The gameplay itself took me by surprise in a good way. The Hellgate: London can be addicting. It could be the random items that drop from the monsters or crates. It might be the chance of finding a named mob just around the corner. Or it could be the special mini game that involves killing a certain number of creatures in a specific fashion indicated by three special symbols in the bottom right of your screen that rewards you with a burst of cash and special items. The loot whore in me sits up and applauds this system but there is more here to like than just loot.​

The overall game is mostly about whacking or shooting endless piles of hellish monsters, and laughing all the way to the merchant with the loot, but there are few additional objectives to aim for. You can improve your gear: mods that can be inserted and removed, assuming the equipment piece has the correct type of slot available. Crafting stations can also be used to improve and build items, using crafting materials available by dismantling excess loot. In general, all the low grade trash gets dismantled and only the best items are worth using or carrying back for sale at a station.​

So far, I must admit. I'm hooked. This is not a deep, tactical game -- at least not as far as I've progressed. One can easily jump in and get going. There is a story, but it is forgettable and peripheral. But the progression of abilities and loot feels just right. And it's hard to stop playing.

More will follow, as I progress further....​

Perhaps this next statement breaks either some unspoken bond of trust I have contracted with you as a reader, or bursts a little too boldly through the fourth wall, but what are these perspectives for if not to be uncommonly honest with you, so here goes: I find myself wanting to make excuses for Hellgate London. In fact, I dare suggest I’m not the only one, because despite what are mind-numbingly apparent flaws in its current state I want this title to be good. I want to encourage more developers to strike off on their own and try to bring their visions for great games to fruition, and I want to be positive about what should be a fantastic game, but let’s be honest. This game is what happens when great designers run at full speed into the brick wall of a financially mandated hard deadline, the inevitable trainwreck of simply running out of time and money.​

If you love hoarding stuff and don't mind repetition, Hellgate: London is a really neat but often uneven game that will probably keep you busy for at least a month or two, even if you don't subscribe. But, for many, the game's issues will be a real deal breaker. If you're on the fence, you might want to watch the game's patch notes to see how many technical glitches, as well as other annoyances, are cleared up.​