For Honor has hit Gamescom 2016 with the force of a steel-clad fist, revealing the 12 playable heroes and five multiplayer modes that you'll be able to carve into when the game launches on February 14. There's something for everyone here, from heavy brawlers and massive battles to fast, offense-focused operators and one-on-one duels. And you might even be able to play early, if you qualify for the Closed Alpha running from September 15 through 18.
Each of For Honor's three factions – Knights, Vikings, and Samurai – gets four types of elite champions capable of storming the field and turning the tide of battle: Vanguards, Assassins, Heavies, and Hybrids. Each one comes with distinct advantages, weapons, and fighting styles; Vanguards, for example, include the Warden Knights we've seen in earlier previews, and are balanced, rounded fighters with good defense and attack capabilities. Assassins are fast and deliver rapid attacks that can dominate one-on-one duels, but aren't as capable at defense and won't automatically stay in a blocking stance. Heavies are slow, well-defended, and powerful, making them a perfect choice for engaging enemy soldiers on the battlefield; and Hybrids mix characteristics from the other types, creating unique opportunities for players who understand how to use them.
From left to right are each faction's Assassin, Vanguard, Heavy, and Hybrid, beginning with the Knights:
The Vikings:
And the Samurai:
Even within their types, there's a lot of diversity among the heroes from each factions. For example, the Kensei, who wields a Nodachi and fills the Vanguard slot for the Samurai, feels a little faster and more graceful than his bulkier Knight equivalent, the steel-clad Warden. And both seem almost nimble compared to the lumbering, Dane Axe-wielding Raider, a heavy hitter who delivers slow but damaging strikes. What's especially cool about these differences is that there are no faction restrictions in multiplayer; Samurai, Vikings, and Knights can all fight on the same side, letting you stick with your favorite heroes no matter who you're grouped with.
Additionally, your warriors can all be customized in detail, as you can change everything from their gender and color schemes to the look of their armor and weaponry. Customization also factors into their progression (which is handled separately for each hero), as you'll have a chance – at the end of each match – to loot new weapon and armor parts that can be combined and adapted to your playstyle.
In addition to the story-driven campaign – which covers all three factions' perspectives – you'll be able to batter and slash your way through five multiplayer modes. The centerpiece is Dominion, a four-on-four battle for territory in which you'll need to hold control points and push back your opponents' weak but relentless rank-and-file troops to own the central battlefield in each stage. Communication and teamwork are vital here, as is keeping an eye on your opponents and going after the territories they're not holding. Once your team controls all three points, the match enters a "breaking" phase, in which the losing team stops respawning. If you can eliminate all four players before they can reclaim a point, your team wins the round.
Smaller but no less brutal are Brawl, a two-on-two mode in which teams win rounds by killing off their opponents, and Duel, which pits two players against each other in a no-distractions game of counters, parries, and quick deaths. Skirmish, meanwhile, is a four-vs.-four team deathmatch-style mode in which players score points with kills, and Elimination is a four-on-four match in which nobody respawns and the last player standing wins the round for their team.
The full For Honor experience won't be available until Valentine's Day, but if you'd like an early taste, you can visit www.forhonorgame.com to sign up for a chance to play the Closed Alpha, which will run from September 15 through 18 on Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
