Gods & Heroes: Overview

Perpetual Entertainment is a new San Francisco based developer staffed with industry veterans. For their first project they hired Stieg Hedlund, the former Lead Designer of Diablo II, to head up the mythological MMO Gods and Heroes: Rome Rising.

Gods and Heroes transports players into republican Rome and casts them as the son or daughter of a Roman God, a hero. Unlike most MMOs, the players do more than just level up their character and undertake quests. Gods and Heroes delivers the concept of minions into MMOs. Each player has the opportunity to hire, earn or trade for the contracts of NPC followers who can join them in combat. These characters have their own faces, stories and personalities and level up just like characters in one of three classes.

For players, the six available classes are: the Priest, Scout, Mystic, Gladiator, Soldier and a final one to be announced. Each of the classes has two Gods to choose from that significantly alter the character and the powers available to them.

Based on their deity, heroes also receive God Powers. As players level up and complete quests for their god, the god reveals new abilities to them. The abilities are extremely powerful and visually appealing, and can change the tide of a battle.

Gods and Heroes is perhaps best known for its signature animation system. Unlike most games where characters stand still and whack each other with sticks, all combat in Gods and Heroes appears interactive. Monsters and players react when hit and each character has a signature interactive animation. For example, one epic giant of a monster can literally pick the player up, toss them in the air and swat them with their giant sword, then stomp on the character's limp body.

The animation system, coupled with the game's bright and detailed visuals have made Gods and Heroes the winner of many pre-launch awards for graphics.