Yearly Archives: 2010

Kingdom Heroes Developer Blog: Leveling, Loyalty & Battle

Kingdom Heroes Developer Blog: Leveling, Loyalty & Battle
Chances are that the first major game feature you’ll come across in Kingdom Heroes is its unique soldier system. I don’t want to spoil too much about the first fifteen minutes of the game, but I will say that the new player experience is very tightly designed and, after a harrowing sprint through a dangerous chasm, it caps off with the gratifying reward of earning your first upgradeable and customizable NPC soldier.
 
Because Kingdom Heroes is built around the concept of large-scale kingdom warfare, soldiers can potentially become a very powerful and important part of the game. When you factor in mounts, siege engines, player ships, guild combat, and city conquest, NPC troops add another crucial element in recreating the experience of being caught up in a massive battle of epic proportions.  
 
As you rise through the ranks of your chosen faction, you acquire skill points that you can invest in a variety of attributes. Some of these will determine your character’s overall attack and defense scores, but others, like charisma, will affect your leadership prowess on the battlefield. The greater your command rating, the more troops you’ll have available at your immediate disposal. Additionally, there’s a loyalty subsystem in play that affects the morale and, in turn, the effectiveness of your NPC allies. If you have enough of your soldiers’ respect, they’ll fight that much harder for you.
 
While a fair amount of the high-level content in Kingdom Heroes emphasizes cooperation between players, the soldier system allows you to take an independent approach to the game if that’s the kind of play style you prefer. At the same time, that’s not to say soldiers are strictly for solo players – groups (made up of a maximum of six players) can ally together and combine their NPC forces to become an incredibly formidable and self-sufficient team. Those who collaborate efficiently, effectively, and execute the best strategies will always come out on top.
 
A leader is only as strong as his or her team, so it’s important to complement your character with a custom outfit of soldiers that augment your strengths and/or make up for your weaknesses. There are a handful of subsystems you can take advantage of to suit your individual strategies, including solider classes, unit formations, tactics/behaviors, loyalty, and equipment upgrades. I’ll touch on a few of these features below.
 
In Kingdom Heroes, soldiers accrue experience independently of one another. As a particular NPC unit increases in level, he/she/it has the option of advancing along different paths. For example, a lowly Volunteer can ultimately evolve into an experienced Lancer, Longbowman, or Cavalry Archer (see a preview of one of the NPC class trees above). An NPC’s path is entirely up to you, and if you’re the cunning sort, you’ll want to develop your troops along lines that suit your primary character’s skill set.
 
Players can also organize their troops into various formations, allocating exactly where it is they want to position each individual soldier. Every formation has its unique advantages and disadvantages, and, like choosing NPC classes, you’ll want to use a formation that plays to your strengths and guards against your weaknesses. For example, pretend you’re an expert archer with a complete arsenal of unit types – how are you going to organize your troops? You’ll probably want to position most of your units far ahead – perhaps swordsmen or cavalry out in front and pikemen protecting your flanks? The choice is entirely yours to make.
 
If that isn’t more than enough, you also have the option of creating and saving multiple soldier sets for later use, accessible from within the soldier system interface. You’re certain to encounter a variety of obstacles in the game world, and this handy feature can become a lifesaver if you find yourself in a hairy situation where your usual soldier set isn’t ideal for the circumstance. With a combination of a few clicks and buttons, you can call out your specialized squad of reserves and swap them with your primary team of bodyguards.
 
Customization is also an important part of the soldier system in Kingdom Heroes. Apart from NPC class selection, players can give their soldiers unique names and outfit them with armor and weapons that their own character may have outgrown. Instead of selling off your equipment at the auction house or a vendor, you actually have a reason to hold onto your old hand-me-downs. Additionally, if you find that you no longer have a use for one your soldiers, you’re free to sell off their services to someone else via the auction interface. 
 
Sound interesting? You can enter the world of Kingdom Heroes and lead your troops into battle when the game begins Closed Beta in late Spring 2010. To be among the first to sign up for an early glimpse of the game, visit the Kingdom Heroes website to join the discussion and start planning your war strategies.

Kingdom Heroes Leveling Battle Closed Beta

Pentacore

Welcome to Pentacore: a world of magical energy, legendary creatures, and global wars. Pentacore – The Lords of Edges is a browser based online strategical MMOG which joins the best features of role-playing games with tactics and social simulators.
 
You will rule a castle which you can personalize and develop as you prefer. You will meet new friends and join together with them to create a huge organization in one of the ten versants! You can enter into one of the four guilds: merchant, jeweler, weaponsmaster, or spy! You can summon an army of terrible monsters to fight your enemies! And you will navigate in a 3D world with your browser!
 
Join a huge world
A huge game world: a fantasy universe shaped with a twenty-four sides on 10 versants, each of them populated up to 15.000 sorcerers
 
Be part of a unique economic system
A detailed and organized Economic system: Sorcerers accumulate resources and use them to create buildings for themselves and for the community. The most important buildings require the participation of many sorcerers.
 
Choose your profession
Four different guilds: Your sorcerer can be a wealthy merchant, or a crafty jeweler, or a skilled weaponsmaster, or a smart spy!
 
Be ready to fight!
Battles using hundreds of fighting units, magic spells, and Artifacts
 
Explore the world
You can travel around the Pentacore world looking for treasures and adventures…
 
Be part of the government
A unique system of social interactions in a browser game. There is an established social structure and an organized goverment, with elections and appointed ministers.
 
Collaborate with other sorcerers
Text quests and search quests that require the collaboration of other sorcerers to solve. A successful quest means a lot of rewards for you!

World of Battles Interview: RTS Just Got Served

World of Battles Interview: RTS Just Got Served
Questions by Vincent Haoson (Vincenthaoson), OnRPG Journalist
Answered by Vladimir Titarchuk, World of Battles game designer

 

Real-time strategy is a game genre that’s rare to see in the online gaming scene and it seems that somebody took another shot at it with World of Battles. The game is off to a good start and we got a chance to talk to the people behind the game and here’s what they have to say about it.       

 

OnRPG: When I was visiting your site I couldn’t help but notice the catchy- old school cartoon-like game music. Is this the official World of Battles song? Where did you base the song?
Frogwares: You should definitely listen to the music inside the game. It was created by Frogwares’ artists, and there’s several tracks, none of which can be called “an official World of Battles song”. Right now there’s no content in “sound and music” page of our web site, but soon it will be included in the multimedia section. Every World of Battles fan will be able to download and listen to them.

 

OnRPG: When it comes to RTS games, one of the concerns is the game’s balance. With nine races to choose from (plus three alignments) how do you balance each unit in each race found in World of Battles? 
Frogwares: The difference between races and alignments isn’t the most important one; our units also gather experience, and their stats change with upgrades and equipment. To balance all this, the system of AP (Army Points) was created, measuring each and every unit’s battle efficiency. AP of an army equals to the sum of units’ AP;  thus players can compare overall strength of their army to their opponents’.

 

World of Battles Dark Elves
Dark Elves on Mounts

 

OnRPG: With players able to acquire special units using cash in the game’s item mall, what’s your plan on trying to keep the balance between those who chose to avail the premium units and those who are playing for free? 
Frogwares: All special units have their own AP cost, different from costs of basic units – we include not only unit’s battle stats into it, but also unit’s special abilities. So, if one player fields an army of special units, another one can oppose him with a larger army of normal units with the same AP cost!

 

OnRPG: With only 16 active units for a player’s army. How big do you expect are the battles in the game? There’s a possibility that players may in fact find this number too small. (Will future patches increase the number of active units a player may have?)
Frogwares: 16 units is hard enough to control, if you take into account the fact that they should be micro-managed in order to avoid crowding each other, and all of them can take part in intense action. Large battles in our game take place between four, five or even six players, and this number will be increased with future patches! So, right now you can easily find a battle where about 50 units face each other – and that’s a lot of bodies, because each unit numbers from 12 to 20 soldiers!

 

OnRPG: Why is the number of active units only limited to 16? How are the reserve units part of the player’s fighting arsenal? 
Frogwares: Our game have no buildings to build or resources to gather during battles – it’s all about the battle itself, and controlling 16 units during intense action is a hard task even for experienced generals! Sometimes it’s easier to manage a smaller army, moving part of units to reserve; then, when preparing another battle with the same opponents, you can change the composition of your army, selecting units best suitable for your task and moving them from reserve back to roster.

 

Army Amazons World of Battles
Army of Amazons

 

OnRPG: The game allows customization both as a strategic advantage and for aesthetics. Does that mean that players can actually see the weapons and equipment your units have? Up to what extent can players customize their units? 
Frogwares: Unit equipment is divided between weapons, armors, helmets, greaves, etc. When equipping a unit with new item, player will see the difference on the unit figure immediately. Each race have thousands of possible equipment combinations, thus making customization a very interesting process. Fully equipped army of many units make a fantastic sight on the battlefield!

 

OnRPG: World of Battle utilizes a lot of tactical strategies for players to use. Where did you get the strategies found in the game? Will you be including more in future patches?
Frogwares: There’s a wide variety of tactical strategies in the game. There’s tactics on the level of general’s decisions during the battle – how to attack this particular unit, which unit needs to be surrounded to defeat it quickly, whether to send the cavalry into a charge through enemy ranks or use it to sweep the enemy rear ranks… And there are unit abilities such as charge, standing ground, square, cohort or wedge formations, all of which are based on historical analogues. Some special units have more unusual abilities, which allow to influence several units at once, attack multiple enemies or help multiple friendly units. New special units are being released constantly, which brings even more tactical strategies into the game.

 

OnRPG: Can you elaborate on the ELO model system you use in terms of the rating a player’s army? How does it determine a player’s battle prowess?
Frogwares: ELO rating system is based on the one which is used in chess tournaments. Each player starts with basic rating of 1000, which can be decreased by defeats or increased by victories. Increments or decrements of the rating are determined by the rank of your opponent – so, if one wins a battle against high-ranked opponent, he will receive more rating than if he’d win the battle with a low-ranked army.

 

OnRPG: What’s your expectations when it comes to PVP action? Have your expectations been met?
Frogwares: PvP action is what our game is about, and players recognize that as soon as they learn the basics of it. There are  one-vs-one duels in Arena mode are feasts of tactical genius. On the other hand, there are massed Deathmatch battles where slain armies respawn, putting players into real large-scale action! Both of these modes are loved by our players, and a new mode will be released soon, integrating a concept of flags and domination!

 

Marching Armies World of Battles
Marching Armies

 

OnRPG: How big have the battles been in the game? What’s the biggest battle recorded as of this moment in World of Battle?
Frogwares: Up to now players were unable to create battles bigger than 3 by 3 players, with total number of units more than 64. This limitation was imposed by the game mechanics, and a lot of such battles had been recorded since the release. Even now, our design team is improving data transfer mechanics to allow for even larger-scale battles – 4×4 and above!

 

OnRPG: Can you elaborate on the Quest battles in the game? If it’s a battle between good and evil what happens to those who are neutrally aligned?
Frogwares: Quest battles are special scenarios where forces of Good and Evil meet each other, and global number of victories is recorded for each side. Side having more victories at the end of Quest Battle term wins this Quest and receives appropriate benefits. In large-scale conflicts like Dominion Campaign which takes place right now, the goal of Good and Evil armies is to conquer all regions of opposing side, while Neutral armies receive benefits from maintaining the balance between these two powers. So, if the Good side wins, Neutral armies should better support Evil legions, and vice versa.

 

OnRPG: Isn’t the load a problem for the servers when big battles happen in game? Are players free from worry that the game can’t take the load of huge battles?
Frogwares: Game servers can process several hundreds of battles simultaneously without overload. This is due to the architecture of the game, which places most of the calculations on the most accessible and most powerful PC of the group of players, making him the “host” of the battle. Battle results are saved regularly, so even if a crash occurs on host’s PC, all players will receive their hard-earned battle rewards.

 

OnRPG: What do you think is the game’s advantage over other MMORTSes out right now? Why do you think so?
Frogwares:  No other games combine massive PvP action (up to 3×3 players) with permanently growing and progressing  armies! Armies of different levels can compete with each other due to AP system, different game modes and playing in a team of 2 or 3 players! Also, our game makes emphasis on battles, not on buildings and resources!

 

Tower Defense World of Battles
Defending Against the Enemies

 

OnRPG: What’s the defining feature that World of Battle has that can be said as the game’s signature?
Frogwares: Perhaps it’s collector’s approach to player’s armies. Player can have several different armies of many units, each of them able to use different equipment, and thus being amazingly visually different. To see them all at the battlefield is truly a magnificent sight! It brings World of Battles closer to tabletop wargames, where hundreds of detailed miniatures are prized possessions of their owners.

 

OnRPG: What’s in store for players in the coming months ahead?
Frogwares: First, completely new class of units will be released, totally dominating the battlefield! Second, new gaming mode will be introduced! Third, game interface will be remade in modern style, for better usability and more style. And, with constant releases of new special units and maps, you see there’s a lot of things to look for and to prepare your armies for!

 

OnRPG: Thank you for your time!
Frogwares: And thank you too! Come play with us in our game!

Lords Online: New Dungeon Coming Soon

Lords Online: New Dungeon Coming Soon

 

IGG’s self-developed SLG web game, Lords Online, has been moving forward smoothly. The LO Team announces today that it will launch a new Dungeon instance in April as they open the 10th server in the game.

There are lots of portals available to access the Dungeon on the vast in-game Mu continent. The Dungeon is a strange new underground world with hoards of powerful, wild monsters and mysterious NPCs. Deep dark underground passages intertwine, suddenly to reveal scores of monsters, treasure, or more! It’s a crisis-ridden adventure. Escorting the sacred Bosses there are a large number of lower-level monsters in the Dungeon, which let players obtain considerable EXP within a short period of time, which allows rapid leveling up. If you are strong enough and brave enough, gear up to challenge the Bosses. If you are lucky and skilled, and you defeat them, make no mistake: you’ll end up with awesome equipment that’s hard to find elsewhere. It’s a dangerous place where only those who combine strength and wisdom can survive.

NPCs inside the Dungeon are completely different in both appearance and characteristics. Take time to listen to their special stories, and to receive special quests as well. Complete the quests to obtain tons of awesome stuffs. With NPC’s tips and help, it will become easier to get things done and travel into even more deep places.

NPC’s stories and special quests combine to create a twisted underground world. All the riddles mixed with the destiny of each race await your exploration. Are you ready to face the challenges ahead?

 

 

Lords Online - New Dungeon Coming Soon!

Business Tycoon Online Released Special Easter Items

Business Tycoon Online Released Special Easter Items

This year the Easter Bunny is making a special stop at Business Tycoon Online. To celebrate, DOVOGAME has planned a special event for this exciting holiday.
 
Players will be able to crack open colored Easter Eggs and collect baskets full of useful BTO items.There might even be a chocolate rabbit or two!

Business Tycoon Online - Come have an Egg-cellent time!

 
From April 1st to April 8th, players with small-sized corporations or above will get one FREE EASTER EGG in Character-Login Rewards. Crack it open and see what surprises await!
 
Easter Medals and Wisdom Medals are new special items been created for the first annual Easter Egg Hunt. Easter Medals will bring a 25% bonus and Wisdom Medals will bring a 25% bonus to players’ basic revenues.

Twelve Sky Review: Brutal Faction War

Twelve Sky Review: Brutal Faction War
By Mohammad Abubakr (Abubakr), OnRPG Writer

 

Twelve Sky is an MMORPG based around martial arts in an oriental fantasy theme of middle-age China. This game is for older gamers (17+) as it contains mature content (blood, alcohol reference…). You are however allowed to play the game if you have parental consent.

 

Factions

Twelve Sky offers you three different factions to choose from, which could be considered as classes if you’re used to other MMORPGs. These factions are constantly in conflict. Since these factions are enemies you are limited in character creation to one faction and if you want to create a character not of that faction you have to delete and start again. You can choose between the Guanyin, the Fujin, and the Jingong.

 

The Guanyin are a well balanced clan. They are balanced fighters, proficient in all weapons. They can wield a blade or just fight with their fists. If you aim for a character that is well balanced, then the Guanyin is for you.

 

The Fujin are the masters of the double-edged swords. The Fujin have the lowest defense, health, and chi (mana). To make up for this they are able to wear the most powerful armor. The Fujin are the fastest of all the factions. If you want to create a character that can attack very fast and wear heavy armor, Fujin is for you. I love to use dual blades, so I created a Fujin.

 

Lastly, you can join the Jingong faction. The Jingong are by far the strongest of all factions. To even out this power, the Jingong are slow. If you don’t mind coming late to a battle but dealing a lot of damage, I suggest you create a Jingong. Since Twelve Sky is based around martial arts, there is no mage class. Sorry! =[

 

 Three Factions 12 Twelve Sky

Choosing between the three factions

 

Building your character

Like most MMORPGs Twelve Sky features a stat system. If you have played an MMORPG before you probably know what each stat does. You can skip this part if you are familiar with the stat system, but for newer players you might want to carefully understand each stat. Each time you level up in Twelve Sky you are given five stat points. You can do whatever you like with these points. To make sure you build your character correctly, I’ll give you a quick guide on how each stat works. There are four different stats you can level up; Vitality, Chi, Strength, and Dexterity. Vitality increases the player’s health points. Chi, obviously, increases the player’s Chi points. Strength increases the player’s damage, and Dexterity increases your chance to dodge and hit. Read the complete guide on what each stat does for every faction.

 

Graphics

The graphics in Twelve Sky aim towards an oriental feel. This goal is easily achieved, but the graphics aren’t the best, although the weather, such as snow, really helps to improve the graphics. I’d say the graphics are alright, not the best. The main problem is that you are not able to change the resolution! You are stuck with the default.. The graphics look good, but since my monitor is 19′ it requires a larger resolution to prevent the game from getting stretched.

 

Community

Like many other games, Twelve Sky has gold sellers. The developers knew this could become a problem, so you are able to ignore people. It doesn’t have to be gold sellers; it can be anyone who is bugging you. Just type in /ignore [name] and you are good to go! If you are new to the game, you can ask any person with [GS] (Game Sage) in their name, and they will gladly help you out! The GMs also do a very nice job with the daily events. Every day of the week offers a new event. For example, there is 2x EXP on Saturdays!

 

Gameplay

Twelve Sky plays like most other MMORPGs. You left click on a spot to walk there, left click to target and attack an enemy. Right click to change camera… You know how it works. Unfortunately Twelve Sky does not offer WASD movement. I was very disappointed when I found this out. Sorry to everyone who prefers WASD over mouse. When I first started Twelve Sky, I looked around for a starting quest/helper. Unfortunately there is nothing to help you start out, besides the basic tips you get. You are expected to find out where to train by yourself. You get your first beginner quest at level 14. At least that is the level for Fujins.

 

The gameplay is very similar to other MMORPGs. You kill monsters, level up, add stats and learn skills. Keep leveling and hope you find rare items. One thing you might notice is that monsters don’t always drop items. The interface in Twelve Sky is done very well. It is simple, but displays all the information you require to play the game.

 

One, out of many, feature which makes Twelve Sky stand out from other F2P MMORPGs is that you do not have skills in your skill book when you start. Although other games include this feature, most of them give you the skills to level up once you job advance. In Twelve Sky however, you must go to your trainer and learn the skills. Kind of like World of Warcraft’s system, but you don’t need to pay and you can level them up! You do however need to use skill points to learn and level up the skills (obviously). I highly suggest you learn the running skill. This will help you a lot when you are traveling long distances to your training area. One thing I don’t like about the skill system is when you level up a skill, you must place the new upgraded skill onto the hotkey bar again, or you’ll keep using the lower level skill!

 

Learning Skills 

Learning skills for my Fujin

 

Twelve Sky is mainly about the PvP. Although there will be much for all you PvE fans to do, the game is based around PvP. You can fight other players anywhere you like. You have the option to do a friendly fight, by challenging them to a duel. To keep things interesting during duels, no consumable items are allowed. This means you are not allowed to use potions, as this will result in the duel taking a very long time.

 

You can also just attack the player. Notice how I said player, and not enemy. Which means you can also kill your own faction! This is not recommended though, as you will get -1 honor per hit, and -100 honor per kill. Honor is only lost when you force attack someone in your own faction. You must be within 30 levels to force attack someone. This is to prevent all the high levels from owning the new players.

 

Another way you can PK (Player Kill) is by joining the various formations. Formations are level restricted PvP areas which open after a certain amount of time, depending on the level. The aim is like King of the Hill. You must capture the formation before the other factions. Once a player stays alive for five minutes in the middle of the formation, that player’s faction wins.

 

Not only do you feel proud, but the game rewards you by letting the winning faction into a secret cave. This cave lasts for one hour. In here you can find rare items. Once the one hour timer is done inside the cave, that formation will open up for another RvR fight after a certain amount of time. Your whole faction will also gain an additional EXP bonus if you win.

 

Dueling Combat Twelve 12 Sky 

Dueling a player

 

Conclusion

I would like to thank everyone in Twelve Sky who helped me learn about the game, so I could accurately review it. If you are looking for a game that has intense PvP, you don’t mind training until you are able to enter the first one (Level 30), and do not care much for graphics… This is the right game for you!

 

Pros:
– Intense PvP
– /ignore command
– EXP per hit
– Daily Events
– Able to trade time played for Mighty Rewards
– Weather

 

Cons:
– Minimap in cities can get confusing
– Gold sellers
– No WASD
– No choice of resolution
– 17 years of age/parents consent require (Con only for kids)

4Story, coliseum update revealed

4Story, coliseum update revealed

 

4Story announced that the brand new showdown system update has been introduced today which called “Tournament Update” where fascinating players can compete each other 1 vs 1 or Party(max. 7 player) vs Party in 32 different spectacular coliseums.

In addition to this, other players who failed to have a chance to show their strength and honor in a coliseum can be one of spectators. And they also join the event that enables them to achieve not a few game money when the player or the party that they voted wins after each matches end.

This has been designed to give an opportunity to users to be a hero or a spectator in a crucial warfare in a restricted area. Developer Zemi is fully confident that all MMO fans will love it.

Updated contents at a glance:

1. At a glance in 4story tournament (1 time a month)
– 3 types available : Party showdown / Unlimited Individual showdown / Classified Individual showdown
– Winners’ Rewords : Party showdown winner – 70,000 game point
Unlimited Individual showdown winner – 10,000 game point + Highest level item
  Classified Individual showdown winner – 5,000 game point + Highest level item
       (The item can be used only for 1 month. The item is gone when the next winners are decided)
(In addition to official monthly tournament, 4story GM teams can bring on additional tournaments regardless of numbers)

2. Application fee & Clearance for Showdown
     Application fee : 3 Rune to be paid (If the player fail to get appointed as a player, 2Rune 700Runa will be refunded. 300Runa is commission)
To get clearance : 1200 merit point to be paid (Merit point can get earned by winning daily territory warfare)

3. Requirement for participants
1st pick players: Highest ranked 16 players in the last month’s cumulated merit points will be chosen for the starter
2nd pick players: Allocated to the showdowns that lack the quorum after starting players determined. (Random selection)
Party players: Participants can choose his/hers companies for the showdown.

4. Tournament Schedule
    (1) 1st pick player selection: The first Monday in each month
    (2) 2nd pick player selection: The first Tuesday in each month
    (3) Party player selection: The first Wednesday in each month
    (4) List of showdown revealed: The first Thursday in each month (5 PM)
    (5) Admission: The first Thursday in each month (6 PM)
    (6) Showdown: 10mins for each Quarter final / Semi final / Final. Showdown will end at 8 PM

5. Coliseum Info.
– The total number of coliseums: 32
– Each coliseum has 4 different portals (1 for participants / 3 for spectators (S seat – 800Runa / A seat – 100Runa / B seat – 100 Cron))

6. Spectator Info.
      – Every users other than showdown participants can have a seat in the grandstands with paying portal fee.
– They also can enjoy the event to predict the winners on each showdowns and can get a certain amount of money from the cumulated portal fees when their prediction is right.
– They can buy and use cheering kit which is supposed to raise up their favorite player’s HP live. 10 HP point on each cheering kit.

      – To conclude, all users can cheer their favorite individual players with helping them directly and can get lucky reward as well.

4Story - Colloseum Update

Smash Online Review: Much More Than Tennis

Smash Online Review: Much More Than Tennis
By Kei Beneza (dividelife), OnRPG Journalist

 

We’ve had Basketball (Freestyle), we’ve had racing (Krazy Kart), hell it’s about time they featured tennis. Yes folks! Smash Online is a Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) Sports game that guarantees to satisfy your hunger for smashing and serving. One thing about this game is that it’s region locked and can be only be accessed by people in Europe. Not to worry though, there are tons playing this game so feel free to challenge them in order to get to the top.

 

There are various game modes to ponder on with cute cell-shaded anime graphics that’s sure to make you go “aww”. The game play is tad simple, making it easier for players to cope in terms of skill. Much as I would like to rate this game high (due to my personal bias) and end this review, let’s check out what else this game has to offer.

 

Creating your contender

Before embarking on your journey to become the best player out there, you first have to create your character. Most of the interface consists of premade elements that you can mix together to create your own unique character. Worry not though for the game has a bunch of stuff to help you personalize your characters when you visit the item mall. After creating/naming your character, it’s time to put him to the test.

 

Smash Online Court
Smash Online Court

 

Definitely an MMO: If only enhancing my skills were this easy

One generic MMO feature would be the leveling of characters. In this game, you’ll be playing against other players (1 on 1 or 2 on 2) in order to level your character’s skills and gain in game money. Character skills in this game are no different from traditional MMORPG ones. Some of them make you hit harder, some make you move faster, and some makes you more accurate. You’ll be given points to distribute every time you level up, optimizing your character’s performance in the court. In game gold can be acquired simply by competing against other players. You don’t really have to win in order to attain money but know that you’ll be getting much more if you do. This currency can be used via the item mall in order to buy new fashion items.

 

Slap that ball LOL

Yes Smash Online IS a Tennis game, but that doesn’t mean the game cannot add anything that gives the game some surreal extra kicks. Aside from hitting that ball back and forth, you’ll notice bullseye circles spawn randomly from the ground. These targets gives you extra boosts as well as points whenever you hit a ball while standing on them. This is a nice idea but quite confusing at times. Since your aim is to hit the ball, you might find yourself a bit off mark when chasing after spawning circles. My only advice would be to know your character’s limitations. Don’t step on them if you know that you’re bound to miss the incoming ball.

 

Smash Online Bullseye
Chasing spawning circles

 

You’re so cool! I think I’ll follow you around!

Remember those anime flicks with antagonists joining the main protagonist just cause he managed to beat them? This game is probably the best way to experience that kind of scenario. Aside from player vs player matches, you can also fight against AI opponents (Who are way better than some of the players out there). Once you beat an NPC, you’ll have the option of teaming up with them during 2 on 2 matches. It’s actually pretty fun especially if no one wants to play with you. These AI Players can also be leveled and customized to suit your preferences as you progress through the game. It’s a good feature, but why prefer an AI partner over a real one right?

 

Double Team Work Smash Online
Double Teams

 

Graphics and elements

When it comes to graphics, Smash Online is definitely blessed. The game has an intense set of cell shaded characters that blend well with their cell shaded surroundings. The game has a lot of diverse courts that give you great ambience as you continue to serve and smash that ball back and forth. The interface is easy to get used to and uses big kiddie-like buttons with simplistic terms such as “JOIN” and “START” to make it easier for newbies to know what they’re doing. The experience points are distributed through bars instead of numbers as well. Although it may seem like a kiddie game in terms of graphics and interface, you can’t deny the fact that the game is presented perfectly, with elements harmonizing in order to bring you the most awesome Tennis MMO game ever. The control scheme is simple as well. If I remember it correctly, aside from the movement controls, you’ll be trading swings using 2 distinct buttons: namely the smash button, and the light swing button.

 

Lag?

Although the game is basically perfect, there are certain issues concerning lag that’s flooding the community. I really hope they can fix it soon, cause I’m hell bent on smashing again LOL.

 

Winning Smash Online
Cute Characters in Smash Online

 

The Verdict

Smash Online is a good game, there’s no doubt about that. The game is simple yet presents an enjoyable form of gameplay. This is a good way to show that more technicalities do not make a game better than the rest. The game is visually blessed when it comes to graphics as well. It’s really fun to dress your character up, especially since the game doesn’t demand anything other than the money you earn in game. There are tons of diverse arenas, rackets, and clothes to make an MMO player drool. The installer isn’t hefty either, being a mere 58 mb file for easy downloads. The best part about this game would be the fact that it’s an ongoing project. New features like clubs (Guilds) and online tournaments will be implemented soon, so watch out. So far, the only thing I have to tell you regarding this game is “DL it, Install it, and play it”.

 

The good:
– Intense system
– Cute characters
– Diverse Arenas
– Item mall.

 

The bad:
– Can’t be enjoyed by hardcore players
– Lag issues (and tons of em)
– Lack of character customizations
– The smash bullseye is rather confusing.

Karos Online launches Friday April 9th

Karos Online launches Friday April 9th

 

The highly-anticipated commercial release of NHN Corporation’s free-to-play MMORPG Karos Online is just around the corner on April 9th, and NHN is kicking it off in style with celebratory events and goodies to drool over!

Following the grand server re-opening on April 9th, players will be able to loot Celebration Cakes while hunting in Asmara, which can be consumed for super speed buffs, traded to other players and used to complete a quest for one of three fantastic items: a 12-slot Leather Bag, a handy Job Specialization Certificate or a rare White Tiger mount!

There are also treasure-filled Gift Boxes waiting for those who fight to reclaim Tokens of Honor from the goblin hordes ravaging Lupinel, and that’s not all: throughout April, all characters on the new server will become eligible to win generous prize bundles containing potions, mounts and other items — just for leveling up!

Finally, all new characters will automatically receive a special Newbie Potion Pack to get them off to a great start in the game. These packs will also be available at OnRPG — details will be posted in early April.

April 9th also marks the opening of the shiny new Karos Online item shop, where players can choose from a selection of helpful items, including:
• Protection Stones which prevent the loss of weapons and armor from failed enchantment
• Protection Capsules which prevent the loss of items upon death
• Guardian Angels to reduce experience loss upon death
• Mortuary Tablets  for resurrecting on the spot
• ‘Lucky’ Fishing Rods and Mining Picks for increased chance of gaining multiple fish and ores
• A variety of Potions including Strength, Recovery, Rejuvenation and XP Boost

The Karos Online launch is sure to be a memorable event, so don’t forget to mark your calendars — that date again is April 9th!

 

 

Karos Online - Official Launch on April 9th

Lunia Online Interview: Myth 4 Expansion

Lunia Online Interview: Myth 4 Expansion
Questions by Rickee Charbonneau (Jammart), OnRPG Journalist
Answered by Game Operations, ijji

 

We here  at OnRPG were very glad to have the opportunity to interview Ijji about Lunia Online!  As an MMORPG that updates often with great content, our interview is mainly concerned with the Myth 4 expansion, and the addition of new maps, bosses, a market system, and  preparations for a new  character, Dark Eir.

 

OnRPG: In lieu of your latest major update, what has the Myth 4 expansions added to the content of the game?
Myth 4 update includes the following:
– Additional Characteristics and sizes of bosses and monsters, and challenging close-attack characters – further aiding fast-paced game play
– Surprises lurking in dark corners as hidden bosses emerge to seek the complete annihilation of player’s bright-eyed, yet feisty characters
– Hidden black holes that engulf unsuspecting player, stripping them of their mana – a blow difficult to overcome
– An improved and simplified market system where players can avoid the hassle and stress often associated with stocking up on supplies and novelty items in Town Square
– The addition of new, upgraded weaponry for characters to bash and slash adversaries like never before. See the reference.

 

Dark Eir
Dark Eir character

 

OnRPG: Does this update encourage more cooperative play (and less experience grinding) as opposed to the previous Myth installations of the game?
The early stages are trouble-free.  With the combination attacks players practiced in early stages, often players with enough skills it can solo hard stages, but in Lunia, in principle, you play together! Players perform together and take the opportunities of themselves and plan their strategy in order to finish the stages. Everyone in the party has a major role, and together – you should figure out the best team work and tactics for each stage…

 

OnRPG: Ralph is the newest character addition to your roaster. How is he played? Is he popular?
Ralph has fast and strong combat styles with skills that include powerful timed punches and swift and menacing kicks. He’s very popular among close-combat style-favored players.

 

OnRPG: How about the school-girl samurai Asuka? Has she lived up to her hype in your opinion?
Our one of the most adored, yet devious character, Asuka, has been endlessly popular among players of Lunia since the introduction of the new character due to her fierce and stunning skill performance despite the fact of her cute school girl look.  We predict she will be continuously “slashing and slicing her way into the hearts of Lunia players and ijji.com members alike.” See the source.

 

OnRPG: Lunia is a very interesting name for an MMO title. Why or how was this title chosen? Why did you decide to leave it unmodified in your version?
Lunia: the Record of Lunia Wars. Lunia takes place in continent of Rodesia, home to humans, elves, orcs, goblins, and a wide variety of other races. After centuries of conflict, bloodshed, and war, a tense truce was agreed upon.  The game Lunia contains this epical plots throughout each stages. Read the full description.

 

Inventory Lunia

 

OnRPG: Who is your favourite character in the game? Why is this character to your liking?
Each character stands out in his/her own way in their visualization and skills, what each character can bring out is very much varied that we cannot choose just one! ^.^

 

OnRPG: Could you please offer us a little information on the various stages the game has provides?
The stages are ordered as chapters, while every 10 chapters are considered as a one episode. The 10th one a summary and it’s most challenging. Then the stage continues with attacking mobs, dodging, helping each other, organizing team work, finding secrets, and the boss. In addition to these chapters of regular stages, there are ‘Side-Stages’… These Side Stages need to be unlocked and it’s done by clearing certain regular stages or quests. Side stages are not a real part of the plot in regular stages, and their reward boxes contain items that are not obtainable in regular stages.

 

Additionally Raids are offered throughout different episodes. Raids require combinational skills and a lot more of team work.  Usually Raids can contain up to 8 players. The Items that can be acquired in Raid Stages are Rare and hard to find. 

 

Combat Lunia
Dungeons in Lunia

 

OnRPG: What are some of the special events going on currently?
In the month of February, we had Valentine’s Screenshot Event, Daily Quest Event. For March:  St. Patrick’s day Fashionista Event, Bonus 50% Experience Event, Free Kingdom of Ancient Guardian Shoe event. We plan to have Events, making Lunia lively and fun every week!

 

OnRPG: What makes Lunia Online’s PvP so interesting? Are all characters equally capable of fighting versus other players? Is there a class that dominates PvP?
Lunia, in contrast to many MMORPGs currently on the market, is played like an action arcade game.  Players are free to move around in-game using the ARROW KEYS (keyboard) rather than a mouse cursor.  Instead of pointing-n-clicking an enemy to attack, varying attacks are launched by pressing combinations of two attack buttons and the space bar. There is not a particular class that dominates PvP.  It all depends on player’s skills of creatively combining attacks.

 

We offer Player vs Player arenas that allow 1 on 1 to 8 on 8 combat. Some PvP arenas have been offered seasonally such as Snowman Fight which allowed players to fight each other with snowballs of various sizes and special effects.

 

OnRPG: What is the learning curve for Lunia?
The early stages are where players practice and create free-style combination attacks. 
Lvl 1 – 50: *
Lvl 1 – 60:  **
Lvl 61 -70:  ***
Lvl 71 – 80:  ****
Lvl 81 – 90:  *****
Lvl 91 – 99:  ******
Easy to lvl up *  to ****** hard to lvl up.

Furthermore, Lunia offers Rebirth for players who want to learn special Rebirth skills and obtain physical wings for more stats and extra skills. (What I am trying to say here is that it’s easy to lvl up in the beginning in Lunia but it really depends all later on player’s combo-skills and attacking strategies. 

 

OnRPG: With raid stages allowing a maximum of 8 characters playing at once, as opposed to the default 4 per stage, do you think the future will allow for even larger parties of greater than 8 players?
Yes, currently we have stages allowing parties of 12 to play at once.  It is available  for lvl 58 and up and is very popular among the same guild members.

 

OnRPG: It is known that some character classes have less clothing variety options in the game than the majority. That being said, how customizable are the characters in the game?
It is true that some characters come with more options for clothing.  However, there are still so many various stylish costumes with Stats/no stats for all the characters in Lunia such as Kimono costumes, School Unicorn Sets, Angel Sets, Devildom Sets, we aren’t getting any complaints.  ^^

 

Market Lunia
Inventory and Items

 

OnRPG: What are your plans for future updates of the game? Any characters planned for release this year?
We actually have a new addition to Lunia Characters!  Dark Eir, the Princess of Darkness, was be released on the 25th of March.  We are very excited about her release and many of our users have been talking about her for months! In addition to Dark Eir, we have Arta, a cute and smart, female engineer character will soon be released as well as various NEW stage-maps.