Are you as confused about the many, many versions Evolve has? Do you hear 'pre-order' and 'pre-purchase' and think they are the same thing, when in fact the differences between the two are subtle enough to warrant yet another edition of the same game? Don't worry. We're here to help.
The Week In Games: What Else Besides Evolve Is Coming Out?
Evolve has gotten a lot of (righteous) flack for its often confusing pre-order/pre-purchase/DLC nonsense. You need an infographic and at least a Bachelor's degree to understand just what you get with what. So let's give it a try, shall we?
First, let's look at what you are getting if you order the STANDARD VERSION of Evolve for PC, Xbox One or PS4:
Blackguards 2 Video Guide To Some Of The Monsters In Aventuria
Players get the first 12 maps of Shear, the first 12 announced Hunters*, three monsters: the Goliath, Kraken and Wraith, 4 game modes (Defend, Hunt, Nest and Rescue), the Evacuation campaign and that comes with full offline solo play. It's important to remember in these "always on" times that there are still games out there that you can play when Comcast misbehaves.
(*) - note: you have 12 of the Hunters with the game, but you only have four of them unlocked. Much like a F2P mobile game, you have to grind it out to gain access. The same with the monsters.
Additionally, while the DLC chops up all the new monsters/hunters/etc, Turtle Rock has guaranteed that all future MAPS will be free. You might not be able to always play with the same toys, but at least you're all in the same sandbox.
Here's where it gets interesting. Let's define a few terms before proceeding:
The Monster Expansion Pack - contains the new fourth monster, Behemoth, as well as the Savage Skin for the Goliath. The Savage Skin will be available at launch, the Behemoth shortly thereafter. These will cost you over $10 if you don't pre-purchase.
Hunting Season Pass - the full DLC pass. It contains four characters, one from each class, and three new "Magma" skins for each of the monsters available at launch. The whole pass will cost $24.99, which will save you $5 in the long run if you bought them all separately.
If you pre-purchase the game you will receive the Monster Expansion pack for free. That's a fine deal if you're going to buy the game no matter what. It ends tonight at 11:59 p.m.
Those are the bits of "extra" that come in some versions, but no others. Onto the show:
The Digital Deluxe Version - Online Only for all three platforms: this $79.99 version comes with the main game and the Hunting Season pass.
PC Monster Race Edition - PC platforms only. Ordering this $99 version will net you the full game, the Hunting Season Pass, the Behemoth plus an upcoming fifth monster (unannounced), two additional hunters (unannounced) as well as four limited time skins for each of the current monsters.
PC players have access to the Instant Hunter pack, which unlocks an additional four of the eight hunters. Xbox One and PS4 players - who are purchasing the game off the digital marketplace - do NOT have access to that with their pre-order. They still get the Monster Expansion pack if they pre-ordered.
To say nothing of the retailer exclusives!
Pre-ordering Evolve with Best Buy on any platform will get you the full game and the Monster Expansion pack, and if you are a My Best Buy member, you get $10. Which you can then put towards the Hunting Season Pass, I guess.
Pre-ordering at GameStop, however, will get you the Monster Expansion pack and the Exterminator Weapon Skin. Featuring a new weapon skin for Markov's Lightning Gun, Maggie's Machine Pistol, Hank's Laser Cutter, and Val's Anti-Material Rifle.
We hope this helps. Myself, I am a child of the 80s and 90s. We got one game and one game only, that's it. No fuss, no muss. Everything worked on the first day. Evolve is out tomorrow and it will have a Day One patch, which will hopefully prevent it from becoming another Assassin's Creed Unity.
