DEVOLVE: Massive new MMO hits the mean streets of Scotlandshire

By Guy Zago, our Video Games Correspondent

devolve-teamFrom Scottish Militant Ninja Turtle Studios, creators of 'SLAB: Left 4 Dead', comes Devolve, the next generation of multiplayer shooter where multiple brave Hunters face off against a single, player-controlled Dinosaur in adrenaline-pumping 20 vs 1 matches.

Play as the Dinosaur to use savage abilities and an animalistic sense to lie and defame your human enemies, or choose one of four Hunter classes (Canvasser, Leafletter, Turtle or Cybernat) and team up to take down the beast.

Level up to unlock new Hunter or Dino characters as well as upgrades, skins, and perks. Earn your infamy on the polls and become the apex predator in the electoral jungle.

Devolve is unique because you can choose to play either the Hunters or the Dinosaur. But be careful, the Dinos may look big and hard to beat, but they are slow-witted and hugely outnumbered. 

devolve-dinosaurOn the other hand, the Dino is able to call on all the dark power of the planet Meeja, making it difficult for the Hunters to get their shots off. The Dino may be dim, but he has powerful friends.

There are all the usual cheats, but only for the Dinos. Tax avoidance, expense fiddles and non-execs are all supported. 

What at first looks like a quirky Easter Egg when playing as a Hunter can quickly nerf into a breakthrough sympathy moment for the Dinos.

Whenever the Dinos appear to be losing, they can initiate a meteor storm. This will help them win the current battle, but will ultimately destroy their entire race.

When you win as a Dino, there is a 20% chance you will be levelled up all the way to Lord of the Jungle. Win big and become a boss.

If you like teamwork, you’re a natural Hunter. Each class has unique skills that can devastate the Dinos when properly coordinated. And playing a Hunter is way more cool. They get all the best armour, weapons and ammo.

There is always plenty of ammo lying around to pick up and use against the Dinos. But use it carefully, checking it's genuine before firing it off, or you may find yourself at the bottom of a Dino trap.

Pills to improve your health rating are freely available at the point of need on the Hunter side. Only players who've managed to acquire vast amounts of treasure will be able to recharge their health when playing as a Dino.

The game is rigged so that, just as the Hunters seem to have won, a new level appears and they must begin the fight all over again.

But when the Hunters do (inevitably) win, they gain the power to Devolve. And ultimately much, much more than even that...

DEVOLVE open beta is free to play until May 2015, but needs teamwork and energy to win.


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