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More and more, the lines separating video game genres are being blurred, combining gameplay mechanics to create interesting new fusions.  Gas Powered Games contributes to this growing list with Demigod, a strategy title that lead designer Mark Marr describes as an "RTS-RPG."

Demigod carries all the basic elements of RTS, and if I were to forcefully categorize it, I would still call it such.  But key features set it apart from other RTS titles, and various complexities place Demigod in a league of its own.  This game is very much like Defense of the Ancients, and the multitasking aspect has been severely cut down.  Rather than building a base and army, players choose a Demigod to focus on, and that's where a departure is made.

Like an RPG character or the heroes from Warcraft III, Demigods are single units that gain experience from battle and grow stronger by leveling.  Experience is used to purchase skills in a Demigod's unique talent tree, unlocking new abilities and buffs; you may further pimp out your character using various items bought with gold earned from controlling mines or scoring kills.  Base-building has been nearly completely eliminated, and grunt units are controlled by the A.I.  Your base now consists of a Citadel, which can be upgraded as well via tech tree.  At the cost of gold, you can fortify defenses, beef up the grunts, increase the amount of money and experience you earn, and so on, like you would in a traditional RTS. 

If you've played Defense of the Ancients, then the Demigod formula should be even more familiar.  Defense buildings and the A.I. troops are fortified through buying upgrades like increased armor or attack power from your Citadel.  This essentially eliminates micromanagement from the game.

When you first play Demigod, you'll get to choose from eight characters and eight arenas (maps).  While this may not sound like much, rest assured you will find a Demigod to suit your tastes with distinctive appearances and talents to suit any play style.  You can slowly plod along as the Rook, smashing everything in his path with that granite mallet, or charge through battle as the Unclean Beast, tearing into enemies and spreading plagues like it's the 14th century. 

This colorful cast is split into Assassin and General types.  Simply put, Assassins go into battle solo, whereas Generals can purchase items to summon a handful of grunt units for assistance.  This difference is reflected in buyable gear as well, as several items have bonus stats for "Minions."

Generally speaking, players can choose from the usual types like heavy melee, ranged, supporting caster, and each Demigod comes with his or her own strengths and weaknesses to consider.  Regulus may be quick at dishing out heavy damage to other Demigods with his crossbow, but he's about as resilient as a stale tortilla chip; inversely, the ever-popular Rook is a 50-foot behemoth that can withstand and deal massive amounts of hurt, but moves so slowly that enemy Demigods can often run away before that hammer lands a blow. 

As any seasoned gamer knows, these trade-offs are necessary to maintain balance in competitive games, and the devs at Gas Powered Games seem to have this aspect down pat.  While some Demigods are easier to start with than others, you'll find no single character invincible as you spend more time with the game.  At first, a supporting spellcaster like Sedna might feel underpowered against a monster like Rook, but her talents can give the big lug a real run for his money if used properly.  Just like in DotA, every character requires a different approach.  Regardless, GPG may have to make minor tweaks down the road as more gamers pick this up.

Each Demigod has a rich back-story that further adds to their individual appeal, on top of aesthetics and combat style.  The Queen of Thorns fills the typical role of a dangerous and sexy (if naked fairies are your cup of tea) sadist; the Oak is a noble immortal warrior driven by loyalty, duty, and strong sense of justice; Erebus the Vampire Lord fancies himself a sophisticated creature afflicted with ennui.

Some players may be relieved to know there is no story-oriented campaign mode -- I know I am.  By cutting out the rudimentary campaign out of single player, GPG makes their direction for Demigod quite clear: instant action.  While the conventional RTS formula dictates any such game should have a campaign mode consisting of battles strung together by a bare-bones storyline, I can't imagine how such a feature could be worked into Demigod without seeming forced.