One of the best games nobody's playing
Part of the problem with Demigod is that it just doesn't play like most other strategy games. If you're expecting to jump right in and start building and training like you do in most RTS offerings, you'll be a little surprised at what you find. I decided that the best way to describe the game is to call it a cross between WarCraft III and Warhammer 40K. Like WarCraft, it's an RPG/RTS hybrid in which you control a demigod who gains experience, levels up and becomes more powerful as it racks up kills and captures strategic points on the map. You can use gold to buy equipment and upgrades, and if you kill an enemy demigod, there's an item drop.
Portals you can capture throughout the map spawn units that fight for you. You don't control them, though, you just control your demigod. You build a more powerful army by capturing more portals and purchasing upgrades at your citadel.
Not being able to control all of these units popping out of the portals may be what frustrates many RTS veterans. It's just counterintuitive to the RTS experience. Many RTS gamers are control freaks, and the idea that they've got a bunch of loose cannons running around just isn't acceptable.
Eventually, though, you settle into playing from that RPG perspective and focusing on leveling up your demigod. Your army's fortune is tied directly to the advancement of your demigod. As you build your character, so also do you build your army's strength.
The game seems so foreign at first, but after one or two plays, it starts to feel like a comfortable pair of loafers. You slip right in, let out a big sigh and before you know it, you're sniping your opponent from across the map and cackling with glee.
The gameplay is addictive. It didn't take me long to go from hating the game to playing every chance I have. The only problem is, because of the early snub by gamers, there's just no content out there. The mod tools are available, but few in the mod community are contributing enough to give Demigod the longevity it deserves. My only serious complaint at this point is just that there are too few maps to play on. It looks like the game is quickly fading from memory. It's really too bad because I really enjoy this game.
Demigod went on sale as a digital download for $5.99 recently. At that price, I couldn't pass it up, and I can only hope that other fans of the genre are jumping at the opportunity as well. Maybe the bargain basement price will entice some people to give it a try and find it as addictive as I have.