Sumo Digital's Hood: Outlaws and Legends is coming soon, on May the 10th to be exact, and it is packed with intense action and dangerous heists. The game plays out in a unique PvPvE mode that sees two groups of outlaws trying to become legends first, either by damaging the enemy team and slowing it down, by trying to get their hands first on the treasure, or both. What makes Hood: Outlaws and Legends interesting is the concept of a multiplayer fantasy medieval game in a reimagined world similar to that of the tales of Robin Hood.
Multiplayer fantasy medieval games are as rare as they come, and Hood's allure is that it looks very promising in terms of graphics, gameplay, progression, replayability, and even how it is going to be handled in the future. The game is obviously inspired by Robin Hood's Merry Men, with characters being Robin - the Ranger, Marianne - the Hunter (Marian from the tales), John - the Brawler (i.e., Little John), and Tooke - the Mystic (likely Friar Tuck). The game's setting is not Sherwood Forest and the Sheriff found in each map is not the infamous Sheriff of Nottingham, though. Rather, the game is set in the "Greenwood" and the enemy is "the State".
Hood: Outlaws And Legends Gameplay
Hood Outlaws and Legends' four characters all come with their unique set of skills and progression upgrades, and each with their own signature weapon. The Ranger wields a longbow, and he's capable of delivering ethereal explosive arrows and lethal shots from afar, while also having options to specialize in melee arrows and using flash grenades that blind enemies so that the Ranger can flee. The Hunter wears a contraption on her arm that works both as a lethal crossbow from a distance and a sharp blade in close combat, but the Hunter's arsenal also includes more: invisibility, smoke grenades, and upgrades to improve her silent crossbow.
The muscle of the team is the Brawler, a big guy capable of swinging a sledgehammer around, moving at an improved pace while carrying heavy objects, enhanced defensive and offensive abilities, and proficiency with the use of explosives. Lastly, the Mystic is an interesting character that uses poison bombs, a massive flail, can spot hidden enemies, and can heal allies and also himself, especially through the use of "vampiric" abilities that let him leach life from enemies.
The game is played in five maps: the Graveyard, the Coastal Stronghold, the Citadel, the Marshland, and the Outpost. Here, there will be three phases to each game that will determine the victorious team of outlaws and the success of the heists. There are three phases to each run, and the first is locating the Sheriff and stealing his key, which means stealth is going to be, well, a key element. The second phase requires players to break into the vault and steal the treasure, while the third is to survive and escape with the stolen goods. Considered the nature of the game, Sumo Digital assured players that runs will feel different thanks to randomized elements and unpredictable changes in the pathing of the Sheriff and his entourage. Beware the Sheriff, though, as he can one-shot players!
Hood: Outlaws And Legends' Progression And Year 1 Pass
When players successfully complete heists in Hood: Outlaws and Legends, they are awarded riches, but much like in the tales of the legendary outlaw, gamers will have to distribute them to the poor or keep them for themselves. A middle-ground solution is also possible, and finding the right balance in this phase is critical. Donating coins and treasures to the people will unlock gear and items for players, whereas keeping a cut from the loot will allow them to spend it on said things to improve their characters. This system is aptly called "Scales of Justice."
Players can also check the full roadmap for the first year of Hood: Outlaws and Legends, and that content will be available to purchase separately or prior to launch in the form of the Year 1 Pass. Each season will contain both free content for all players and premium content for those who purchased the Year 1 Edition.
Lastly, another few things to note include that Hood also features many costumes and weapon skins to customize each of the characters in the game, and players who pre-order the game will be given early access to the game on May 7.
Hood: Outlaws and Legends releases May 10 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.