Review: Monster-hunting game 'Evolve' has bite
In Evolve, the buildup is sometimes as intense as the inevitable showdown itself.
The first-person shooter from Turtle Rock Studios -- creators of Valve Software's hit cooperative action game Left 4 Dead -- is thrilling, as both Hunters and Monsters escalate to that inevitable skirmish.
For those new to Evolve, the game is a competitive shooter pitting four players working together as Hunters battling a single opponent who happens to control a strong, fast, intimidating Monster.
Combat takes place on the planet Shear, where Hunters and Monsters are among several threats. Equally menacing creatures roam the landscape, or carefully hide among the terrain and spring to attack at the appropriate time.
As a Hunter, players choose four types: Assault, Support, Trapper and Medic. As with Turtle Rock's early work on Left 4 Dead, Evolve requires players to work as a team to survive.
Each class boasts unique weapons, gear and techniques. For example, the Trapper employs a Mobile Arena that can enclose the Monster within a giant dome, while Harpoon Traps slow the beast's movement. Support wields a Shield Protector to protect other Hunters, and a Cloaking Field to keep teammates hidden in case a hasty exit is required.
Every class can attack, but their special skills make each unique to the battlefield. Players earn Progression Awards that unlock new Hunter characters within a class, each carrying a different set of tools, from Sound Spikes that detect the Monsters' movement to Acceleration Fields that boost teammates' abilities.
Then there's the Monster, an incredibly delightful creature to control once you overcome the steeper learning curve. Players start as the Goliath, honing their skills before unlocking two additional behemoths: the Kraken and the Wraith.
The Goliath is your textbook hulking monster charging through enemies or picking up boulders to fling at threats. Kraken prefers attacking from afar, often taking to the skies to deal damage. The Wraith is the weakest of the trio, but also the fastest.
Each journey as the Monster follows the same path: players feed on wildlife to grow stronger, dodging Hunters with a keen sense of smell. Once Monsters reach certain peaks, they "evolve" into something more terrifying, maxing out at Level 3.
This is where the intensity of the pre-skirmish buildup kicks in. As a Monster, you're on high alert, sneaking around lush landscapes feeding on smaller creatures and waiting for the right time to strike. As a Hunter, you're feverishly seeking out the Monster, picking up the pace with every alert that it's grown stronger.
Then you reach the combat itself, which features intense back-and-forth battling. Monsters will pound foes, then maybe retreat to replenish shields, while Hunters stay on the chase, working together to stay on top of the beast and shut it down.
In most cases, players will tackle Hunt, where Monsters and Hunters try to slay each other (or the Monster destroys a power relay). Other modes include Rescue (save civilians before they're killed by the Monster) and Nest (destroy eggs and hatching enemies before Monster kills Hunters). Players can tackle these individually or as part of a massive five-session endeavor called Evacuation, where Monster players must thwart the escape of a ship carrying civilians before Hunters stop them.
As with any team-based game, Evolve is best enjoyed with Human players. It really boils down to how often players are working with computer-controlled bots, both in the Solo mode and Multiplayer, where empty slots are filled by default teammates. As a Monster, it's mostly a non-issue. You're operating solo, after all.
Playing as a Hunter is where it gets murky. Coordination is important when trying to level a giant monster, something players can struggle to achieve with bots as teammates. Players can hop between classes, but more sophisticated controls where players can bark out orders would be useful. The closest players get are visual markers to point out spots on a map.
But the real achievement with Evolve is pitting four players against one, and somehow still making every showdown feel like a fair fight.
Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: Turtle Rock Studios
Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Price: $59.99
Rating: M for Mature
Release Date: February 10
Score: 3.5 out of 4
Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.