Ben-DutkaIf the uninitiated glance at a few screenshots, they might think DUST 514 is just another sci-fi shooter. But for those who follow the news and might even be familiar with EVE Online , labeling CCP Games’ new production as a simple shooter is a dire insult. It’s an RPG or perhaps more specifically, an MMORPG, and it will actually incorporate some of the events that have occurred in EVE Online . That’s some cross-platform goodness right there, right? What we have in DUST 514 is a colossal world, loaded with people and things to do, and ideally, you’ll never get tired of the adventure.
The production had a great showing at GamesCom this year, and many PlayStation 3 owners are anxiously awaiting this title, which will not require a monthly subscription, by the way. All you need is a PSN account to partake. And when you jump online, you will assume the role of a mercenary, who is actually an employee of one of the EVE Online player-created corporations. Basically, it’s a lot like a normal military structure: the high-and-mighty generals get to issue commands while the lowly soldiers are forced to execute in extreme conditions. Hope we didn’t offend anybody there…but the point is made.
As is the case with most games of this nature, you can’t do everything alone. There is a ton of action, despite the RPG label, and in order to deal with the onslaught, you’ll have to team up. It’s not always exactly like an MMO in that an unlimited number of people can traverse the same area at once (despite the fact that your actions will influence the entire world); 32 players are allowed in an objective-driven Skirmish, for instance. Vehicles add to the depth and we’ll be interested to see how the controls function for the FPS and driving elements. Oh, and orbital strikes sound awesome : DUST 514 player asks EVE Online player to send down a planet blast.
You will be fighting to earn territory but this may actually impact innocent civilians, and it doesn’t have to be negative. For example, while some people are losing power and resources, other people may be raking in the money thanks to amped-up trade and commerce. However, as a mercenary, you don’t really take sides; you just go for the job that pays the best. The more money you earn, the better the upgrades will be, and you can augment yourself and/or purchase new items ad weapons. As you might expect, there will be a whole lot of options and customization involved. And at the end of the day, this is a constantly expanding universe.
Be prepared to leap into an immersive sci-fi world when DUST 514 drops next year.
