The Culling

What would it be like if the gladiatorial games of ancient Rome were brought to modern days, televised with sports commentary and corporate sponsors? That's pretty much the essence of The Culling. Part Survivor, part Hunger Games, The Culling is an online battle royale that's as creative as it is brutal. The anxiety starts when you're first dropped on the island and make a mad dash to find whatever you can piece into some semblance of a weapon, all the while looking over your shoulder to make sure someone else isn't going to get the jump on you. The tension builds from there, as the off-screen announcer does play-by-play when other players are eliminated.

As much fun as The Culling is to play, it's hard not to feel like it's missing something. That's likely to change as the developers implement new features and additional content. But at the time of review, it doesn't stop the game from coming across as a bit light. Currently, there's only one playable map and only bare-bones character-creation tools. There's also a bit of awkwardness in the character animations, particularly when you're crafting items. Still, the game looks and plays pretty nicely. The controls are responsive, and the weapons feel distinct. Play is extremely well-balanced, too. There's an odd sort of adrenaline rush that comes with not knowing what's around the next corner. It could be a crate with the exact weapon you need to shift the odds in your favor, or it could be a competitor who's armed to the teeth and ready to make sure you're permanently recast for the next episode. That makes each round of The Culling an exciting game to play, even if it's not completely finished yet.