Yearly Archives: 2010

Mini Fighter Review: Fight Until Death

Mini Fighter Review: Fight Until Death
By Vincent Haoson (Vincenthaoson), OnRPG Journalist

 

When it comes to fighting themed MMOs, we’ve been given a lot of titles to choose from. Each title promises to bring an action-packed extravaganza that would leave you wanting  more, and most of the time they do deliver. Mini Fighter is a good example of one such action MMO. The game delivers non-stop action yet provides you with enough breathing space for you to enjoy the game’s beauty aside from the flying fists of fury you will meet in the game.

 

Similarities

Mini Fighter looks and feels like a mix of various MMOs I have experienced before. There are elements that are similar to other 2d games such as Maple Story and Grand Chase. The first and most obvious similarity of Mini Fighter to these games is the overall gameplay. Mini Fighter is an action platform game, very similar to Maple Story. Even though Mini Fighter is strictly an action-themed MMO, traversing its world and going through various stages in platform style just screams Maple Story. However, unlike in Maple Story where changing through maps is a seamless and unnoticeable, in Mini Fighter going through dungeon instances takes time to load. The dungeon runs in Mini Fighter then jumps from the Maple Story feel into the “oh this feels like Grand Chase” stage of the game.

 

Mini Fighter Arcade Game
Mini Fighter arcade gaming

 

The second similarity of Mini Fighter comes from the feel of the dungeon instances. If you remove the lobby prior to dungeon runs in Grand Chase you will then get the idea of how dungeon runs are done in Mini Fighter. It is then normal to say that Mini Fighter at first may feel like you’re playing both Maple Story and Grand Chase, however, once you start plunging into Mini Fighter you will then realize that the game stands on its own.

 

Similarities end difference begin

The most prominent feature Mini Fighter has is that aside from the usual dungeon runs, the game has more PvP themed systems than any other fighting themed MMOI have experienced so far. It has the usual PvP skirmishes that most games of this kind have but aside from that Mini Fighter has four additional game modes and a whole lot of battle modes that provide you with a lot of ways to bash other people’s heads-in. Even if it’s all basically just fighting, the variations of the types of fights you can take part in is what makes Mini Fighter such an addicting game to play. If ever you get tired of one battle type you can just jump on another mode and you’re on your way to having fun again.

 

Variety makes it enjoyable

That’s not all. The game also has a quiz system where you can gain experience points and in-game currency. The problem is that the quiz is about everything. From “how many stars does the flag of Australia have?” to “What was the number of Shaquille O’Neal’s jersey when he was still playing in college?” are thrown at you and you are only given a few seconds to figure out the answer in a multiple-choice type of quiz. The good thing about this is that the questionnaire is so unpredictable you will be on your toes when you play it. The bad side of it is that the questions are just plain hard sometimes and you will really be at your wits end at answering some of them. Admittedly I was lucky to be able to get three consecutive questions right on topics that I had no idea on.

 

Mini Fighter Quiz 
Difficult questions in the quiz

 

Oh yeah, as a word of caution getting three questions right in the quiz is part of the game’s beginner’s quest, so you’ve been warned.

 

Best feature for me

Aside from the above mentioned game features, what I liked most is the game’s controls. I liked how you can string your character’s moves with a combination of button presses yet if you want to maximize the damage output you have to really have to get to know how your character moves and time in the proper keys to get those combo digits up to the tens. This type of control system encourages a skill based gameplay rather than a bash-the-keyboard game style which can attract loyalists due to the fact that there can be a divide between the rabid keyboard bashers and those who actually try to hone their style.

 

Mini Fighter Boss Fight
Play tactically to defeat bosses

 

Though this may eventually bring about a sort of elitist system, the type where those who string out combos will look down to those who just keyboard smash, the good thing about it is that this system fosters a sort of challenging environment where you are riled up in making the best looking combos with your chosen characters.

 

Population Problem

There is however, a certain problem that cropped up in Mini Fighter can’t be ignored. With the game being global, plus the fact that there are battle modes that rely on a certain amount of people within the instance. You may find it hard to enjoy the game fully especially with the game having such a diverse set of people for its population. I experienced moments where people were practically flooding the chat box just to let people come and take part in the grand arena tournament. While we were waiting the most number we got was only half of the required amount of people so by then people got tired and moved on to other things.

 

Mini Fighter Grand Arena
Waiting for 16 players

 

This is one case where it is important that a MMO must have a steady amount of people playing, especially if the game has a game feature that requires a certain amount of players present. Regardless of how great a game feature is, as long as its crippled it doesn’t help the game one bit.

 

Conclusion

Mini Fighter, without a doubt is one of the most decent fighting themed games out there right now. With the game’s simplistic controls, challenging move sets and skills plus the sheer amount of things to do in the game makes this a must play for those aching for some old fashioned beat ’em ups. I personally would’ve said two thumbs up for the game if not for the player population issue. So instead I’ll just be raising one thumb up with the hopes that I can eventually raise the second thumb in the future.

 

Pros:
A lot of game modes to choose from
Easy controls
Fast and exciting gameplay

 

Cons:
– Scarce Players
– Some game modes need a certain amount of players present
– The questions on the quiz are too hard.

Dragon Oath: Get a Turtle Mount!

Dragon Oath: Get a Turtle Mount!

To celebrate the addition of their new community manager, LucySong, Dragon Oath is giving away a turtle mount to one lucky player. Players who visit the ChangYou forums between now and May 13th and share their favorite thing about the game will have the chance to win a Dragon Turtle mount along with the riding scroll required to ride it.

The awesome mount increases players’ movement speed by 70% and is large enough to seat two people. He has custom animations, and will lash his tail, snap his teeth, and stomp his feet.

The event will last till 05/13 and the winner will be announced 05/15.

Want to ride in style and become the envy of the whole server? Come visit the ChangYou forums (http://us.changyou.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=10) today and you could be the lucky winner!

 

 

Dragon Oath Turtle Mount

Class Archetypes: The Cliché Of All Clichés

Class Archetypes: The Cliché Of All Clichés
By Kei Beneza (dividelife), OnRPG Journalist

 

What’s the difference between a Warrior and a Berserker? What about a Mage and an Elementalist? You might think that some MMO games have more classes than the rest, but the whole idea of 40 classes is just there to fool you. Technically, MMO games take a specific class and break it down into tiny mini classes. This means that a THIEF or ROGUE in general can be broken down into Shadow Dancers, Assassins, or even some other version of the class we haven’t heard of before. By evaluating the different classes in games, we can in fact bring them down to only a handful of truly original classes. They may go by different names in different games, but any class you find in any game eventually boils down to one of the original classes mentioned below.

 

Why Divide Them?

First of all would be to extend the replay value of a certain game. As long as there are more characters to choose from, you’re bound to keep playing and experimenting. Since there’s a whole lot of VARIETY in the game, players are encouraged to create more characters to try all of the classes. Another reason would be the individuality among fellow players. Everyone wants to be special in their own way, hence the creation of 40 different classes in some games. With their own set of skills that kill (or heal, maybe even bargain deals), players are given a form of individuality, unlike other games where everyone can mimic your capabilities, as well as your entire set of skills with just a few clicks.

 

Class Archetype Introduction
The classics

 

A good example would be the mages found in certain games. In some cases, mages are capable of casting fire, ice, and arcane magic. Most deem this as good in terms of customization since there are a whole lot of options to choose from. It would still be more awesome to be called something different rather than just simply being a different build. Some MMOs also feature this form of class exploit on a “laddered” field. This means that players are forced to feel that they are turning into something else when picking their so-called “second jobs”.

 

So what are the original Classes anyway?

Here I will show you the actual classes or archetypes that have been divided throughout time. Most of them are actually found in the 80’s version of pen and paper RPG books (namely, Dungeons & Dragons). In fact, if you recognize them, you’ll see that most books, movies, comics and console games keep to the classes as well! Since everyone refuses to share the same character or archetype concept, certain modifications are implemented to remove the chances of it being a ripoff. Gamers tend to want more content everyday, and that is why simply featuring a warrior, thief, and mage will no longer suffice.

Anyway, here are a couple of default archetypes.

 

The Brute

The brute used to be the main tank in the game, that is, until the Paladins arrived. Brutes are technically the Berserkers, Champions, Warriors, Barbarians, and Knights we know and love. They have high HP and pack a whole lot of PAIN. They are also capable of wearing the highest form of armor in terms of defense, but lack magic defense most of the time. Brutes are always better than spell casters in terms of PVP (despite their lack of knowledge). All they need to do is hack and slash, eventually taking the flag emerging victorious. They don’t really have to be buff, just as long as they fit the description. Take pain and deliver MORE PAIN. That’s all that matters. 

 

Class Archetype Brute
The Brute archetype: knuckletastic, muscle over brains

 

The Thief

Rogues, Assassins (Shadow Dancer) or whatever you call them, the Thiefs specialize in both ranged and melee combat. Some games separate these two specialties to make way for more classes, but know that they all belong to one specific archetype. Thieves used to specialize in daggers only, but are now able to actually wield two swords similar to the Brutes. While the Brutes take damage and hit for double the pain, thieves rely on dodging and evasion due to their incompetence when it comes to vitality. Thieves also have the ability to trigger stealth, making them formidable foes, and just as the name suggests, good robbers.

 

Class Archetype Thief
The classic thief, hidden identity and sharpened blade

 

The Mage

Mages are masters of magic, and the class with the fewest variety in names (Archmage, Enchanter, perhaps). They can cast bolts of lightning along with fireballs that usually finish the job. Mages are limited to the lowest armor set possibly due to their excellent range and magic trickery. One problem with mages is that they really can’t afford to take a hit but, due to their massive damage that can surpass even the highest warriors, they have become VIPs in the field of battle. They can literally burn your arse off, so don’t mess with them. Due to their diverse choices when it comes to elements, mages have been separated into different forms of spellcasters. Not that I blame them, for mages have a unique feel for each element.

 

On a side note, maybe Storm (from the X-men) isn’t a mutant after all.

 

Class Archetype Mage
The mage archetype, vulnerable and flowing robes

 

The Necromancer/Black Mage

Necromancers are mainly mages who practice the forbidden arts in order to become stronger. They have the ability to raise the dead, as well as summon demons from the depths of the netherworld. They are also capable of using magic, but are limited to spells that usually hurt them in return. With high risks come high rewards, or something like that. Almost all classes associated with the Necromancer have the ability to drain life, making them the Dick Dastardly of the class archetypes. Much like mages, Necromancers (or Warlocks, Dark Casters, Shadowmage, etcetera) also suck at defense and need to be protected due to their small lifebar. It’s worth it though.

 

Class Archetype Necromancer
The Necromancer archetype has crossed the borders of what is accepted

 

 

The Holy Knight

Whether you call them Paladins, Crusaders, or Holy Knights, these dudes are one of the feared (if not the most) among the class archetypes. They can heal, deal damage, and smite evil whenever they see fit. It’s the ‘good’ (or holy, or light) that drives them, usually from a religious point of view, makes them nearly unstoppable. These guys are undeniably the cheapest class in the game; however, it is also this form of cheapness that makes them formidable tanks when raiding with a party. With ever present sword and shield, they’ll charge into battle without hesitation.   

 

Class Archetype Paladin
The Holy Knight archetype, the good force and loved by many

 

The Ranger

Rangers (Archers, Hunters, Bowmen, Gunner) are mid balanced characters who specialize in the field of nature. They can tame beasts as well as other creatures of the wild to aid them in battle. Rangers are similar to the likes of Legolas (Lord of the Rings) with a few extra kinks, such as not being limited to bow wielding <_< LOL. Rangers are excellent trackers as well, giving them the extra hand in PVP. Although these individuals are limited to mid-ranged armor, their allies (or pets) give them an outrageous attack power that can kill even the mightiest of Brutes. They also prefer to fight at long range, along with their pets, but ultimately Rangers are dangerous regardless of range.

 

Class Archetype Ranger
The Ranger archetype: draped in leather, knows all the tricks

 

The Healer

Unlike the other archetypes, Healers are usually called Priests in most games, and the only way for them to be individualized would be through cross-classing. Healers are normally excluded in most games as they tend to focus more on attacking. Healers on can be merged with other characters in order to give them the ability to deal damage rather than simply being a person who heals wounds. Otherwise solo-ing would be pretty useless. This particular class is no longer relevant in most cases due to the stereotypical belief that healers are boring by nature. They have been made ‘cooler’ by shifting from healing to something else (Healing mage, Cleric, Shaman, Shapeshifter, Druid) and usually have some of the more important buffs for the groups.

 

Class Archetype Healer
The healer archetype, gentle and always available for some TLC

  

The Blackguard

Blackguards are pretty new in the class archetype scene. If necromancers serve as the counter-mage, then this class serves as the counter-paladins. Blackguards do the exact opposite of what paladins are capable of. For instance, they inflict wounds and diseases instead of healing them. What we have here are holy knights who have lost their faith. World of Warcraft’s Death Knights can also be considered as a Blackguard. They (in some cases) also carry the might and defense of the Paladin, and can be reliable tanks when taken along. The blackguards will have something unholy, demonic and wicked about them, which makes them excellent dark characters to balance the overly good and happy party members.

 

Class Archetype Blackguard
The Blackguard archetype: the dark knights whose force stems from evil

 

Multiplying

If I must state an example, Lineage 2 had a whole variety of characters. If you think about it, some games feature the main archetype along with their subclasses in one package. It makes things a whole lot easier to comprehend for some players, but being a different class (or being forced to think that you are one) feels a whole lot better.

 

The question is: Does it really matter what you are called?

Gala is interested in your opinion!

Gala is interested in your opinion!


Gala, the creators of the gPotato game portal which hosts game such as Flyff, Rappelz, Luna Online, Tales Runner, Allods Online and Aika Online, is interested in hearing what you have to say about online games!

Participate in this survey to win a 32GB iPad, your choice of a next-generation console (PS3, Wii, Xbox360), or a 16GB iPod Nano.  The survey will be open from April 20th to May 5th 2010, and every participant, regardless of country, is eligible to win! 

Please go to the following link to take the survey.

http://survey.galaglobal.com/index.php?sid=74839&lang=en

 

 

Allods Online Healer Aggroes Oh Noes

Nearly 170.000 Dragons Trained First Week of Evan Update

Nearly 170.000 Dragons Trained First Week of Evan Update

 

Nearly 170,000 dragons were hatched and trained during the first week of the new Dragon Master Evan character’s introduction to Nexon America’s MapleStory.  The introduction of the new class gives players access to the most graphically impressive attacks in the game.  In the lore of MapleStory, Evan, an ordinary farm boy from Henesys, stumbles upon an egg that hatches into a baby dragon. Chosen to be a hero, this young Dragon Master in training must tame and raise the dragon, while helping others along the way. 
 
The dragon companion’s growth and strength is directly linked to the character’s level progression. As the character levels up, the dragon becomes stronger and more skilled. Players get to watch their dragon companion grow from a cute baby dragon into a ferocious beast with skills that can take down an entire mob of monsters at once.
 

Dragon Master Evan Maple Story Gameplay

 
Dragon Master Evan attacks enemies through the dragon companion that they hatch and train to become more powerful, unlike any other character class in MapleStory. An example of a powerful attack that dragon companions are capable of is “Dark Fog,” an attack that fills the air with dark clouds and unleashes lightning bolts that kill all monsters in sight.
 
The two inseparable companions grow together and help each other perform heroic deeds.

Maple Story Dragon Master Evan

Mytheon’s Open Beta To Start April 28th

Mytheon’s Open Beta To Start April 28th
 
Two thousand lucky players will have access to the “Champions of Mytheon” package that includes sneak peeks at new content, exclusive and premium items and much more!
 
True Games Interactive, an international multi-player online game developer and publisher, along with award-winning developer, Petroglyph, today announced that its highly-anticipated online, multiplayer Action/RPG with strategic game play, Mytheon, which is now in closed beta, will begin its open beta Wednesday, April 28th.  During this time, everyone will be able to immediately play Mytheon.
 
In addition, the companies have also revealed that they will offer a “Champions of Mytheon” premium package for a limited time that will offer players lifetime access to discount currency, premium offerings, exclusive, one-time only items, and sneak previews of new content before release. “Champions of Mytheon” players will also have access to an Early Play period before the official launch. The “Champions of Mytheon” package will be available for purchase in early May.
 
This is an exciting time for all of us and for Mytheon as we prepare to open the flood gates and let everyone experience mythology come to life in an action setting,” said Peter Cesario, director of new business and product development at True Games Interactive. “We have already witnessed the development of a thriving community and we are proud to offer them the Champions of Mytheon package which allows them to get an ever-important head start on play, exclusive goodies, and access to never before seen content that will truly make them feel like the gods.
The open beta is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, April 28th.  Players will be able to enjoy the most recent content and most polished version of the game without restrictions. In addition, the cash shop items will be available for the first time during open beta for players to sample and enjoy. At various times during the open beta, players will receive “Mytheon Coins” and be able to spend them as they wish in the cash shop, on items such as armor and weapons, power stones, potions, and much more.
 
The “Champions of Mytheon” package” will go on sale in early May and will offer players a chance to secure their exclusive place in the Mytheon community.  The package is limited to the first 2,000 lucky players and will contain items such as coins, vitality elixirs, stone bundles, limited-edition Mytheon shirts and autographed posters, early access to new content before it officially releases, the opportunity to display the player’s real name in the Mytheon game credits under “Champions of Mytheon”, and much more.

Mytheon Open Beta Starts April 28

Lord of Ultima

 

Lord of Ultima is an online strategy game where you build your own unique city and play with thousands of other players. Join now and rule a mighty empire which you can access from wherever and whenever you want.
As the lord you canĀ build settlements and train armies in order to strategically overpower your neighbors. You can start to play Lord of Ultima before you have signed up, to give it a try. If you decide to continue building your kingdom, simply register and you will keep your progress.

 

Digimon Battle Interview – Finally! An Online Game For an Online-Themed Anime!

Digimon Battle Interview: Finally! An Online Game for an Online-themed Anime!
Questions by Vincent Haoson (Vincenthaoson), OnRPG Journalist
Answered by Hwa Jun ,Lim(Main Developer of Digimon Battle and CTO of Digitalic Co.,Ltd)

 

Since my Highschool days I was a big Digimon fan (aside from being an former obsessed Pokémon TCG player), even if my ears suffered from the bad dub quality I persevered through the series because I was excited to see new Digimons come out. My Digimon fandom even went as far as me trying to beg for my parents to get me each and every digivice that came out.

 

That’s why I was excited to hear that somebody finally decided to make an online Digimon game. I know I shouldn’t be star struck with my interviewee but I just couldn’t keep my excitement bottled when I was assigned this task. So without further adieu here’s my interview with the main developer of Digimon Battle. 

 

OnRPG: With a month after the game’s official OBT release how is the game’s current state?

The OBT has been very successful, with fans from all over the world joining in to play. We have been listening closely to fan feedback during the beta to make sure we’re making a game that everyone will love. We’ve been using the last month to tweak the game and prepare for future updates.

 

OnRPG: How has been the player’s response to the game? Have you seen those fans of the series also playing the game?

We have received great feedback from our enthusiastic fan base since day one. They love the game and have very vocal about it on our social media outlets and fan forums. They have also been receptive to our in-game events. Definitely, we have found that many fans of the Digimon cartoon series are active players of Digimon Battle.

 

Digimon Battle Loading Screen

 

OnRPG: Digimon is already a made franchise even before the game was released, what expectations were set upon the team in regards to making it an MMORPG?

It was very important to us to preserve the spirit of Digimon when making the game while also creating an interactive entertainment experience. We wanted fans of all ages to be able to find their favorite characters and engage in gameplay.  An MMORPG game format enables fans to work together to defeat evil Digimon. We also made it a turn-based format for battles to make it easy for everyone to play at their own pace and be completely immersed in challenging battles at all levels.

 

OnRPG: Was it difficult to translate the series into an online game?

We knew it was important to keep the game related to the Digimon television series, which fans know and love. During the development process, we were able to reference the Digimon characters and lore which made designing the game easier. Our vision for the game was to allow players to interact with their favorite characters and each other. . Just like Digimon characters in the classic cartoon, Digimon characters need to gain experience to digivolve into their next forms. Similar to the show, Digimon gets to test out critical attack skills. Tamers guide Digimon in intense training and challenging battles so they can progress to the next level, starting at “In-Training” and moving all the way up to the ultimate “Mega” stage. We wanted it be like fans were stepping into their favorite TV show!

 

OnRPG: Among the 5 anime series in the Digimon universe why did the game utilize the third season of the series, Digimon Tamers as the game’s backdrop?

When we first had the idea to create an online Digimon game, Digimon Tamers was very popular. We felt like the Tamer storyline would translate well into a video game and would continue to be entertaining for a long time.

 

OnRPG: In the game’s character creation you only have the three main characters, Takato, Henry and Rika plus Jeri as the avatar of choice for players. Is there a possibility that the other characters from the series be included in the avatar roster?

Yes, we are considering adding in characters in future updates. We are constantly updating and improving the game. You never know when your favorite Tamer might show up!

 

Digimon Battle Character
Select your tamer

 

OnRPG: Is Digimon Battle anyway related to the Digimon Tamer’s timeline? Why or Why not?

The game was inspired by third Digimon series about the Tamers. Similar to its timeline, Digimon Battle is set in an alternate timeline that allowed Digimon to cross over into the Real World. There will be several events and contests based on particular episodes that fans will recognize. However, a majority of the game storyline is original because we wanted there to be new aspects of the Digimon universe for fans to discover and explore.

 

OnRPG: Are all the Digimons that characters will be facing in the game be strictly related to the series? Is there an off chance that some Digimons that are not seen in Tamers be included in the game’s bestiary?

Specifically, the Tamers and partner Digimon characters in Digimon Battle are from Series III, titled, “Digimon Tamers,” and other Digimon characters found in the game are based on Series I-IV (“Digimon Adventure,” “Digimon Adventure 02,” “Digimon Tamers”, and “Digimon Frontier”). We have not yet made any official announcements regarding specific Digimon that will appear in the future.

 

OnRPG: The game has the 3 basic Digimon choices from the start, Gigimon, Gummymon and Viximon, while four more choices, Yamon, Demiveemon, Dorimon and Hopmon are special Digimon choices after players take part in in-game events. Why did you decide to separate the choices like this? Is there an off chance that other fresh form Digimons be included in the choices like Punimon? Why or why not?

We kept the options simple during the OBT in order to make it easier to test the game. We definitely plan to release more Digimon characters in future updates.  At launch, we will be introducing Demiveemon and Dorimon into the DigiShop. We will continue to roll out new characters because it keep fans engaged and provide fresh new content and surprises as the game progresses. You never know when your favorite Digimon might be added!

 

Digimon Battle Teleport
Ingame combat

 

OnRPG: Is the Digimon growth path in the game strictly similar to how the Digimon in the series grow? Or does the game follow the same concept of other console Digimon games where an in-training Digimon much similar to the one’s seen in the series may digivolve into a totally different rookie Digimon? Why or why not?

Each Digimon has a unique Digivolution tree. Popular characters such as Guilmon, Renamon, Terriermon , Agumon and Gabumon have digivolutions that are mostly the same as the original animation. But because we created a new story arc for Digimon Battle, there are many Digimon who have newly designed digivolution trees.

 

OnRPG: According to the site, there are some Digimons who will never get to mega stage. Does this stop the Digimons from leveling up? Is there any way Digimons who will never get to mega stage defeat those Digimons who are?

Some Digimon may never reach Mega stage, but they are not prevented from leveling up. The Digimon who are unable to digivolve to the Mega stage can still defeat enemy Digimons as long as their stat points and levels are high enough.

 

OnRPG: Digimon is also famous for creating such an impressive line of merchandise that is related to each series being aired. Is there a possibility that Digimon Battle will also follow suit? Or is there a possibility that real-life merchandise will be released that can be linked to Digimon Battle? Why or Why not?

At the moment, we don’t have any plans to release any toys. There is already a lot of great Digimon merchandise available on the market, many which relate to the characters that are featured in Digimon Battle.

 

OnRPG: Can you elaborate on how the captured Digimon system works?

Tamers can capture field Digimon during battles.  To capture an enemy Digimon, press the “C” key during battle.  Only Digimon at the In-Training stage can be captured and Tamers cannot attack a Digimon while capturing it. Tamers can recall up to 2 captured Digimon by pressing the “R” key. There is a maximum of 3 Digimons – 1 partner Digimon and 2 captured Digimon – allowed during battles. Also, there are special capturing nets are now available in the Digishop which allow users to succeed in capturing Digimon 100% of the time.

 

Digimon Battle Teleport
Training a Digimon

 

OnRPG: Is there a PVP system set up in the game?

Yes, players can form groups and guilds, participate in multi-player battles and play to win contests held within the game. In future updates, we plan to open a “Battle Mode” PvP system so users can compete against one another and see how they match up in an online ranking system.

 

OnRPG: What’s in store for Digimon Battle players in the future?

Digimon Battle players can expect more Digimon, maps, player events and much more in future updates. Also, players will continue to see new items released in the Digishop. Check out http://www.digimonbattle.com/ for the latest Digimon Battle news and sign up to play!

 

OnRPG: Thanks for your time and we’re really looking forward to how the game progresses! 

MLB Dugout Heroes Review: MMO Hits a Home Run

MLB Dugout Heroes Review: MMO Hits a Home Run
By Mitchell Daoust (Loric), OnRPG Journalist

 

When one hears the term, “MMO” a variety of different concepts come to mind. Magic, spells, swords, armor, adventures, and dragons are all aspects that one might think of. MLB Dugout Heroes by GamesCampus, however, is sure to give you a different take on the subject, as it presents a different view to the online game setting. By presenting a realistic version of the game of baseball mixed with various MMORPG elements, this game is sure to leave you entertained for hours on end.

  

Realism

This game is certainly a must-play for any baseball fan. The sense of the sport can be found everywhere, from the clever mouse-icon (shaped like a mitt) to the lively music and commentary. The strategy and plays are represented excellently, as the you soon get the feeling that you are coaching an actual team. Each Major League Baseball team is represented with a complete and accurate roster, so any adoring fan can easily get behind the wheel of their favorite team.

 

MLB Dugout Heroes Lineup
Join the Major League and create your own lineup

 

The strategy and cunning required for a real game of baseball is also put to the test here, as you’ll find throughout this article.

 

Game play

The game does an excellent job of capturing the atmosphere of the sport. The player will find themselves reacting to pitches the same way a player would do so in real life, and the strategy behind pitching will also need to be well thought through. Pitching, however, is far easier than batting. Even the newest of players will be able to strikeout the most experienced batter, because understandably, it’s more difficult to react to a pitch than it is to throw one.

 

When starting a new account/career, a tutorial on batting and pitching immediately meets the player and teaches them the basics of the game. This is a very helpful tool, which can help familiarize inexperienced players with the rules and methods of the sport. However, there are no tutorials for defense, such as running the bases or playing the field. Help in this area is displayed as pop-ups during game play, and they can be troublesome to focus on in the heat of the moment. Many rules and regulations of the sport also go unexplained, so the player may become frustrated if they are not adept in baseball.

 

MLB Dugout Heroes Highlight
A highlight from the game 

 

Items are available for use during game play, offering an “RPG” sense to the atmosphere. While the concept is interesting and could play a large part in the role of the game, it feels a bit “tacked on.” The player will often times be too focused on the pace of the current game to notice the level of their player’s fatigue, and will not bother to use replenishing items, which honestly don’t make a sizeable difference in the first place. The items also take away a portion of the realism surrounding the game, which is definitely a downside.

  

Also involved is a “mission” system, where characters have the option to try and complete several objectives during game play (for example, “steal three bases in one inning”). This feature is very entertaining, and will give even masters of the game a reason to come back for more.

 

The strategy which needs to be employed, is very realistic and convincing. One has to decide which base to throw to, which player to tag out, and when to have players steal bases or run. Control over the players is quite limited, however. When playing the field, one can only control where the ball is thrown, and when batting, the player can only control how fast the character runs, or which base the character runs to. Other than that, the computer controls every aspect of the game, and the computer rarely makes errors. This results in the game being based on luck, rather than skill or strategy.

 

MLB Dugout Heroes Gameplay
Only partial control when playing

 

The balance between “power hit” and “normal hit” when batting is also something that could be worked on. When batting, the player takes control of a circular area which they must use to track the location of the ball and swing. For a power-hit, the size of the circle is considerably reduced, therefore making the action much harder to accomplish. While this makes sense, there isn’t much difference between a power hit and a casual hit. The end result means putting forth a lot of effort for little improvement, which is a bit discouraging.

  

Graphics

The character models are of excellent quality for a game that is free to download and play. They are fluid in their animations and believable in their representation on the field, and although they are a bit “cartoony,” they are still impressive. Textures and detail of large areas, such as the grass on the field or the crowd in the stands, is a bit rough and could use work. This flaw is only noticed upon close inspection, however, and the game runs quite smoothly, so it is a possibility that this lack of detail is intentional. The developers of the game did an excellent job making the character models appear similar to their real life counterparts. The models are not perfect, which is of course understandable, but if one is familiar with real life players it is quite easy to pick out which model represents whom.

 

Summary

MLB Dugout Heroes is a free-to-play MMO that any adoring baseball fan should try. It offers realistic rosters, statistics, and game play to keep the MLB junkie fed during the off-season. While game play and control over the characters could use some work to allow more freedom to the player, the strategy and realism are more than enough to make up for it.

 

Pros:
– Realistic baseball game play
– Character models resemble players
– Refreshing change from fantasy MMOs
– Accurate rosters
– Excellent use of real life strategy.

 

Cons:
– Item system feels tacked on
– May confuse those unfamiliar with baseball
– No tutorial for fielding
– Limited control over characters
– Music is a bit repetitive.

DragonÂ’s Call Developer Log: Guild System Preview

Dragon’s Call Developer Log: Guild System Preview

We received the following Developer letter from the nice folk over at Dragon’s Call:

Hi, dear DC fans. I am Punk from the Planning Department of Dragon’s Call. I know you are extremely curious about the future gameplay of Dragon’s Call, in particular the class promotion, guild and faction systems. I am in charge of the guild system which will be updated soon. Here, I would like to reveal some exciting information in advance, you are certain to enjoy it.

As a massive interactive system in Dragon’s Call, how to make the guild system interesting is always our main pursuit. Certainly, the upcoming gameplay cannot lack the guild system, so we have focused on enhancing guilds.

1. Guild Defense Quest
Monsters have invaded a guild, and all guild members can join to resist monsters.

Successive Killing quest: Move to next one after killing a monster until 10 monsters are killed at a time. During that period, auto-healing is ineffective. Players can accept this quest once per day and harvest rewards based on the number of monsters they kill. The more monsters they have defeated, the more rewards they will receive. In the meantime, they will earn guild contribution points, reputation points and Dragon Soul Shards which can be used to construct guilds. What’s more, guild members can help heal the one who is doing the quest and killing monsters.

2. Guild Warehouse
Each guild has a shared warehouse where all guild members can deposit items, but only the guild leader and vice leaders are qualified to take things out. The guild president can set prices for items in the warehouse and guild members can use their personal guild contribution points to exchange for an item. In this way, the interactions among guild members can be promoted.

3. Guild Construction System
Guilds can construct buildings to reinforce members’ strength as well as increase the success rate of equipment upgrading. The guild construction system will be presented in pictures and players can check the building info in the guild panel.

4. Guild War
The guild war must be the most-anticipated. Powerful guilds can challenge other guilds.

There are two chances to go into guild war every day. If the offensive guild continues to destroy the opponent’s buildings after overwhelming its Dragon Aspect, the offensive guild will reap some earnings of the failed guild. Likewise, if the defensive guild succeeds in protecting its Dragon Aspect, it will gain lots of Dragon Soul Shards to construct guild buildings and improve the guild’s strength.

Dragon's Call - Developer blog