Silverfall - first impressions

The option to choose whether your character will be a "good guy" or "bad guy" has been done many times in fantasy based role-playing games. So it's nice to see Monte Cristo take a fresh approach to the standard alignment system by introducing the two opposing factions of technology and nature in their latest dungeon crawler, Silverfall.

The game begins with the city of Silverfall under siege by a horde of undead minions, and you'll soon find yourself in a refugee camp with the remaining survivors. The choice between the technology and nature factions comes into play right from the start as you begin taking on quests. Do you help install gas generators to provide power to your struggling camp at the expense of the marshland's health? Or do you take down a rogue group of infidels who've defiled a symbol of worship to acquire stones to repair your walls?

Either way, you'll be helping to rebuild the once proud city of Silverfall. Your alignment will determine what kinds of items will be available from vendors and whether Silverfall develops into a steam technology driven metropolis or a Garden of Eden like haven that coexists with its natural surroundings.

But the technology vs nature alignment system won't just be a superficial slap-on gimmick. It really seems to affect almost every aspect of the game. Your alignment will also determine what kinds of skills are available to you. So those aligned towards technology will have access to radiation attacks or cybernetic stat-boosting implants, while nature lovers will have transformation skills like lycanthropy and the ability to invoke killer insects.

We were impressed by the cell shaded look of the character models and brightly colored backgrounds that gives Silverfall a fresh and distinct comic book look. Beneath the technology vs nature aspects of the game lies a solid looking dungeon crawler with an emphasis on action, quests, and loot. Cooperative play with up to eight players online will be available, but you'll also be able to choose to enlist up to two NPC companions to join your party in adventures if the doesn't appeal to you.

If it feels like it's been too long since you've played a fast paced action RPG, then don't let Silverfall slip past your radar when it ships to the states early next year. In the meantime, click on the Images tab to see the latest screens and the Movies tab to view the 'trailer.'