager for Halo Infinite, that one and a half months is removed, your Splitgate should necessarily give a chance. Costs nothing! And maybe you then keep the faithfulness even longer, because it s just as damn good. This is not a full test because the game is not yet officially done. But it would be one, the rating would definitely be in the high range.

Play now splitgate!