If there is one thing that has always bothered me in the world of MOBA-like games, it is the lack of exploration on a map. Yes, I know that shouldn’t be a feature at all. Ultimately, you’re only there to kill minions, level up, push lanes, and eventually destroy the enemy base. However, the fact that some of the biggest games of the genre stick to a map design that rarely changes can get a bit old for casual players. Thankfully, Supervive is already addressing this with some of the best sandbox elements I’ve seen in the genre.
Some might hear the term sandbox and think about games such as Grand Theft Auto, and I wouldn’t blame them. Yet, the essence of this genre is giving players the reins to do what they want. In that regard, Supervive is as sandbox as it gets. While the combat is a mash-up between LoL, Overwatch, and Apex Legends, it also provides a lot of freedom as to how you approach certain situations.
Let’s begin with itemization. In other games similar to this one, you have a shop where you acquire your items. In Supervive, however, there are many ways to get them. You can defeat minions that drop loot, face powerful bosses, and even break into vaults via a minigame. This is the type of player freedom I never thought would work in this type of environment. After all, we’re used to MOBAs being linear, but Supervive isn’t. This game encourages exploration from the get-go, giving a gameplay loop similar to that of a Battle Royale: scavenge, upgrade, and then defeat enemies.
Supervive’s Dynamic Approach To Every Match Is What Makes It Stand Out
While most competitive games tend to get a bit repetitive and monotonous, Supervive foresaw this. In most co-op hero shooters, the difference in a match depends on the players. Each round, you might experience something different, but that is entirely up to player interaction, not in Supervive. Here, the map is an ever-changing environment with fun modifiers for each encounter. Your usual camping spot might be more challenging to capture due to the Battle Royale-like circle closing faster. The enemy team might escape more quickly because now everyone has unlimited jetpack fuel. Even the smallest detail can make any of your matches completely different, thus changing how you approach every situation.
While my play sessions during my hands-on preview were limited, I can tell you everything felt different. Yes, I was familiar with a few of the areas around the map, and I knew where certain items or camps were; these modifiers are fixed to an extent but can change every round. For example, there’s a train that travels around the map, and one modifier makes it reach Flash levels of speed. I used that to lure an enemy team onto the rails to get crushed by it, which is something I can’t do in other hero shooters. It might seem like an insignificant addition, but it isn’t. Once you learn how to use the map as a character, victory can be yours in seconds.
Ultimately, the biggest surprise is how a game like Supervive can feel like a competitive sandbox shooter. I know the category sounds like a mouthful, but that’s what makes Theorycraft’s latest game a joy to play. With the game reaching open beta sometime in late 2024, I’m excited to see what other map modifiers show up. While new hunters, enemies, and items also intrigue me, exploring Supervive‘s map is second to none and something I’m sure many gamers will enjoy.
