Turtle Rock Studios’ new game, Back 4 Blood, is nearing release, and an open beta has been made available, though it's met with some mixed feedback, particularly around its PvP mode. This open beta has been made available for those who pre-ordered the game, and it features Back 4 Blood's distinctive squad-based, monster-shooter gameplay that feels like a spiritual successor to Turtle Rock Studios’ other major IP, Left 4 Dead. While various first impressions have praised the PvE side of the game, the PvP mode has left some players feeling like their time has been wasted.
Back 4 Blood will let players choose between 8 “Cleaners” that are the main opposing force to the game’s monsters, called “Ridden.” Each Cleaner has their own strengths and skills to contribute to the team and have the option to acquire a variety of “cards” that buff each Cleaner and can be built into custom decks. Back 4 Blood's deckbuilding system changes each round from the last and can be used in both PvE and PvP.
While the PvE mode has received positive first impressions regarding its gunplay, pace, and intensity, the PvP has been met with frustration due to pacing. The PvP mode has two teams that players are randomly assigned to, the Cleaners or the Ridden, and the overall winner will be determined by which Cleaner team survived the longest. While this mode has promise, its mechanics, gameplay loop, and balancing issues have left many feeling underwhelmed and frustrated.
To begin each round, Back 4 Blood Cleaners can customize weapons, pick what cards they want to use, and scavenge for items for about a full minute. During this time, the Ridden team can choose which type they want to be and apply minor upgrades before having to float around as ghostly spectators until the scavenging period is done. Sadly, these opening moments encapsulate the rest of the PvP experience, especially for the Ridden, as players will generally spend most of their time waiting to respawn.
When Ridden can finally spawn into the game, they have to find a spot where they are hidden and not in close proximity to any Cleaners. When Ridden have finally spawned, most Cleaners will have gathered in an open space where they can pick off the Ridden from a distance with powerful weapons that deal massive damage. After dying, the Ridden must wait 20 seconds before they can hunt down a spot to respawn again.
This all culminates in a gameplay loop where players must wait nearly a minute before they can play, then try to find a spot on the small maps that offer cover and distance, then wait 20 seconds between each death, which is made even longer by having to hunt down a spot once again. By the end of the open beta's PvP experience, players on both sides will have spent nearly as much time waiting around as they have playing the game. This is a huge issue for Back 4 Blood’s multiplayer experience that will hopefully see some major refinement by the time it officially releases on October 12.
