It's quite long review, so the rating of the game is on the bottom.

Remember - don't expect balance in games like this. Too many characters to balance here, in 'SMITE1' and other mobas.
Take this review as a mater of FUN not competitiveness or sweaty gameplay.
Those games design like hero shooters are by definition unbalanced and not fair.
Just play those games casually for fun and extract as much of it out of your time and money.

Ok now that we have that thing above over us, let's talk fun:
It's better the an 'SMITE1' - if they get all the gods from 'SMITE1' into 'SMITE2' it's gonna be no-brainer which game to play if you have decent PC/gamer toaster.

The game is good. If feels nice and responsive.
The abilities feel great, and the changes are cool.
I like having "FLASH" that can be used in combat like in certain moba game with legends in it. Previously in 'Smite 1' it worked as the gap closer to chase, not to run out of the combat.

I bought the founders pack for the game that is going to be free. It does unlock all current and future gods for free. It's unheard of in this kind of games to get everyone for that "cheap" price.
And don't get me wrong - I hate some predatory tactics that Hi-Rez is implying like -> FOMO, not being able to buy a skin because it's limited event/time/something only aaand stuff like that (including gambling -> chests).
The 'Smite2' like 'Smite1' have some annoying monetization schemes, but the base game is free.
So before you buy this, maybe wait after the release and play for free.
Then decide whether to support or not the company to maintain servers and whatever else by buying for example skin for your favorite character.
What is really annoying that "Diamond" mastery skin - that you get for fully mastering a champion.. I mean GOD - it's paid. 'Smite1' gives you that skin for in game free currency after you unlock mastery.

The overall quality is ok. The Unreal Engine shenanigans and FPS hit is not big for good hardware, so it's not like 'The First Descendant' optimization failure.
It does have that Unreal problems, like particle systems that are fuzzing for example the character on recall or the environment while it's being hit with ability.
Some abilities are tanking FPS while used/combined while others are doing it by them selves. (Ymir wall for example)
But overall the art style and graphics are fine. I won't say it's enough tho. I expected more fidelity.
I recommend you tweaking settings and checking some options to make you game look the way you like.

Game is fun. That's the primary reason I decided to give them some more money by upgrading founders pack - you can upgrade it in game, steam don't let's you do that - you can only buy second one (or third).
+ I got Neith skin... yeah...
Anyway
One thing in this Alpha stage - the main menu interface loading time is long and there are some bugs but it's alpha. Still better than many games Beta phases - I meant releases...
I played 'SMITE1' on the premiere not only in this account. And as far as I remember they did a lot of work. I believe they will sustain 'Smite1' and massively upgrade and change 'Smite2' in it's alpha phase, like they did before.
However, I recommend you to think twice before buying now.

There is voice chat... ~Never heard anyone using it - can't find text chat. Keep it in mind.

Well I would write some more, but I bet I lost most of you already.
If you read that all you may be interested in "Josh Strife Hayes" and "Perun" channels on youtube, since you have good attention span and their videos are long and detailed.

I RATE THIS GAME: Founders pack Neith skin is deserving r34 OUT OF 10

It's quite long review, so the rating of the game is on the bottom. Remember - don't expect balance in games like this. Too many characters to balance here, in 'SMITE1' and other mobas. Take this review as a mater of FUN not competitiveness or sweaty gameplay. Those games design like hero shooters are by definition unbalanced and not fair. Just play those games casually for fun and extract as much of it out of your time and money. Ok now that we have that thing above over us, let's talk fun: It's better the an 'SMITE1' - if they get all the gods from 'SMITE1' into 'SMITE2' it's gonna be no-brainer which game to play if you have decent PC/gamer toaster. The game is good. If feels nice and responsive. The abilities feel great, and the changes are cool. I like having "FLASH" that can be used in combat like in certain moba game with legends in it. Previously in 'Smite 1' it worked as the gap closer to chase, not to run out of the combat. I bought the founders pack for the game that is going to be free. It does unlock all current and future gods for free. It's unheard of in this kind of games to get everyone for that "cheap" price. And don't get me wrong - I hate some predatory tactics that Hi-Rez is implying like -> FOMO, not being able to buy a skin because it's limited event/time/something only aaand stuff like that (including gambling -> chests). The 'Smite2' like 'Smite1' have some annoying monetization schemes, but the base game is free. So before you buy this, maybe wait after the release and play for free. Then decide whether to support or not the company to maintain servers and whatever else by buying for example skin for your favorite character. What is really annoying that "Diamond" mastery skin - that you get for fully mastering a champion.. I mean GOD - it's paid. 'Smite1' gives you that skin for in game free currency after you unlock mastery. The overall quality is ok. The Unreal Engine shenanigans and FPS hit is not big for good hardware, so it's not like 'The First Descendant' optimization failure. It does have that Unreal problems, like particle systems that are fuzzing for example the character on recall or the environment while it's being hit with ability. Some abilities are tanking FPS while used/combined while others are doing it by them selves. (Ymir wall for example) But overall the art style and graphics are fine. I won't say it's enough tho. I expected more fidelity. I recommend you tweaking settings and checking some options to make you game look the way you like. Game is fun. That's the primary reason I decided to give them some more money by upgrading founders pack - you can upgrade it in game, steam don't let's you do that - you can only buy second one (or third). + I got Neith skin... yeah... Anyway One thing in this Alpha stage - the main menu interface loading time is long and there are some bugs but it's alpha. Still better than many games Beta phases - I meant releases... I played 'SMITE1' on the premiere not only in this account. And as far as I remember they did a lot of work. I believe they will sustain 'Smite1' and massively upgrade and change 'Smite2' in it's alpha phase, like they did before. However, I recommend you to think twice before buying now. There is voice chat... ~Never heard anyone using it - can't find text chat. Keep it in mind. Well I would write some more, but I bet I lost most of you already. If you read that all you may be interested in "Josh Strife Hayes" and "Perun" channels on youtube, since you have good attention span and their videos are long and detailed. I RATE THIS GAME: Founders pack Neith skin is deserving r34 OUT OF 10