Join The Club
Wardogs, we learned from the new trailer that dropped during today's Future Games Show, is not a battle royale. It is also not an extraction shooter. So... what is it? The video does eventually get to that part: It's an "all-out warfare" FPS for up to 100 players.
The trailer looks pretty straightforward as these things go, with chaotic first-person gameplay and light vehicle simulation that evokes thoughts of Call of Duty or Battlefield. The big difference is that Wardogs is built around a single game mode inspired by King of the Hill that pits three teams against each other for control of randomized zones within a larger-scale map. Each zone has varying conditions and challenges, so every match—in theory at least—is different.
Wardogs also aims to actively encourage teamplay by offering in-game monetary rewards for specific actions—not just controlling objectives (although you're definitely getting paid for doing that) but also things like reviving teammates or transporting friendlies. The cash you earn can be spent on a range of loadouts and vehicles with each new life, and it also persists from match to match, meaning you can save up for a big spend at a crucial moment—and that you might be a little stuck if you're having a bad run.
The big hook, though, is that Wardogs is "100% player driven," with an emphasis on letting players do what they want within the confines of the map. "There's no one way to play, earn and progress," the Steam page says. "Instead, Wardogs gives players the freedom to take on the Control Zone in any number of ways. Whether you're a lone wolf helping out your team or part of a dedicated squad, how you approach the battlefield is entirely up to you.
"There are no set rules of engagement. It's ultimately your choice how you want to approach the battlefield."
It looks pretty good: I enjoy modern military shooters as much as the next guy but tend not to play them online because, frankly, I suck. Being able to come at it in a more open-ended setting and maybe find an approach that fits my aging reflexes has appeal.
Wardogs is set to launch into early access later this year. If you want to jump into playtesting ahead of that, you can sign up at wardogs.com.
