Spellbreak beta stands out from the copycat battle royale crowd, ars technica

Spellbreak tries to set itself apart from the pack by replacing gun-toting battlers with spellslingers in a genericized fantasy setting. The class-based setup gives different players control of various elemental powers through the use of upgradable gauntlets, and the differences between each set of powers are far from cosmetic. The fire gauntlet sends out slow but powerful flying fireballs, while the stone gauntlet can send a directional earthquake attack, for instance. Each gauntlet features its own charged attack as well, such as letting a pyromancer lay down a mighty wall of fire for area-based protection.

Each class starts with a specific gauntlet that’s locked to its character the entire time, and that gauntlet receives special class-based bonuses . But players can pick up secondary gauntlets for the opposite hand to mix and match powers. After you charge up an area-of-effect tornado with a wind gauntlet, for instance, you can zap it with a bolt of lightning to create a roving electric cyclone that can stun opponents.

While most battle royale shooters focus on bullets that hit their targets practically immediately after you shoot, spells in Spellbreak

tend to travel more slowly through the air and often land with a wide splash damage area. This often leads to a cautious cat-and-mouse game of positioning, where dueling players feel out the risks and rewards of their relative distance from opponents. Too close and you don’t have time to dodge incoming attacks. Too far and your own attacks probably won’t have much impact. Having the high ground can be a huge advantage in this style of battle, but it also puts you at risk because every nearby player will immediately see you and seek you out.

I like to move it

Locomotion takes on an added importance in this slower spell-lobbing battleground, and Spellbreak