Wildgate delivers exciting Sea of Thieves shenanigans in space

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The ring of alarms is punctuated by a computerized warning about fires, low oxygen levels, and potential intruders aboard our ship, the Pizza Party, as we speed towards our destination while being chased by three other vessels, each with lighthearted monikers like the “Still Relevant”. Our ship is priority target because of our precious cargo – the Artifact.

The Prized Artifact is what everyone aboard each of the five vessels is competing for, as it’s displayed on the map. The team that seizes it and manages a successful exit through the sector’s Wildgate will emerge victorious. Regrettably, we grabbed this remarkable technology before the gate was open, providing ample opportunity for our pursuers to close in. As a result, here we are: Our ship is ablaze in several spots, more than half of our weapons are malfunctioning, and an enemy team is attempting to grab the Artifact amidst the pandemonium, which would let them hog all the credit for its capture if successful.

Despite seeing my ship explode and realizing I had no air left to breathe, I found myself laughing. Even though we didn’t win this time, the fact that we stayed to witness the end shows how captivating Wildgate’s tales can be.

As a seasoned gamer and a five-year veteran at Moonshot Games, one of the studios spearheaded by ex-Blizzard developers, I’ve been immersed in crafting a thrilling team-based sci-fi shooter. Picture it as an intense, condensed version of Sea of Thieves, but set amidst the infinite expanse of space.

5 vessels, each manned by 4 personnel, embark on a dynamically changing map for a quest. Their goal is to locate a unique Artifact concealed somewhere within the region. The team that successfully retrieves the Artifact via the Wildgate achieves success – however, annihilating all other ships also constitutes a potential pathway to triumph.

In the beginning of a game, similar to a battle royale or extraction shooter, there’s a focus on gathering resources as your team explores various key locations and completes tasks provided by these spots. These could involve triggering specific devices or eliminating all non-player opponents in the area. Each location yields rewards for players, which are primarily utilized to enhance their ship. This may include obtaining stronger weapons such as a Sniper Turret or Macro Turret, or attachments that allow your ship to withstand meteor storms without sustaining damage – a feature that can be decisive during combat situations.

Equipment enhancements like looting can enrich your personal arsenal as well. Tiny spacecrafts (turbines) serve as your personal vessels and swiftly transport you onto an enemy ship. You can lay Bomb Traps on the enemy’s ship to cause damage. A portable tractor beam is potent enough to temporarily hold off escaping ships, making it incredibly useful for keeping nuisance Artifact thieves at bay.

This gear appears to serve simple functions, yet it offers ample room for creative use, leading to distinct gameplay approaches. There’s a rocket that can be attached to an opponent’s ship to throw it off course; however, strategically placing an even number of these on your own vessel in specific spots can yield a remarkable speed advantage, making pursuit impossible for others.

In Wildgate, individual bravery and clever strategies can sway the game’s outcome just as much as team coordination, strategic risk-taking, or receiving favorable upgrades from the game gods. However, relying on a single factor such as these isn’t enough to overcome a well-balanced combination of skills. This is what makes playing Wildgate an exceptionally rewarding and satisfying experience compared to many other multiplayer games.

In terms of ship-to-ship combat, the game Wildgate frequently reminded me of Guns of Icarus Online, both being games that take place within 3D battlefield environments. This similarity in setting lends an identical sensation to maneuvering and firing, which I found quite appealing.

According to Moonshot Games co-founder Dustin Browder, the game from 2012 serves as one of the influences for Wildgate, alongside Rare’s pirate adventure, Overwatch, Apex Legends, and Subnautica. Specifically, it was Subnautica that impacted the visual style and atmosphere of the location called Reach, which can be seen as a friendlier interpretation of Warhammer 40,000’s Warp.

In this game, you’ve got several types of ships to pick, each having varying size, speed, weapon placements, and designs. The Hunter is a balanced option for most players, but skilled pilots might find the Scout, with its high speed, more advantageous. On the other hand, if your team prefers heavy firepower, they’d enjoy the Bastion. However, unlike some shooter games, there are no carry-overs between matches. You’ll always begin a new game with the basic version of your ship, and you’ll need to earn upgrades and equipment during gameplay.

Additionally, you’ll encounter an array of vibrant personas, including robots and aliens, to select from. Each character possesses distinct passive skills and traits. For instance, the robot persona is immune to oxygen requirements, ideal for exploration and boarding, while the lovable alien named Sal excels in repairs and occasionally discovers powerful ship enhancements by recycling unnecessary equipment. Her elevated health points and lack of vulnerable spots make her formidable in combat, offering versatility once more.

In this game, you have the freedom to fully tailor your character’s gear, selecting both primary and secondary weapons along with two gadgets that suit your playstyle. However, it’s important to note that Wildgate isn’t a hero shooter, although its initial appearance might lead one to make that assumption.

The game effectively captures the essence of what makes Sea of Thieves fun – its action, exploration, and the thrill of being a pirate – within 20 to 40 minutes, while also introducing new elements that refresh the formula, like intriguing characters and detailed environments.

As a gamer, I’d say: At first, the game feels peaceful with just NPCs around, but as soon as I deploy my probes to explore the map and possibly find the Artifact or interesting spots, I might run into rival ships. The tension escalates unpredictably, especially during battles when anyone could surprise you. My crew and I have to make quick decisions and respond to the ever-changing situation. And once someone snatches the Artifact, broadcasting it across all players, the game transforms into an exhilarating whirlwind of activity.

As a gamer, I’m thrilled about Moonshot Games’ upcoming project, Wildgate, which is set to debut in 2025 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The co-founder, Jason Chayes, emphasized that every player should walk away with their own unique story, and I can’t wait to experience this narrative promise firsthand! For more details, check out our interview with Jason Chayes and Dustin Browder for a deeper insight into Wildgate.

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2025-04-11 21:16