V1 Interactive's unique RTS and FPS hybrid Disintegration is quite unlike any game that's come before it, seamlessly combining first-person shooter mechanics with squad-based tactical gameplay to create an experience that feels both fresh and familiar at the same time. There's a lot to wrap your head around during Disintegration's frenetic combat and fully embracing the game's hybrid nature is key to overcoming some of its toughest battles against the post-humanist Rayonne army.
So for new Gravcycle pilots looking to jump into the pilot's seat and command the battlefields of Disintegration with ease, here are some of the best tips, tricks and strategies to give you an edge over the competition.
Take Advantage of the Hybrid Mechanics
Disintegration's gameplay is a delicate balancing act of different systems and mechanics. Hardcore FPS players and dedicated RTS fans will find themselves naturally gravitating towards those playstyles that feel familiar to them, but taking advantage of both Gravcycle combat and tactical commands will help you reach your full potential in battle. The only way to really get a handle on the game's hybrid gameplay is through experience, so take some time during the early missions to familiarize yourself with all the weapons and abilities at your disposal.
Commanding Your Squad
While Disintegration may appear to be a first-person shooter at first glance, it's the RTS elements that you'll find yourself relying on the most to deal out damage and debilitate enemy engagements. These abilities are incredibly useful in almost every situation the game throws at you, so be sure to learn what each of your crew members is capable of and use their strengths to control the battlefield.
There are several commands you can issue to ground units during battle. Follow mode is the default state of your squadmates and keeps the three of them in front of your Gravcycle to attack enemies on sight according to their individual targeting priorities. You can activate follow mode whether they're in the middle of an action or simply auto-attacking, making it a viable way to pull your soldiers out of harm's way when things get overwhelming.
Besides follow mode, there are two other types of general commands that you can issue to ground units during combat: primary pulse orders and priority target orders. Primary pulse orders allow you to move your entire squad to a designated location where they will attack enemies independently and take cover when it's available. This allows you to better keep track of your squad and control choke points when necessary.
Priority target orders, on the other hand, focus your unit's attention on a single target and will see them aggressively pursue the enemy until they've been eliminated. This command is highly useful for getting tough opponents out of the battle quickly but comes with the risk of exposing your units to fire as they push out of cover and into enemy territory. Deftly switching between follow mode, primary pulse orders and priority target orders is essential to mastering Disintegration's chaotic gameplay.
Stagger System
The stagger system is one of the most important combat mechanics in the game and is crucial to maximizing the damage output of your Gravcycle and ground units. Staggered enemies are unable to move or attack and will take bonus damage for as long as they are in that state, allowing you to focus fire on stronger targets using a priority target order while they're stunned.
There are several ways to stagger enemy units; concussion grenades, ground slams and melee attacks are the easiest ways to stun your opponents and are readily available as squad abilities. More advanced players can specifically target enemy weak points, like their back and sides, to stagger them, and explosive barrels and other objects in the environment will have the same effect once detonated.
Utilizing Every Tool for Combat
Enemies in Disintegration's campaign are more than just mindless bullet sponges and will actively try to evade fire, flank your units and heal themselves in the midst of battle. To combat this you'll need to make full use of every tool at your disposal, beginning with unit abilities like slow fields, mortar strikes and concussion grenades that can help counteract and debilitate enemy movements so that you're able to stagger them for extra damage.
And while your Gravecycle will come equipped with different tools to heal you and your squad, certain high-level enemy units will also drop health pick-ups upon defeat that create an AoE healing field for a brief period of time. These drops will also speed up your unit ability cooldowns during their short duration, encouraging players to play aggressively and delve into enemy territory to maintain momentum.
Finally, be sure to constantly take advantage of your Gravcycle's scan mode before engaging an enemy squad in combat; scan mode can tell you what types of enemies you're up against, as well as objects in the environment you can use to your advantage, allowing players to strategically plan attacks and prioritize the biggest threats before a single shot is fired.
Picking the Right Crew for Multiplayer
Each of the nine crews available in Disintegration's multiplayer suite has its own unique weapon loadout, ground unit combination and Gravcycle stats that are each tailored with a specific playstyle in mind. Choosing the right crew for every game type and situation is the key to success against other players, so be sure to get a feel for a couple of different crews so that you're comfortable switching things up when one particular strategy isn't working.
Crews like The Business, Lost Ronin and The Sideshows are great for beginner players, as they feature speedy Gravcycles that allow you to reach objectives fast and flank enemy units with ease. Neon Dream, Tech Noir and Muertos are the more nimble of the nine squads, with increased handling so you can weave your way through the battlefield while dodging incoming fire. Warhedz, Militia and King's Guard, meanwhile, are the tankier choices that sacrifice speed for higher durability, making them a viable option for defending objectives or breaking through enemy lines.
But these crews aren't just defined by which type of Gravcycle they rely on; ground units are the most important aspect of multiplayer matches, as they are the only ones capable of performing nearly every objective and can dish out some serious damage to unsuspecting enemy players using their distinct abilities and commands. Learning the ins and outs of your crew is integral to dominating the competition in multiplayer, so be sure the one you select complements your particular style of play.
Zone Control
For Zone Control, you'll want to select a crew that excels at close-combat engagements and defending objectives. The Militia, King's Guard and The Sideshows are all great picks for their survivability and ability to hold down a zone, so start there if you're struggling to put up a good defense. For capturing zones, crews like Neon Dreams, Muertos, Lost Ronin or The Business are your best bet as their combination of speed and agility can help snag uncontested zones in a flash.
Collector
Collector definitely requires you to change up your strategy and rely on a mix of durability and speed in order to prevent enemies from acquiring your brain cans and retrieving theirs once you've put them out of commission. Crews like Militia and King's Guard are great for minimizing deaths and giving your opponent fewer chances to score points, while having crews like The Business or Lost Ronin on your team will allow them to swoop in and grab enemy cans faster than their bulkier counterparts.
Retrieval
Retrieval sees players alternating between attacking and defending enemy spawn points, and each side requires a different strategy for success. Attackers will want to choose crews with either a Tank or a Rhino so that their Core runner is tougher than your average unit to take down and can survive long enough to plant in enemy territory. The attacking team will also need to rely on well-timed healing abilities while pushing the point, so crews like Tech Noir and King's Guard are a solid option in that regard.
Defenders, meanwhile, will want to focus much of their team composition around high damage output. Taking out the enemy Core runner is your first priority, so crews like Warhedz and Lost Ronin are a good choice for bringing the heat. You'll also want to take full advantage of unit abilities like the King's Guard's Javelin Launcher or Neon's Dream's Ion Disruptor to slow enemy runners and amplify your own damage output.
There are a wealth of different playstyles and abilities to choose from amongst Disintegration's nine multiplayer crews, and learning which is the best choice for any given situation is key to coming out on top in battle.