Entering early access on Steam in 2019,Splitgatehad only a few low rumbles of buzz surrounding it. Upon hitting consoles this year,Splitgatestarted to gain some real traction in the industry, with many players heralding it as the rebirth of the arena shooter genre, something that fans had been desperate for since the old days ofQuakeandUnreal Tournament.
Many players were also quick to point outSplitgate’s striking similarities to a certain groundbreaking, super-soldier-led, sci-fi shooter:Halo.On its surface,Splitgatedoes seem to take an awful lot of inspiration fromHalo;the weapon names are essentially the same, the weapon models look very similar, and the announcer is doing a pretty spot on impression ofHalo’s Jeffrey Steitzer. WithHalo Infinite’s multiplayer now out, players might be starting to ditchSplitgateif they only view it asan imitator - but there’s one key thing that it has thatHalodoesn’t.
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Thinking With Portals
Portals, as a concept, are pretty interesting, no matter what medium they’re in. Valve’scritical masterpiecePortaltook this already-cool concept and dialled it all the way up, giving players the ability to harness the power of portals to solve environmental puzzles. The intuitive and simple controls ofPortalled to it being one of the most well-received and accessible games of all time.
Splitgatetakes this intuitive system and seamlessly transitions it into a first-person arena shooter. With just a single press of a shoulder/bumper button, players can launch a portal onto a designated surface. Once the portal’s down, players can use it in a variety of ways. Players can travel through it, using it to traverse across the map in seconds. Players can launch it directly at an enemy’s base, using it as a vantage spot to pick off spawning opponents.Splitgateplayers can even use it trick their enemiesby sending them on a wild goose chase through a series of portals that ends in a fatal trap.
The sheer variety and player agency given inSplitgateis truly unique for an arena shooter. With the range of tactics and moves you may pull off with these portals, every match feels new and exciting. While veterans of the game may have their go-to methods of attack, the ability to switch up the gameplay experience and handle each match differently is always there, which makesSplitgate’s lack of mapsmuch less of an issue.
A Nostalgic Arena Shooter
Even if players take awaySplitgate’s main selling point, the game is still a remarkably impressive modern arena shooter. The gunplay feels tight and responsive, theaddition of power weapons toSplitgategives each match a tense atmosphere, and technical aspects like the visuals and audio design are pretty solid. While these individual elements may not win any awards or stand out too much from the crowd, they all come together to makeSplitgatean objectively decent game, at its very least.
Another thing going forSplitgateis the nostalgia surrounding the arena shooter genre. Back in the PC gaming era of old, aforementioned titles likeQuakeandUnreal Tournamentredefined the first-person-shooter following the groundwork set done by the likes ofWolfenstein 3DandDoom. Many fans of the genre will remember the distinct feel of the movement and the maps themselves, andSplitgategoes a decent way in recapturing that iconic feeling, providing some maps that harken back to classic arena layouts.
While it may be argued thatHalo Infinitehas tighter controls, better graphics, better sound design, and vehicle mechanics, players shouldn’t be so quick to abandonSplitgate. After all, portals are pretty fun and nostalgia is a powerful thing.
Splitgateis available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
