Summary
- Release Year: 2018
- Genres: Indie, Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
- Platforms: Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
Coregrounds: A Competitive RTS With MOBA and Tower Defense Elements
Introduction
Coregrounds is a competitive real-time strategy (RTS) game with elements of MOBA and tower defense. It was developed by Black Mermaid and released in 2018. Coregrounds is a free-to-play game with cross-platform multiplayer, and it has been praised for its deep strategy, fast-paced gameplay, and diverse roster of characters.
Gameplay
Coregrounds is played on a map with two lanes and a jungle in between. Each player controls a team of five heroes, and the goal is to destroy the enemy’s core, which is located at the end of each lane.
Players can control their heroes directly, or they can use a point-and-click interface to issue commands. Heroes have a variety of abilities, and they can be upgraded by leveling up and purchasing items.
In addition to heroes, players can also build towers and other structures to defend their base and attack the enemy. Towers can be upgraded to increase their range, damage, and other stats.
MOBA Elements
Coregrounds incorporates several elements from MOBAs, such as:
- Heroes: Each hero in Coregrounds has a unique set of abilities, and they can be customized with items and upgrades.
- Lanes: The map is divided into two lanes, and each lane has a set of towers that must be destroyed in order to reach the enemy’s core.
- Jungle: The jungle is a neutral area between the lanes, and it contains monsters that can be killed for experience and gold.
Tower Defense Elements
Coregrounds also incorporates several elements from tower defense games, such as:
- Towers: Players can build towers and other structures to defend their base and attack the enemy.
- Creeps: Creeps are AI-controlled units that spawn from the enemy’s base and travel down the lanes. Players must kill creeps to earn experience and gold.
- Waves: Creeps spawn in waves, and each wave is stronger than the last. Players must carefully manage their resources and defenses to survive each wave.
Cross-Platform Multiplayer
Coregrounds features cross-platform multiplayer, which means that players on PC, Mac, and Linux can all play together. This makes it easy to find opponents and friends to play with, regardless of what platform they are on.
Characters
Coregrounds features a diverse roster of characters, each with their own unique abilities and playstyles. Some of the most popular characters include:
- Ember: A ranged damage dealer with high mobility.
- Galileo: A tank with high health and crowd control abilities.
- Kai: A melee assassin with high burst damage.
- Lyra: A support hero with healing and buffing abilities.
- Magnus: A ranged damage dealer with high area-of-effect damage.
Development
Coregrounds was developed by Black Mermaid, a small independent game studio based in Finland. The game was funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2017.
Coregrounds was released in early access in 2018, and it was fully released in 2019. The game has been regularly updated since its release, with new characters, maps, and features being added.
Reception
Coregrounds has been praised for its deep strategy, fast-paced gameplay, and diverse roster of characters. The game has also been praised for its cross-platform multiplayer, which makes it easy to find opponents and friends to play with.
Coregrounds has been featured in several publications, including PC Gamer, IGN, and Rock Paper Shotgun. The game has also been nominated for several awards, including the Independent Games Festival Award for Excellence in Design.
Conclusion
Coregrounds is a competitive RTS game with elements of MOBA and tower defense. The game features deep strategy, fast-paced gameplay, and a diverse roster of characters. Coregrounds is also free-to-play and cross-platform, making it easy to find opponents and friends to play with.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
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