Not many games have more than a handful of classes to pick from since normally using the term "Class" refers to a huge amount of customization like we see in modern MMO's. Lately we have seen a surge of games that use "Characters" instead of "Classes" since that gives more uniquety and well...character to the game. But I don't think classes will die, we just need to acknowledge good class design vs average and bad. This list is setting out to do just that.
We will pick classes in any game, mmo or otherwise, that break the status quo and reaches above and beyond not in just that particular game but in consideration to all game's classes. Let's compare them to similar classes in other games and find out which ones really stand out.
"we are looking at modern games and their current build that don't utilize a character or class combining system. Only one game per slot."
Guild Wars 2
Mesmer
Mesmers are very squishy and difficult to master because of their skill shot based crowd control abilities and their trickster styled mobility, hiding in clones or blinking away. Within MMO's, most spells are channeled or instant cast but Mesmers actually have Mantras which need to be prepared ahead of time alike with their portals and aoe invisibility spells. Mesmers can create phantasms! This ability alone make the Mesmer extremely unique compared to other games but also the Mesmer has a host of potential combos that make them one of the hardest if not the single most difficult class to master.
The Mesmer's unique profession mechanic skill is based off of the number of phantasms they have on the field and where they are located which then detonates them for a unique effect based on chosen burst skill. This goes for most of the Mesmers abilities, almost all of them have secondary effects or alternate uses. A backwards blink can be used in reverse to chase down an enemy, clones can be used for deception or for pure damage as you constantly detonate them. The Mesmer has a lot of abilities shared with other classes, but no other class shares as many unique Guild Wars 2 features as we see in the Mesmer. Plus let me say again...PORTALS!
World of Warcraft
Druid
The game that really popularized custom classes, we have to give it to the most diverse class of all.
World of Warcraft is known for its classes. They are iconic, and each one is fun for it's own reasons mechanically. One thing that makes classes interesting between each other is the fact that they all use different kinds of resources such as Rage, Energy, Mana, and Focus. Even if a class directly shares a base resource, they have a secondary resource to manage such as the Death Knight's Rune system or Warlock's Burning Embers. These classes fall under similar roles however, and very few can do all of them let alone give you an entirely unique play-style between them. Enter the Druid.
The Druid can transform at will, which will not just change shape and some abilities, but entirely remold your character and your gameplay with a complete transition from mana based healing spells to energy based execution style attacks. The Druid transforms into different forms which aesthetically is very fun but also mechanically, gives the Druid more versatility than any other class in any game.
TERA
Lancer
With "True Action Combat" as the motto, we picked the class that was closest to said action.
TERA's gameplay is heavily focused towards boss based endgame dungeons which are grossly challenging and the centerpiece to any group is the Lancer class. The difference between victory or defeat lay in the skilled hands of the partie's Tank. The only class that has a true blocking mechanic like we see the action RPG Dark Souls, players really feel the weight of their class in terms of actual combat and responsibility for their team. Not exactly the most mobile class but also not tool-less, the Lancer class has an assortment of abilities to use in order to escape, engage, stun, snare, pull, knockback and all that combined with their aoe boons, debuffs, and heals rests a lot of pressure on a players shoulders but gives them a huge amount of power.
The Lancer really takes advantage of TERA's aiming and movement system. Being able to chain together enemies if the player is accurate, dash attack forward for massive damage and cc if timed correctly, or dodge skill shots in conjunction with blocking allows players a lot of room for error and tactical choice in battles whether that is in dungeons or PvP. The Lancer plays a role no other class could do alone and you won't get a similar experience in any MMO.
Final Fantasy 14
White Mage
Enjoy statistical combat over mechanical? Then no other game and class combination suits better.
The healing archetype has so many different forms depending on the game, but for MMO's, it so far has been rather stagnant. Considering all things, the glorified wack-a-mole game that healers play is still important and to some people very fun. Final Fantasy XIV: ARR is a math heavy game, that instead of movement, leaps, dashes, and knockbacks, we get mostly standstill combat with numerous buffs/debuffs/attacks and heals to keep track of. So other classes are outdone by games with more mobility and explosiveness, but healers almost regardless of other game mechanics, play very similar across games.
The class that probably does the usual healer archetype the best, and the game that suits that playstyle the most, would be Final Fantasy XIV: AAR's White Mage, the main healing class. Manage aggro, keep your dots stacked, top off your tank, and manage all of the parties HP while they beat down the boss. It's simple in theory but in practice things can get hectic and with all the numbers that will be flying at you and off your parties HP bar, it'll keep you on your toes.
FireFall
Bastion
In what amounts to an open world tower defense game, why not pick the class with the most turrets?
FireFall is a game about farming materials while holding back waves of enemies. Almost all of your quests, crafting, and missions will involve a tower defense or horde survival type of gameplay. The Bastion is for players who love action combat, but also deeply appreciate strategy and tactic. What makes this class fun is the fact that huge waves of monsters, bugs, and other assortments of baddies, will absolutely swarm you and learning where/when to place turrets and use power ups is key. Part of the fun of this very defensive class, and this goes for all turret classes, is coming up with tactics to use your defenses offensively.
As the Bastion, you are everyone's friend, and mob's worst nightmare. It is even possible to defend multiple "Thumpers" at the same time if you are skilled and you can be a huge boon to any party to round out both offense and defense between your turrets, grenade launcher/smg and power ups. No other turret based class in any game has both the amount of action or strategy that you will get out of the Bastion.
Team Fortress 2
Spy
TF2 has the most unique classes of any arena shooter yet, and we picked the most intriguing one.
There was some controversy over whether the "Classes" in TF2 really counted as "Characters" or not but in the end because of the amount of customization with different weapons and how they entirely affect gameplay, we decided they were closer to true "Classes" despite how much character they have.
No other game has a character that can literally disguise as another person on the enemy team and then proceed to literally backstab "teammates". The hectic and comical atmosphere that is TF2 PUGs, allows the Spy and other classes to do things other competitive shooters couldn't dream of doing. The interaction of these classes which are so varied and unique really brings out the best in all of them and it reflects in the gameplay especially with the Spy. Hiding from spy checking pyros and trying to blend in to the enemy team so you can place a sapper on an enemy engi's turret, all fun that you simply cannot get anywhere else.
Dragon Nest
Warrior
Sometimes the only way out is through a horde of monsters, and you wouldn't have it any other way.
Dragon Nest is sister title to Vindictus and has very cartoon approach comparatively but still has just as much if not even more action/physics based combat. It is all about chaining different combos in order to maintain a constant soft and hard CC on the surrounding mobs so that you can stay alive. Basically, don't stop wrecking shit or else you'll get your shit wrecked. So it is only natural that this game would have classes that all are very "Big" and explosive with their abilities. The class that has the most "OOMPH" than any other while slashing and dashing across dungeons would have to be the Warrior of Dragon Nest.
Now an argument could be made about how this "Class" is gender locked with very limited customization so it should be considered a character, but there is a difference between stagnant ability sets like we see in MOBA heroes, and the Class system in place here. The Warrior's playstyle is huge, its all about giant attacks whether that is tornadoes sweeping the field or multiple giant lunar blades ripping across a dungeon. You can play a more run and gun Warrior, sweeping and dashing around or go full nuke and focus on giant attacks. Either way, the gameplay you experience from playing a Warrior in Dragon Nest is second to none.
Black Desert
Tamer
For those who want to manage a summon but also be in the thick of it. That and more awaits!
Black Desert is an incredibly action packed game with amazing stylistic visuals and the class that takes the most advantage of that and really shows off, also happens to have one of the most unique mechanics we see in classes, summoning, meet the Tamer!
The Tamer class of Black Desert allows the player to summon a familiar which commits to epic battles and allows the player to even mount them for a complete change of pace! But don't worry, as the Tamer you are still very much capable alone. With Black Deserts unique "formation" system, you can stay in formation while you command your pet to go and flank or maybe use the summon as a mount in order to quickly brake and make formations. Overall, the Tamer looks great and has far more fluid mechanics than other summoning classes and drastically more impact.
Diablo 3
Demon Hunter
Sometimes what makes a class special is how varied the gameplay can be within itself.
Diablo 3 is a game that can be played solo or optimally in a group so a lot of the class mechanics give rise to competitive party builds or casual questing builds. What Diablo also does is give just enough freedom to create a diverse potential for each individual class while still maintaining strict class guidlines and gameplay.
Skill shots, or homing, traps or instant abilities, survivability or destructibility, aoe or single target. These decisions can be made to customize the class and surely other classes in the game have similar decisions but the player mechanics required for perfect play is incredible and also incredible fun with the fast paced and risky nature of the Demon Hunter. This class is exemplary because of the control scheme of the game and how the Demon Hunter interacts with that. Learning to kite or even when you should be kiting vs straight up dps. To a lot of people, top down games = point, click and win but once player plays a class like the Demon Hunter, they can begin to appreciate the deeper mechanics of the game.
WildStar
Medic
If you aren't a fan of wack-o-mole but still want to be a healing class over a support class...
Wildstar essentially has taken World of Warcraft's combat, refined it, and then added more epic into the mix. One very important factor to WildStar is just how frantic it is and how much it focuses on area denial and aoe skill shot abilities. The Class that almost entirely focuses on this mechanic is the Medic.
The Medic in Wildstar, instead of analyzing stats and number entirely, focuses on the positioning of his teammates and enemies and reacts to that. Maintain the flow of combat by setting up healing stations for teammates, and damaging AOE spells for enemies. Know that your abilities are skill shots, and sometimes you have to move very quickly in order to clutch save a teammate. This is hard because of how fast the game moves. Just don't miss...or wait too long...or use the wrong skill...or get hit yourself. No other game has such a multi-talent skill cap on a healing class than what we have here in WildStar.
No comments:
Post a Comment