NOTE: This interview was conducted prior to the game’s launch.

"EvilVEvil at its core is a co-op game but we have also built it with solo players in mind. There are no enemies in EvilVEvil which locks down a player or requires another player’s support. All objectives can be accomplished with any number of players."

How many different playable characters will the game feature? How significantly will they differ from each other with their abilities and moment-to-moment gameplay?

EvilVEvil is released with 3 playable characters which have their own progression tree as well as their unique set up of abilities. The characters also have some unique artifacts for further customization.

For future content drops we are planning to add 3 new playable characters.

EvilVEvil is clearly placing a strong emphasis on co-op, but is it going to be a viable experience for someone looking to run through it solo?

EvilVEvil at its core is a co-op game but we have also built it with solo players in mind. There are no enemies in EvilVEvil which locks down a player or requires another player’s support. All objectives can be accomplished with any number of players.

Elements of the progression tree will unlock artifacts to further bolster a solo build. For example, the Phoenix artifact gives the player 1 instant-revive (with a cool-down) instead of having to rely on teammates to get revived.

EvilVEvil is also released with an offline mode so you can play the game in solo-mode without internet.

What can you tell us about how artifacts will work within the game’s progression mechanics, and how much build diversity they will promote?

The artifact system for characters and mod system for weapons are meant to allow players to customize their build. You can build towards guns, abilities, quick-melee, hoover, feeding, headshots etc.

The artifact system is also something we want to expand upon in the future and right now the characters have some artifacts that impact their abilities but we hope to double down on this with future content drops.

"We’ve just teased the next content drop, which will add 3 new playable vampires to EvilVEvil plus a new arena game mode which uses all of Evil score systems to maximum and we can’t wait for people to bite into it."

What should players expect from EvilVEvil roster of weapons? How much variety will the game boast on this front, especially with its mix of modern weapons and ancient relics?

EvilVEvil’s weapons are divided into two groups, kinetic and saber weapons. Kinetic weapons are physical weapons that are strong against humanoid enemies and saber weapons are UV-based weapons that work well against demonoid enemies as well as shields.

And EvilVEvil comes with a big variety of shotguns, SMGs, assault rifles, snipers, pistols, LMGs.

Given the game’s co-op focused nature, do you have any post-launch plans for the game by way of new characters, missions, or something else?

Yes. We’ve just teased the next content drop, which will add 3 new playable vampires to EvilVEvil plus a new arena game mode which uses all of Evil score systems to maximum and we can’t wait for people to bite into it! We’ll be revealing more at a later date.

EvilVEvil is a 3-player co-op shooter that takes place in the year 2099. Shortly after waking up from an incredibly deep slumber, players are tasked with taking on the forces of a mysterious cult that, through some incredibly convoluted plan that involves portals to summon demons, wants to destroy the world by summoning a sinister enemy. And that’s really all the story you’re going to get from the game. Owing to its pacing, EvilVEvil doesn’t really offer up a lot of downtime between its action that would allow for some exposition, so the vast majority of the story essentially plays out through conversations that happen during missions.

Fundamentally, however, the story in EvilVEvil is essentially an excuse to set players off on 12 missions to take on the cult. The trio of playable vampires are referred to as “Daywalkers”—vampires that can essentially walk around in the world without fearing sunlight—and the distant future setting could have potentially offered up some fun story quirks, blending genres like urban fantasy and cyberpunk to offer up something unique. Unfortunately, we don’t really get any of that here.

When it comes to pure gameplay, EvilVEvil feels like a competent fast-paced shooter. The weapons are fun to fire and there’s a decent variety, the movement is quick, and you’re essentially encouraged to never be standing still. This is further complemented by fancy abilities that, depending on your character, define your role in the group. Mashaka, for instance, is equipped with a short-range teleport and a fireball as his special abilities, defining him as the mid-range fighter of the group. Victoria, on the other hand, is supposed to be more of a close-range damage dealer, with abilities that allow her to dash through groups of enemies and summon ghosts to kill things for her. Capping off the trio is Leon, who can jump in the air and slam the ground, or pull enemies closer to him, making him the unofficial front-line tank.

"The weapons are fun to fire and there’s a decent variety, the movement is quick, and you’re essentially encouraged to never be standing still."

The more conventional weaponry in the game is made up of the typical shooter archetypes, with assault rifles, snipers, shotguns, SMGs, and hand cannons. There isn’t really anything too unique about the arsenal of weapons available in EvilVEvil. How the game sets itself apart from some other shooters, however, is with the ability for players to dabble in some light weapon modification. These modifications come in the form of mods that provide some light bonuses that are essentially straightforward stat increases, like larger magazine size or increased critical damage.

Personal mods, on the other hand, are way more interesting, but still end up feeling wildly underutilized. As they level up, players unlock Artifacts, which grant you special passive abilities. These abilities range from defensive ones, like having damage reduction after feeding off an enemy, to ones that prompt more aggressive play, like getting regenerating health or getting an exp bonus when you get a kill with your abilities. Again, these passive abilities never really define your play style, and as a result, end up feeling like little more than nice bonuses.

The modding system ties into the game’s core progression too; using a weapon as you play through a mission grants you experience points for both your character as well as your weapons. Leveling up your character gives you access to more artifacts, while leveling up your weapons unlocks more mods, while also increasing your weapon’s capacity for mods. Weapon mods themselves never really feel that important, and even on the highest difficulties, assuming competent gameplay from you and your co-op allies, you’re never going to feel like you absolutely needed the 8 percent higher critical hit chance from that one weapon mod.

"Passive abilities never really define your play style, and as a result, end up feeling like little more than nice bonuses."

Most mods and artifacts you unlock can also be upgraded by making use of the in-game currencies and resources earned from killing enemies and completing missions. At best, these upgrades act as straight stat increases, and never really veer off into more interesting additions like potentially adding more bonuses or modifiers.

The progression system is rather straightforward, and ultimately, quite shallow. The fact that weapons are locked depending on your chosen character, requiring grinding to unlock, for example, the assault rifle on Leon, is quite disheartening too. Decisions like these make switching up characters between your co-op buddies quite painful, since you’ll lose much of the toolkit you likely got accustomed to in the form of your unlocked weapons and their respective mods.

Visually, EvilVEvil has some strong art direction, but generally tends to look pretty underwhelming. The game’s general visual design feels especially rough when you take its UI elements into account. Right from the main menu, the title looks like not much development time was devoted to making its UI look decent, or even thematic.

"The game’s general visual design feels especially rough when you take its UI elements into account."

Even player and enemy models look relatively bland, and the interesting art design is let down by sub-par graphics. This seems to be the general theme of the EvilVEvil, since its different missions tend to showcase quite a few interesting ideas for levels, ranging from a warehouse to even an abandoned city block, all of which feel held back because of the game’s fidelity not being able to match up to the vision.

Generally speaking, EvilVEvil is a competent shooter that feels let down by some of its more technical aspects and faulty design decisions. Locking weapon unlocks behind character levels, for example, punishes switching around different characters for variety. The game’s visuals are also quite disappointing, holding back what appears to be strong artistic vision, with interesting ideas for levels, cool guns, and unique character designs.

Throw on top the fact that EvilVEvil doesn’t really have any story worth writing home about, and all of the exposition taking place through a voice just telling you the story while you’re frantically trying to fend off hordes of demons takes away even the plot as a reasonable excuse to play the game. There’s no shortage of competent co-op shooters in the world, especially in the indie market, so just having good guns and movement isn’t really enough anymore. Ultimately, EvilVEvil doesn’t really have enough going on to recommend it over other indie titles like Roboquest, or even more classic co-op shooters like the seminal Left 4 Dead 2.

This game was reviewed on PC.

Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail

A new world awaits in Final Fantasy 14’s new expansion, Dawntrail, as the Warrior of Light ventures to a new continent in Tural. Whether it’s new cities like Tuliyollal and Solution Nine; new Jobs, from the Viper and Pictomancer to the limited Beastmaster; or brand new dungeons, it promises tons of content for long-time players. You even have a new Alliance Raid Series tying into Final Fantasy 11, The Arcadion and the MMO’s first major graphical update. What new story threads will be woven, and how do they connect back to the Twelve? We’ll find out when Dawntrail launches on July 2nd for Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC.

Zenless Zone Zero

From the developer behind Honkai: Star Rail and Genshin Impact comes a brand new free-to-play action RPG with an over-the-top sense of style. Zenless Zone Zero is set in a post-apocalyptic future, where the last bastion of humanity, New Eridu, fights against the Ethereals. Various factions are intertwined in the conflict, and as a Proxy, it’s the player’s job to rally them together on different missions. Featuring fast-paced combat, gorgeous animated visuals and an incredible soundtrack, Zenless Zone Zero could be yet another hit for miHoYo when it launches on July 4th for PS5, PC, iOS and Android.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn

Ashen developer A44 Games’ next title, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, is a mix of action-adventure, hack and slash, and Souls-like mechanics. Following multiple delays, it’s finally set to launch on July 18th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC. As Nor Vanek, players venture to the City of Dawn after the Great Below’s Door has opened, fighting back against undead forces and other threats. With a flintlock pistol, swords, Nor must fight back and ultimately seal the door. Whether you played the demo or found its trailers intriguing, Flintlock is certainly a dark horse, and we’re looking forward to exploring it.

EA Sports College Football 25

When football gaming needed it most, EA’s College Football series returned. EA Sports College Football 25 launches on July 19th for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, featuring several new features like Wear and Tear for more realistic player health over a match. Abilities like Homefield Advantage can influence how well your team performs on the opponent’s turf, and a new kicking meter, trick plays, and more further add to the strategy. It’s been a long wait, but College Football could surpass expectations.

F1 Manager 2024

After the previous entry and its post-launch controversies, Frontier is back with another F1 Manager. There’s a lot new with this year’s iteration, from creating your own team and Mechanical Failures that alter races in unpredictable ways to the Mentality System where your decisions can affect the morale of different drivers. It’s intriguing, for sure, and hopefully, it can make up for its predecessor’s shortcomings. F1 Manager 2024 launches on July 23rd for PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Earth Defense Force 6

Humanity has finally won against its hostile invaders after a seemingly endless series of conflicts, but Earth is much worse off. Of course, another threat emerges as well, and it’s up to the EDF to instill hope back into humanity by slaying hundreds upon hundreds of enemies (as is tradition). Earth Defense Force 6 touts the most number of missions and weapons in the series yet, with online co-op for up to four players. It’s out on July 25th for PS4, PS5 and PC.

The First Descendant

You’ve probably heard this a few times by now, but the future, invaders from another dimension, humanity struggling to survive, and so on. This time, however, it’s a third-person looter shooter from Nexon, where players control the Descendants – humans with strange powers that lead the fight against the Vulgus and the overwhelming Colossuses. Though there are some Destiny influences, The First Descendant also takes hints from modern shooters with its various Descendants and abilities, weapon modding and more. Launching on July 2nd as a free-to-play title, it will be available for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

EvilVEvil

We’re due for a fast-paced first-person shooter in July, and EvilVEvil could be it. As a vampire investigating a conspiracy, players shoot, slice and slay hordes of enemies. Three different classes – Assassin, Berserker and Arcanist – are available, each possessing different vampire abilities. Of course, there’s plenty of firepower to go around, and you can tackle the game solo or with up to two other players. EvilVEvil launches on July 16th for PS5, PC and Xbox Series X/S.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – The Sky Breaker

Though it didn’t enjoy explosive popularity, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora offered a pretty immersive take on the series’ mythos with some compelling action. The Sky Breaker is its first paid DLC, launching on July 16th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC, with players venturing to the new Upper Plains. New locations are available to explore, though the RDA isn’t far behind, bringing new lieutenants to the forefront. Nevertheless, with new Legendary items, an increased rank cap and new challenges to complete, The Sky Breaker may be worth returning for.

Asphalt Legends Unite

While Forza and Gran Turismo are more well-known, Gameloft’s Asphalt series has had a pretty dedicated following through the years. Asphalt Legends Unite continues in that vein, serving as a rebranding of Asphalt 9: Legends, with racing clubs, co-op races, and a new Career Mode. There are over 250 Hypercars to unlock, and the series’ signature arcade racing remains intact. Asphalt Legends Unite is available on July 17th for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS and Android as a free-to-play title.

Once Human

If you were craving some survival action but with more gunplay, Starry Studio’s Once Human could be worth a look. Out on July 9th for PC, it sees players as Meta-Humans, exploring the remnants of the post-apocalyptic world while fighting against the effects of the Stardust. Fighting mutated creatures and inter-dimensional beings, managing one’s sanity, base-building and more await, along with plenty of guns to customize.

Nobody Wants To Die

New York, 2329. Death is but a memory, as consciousness can exist in memory banks. Of course, it’s far from ideal – a serial killer is going around, hunting more affluent citizens, and it’s your job as detective James Karra to stop them. With gorgeous visuals courtesy of Unreal Engine 5 and a cyber noir aesthetic, Nobody Wants to Die presents a compelling mystery as players manipulate time and gather clues to arrive at the truth. It launches on July 17th for PS5, PC and Xbox Series X/S.

Flock

Imagine shepherding a flock where creatures of all kinds – sheep, birds and whatnot – can join. That’s more or less the premise of Flock from Hollow Ponds and Richard Hogg. Explore the world, discover all the different animals, some rarer than others, and add them to your flock. Maybe encounter some other players doing the same. You can even create scarves, socks and hats from any excess wool. Flock launches on July 16th for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC while releasing day one on Game Pass.

Anger Foot

It feels like Anger Foot’s been, well, kicking around for a while now, each new trailer looking more surreal than the last. However, it’s finally launching on June 11th for PC, allowing players to kick doors, enemies and much more to their heart’s content while on a vigilante mission to recover their stolen sneakers. With a focus on clearing levels quickly and multiple pickups to mix things up, Anger Foot could be a surprise hit.