Preview: Hands-on with NCSOFT’s new shooter Master X Master

After releasing games like Blade & Soul and Wildstar, NCSOFT has announced their new game Master X Master (MxM)

Master X Master  combines elements of a MOBA and third-person shooter with a top-down camera angle similar to Diablo and Van Helsing. It offers both single-player and online functionality while adding its own, unique twist to gameplay.

The single player portion lets you choose two characters (masters) to control, each with their own abilities. You will need to differentiate  between the two as enemies present a varying degree of difficulty during the level. Your assault rifle character may not be as suitable as a heavy weapon shooter against an armored enemy or boss.

The ability to switch characters is allowed at any time, but a 12 second cooldown takes effect in between swaps. It's a progressive single player campaign with a backstory, and the levels in Master X Master are aesthetically beautiful.

NCSOFT opted for a bright color palette, as the background appears to have that glowing, eclectic appearance. From what I played, it's a good choice as it adds to the futuristic feel of the game.

The online MOBA portion of Master X Master includes classic setups from the genre while injecting its own features into it. There will be maps geared specifically geared to the three different modes in online play, 3v3 4v4 and 5v5. The larger maps will be restricted to the 5v5 players while smaller, 3v3 groups will play on smaller maps to avoid roaming around unconfronted. Each map will include a left, right and middle path that the team will need to attack and defend while defeating enemies.

Players will earn points for defeating enemies and every hundred points let's the team summon a Titan into play. It's a giant, rock monster that will attack enemies until it sustains enough damage and disappear. It is an AI controlled monster that deals a massive amount of damage. As a result, the enemy turns their attack toward the Titan which frees you up for the offensive. This is a progressive counter, which means if you drop a Titan at 100 points then get to 200 before it is knocked out, you will have the ability to have multiple Titans on screen at once. Each team also has beacons located throughout the map that you will need to destroy as well. From what I saw, there is both a time limit and points threshold in determining a winner.