On this video, we will be speaking aboutFellowship, a sport we really touched on earlier than that we had entry to within the early alpha construct again in August of 2024.In case you caught that video, you would possibly do not forget that we got here away fairly intrigued by what the builders have been making an attempt to do.
Fellowship Early Entry Preview
However for anybody new, Fellowship is what the builders are calling a multiplayer on-line dungeon journey, or MOA for brief, and is being developed by Chief Insurgent, a model new studio made up of some fairly seasoned veterans (individuals who’ve labored on titles like World of Warcraft, Diablo I, Helldivers 2, and the Battlefield sequence, simply to call a number of).
On this video, we will break down what Fellowship really is, the way it performs, what sort of mechanics and heroes it options, and why we predict it might resonate with sure audiences.
That is notably true for hardcore World of Warcraft followers and perhaps even gamers who take pleasure in roguelike or co-op dungeon crawls that throw a gentle stream of challenges at you.
Additionally, keep tuned for the top of the video the place we now have an unique, never-before-seen boss reveal.
However earlier than we get forward of ourselves, let’s begin with the plain query:
What’s Fellowship
Fellowship is a four-player cooperative dungeon crawler, and the idea is fairly easy. You and three different individuals leap right into a dungeon collectively, every taking over a task of a pre-assigned hero. Each hero comes with their very own distinctive skills, weapons, and equipment.
The sport leans exhausting into the holy trinity: the traditional tank, healer, and DPS function construction, one thing MMO followers will immediately acknowledge.
This setup places an actual emphasis on team-based technique, coordination, and ability execution.
Participant development is tied to every hero, in order you play a hero, you unlock an increasing number of for that hero and change into stronger with that hero completely.
Every match begins on the entrance to a dungeon you queue into, and from there, your group works by means of progressively harder areas, clearing mobs, tackling elite enemies, and finally going through off in opposition to a number of bosses relying on the dimensions and issue of that dungeon.
At larger ranges, these dungeons are timed, and you could beat the ultimate boss and clear sufficient enemies throughout the time restrict to unlock higher-level difficulties, just like how Mythic Plus works in World of Warcraft.
What Makes Fellowship Distinctive
Fellowship removes the standard leveling course of you see in most MMOs and takes gamers immediately into the enjoyable endgame content material, a refreshing change for individuals who now not have time for the grind.
You may consider it as how MOBAs developed out of RTS video games. Fellowship appears like the following iteration: if MOBAs have been the streamlined model of large-scale technique, Fellowship goals to be the streamlined model of MMO dungeon content material.
As a substitute of spending dozens of hours gearing up and hoping for a good run, Fellowship drops you straight into the motion out of your very first session. There’s no lengthy leveling or raid prep required; you’re in, you’re preventing, and also you’re incomes gear tokens and ranked rewards instantly.
For gamers with busy schedules, this accessibility-first design is a giant deal. It permits MMO veterans with restricted free time to relive the dungeon-crawling thrill in shorter, extra rewarding classes.
Mount System
One other function that reveals respect for gamers’ time is the mount system.
Mounts might be earned by means of regular play or by finishing particular duties, permitting gamers to hurry by means of cases rapidly and optimize runs.
Hardcore MMO followers nonetheless get that cooperative problem they crave, however this format opens the door for a lot of who beforehand gave up on the style resulting from time constraints.
Monetization
Fellowship is a premium title: you purchase it as soon as, and that’s it. No subscriptions or necessary on-line passes.
The builders have mentioned there will probably be non-compulsory cosmetic-only microtransactions, with no impression on gameplay or development.
They’ve emphasised transparency about how the system evolves at launch, which is refreshing to listen to given present participant considerations about monetization.
Chief Insurgent additionally appears genuinely desirous about group suggestions for post-launch content material, aiming to construct a wholesome, clear relationship between builders and gamers.
Gameplay and Fight
The core of Fellowship is streamlined dungeon operating with limitless replayability due to scaling issue and modifiers.
Gamers can select between Fast Play and Ranked modes:
Fast Play gives quick, informal runs lasting 10–quarter-hour, good for leaping in and grabbing loot.
Ranked Mode ups the problem with scalable difficulties, curses, and ascensions that alter every dungeon’s really feel.
Teams will vote amongst three dungeon choices earlier than beginning a run. Modifiers can drastically change gameplay; for instance, a curse that makes ice harm have an effect on each gamers and enemies forces new positioning and technique.
Accessing larger difficulties requires two issues:
The next merchandise degree (earned from stronger gear).
Excessive dungeon scores (achieved by clearing more durable runs inside closing dates).
Stronghold (Hub Space)
Between runs, gamers return to the central hub, a bustling stronghold with crafting stations, distributors, coaching dummies, and improve benches. It’s the downtime area the place you enhance your hero earlier than the following dungeon.
This design channels the late-game dungeon expertise from MMOs like World of Warcraft however makes it the primary function as a substitute of the top purpose.
Heroes and Abilities
At Early Entry launch (October sixteenth), there are 9 lessons out there, with extra on the best way.
As a substitute of making a blank-slate character, you decide from a roster of pre-designed heroes, every with distinct playstyles tied to the traditional MMO archetypes: tank, DPS, or healer.
Every hero incorporates a expertise desk, permitting customization inside their archetype.
Gamers can freely allocate factors, and respecs are fully free, encouraging experimentation.
This design promotes synergy between heroes and retains celebration composition fascinating.
For instance, Mako performs in a different way from Helena, and utilizing Sylvia (a sustained healer) as a substitute of a burst healer adjustments the whole group rhythm.
There’s clear potential for future heroes, together with pet-based tanks, space healers, and different artistic designs that increase group variety.
Remaining Ideas
Total, Fellowship appears like a deliberate try to carve out its personal area of interest by specializing in the most effective components of MMO dungeon operating: cooperative fight, development, and synergy, whereas trimming away the grind and downtime.
It’s a streamlined but deep cooperative expertise that matches each fast after-work classes and longer devoted play. Seasonal updates, modifiers, and rewards ought to preserve issues recent over time.
If Chief Insurgent can ship on their imaginative and prescient, Fellowship might do greater than be part of the dungeon crawler style, it might outline a brand new one fully.
Boss Reveal with Hamish Bode
Earlier than we wrap up, as promised, right here’s a brand new boss reveal with voiceover from Chief Insurgent Group Director Hamish Bode:
Hello everybody, Hamish right here, Group Director for Fellowship.
I am actually excited that we get to point out off an unique first have a look at what’s most likely my private favourite of all of the bosses we now have in our sport.
As an added bonus, we’re watching this from the angle of our new hero, Allaran.
We’re going to point out you among the mechanics (how they work and typically don’t) so you can begin excited about deal with this for yourselves in Fellowship after October sixteenth.
Take pleasure in!
