A few hours after the dramatic announcement at the Smite World Championships, I got a chance to get hands-on with an early pre-alpha build for the long-awaited SMITE 2. So, if you’re a fan of the original SMITE, you’ll be happy to know that this sequel is everything that and more. Thus, here’s a SMITE 2 Overview and what is all about!
First Impression
Right from the moment I got a hold of the game, I could feel the excitement. The demo included ten playable gods from SMITE’s classic roster featuring graphical makeovers with some overhauled abilities. I prominently featured gods from the Zeus, Bellona, and Hecate announcements. Seeing them in action was a treat.
The Gods of SMITE 2
First off, SMITE 2 is much prettier than the original. With some placeholder graphics in—indicative of the game’s early state—a redesign with detailed outfits and epic environments makes it easy to get sucked into the Battleground of the Gods. Some of that added flair is in the attacks, like Anhur’s Obelisk or Anubis’ spectral hands; the devs are pretty proud of this extra detail.
Conquest Matches and Godly Battle
I played two Conquest matches with fellow press members, diving right into the three-lane format used at the highest levels of competitive play. For those new to SMITE, Conquest is a mode where two teams of five gods fight to destroy the opposing team’s Titan in their base. Each team’s got three lanes defended by towers and Phoenixes.
Bellona
I played both matches with Bellona, for she was the only one with whom I was familiar. Fortunately, she still appears to be about the same stance-shifting tank as she used to be in the original so that I could slip back into familiar ground. Bellona’s strength comes from her loadout, cycling through sword, hammer, and scourge depending on different situations. I was playing as someone I knew once more, and it felt good.
The Thrill of Battle
But battling other players in SMITE 2 feels like fighting the gods. Almost every game I played featured a Ymir on both sides, playing with that jotun’s newly-propulsive Ice Wall. And every few minutes would be another cry of despair from someone ambushed and slaughtered by a stealthed Loki. The fighting is what you’d expect from a MOBA this intense.
Graphics and Immersion Step Up from the Original
Aside from the lovely character designs, the environments of SMITE 2 represent a quantum leap. From lush jungles to ominous arenas, each battleground is brimming with detail. The graphical improvements continue beyond there. The spell effects, the animations, and the UI are sharper and more intuitive in this sequel, catching one up in the game.
Controller vs. Keyboard
I played my first match on mouse and keyboard, but the second was on a PS5 controller. While the shift was disorienting, it was easy to see why SMITE is so popular on consoles and should remain so. Once I mapped those buttons in my head, it felt just as intuitive.
I would have liked to have had more vibration feedback from the controller—a nice little jolt when my hammer connects—but that will hopefully be a setting in the final version. The camera controls on the controller also seemed a bit oversensitive; again, something I expect won’t be an issue at launch.
What to Expect from SMITE 2
While it’s yet to be seen just how much of an overall improvement SMITE 2 will be over its predecessor, this early build shows that Titan Forge Games has made a promising start. The demo’s limited roster and early-stage graphics may not tell the whole story, but they at least set a high bar for what is yet to come.
Enhanced Mechanics and New Features
Titan Forge Games made a practice of genuinely listening to their community, and SMITE 2 was no exception. So far as it can be done, new mechanics will flesh out the current ones the players have come to love, and fresh features will bring renewed interest in playing the game. Be that as it may, with new gods, reworked abilities, or even matchmaking, there’s much to look forward to.
Summary
If you’re a big fan of the original SMITE, be REALLY hyped for what’s awaiting in SMITE 2. There are remarkable improvements to graphics and gameplay, but it doesn’t stop there. There are tons of cool enhancements to immersion, too.
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