All out, co-op brawling
Zombie-spawning mad scientists, chainsaw scythes, and demon-armed pretty boys are all things that I saw in Bandai Namco's new free-to-play arena brawler, Rise of the Incarnates. It's a 2v2 arena fighter (a genre more common in Japan), and it adds a new dynamic to playing a fighting game with friends.
In the demo, I had the option to select one of four heroes, each named after mythological characters like Ares, Lilith, Mephistopheles, and the Grim Reaper. Each character has various attacks and unique special abilities they can employ while flying around the arena gunning down foes or slashing them with close quarters blades weapons. The Grim Reaper, for example, is a mad scientist holding a chainsaw scythe, but he can activate his power to summon a wailing horde of purple zombies to attack his enemies. Other characters like Ares can morph into a powerful demon form for a big stat boost.
Players can challenge each other online and battle in post-apocalyptic versions of real world cities, like San Francisco, New York, and London. Because the matches are 2v2, there is definitely a different feel from the typical one-on-one fighter. Your focus has to be on multiple factors all at once--such as your partner's well-being, the enemy you're attacking, and whether or not you're about to be double-teamed. And believe me, when you find yourself on the wrong side of a two-on-one, it's not a good time.
Check out the following slides for more information and images
Battles definitely have a Dragon Ball Z feel to them.
Every character can fly for short periods of time.
If you're skilled, you can juggle your opponents with a combination of melee and ranged attacks.
Teamwork really pays off in Rise of the Incarnates.
The Grim Reaper's zombie horde damages enemies and is a stylish way to travel.
