As soon as you log into the game, players will be drawn to the gameplay with a simple and easy to understand. In addition to the keyboard, Rise of Incarnates adds even more gamepad controls to the player’s choice.
Like many other action games, the Rise of Incarnates style is based on the player’s quick response. Fighting mechanisms are familiar with continuous combo attacks, or a fast-paced surfing mechanism to avoid attacks, or even a quick response to the attacking character … quite familiar as other fighting games.
Another highlight of the Rise of the Incarnates comes from possessing a special combat mechanism as in the Dragon Ball series, when players are forced to “aim – orient” their attacks from afar.
Rise of Incarnates owns a relatively beautiful and impressive graphics, with a comic style. Environmental effects in the game are also exploited to the maximum when characters can destroy the environment such as breaking walls or some objects in the arena.
The first notable point is that at present, Rise of Incarnates only offers 2vs2 arena to players. In this arena, the player’s task is simply to take down the opponent to win.
At present, Rise of Incarnates introduces three familiar game modes including Rank, Normal, Bot. Each of these modes play in 2vs2.
Rise of Incarnates owns a relatively beautiful and impressive graphics, with a comic style. Environmental effects in the game are also exploited to the maximum when characters can destroy the environment such as breaking walls or some objects in the arena.
The maps in the game are built quite beautiful, sharp and true. Even players can destroy the environment, collapse concrete walls, and vehicles around the map while fighting. This gives the player a sense of Rise of Incarnates experience as a movie.
Rise of Incarnates offers a variety of player-selected characters, each with their own skills, as well as a variety of HP, with different weak stats.
During the battle, the character can jump into the air and attack downwards. All four characters possess melee attacks or ranged attacks. Of course, remote attacks are not as accurate as the average speed, and the opponent can avoid using the ability to surf or move. Meanwhile, close-range attacks have a much wider AoE range and are easier to hit.
However, Rise of Incarnates minimizes the fact that gamers play “cheese” when spamming only a few skills. All of the character’s spells in the game have a certain amount of use, and once used up, the player will have to wait for a cooldown. This can be considered the most highlight of the Rise of Incarnates compared to the other fighting games.
In the Rise of Incarnates, all characters in the game can develop new skills. After the game, players will receive a certain amount of experience points and gold coins. While experience is used to level up characters, gold coins help players acquire new characters.
New characters can be purchased in the Cash Shop with a prepaid card, but after purchase, gamers still need to spend some time to level them up.
Gameplay Mechanics
Combat System
The core gameplay of “Rise of Incarnates” revolves around 2v2 battles in large, open arenas. Players choose from a roster of characters, each with unique abilities and playstyles, and team up to defeat their opponents.
Pros:
- Dynamic Combat: The combat system is fluid and dynamic, allowing for a mix of melee attacks, ranged attacks, and special abilities. This variety keeps the gameplay engaging and offers multiple strategies for victory.
- Character Abilities: Each character, or Incarnate, has a distinct set of abilities tied to their mythical entity. This diversity adds depth to the game, as players can experiment with different characters and find ones that suit their playstyle.
- Team Coordination: The 2v2 format emphasizes teamwork and coordination. Players must work together to effectively manage their resources, control the battlefield, and execute combos. This team-based approach adds a layer of strategy to the fast-paced combat.
Cons:
- Steep Learning Curve: The game’s mechanics can be difficult to master, especially for new players. The combination of movement, attack, and ability mechanics requires practice, and the lack of a comprehensive tutorial may be frustrating for beginners.
- Balance Issues: Some characters are noticeably stronger than others, leading to balance issues that can affect the competitive integrity of matches. This imbalance can be discouraging for players who prefer certain characters but find them less viable in competitive play.
Movement and Controls
Movement in “Rise of Incarnates” is designed to be fast and fluid, with an emphasis on aerial maneuvers and mobility.
Pros:
- Aerial Combat: The ability to fly and perform aerial attacks adds a unique dimension to the gameplay. Players can take advantage of verticality in the arenas to outmaneuver opponents and gain strategic advantages.
- Responsive Controls: The controls are generally responsive and intuitive, allowing players to execute complex maneuvers and combos with precision. This responsiveness is crucial for a game that relies on fast-paced action.
Cons:
- Camera Issues: The dynamic camera can sometimes struggle to keep up with the fast movement and aerial combat, leading to disorienting moments and difficulty in tracking opponents. This issue can detract from the overall experience.
- Clunky Transitions: Transitions between ground and aerial combat can feel clunky at times, disrupting the flow of the game. Smoother transitions would enhance the fluidity and immersion of the combat.
Customization and Progression
“Rise of Incarnates” offers various customization options for characters and a progression system to keep players engaged.
Pros:
- Cosmetic Customization: Players can customize the appearance of their characters with different skins, costumes, and accessories. This allows for personalization and adds an element of individuality to each player’s experience.
- Progression System: The game features a progression system that rewards players with experience points and in-game currency for completing matches and achieving objectives. This system provides a sense of achievement and motivates players to continue playing.
Cons:
- Pay-to-Win Concerns: As a free-to-play game, “Rise of Incarnates” includes microtransactions for cosmetic items and certain gameplay advantages. Some players have criticized the game for having pay-to-win elements, where players who spend money have a competitive edge.
- Limited Customization Depth: While cosmetic customization is available, the depth of customization for abilities and playstyles is limited. More options for skill customization and character builds would have added to the game’s replayability.
Narrative and World-Building
Story and Setting
“Rise of Incarnates” is set in a dystopian future where a cataclysmic event has granted certain individuals superhuman powers. These individuals, known as Incarnates, are bound to mythical entities and must fight to survive in a world teetering on the brink of destruction.
Pros:
- Unique Premise: The game’s premise is intriguing, blending elements of mythology and post-apocalyptic fiction. The concept of individuals gaining powers from mythical entities adds a layer of mysticism and intrigue to the setting.
- Character Backstories: Each Incarnate has a detailed backstory that explains their connection to their mythical entity and their motivations. These backstories add depth to the characters and provide context for their actions in the game.
Cons:
- Shallow Narrative: Despite the intriguing premise, the overall narrative of “Rise of Incarnates” is underdeveloped. The story is primarily delivered through character bios and in-game dialogue, which may leave players wanting more depth and context.
- Limited World-Building: The game’s world-building is sparse, with few details about the broader state of the world and the impact of the cataclysmic event. More extensive lore and world-building would have enriched the narrative experience.
Character Design
The character design in “Rise of Incarnates” is diverse, with each Incarnate having a unique visual style and set of abilities.
Pros:
- Distinctive Designs: Each character is visually distinctive, with designs that reflect their mythical origins and powers. This visual diversity adds to the appeal of the roster and helps each character stand out.
- Personality and Voice Acting: The characters are brought to life through voice acting and distinct personalities. The voice performances are generally strong, adding to the immersion and emotional impact of the game.
Cons:
- Clichéd Archetypes: Some characters fall into clichéd archetypes, which can make them feel less original and compelling. More nuanced and complex character designs would have added depth to the roster.
- Limited Interaction: The interactions between characters are limited, primarily occurring during matches. More dynamic interactions and relationships between characters would have enhanced the narrative and character development.
Graphics and Audio
Visual Design
The visual design of “Rise of Incarnates” aims to create a striking and immersive experience, with detailed character models and vibrant environments.
Pros:
- Detailed Character Models: The character models are detailed and well-designed, reflecting the unique abilities and personalities of each Incarnate. The visual effects for abilities are also impressive, adding to the spectacle of the combat.
- Diverse Environments: The game features a variety of environments, each with its own visual style and hazards. This diversity keeps the arenas interesting and adds to the strategic depth of the gameplay.
Cons:
- Inconsistent Quality: The quality of the visuals can be inconsistent, with some environments and effects looking less polished than others. This inconsistency can detract from the overall immersion.
- Visual Clutter: During intense battles, the screen can become cluttered with visual effects and HUD elements, making it difficult to keep track of the action. A cleaner and more streamlined interface would improve visibility and player experience.
Audio Design
The audio design of “Rise of Incarnates” includes a mix of music, sound effects, and voice acting to create an immersive and engaging experience.
Pros:
- Dynamic Soundtrack: The game’s soundtrack is dynamic and fitting for the fast-paced combat, with tracks that enhance the intensity and excitement of matches. The music helps to set the tone and atmosphere.
- Impactful Sound Effects: The sound effects for attacks, abilities, and environmental interactions are impactful and add to the sensory experience of the game. These effects help to convey the power and impact of the combat.
- Voice Acting: The voice acting is generally strong, with performances that bring the characters to life. The dialogue and vocal cues during matches add to the immersion and emotional engagement.
Cons:
- Repetitive Audio Cues: Some audio cues, such as character lines and attack sounds, can become repetitive over time. This repetition can detract from the overall audio experience and make certain aspects of the game feel less dynamic.
- Limited Ambient Sounds: The ambient sounds in the environments are limited, which can make the arenas feel less alive and immersive. More detailed and varied ambient audio would enhance the sense of place.
Impact and Reception
Critical Reception
“Rise of Incarnates” received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its innovative combat mechanics and unique premise, but criticism for its execution and overall balance.
Pros:
- Innovative Combat: Critics praised the game’s innovative combat system, particularly the emphasis on aerial maneuvers and team-based strategy. The dynamic and fast-paced nature of the combat was seen as a standout feature.
- Unique Premise: The game’s unique premise and setting were also highlighted as strengths, offering a fresh take on the fighting game genre with its blend of mythology and post-apocalyptic themes.
Cons:
- Execution Issues: The game’s execution was criticized, with issues such as balance problems, a steep learning curve, and camera control detracting from the overall experience. These issues were seen as barriers to the game’s potential.
- Lack of Content: The limited content and lack of depth in the narrative and world-building were also points of criticism. Reviewers noted that the game felt incomplete and lacking in long-term engagement.
Player Reception
The player reception for “Rise of Incarnates” was similarly mixed. While some players appreciated the game’s unique mechanics and premise, others were disappointed by its shortcomings and lack of content.
Pros:
- Engaging Combat: Many players enjoyed the dynamic and fast-paced combat system, particularly the emphasis on aerial maneuvers and team coordination. The variety of character abilities and playstyles kept the gameplay interesting and engaging.
- Community Involvement: The game’s community was active and passionate, with players frequently discussing strategies, character builds, and potential improvements. This sense of community added to the overall experience and provided support for new players.
Cons:
- Low Player Base: One of the most significant issues was the low player base, which made it difficult to find matches and maintain a healthy competitive environment. The lack of players ultimately contributed to the game’s decline.
- Frustration with Balance: Players often expressed frustration with the balance issues, noting that certain characters were overpowered and others were underwhelming. This imbalance led to a less enjoyable and fair competitive experience.
- Content and Progression: The limited content and shallow progression system were common complaints among players. Many felt that the game lacked long-term engagement and that the rewards for progression were not satisfying enough to maintain interest.
Expansions and Updates
Despite its short lifespan, “Rise of Incarnates” did receive some updates and content additions aimed at improving the overall experience.
Character Updates
Bandai Namco released updates that introduced new characters to the roster, each with unique abilities and playstyles.
Pros:
- Fresh Additions: The introduction of new characters provided fresh content and variety for players. Each new character brought new strategies and dynamics to the gameplay.
- Diverse Abilities: The new characters had diverse abilities, which helped to keep the gameplay interesting and offered players more options for team compositions.
Cons:
- Balance Concerns: While new characters were a welcome addition, their introduction often exacerbated balance issues. Some new characters were seen as overpowered, further disrupting the competitive balance.
- Limited Integration: The new characters were not always well-integrated into the existing lore and narrative, which made them feel somewhat disconnected from the game’s world.
Quality of Life Improvements
Several updates focused on quality of life improvements, addressing player feedback and enhancing the overall experience.
Pros:
- Improved Controls: Updates included improvements to the controls and camera system, making the gameplay feel more responsive and intuitive. These changes addressed some of the initial criticisms and helped to improve the combat experience.
- Bug Fixes: Various bug fixes and performance improvements were implemented, resulting in a smoother and more stable gameplay experience. These updates were essential for maintaining player engagement and satisfaction.
Cons:
- Insufficient Content: Despite the quality of life improvements, the updates did not address the fundamental issue of insufficient content. Players continued to feel that the game lacked depth and replayability.
- Delayed Response: Some players felt that the updates were too little, too late. The game’s player base had already started to decline, and the updates were not enough to reverse the trend.
Shutdown and Legacy
In December 2015, less than a year after its initial release, Bandai Namco announced the shutdown of “Rise of Incarnates.” The game servers were officially closed, and the game was removed from Steam. Despite its ambitious goals and unique premise, “Rise of Incarnates” struggled to maintain a player base and ultimately failed to achieve long-term success.
Factors Contributing to Shutdown
Low Player Base: One of the primary factors contributing to the shutdown was the low player base. The game’s matchmaking system struggled to find matches, leading to long wait times and frustration among players. The lack of a sustainable player population made it difficult to support a healthy competitive environment.
Balance and Gameplay Issues: Persistent balance issues and gameplay frustrations also played a significant role in the game’s decline. Despite updates and patches, the game’s core mechanics and character balance never fully satisfied the player base.
Limited Content and Engagement: The lack of substantial content and shallow progression system resulted in limited long-term engagement. Players quickly exhausted the available content and found little incentive to continue playing.
Market Competition: “Rise of Incarnates” faced stiff competition from other established and emerging multiplayer games. The crowded market made it challenging for the game to attract and retain a dedicated player base.
Legacy and Impact
Despite its short lifespan, “Rise of Incarnates” left an impact on the gaming community and industry. It serves as a case study in the challenges of developing and maintaining a successful multiplayer game, particularly in the free-to-play market.
Innovation in Combat: The game’s innovative combat mechanics, particularly the emphasis on aerial maneuvers and team-based strategy, were widely recognized. These elements demonstrated the potential for new approaches to the fighting game genre.
Community and Feedback: The active involvement of the game’s community and the developer’s responsiveness to feedback were notable aspects of “Rise of Incarnates.” The game’s development process highlighted the importance of community engagement in shaping and improving a game’s experience.
Lessons Learned: The challenges faced by “Rise of Incarnates” provided valuable lessons for future game developers. The importance of balance, content depth, and player retention were underscored by the game’s struggles and ultimate shutdown.
Conclusion
“Rise of Incarnates” was an ambitious project that aimed to blend elements of traditional fighting games with team-based, arena-style combat. Its unique premise, innovative combat mechanics, and diverse character roster offered a fresh take on the genre. However, the game faced significant challenges, including balance issues, a steep learning curve, and a lack of substantial content.
While the game received praise for its dynamic combat and engaging premise, it struggled to maintain a player base and ultimately fell short of its potential. The shutdown of “Rise of Incarnates” serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges of developing a successful multiplayer game, particularly in the competitive free-to-play market.
Despite its shortcomings, “Rise of Incarnates” left a lasting impact on the gaming community and industry. Its innovative mechanics and community engagement provided valuable insights and lessons for future developers. As a case study, “Rise of Incarnates” underscores the importance of balance, content depth, and player retention in the success of multiplayer games.
In the end, “Rise of Incarnates” remains a fascinating and ambitious project that aimed to push the boundaries of the fighting game genre. While it may not have achieved long-term success, its legacy continues to influence and inspire the development of new and innovative gaming experiences.