-ABSTRACT-
Hammerwatch, simply put, is a dungeon runner. And a good one a that, combining a classy 8-bit style with a fantastic array of gameplay and mechanics. For fans of the classic Gauntlet game, expect something very similar. Despite its 8-bit appearance; the game features some rather fancy 8-bit graphics, with shadows, shaders, fancy effects, and a few other bits and bobs that make the experience all the more fun. Despite having a slight lack of default content, the game does feature a level editor, which expands its gameplay by the boatload, assuming you can understand the interface.
-DESCRIPTION-
BASIC INFO: Hammerwatch is a game forged by Jochum Skoglund and Niklas Myrberg; with a soundtrack designed by TwoFeathers. The game features four basic classes, some skillsets, a massive multilevel dungeon with secrets, puzzles, warp zones, and other fabulous features. And a metric stuffload of enemies to beat down. The game is a hack and slash adventure, calling back to the classic Gauntlet titles of old. Presently the game only contains two dungeons: The main campaign which spans four acts, each with three levels and a boss; and an endless defense style game-mode which pins the player against endless waves of enemies. There are many secrets to discover along the way, and shop keepers to keep the player and his party going strong.
CLASSES: There are four playable classes in Hammerwatch: | The Paladin is one of the melee classes in the game, but he can attack faster than any of the other classes. He is very durable, starting with the second most health and the most defense, but he deals the least amount of damage. Later he can improve his swing radius and his shield radius. The Paladin starts out with the Charge ability allowing him to dash forward destroying anything in his path. He can also gain a healing skill, which heals himself and all allies, and a Holy Storm ability that allows him to spin around in a circle dealing huge volumes of damage per second. The Paladin also has a passive stun ability, and all of his special abilities increase as sword damage increases, allowing him to do more damage the more powerful his basic attack is.
|
 | The Ranger, as his name suggests, is the primary ranged class of the game and has the longest range of the two ranged classes. His health is the second lowest while his defense is decent. He deals the second most damage out of all the classes. He can later increase his range and damage, as well as enemies penetrated. The Ranger starts out with a bomb ability, similar to the likes of bomber man bomb placement, allowing him to take out large groups of enemies at once. He also can later purchase a trap ability, which snares enemies in a radius; and an arrow spin, which allows him to spin in a 360 degree arc, shooting out arrows in all directions. The Ranger has two passive abilities that can be upgraded, The first is a dodge ability, allowing him to completely negate damage at a percentage, and a critical hit ability, which lets him deal huge damage on occasion.
|
 | The Wizard is the second ranged class in Hammerwatch. Using his mystic powers, the Wizard can cast a fireball which explodes in a radius upon impact, damaging anything nearby. He has the lowest health out of all of the classes but some of the strongest magical attacks. He has a significantly lower range then that of the Ranger; but is still capable of hitting enemies from afar. The mage has a firebreath ability, which allows him to spew fire in front of him, scorching any enemies in his wake. Later he can be upgraded with an ice flash, which freezes or slows enemies near him in a radius; and a meteor storm, which floods a large area around the Wizard with meteors, dealing massive damage. The wizard also has two passive abilities; the first is to negate damage and freeze enemies at a percentage; the second is for his attacks to catch enemies on fire. (Also a percentage chance)
|
 | The Warlock is a bit of a hybrid class; the best of both worlds between the Paladin and the Wizard. By default, he is a melee class, but his magic abilities allow him to get some serious range on his opponents. He has the most health (But not the most defense) of all the classes, and the highest damage. His tiny dagger is not nearly as useful as the paladin's sword however, and can only parry lighter attacks. It does however have a chance to poison enemies on hit. The Warlock, can fire a lightning bolt, that dashes between a certain number of enemies, dealing the same among of damage to them, it is a ranged attack, great at crowd control. He can unlock two other abilities later down the road, A life steal nova, that steals health from enemies in a radius; and a massive lightning storm ability allowing damaging enemies near you. He has two passive abilities, a life and manasteal ability. |
DUNGEONS: There are 4 acts in Hammerwatch, each with their own unique layout, enemies, secrets, and tile set. | There are many floors to the deadly dungeon of Castle Hammerwatch. Each becoming significantly more difficult to the last. Each time you go down a floor, your troubles grow exponentially. The quantity of enemies, the toughness of enemies, the trap quantity, and the secret quantity. Expect heavy resistance throughout each floor you travel in.
The game is also divided into four acts. (The fourth of which's name I forgot); they are as follows:
• The Prison: (Boss is The Queen) (SHOWN)
• The Armory: (Boss is The Knight)
• The Archives: (Boss is The Lich)
• The Finale: (Boss is ???)
 | Along your encounters you may find a shop keeper. There are quite a few different store types to locate, each with their own tier of equipment you can purchase using the gold and gems collected throughout your travels. There is a combo vendor; whose job is to sell you combo related upgrades (You get bonuses as you slay more enemies); a defense vendor, whose job is to sell you defensive abilities or armor; a vitality vendor, whose job is to sell you health or mana; an attack vendor, who sells damage and damaging abilities/upgrades; finally there is a potions vender who sells potions for your travels. |
Each Act is also split up into three floors, each with its own secrets, traps, and enemies to face; as well as loot to discover.
Included in each floor you reach will be keys, and colored doors. Bronze keys open bronze doors, silver keys open silver doors, and gold keys open gold doors. Keep on the look out for Ankhs as well; as they will boost your life count. PROTIP: Do not be afraid to use keys whenever the opportunity presents itself, you will always have enough keys in the dungeon to open every single door available; as long as you look.
This game, is VERY VERY HARD. If you do not put on some modifiers to make your experience less stressful. By default you are given a small life limit; and very minimal damage towards enemies, it is HIGHLY recommended that if you plan on playing the game in its default state, you have a full party of people who are already experienced to some degree with the dungeons.
|
LINKS: Hammerwatch WebsiteHammerwatch On Steam/Greenlight
Keep in mind I haven't covered quite everything, but that's the point of the discussion topic right?
Poll