Hellgate Brings Demons to London

New FPS-slash-RPG from Diablo creator proves that we actually have it easy on the Underground right now.

While the screens for the game may not show it, Hellgate: London, a new game being developed by some of the designers behind Diablo, is actually a role-playing game.

Playing from an unusual - for RPGs - first-person perspective, you're whisked away to a post-apocalyptic future 25 years hence where demons have invaded the capital, causing all sorts of impossible phenomena, such as bedlam on the Underground.

Not everyone is surprised by the sudden influx of demons though. The Templar, an ancient and mysterious sect, has been watching for centuries. The group is well versed in evil and, more importantly, how to destroy it.

What makes Hellgate: London unique is the random nature of the game construction. Levels, items, weapons, events - all are generated on the fly. You start the game by creating a character for yourself, who will grow as you progress through, learning new magic and skills and gathering experience.

Hellgate: London combines these base RPG mechanics with run-and-gun shooter gameplay and a branching storyline to ensure that everyone who plays it has their own experience.

"With our first game, we intend to create something unique in the world of RPGs," said Bill Roper, co-founder of developer Flagship Studios and previously a designer on Blizzard's hit RPG Diablo. "By focusing our expertise and creative energy onto this one title, we are crafting a compelling world that combines massive amounts of randomization and customisation to offer infinite replayability."

Hellgate: London is coming exclusively to PC sometime in 2006.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games