How To Make GODFALL Amazing In 6 Simple Steps
When I say “simple steps,” I am clearly making a bit of an exaggeration. Video game development is an incredibly difficult job and any changes to a game this size would involve many groups of people for a long period of time. However, these things would be fundamental changes that wouldn’t alter the game like crazy. They are just a quick list of thoughts on this game which had so much potential but has made some less than favorable choices. Godfall is a fun game that can offer some satisfying combat and gorgeous graphics but could be improved with a number of changes.
Be A “Game As A Service” Or Not
Godfall asks players to continuously grind levels to unlock more and more powerful loot, but why? If the game won’t be receiving many updates of new and challenging content, why make this a core function of the game? There aren’t really any amazing unlocks for completing higher difficulty content, so why encourage players to keep playing? Basically, Godfall needs to embrace a longer lifespan and be prepared to add content to keep people involved or cut it short and make the campaign experience much grander, difficult, and compelling.
Make Valorplates More Accessible, Diverse, and Masterful
Gaining new Valorplates doesn’t take too long, but when getting them, it just feels like a fancy, expensive new skin. The Archon Abilities don’t feel all that diverse and Augments take far too long to unlock. Why can’t we unlock more things and be faced with making more difficult choices like the skills grid, and work on mastering the characters? As I briefly mentioned, the Archon Abilities are shockingly similar and uncreative. Summon helpers or do AOE damage? Is that really all my options? Why not a stunning ability, time slowing attacks, controlled bursts of damage, or a pulsing AOE attack? It just feels pointless to be forced into these twelve amazing armor sets with nothing new to do.
Growing, Challenging Endgame Content
No matter what this game might become, to make players want to come back we need more enticing content. Maybe weekly challenges that unlock certain weapons or vanity items? Maybe monthly scoreboards or time trials of finishing bosses in various group sizes? Whatever it is, we need more substance of activities than more powerful/efficient armor. Maybe even a PVP mode of sorts with competitive placements.
Valorplate Visual Customization
Why, oh why, can we not easily change the colors of the Valorplates?! Yes, I understand that there are various skins that can be used on characters, but all this time or money to unlock them only changes the color. Why not have sets of colors or fully customizable armor to make these never-changing armor sets into more personal pieces. Also, the fact that all the armor, rings, amulets, and things aren’t visually displayed is disappointing. If I can’t change select pieces of armor like my helmet or boots, at least give me the ability to see the other things on my person.
Greater Difference Weapon Performance
A big problem with looter/shooter/slasher games is that oftentimes weapons feel and are extremely similar. Almost all weapons I picked up in Godfall felt identical in each of their respective classes. If I have two giant hammers, instead of just stat changes, why not make one quicker to swing, another have a longer reach, or another have more unique effects like poison or a form of lifesteal. The weapon classes obviously feel distinct, but there are so few of them, and all the weapons inside each class are more or less the exact same. A higher level of diversity would make the weapons more interesting to try out and use, however, they are pretty boring as of now.
As I mentioned above, I know that these changes in a game are far more difficult than we expect. Most of them probably aren’t possible or worth doing, but if Godfall was going to try and make up for its less than great reviews, here are some starting points.