Yearly Archives: 2010

Aces High Review: Be Glad You live in the 20th Century

Aces High Review: Be Glad You live in the 20th Century
By Vincent Haoson (Vincenthaoson), OnRPG Journalist

 

Playing simulation games never really gets old. Even those “World War X” themed games where you get to fly and experience how it feels to pilot or drive those old planes and vehicles that are part of our sad history of warfare.

 

Even if it’s a marketable concept I was surprised when I stumbled upon Aces High. I never thought someone had actually made a MMO like this and I was intrigued with the game upon seeing how it plays out.

 

First Impressions

I expected the game to be polished in terms of its interface and graphics, however, what I got instead is an interface that feels clunky and a dated graphics set that hails back nearly to Windows 98 days. However I can say that they have done well in recreating the cockpits of the various planes that you can use. You actually feel claustrophobic while riding in the plane’s cockpit, a feeling that was probably felt by a lot of pilots during their time inside the plane.

 

Aces High Cockpit 
Cockpit

 

The game controls are not intuitive and you can’t just jump in and expect to pilot the plane wonderfully. Right from the start I noticed that the game’s learning curve is steep, and the only way for you to fully enjoy this game is to be patient enough to go through the process of learning how to be a decent pilot.

 

This is not an arcade

Aces High is not a game that you should take lightly especially if this is your first time trying out a simulation game. It is not like the usual flying games out there where you just press the w,a,s,d keys and you get the hang of it. This is the game’s strong point because it truly makes you feel like you are in a simulator of old school planes.

 

However, being a simulation, the game only caters to a small audience because not everyone likes to fly clunky planes, much less play with them. So the game’s real appeal is determined by your interest on these types of games. To give the game the benefit of the doubt, it does provide a decent simulation experience.

 

Choices

Aside from the simulation type of controls, the game has a huge number of planes, tanks and vehicles that you can play around with. It is kind of fun going up against other players in the online arena using the old planes, it gives a sense of nostalgia and a lot of awareness on how hard piloting was then.

 

Aces High Dog Fight 
Dog Fight

 

Due to the fact that you are using old planes, you have to expect some delays in the battle because, let’s face it, you are using old design planes with prop engines, so don’t go expecting dog fights to be as spectacular and as fast paced as in other piloting games.

 

Interface

Aces High’s interface is fairly easy to understand and pretty straightforward which I think is a good way of counter-acting the difficulty of the game’s controls. Setting up your vehicles resources is easy with just a click of a mouse.  Choosing between the various vehicles you can use is a breeze, though you do notice a certain amount of lag if you browse too fast.

 

Aces High Plane Hangar
The Hangar

 

The game’s interface feels as clunky as the its  controls, though this shouldn’t be the case especially considering the type of games out of the market these days. It really seems that the game is more for niche market rather than the mainstream.

 

The Little Things

The game’s controls are not the only thing that completes the simulation experience that Aces High provides. It’s the little things like pulling up the plane’s landing gear, allocating the fuel and rationing your ammo.

 

The other small thing that I liked about the game is that you don’t start in the air. You get to prepare your plane and you are the one who flies it from start to end. That is unless you set it to auto-pilot, which thankfully does not include how to get your plane off the ground (I would personally consider this a bad move for the game because it kills the simulation).

 

Starting Screen Aces High

 

I also like the idea that you don’t die just because of enemy gunfire but also by crashing. This adds character to the game’s simulation feature because it puts emphasis on your skills as a pilot. Also, dying by crashing can really hurt the ego, hence it also doubles as a motivation for you to do better, so you play more

 

Conclusion

I must say that the game really feels “old”, not only in terms of the vehicles and planes you get to use, but also the overall feel it delivers. Though I don’t really know if this was the developer’s goal. I can be sure that this game belongs to a niche crowd where true lovers of World War II stuff can enjoy immensely.

 

The steep learning curve  and dated graphics are not the only reasons why this game will not fly with the general gaming public. The game feels more like a history lesson of the vehicles and planes of World War II and how they fly rather than a fun simulation experience.

 

The thing is, Aces High passes with flying colors as a simulation game and it’s so much of a simulation game that you have to be either old, or a person who wants to seriously enjoy flying old planes to fully enjoy what the game has to offer. If you are neither of these things then I highly suggest you go elsewhere.

 

Pros:
Provides a true simulation experience
Huge choices of planes you can use
You can also use vehicles

 

Cons:
– It has a steep learning curve
– Dated graphics
– Clunky controls

Gamescampus Discusses Soul Master Core Concepts and Gameplay Details

Gamescampus Discusses Soul Master Core Concepts and Gameplay Details

 

Leading online game publisher, GamesCampus today announced details about its upcoming genre-bending, free-to-play MMORTS, Soul Master. The addictive new game combines the character advancement of an action RPG with the tactical unit control and balanced game play depth of the Real Time Strategy genre in a uniquely innovative way.

 

Construction Soul Master 
Construction

 

Soul Master features a character progression system similar to traditional MMORPG’s, where a player is able to take their character on quests and missions against NPC-controlled monsters across a variety of maps; leveling up and hunting for increasingly better items and armor along the way. The similarity ends there however, as each player-controlled character also happens to be able to gather resources, construct buildings, and produce and upgrade their own army of units during instanced PvE missions and PvP battles while either alone or in a party of other players. The set-piece PvE adventures are essentially a unique combination of the storyline campaign of an RTS and the dungeon raids of an MMO. Including giant raid bosses, escort and town defense missions, sieges of enemy strongholds, and multi-map endurance challenges allows Soul Master to contain as much variety during character level progression as a pure MMO.

 

Escort Soul Master 
Soul Master escort quest

 

The armor and items found throughout the game also combine aspects of both genres, granting not only the character attack and defense stats usual to an RPG, but also providing RTS bonuses to your character’s buildings and units through the game’s comprehensive upgrading and crafting systems. Gameplay bonuses include everything from increased unit attack range to stronger defensive structures, faster unit production or building creation times, to faster character re-spawn or skill cool down times.

 

Each of the three factions players are able to choose from provide their own set of unique units, and each of the six currently available classes grant their own set of different character skills and abilities. With the added bonuses gained from items, players are able to change their combat tactics and strategies on the fly based on their own playing styles and preferences through a quick change of gear. If an opponent is heavily focused on building large armies of units and rushing their opponents’ bases early in a PvP match, another player is able to counter that by gearing themselves with armor and weapons they own which have stats that instead benefit their own defensive structures’ hit points and tower damage to hold back the oncoming rush attack of weaker, lower level units until they can tech up past them and counterattack.

 

 Unit Progression

 

Like an arcade-style brawler, a player or team loses when their characters run out of lives during the match, or their bases are destroyed like an RTS. During a PvP match players must take over “Seed” points by defeating groups of NPC monsters that are guarding them. After capturing them they begin to receive a steady flow of the resources used for creating buildings and units based on the number of Seed points they control around the map. Players are also then able to advance through technology trees during the battle, unlocking access to higher tier and more powerful units. A player’s units can be controlled and ordered around the map independently of their character, which allows for assaults on opponents from multiple sides, or against multiple enemies at once.

 

Character Skills Soul Master 
Character’s Skills

 

Alongside each character class’ skills and abilities, each of the different sets of units for the three factions also have unique attacks that players are able to activate at will; such as charging knockdown attacks, launching artillery bombardments, and creating force fields that absorb incoming projectiles. With the extensive control and customization options for both units and characters affecting strategy to such an extent, the depth of Soul Master gameplay promises to be something worth keeping an eye on.

 

Soul Master arrives summer 2010, with the first CBT scheduled for July.

PvP Survival In TLBB

PvP Survival In TLBB

 

Not long ago, ChangYou Europe notified players of the ever popular ‘Master & Student’ capability in top European online game Tian Long Ba Bu (or TLBB for short). The successful game publishers have now revealed a number of key features of the guild system and Player v. Player action that allows gamers to battle each other with ancient Chinese weaponry in this beautifully rendered MMO.

 

Spear Knight TLBB

 

TLBB, based on the famous novel written by Louis Cha, adopts a guild system that emphasizes the creation of a unique development structure including city level increasing, trading, quests, guild creation and the acquirement of special guild equipment which (among other things) makes TLBB nothing short of playability both individually, and as part of a team.

 

ChangYou Europe had this to say:

“The aim of the game is for players to experience the fighting capabilities that are largely helped by our PvP system. In the ‘World Competition’ for example, players of similar levels compete in a free-for-all style tournament. The last player standing is announced throughout the world and receives a handsome amount of money, and more! There have been some fantastic battles since the start of our Open Beta and we hope to see many more” said European Marketing Director Christian-Peter Heimbach.

 

The key to player’s survival is their willingness to get together as a team and develop what can only be described as an unstoppable force within the game. Teams possess the ability to declare war on other guilds, or three at a time, within the game and benefit from increased team ability and fame. Please see here for more details.

 

TLBB Adventure

 

TLBB also offers a number of ways to interact, communicate and benefit from one another by encouraging friendships and alliances that can tackle various quests &  instances too.

 

A more notable ‘PvE’ system is also evident in this martial arts based MMO that allows players to establish themselves as top players when faced with an abundance of captivating and original instances that are available throughout the game. TLBB are even offering players the chance to improve their chances of accomplishment with key items, including the current Comic Strip Caption prize giveaway available for players here in the forum. So whether a lone warrior or an unstoppable team force, TLBB offers players the means to pick the right path during their hunt for greatness. The choice is yours…

 

King Of the Castle TLBB

Large Q-3D MMORPG Online Game Fairy Story is coming

Large Q-3D MMORPG Online Game Fairy Story is coming

 

Large 3D MMORPG online game Fairy Story of Q version operated by NGames is coming now.

 

Fairy Story 

 

The full name of NGames is NGames Information Technology Co., Ltd. Founded in February 2010, it is an interactive entertainment enterprise comprising of network game development, operation and promotion. The company is committed to providing high-quality games and services for players, with secure game environment and strong back support. Through the improvement of technology, innovative concepts, thoughtful features and personalized service, the company has established a large-scale integrated entertainment platform, game321, including online games, animation, friends making, etc.

 

Fairy Story is a great 3D MMORPG online game of Q version, made by an elite software engineering group in three years.

It has won nine China industry awards:
GameSpot world’s most anticipated online games in 2009
– Users’ cutting-edge gaming world in 2009
– PC Editor’s Choice Award 2009
– World Internet cafes Award for the most anticipated online games in 2009
– Zhongguancun Online Editor’s Choice Award 2009
– Be compiled by Choice PCHOME 2009
– Animation base Best Image Award in 2009
– Cool Travel Network Award for the most anticipated online games in 2009
– Aiplay Online games in Malaysia, “Mahathir” Award 2009

 

Fairy Story 

 

Playfulness of the game is widely recognized by players. Using real-time fighting mode, there is a good interface layout, smooth operation in the game. Automatic path-finding, automatic monster fighting, auction systems and some other human designs, greatly reduce the burden of players and increase fun.

 

The game screen is delicate, the scenes are romantic and beautiful. Players can enjoy childhood pleasure. It has different styles, with distinct personalities in the ornate personal items. And it has interesting pet system, 100 kinds of pets, cool mounts, focusing on collecting, enhancing, developing and fighting. What’s more, its perfect virtual interactive scenes can create a totally different game experience for you. In addition, it has challenging system, funny card systems, aesthetic dancing system, beautiful weapons, items enhancing system, fierce field BOSS battles and so on, which has greatly increased the playfulness of the game.

 

Welcome to join in Fairy Story, let’s create a beautiful, warm game world. 

 

Fairy Story

Galaxy Legion

Galaxy Legion is an exciting game where you command a spaceship in your quest to dominate the galaxy. You will discover and colonize planets, research powerful technology, and arm your ship with a wide array of modules, crew, and special devices. 

You will embark on strange and risky missions throughout the galaxy, and the rewards will be great.

Discover. Build. Conquer.

Pink for Tink: Hardcore Caring

Pink for Tink: Hardcore Caring
By Jonathan (Ardua) Doyle, OnRPG Journalist.

 

If you have been on the internet for more than five minutes you are probably aware of a few common truths. First is the John Gabriel Greater Internet Theory that states that anonymity and an audience results in a caustic environment. Secondly, there are no girls on the internet. That or there are girls on the internet and they are better than you at gaming. Really that article of internet faith goes many ways.

 

Finally, if you’ve been here for more than two minutes you know that people like to fight. Really, really, like to fight. If you’re for PS3, that guy over there is a life time 360 fan. If you like white bread, there’s a forum full of brown bread fanatics who will insult your mother. Communities online have conflict, this is a fact. Some games make it a selling point like Warhammer Online. Then sometimes, just sometimes, online communities show you the absolute greatest side of humanity.

 

Our evidence for this? The PinkForTink campaign on the Badlands server of Warhammer Online.

 

Pink For Tink Destruction

 

Allow me to explain. A married couple called David and Trisha play Warhammer together. Trisha (called Tink in the game) has had a few bad breaks in life as evidenced by the original post on the forums. She previously had cancer and had beaten it but as outlined in a blog by David (usually called Mort) it came back again just before her  five year all clear mark. Naturally, for anyone, that’s crushing news. What originally started on the boards as a quick note to let the few friends they had on the server know why they’d be around a little less turned into a massive outpouring of support.

 

You know, from the internet.

 

 

The best was yet to come though. Anyone who has ever come across Breast Cancer is probably aware of the Pink Ribbon Campaigns.. In Warhammer however, a friend of the couple dyed his armor pink instead and from it the name PinkForTink was coined. Soon hundreds of people were dying their armor pink on both sides of the game in a show of support for Trish/Tinkerhell. People were giving away the dyes freely and others were changing their last name in the game, a typically cosmetic addition, to PinkForTink.

 

Pink For Tink Order

 

Of course Mort and Tinks guild turned out in the colours to show support but the shining star of this story is the fact that some 200+ people also showed up after a forum post () to show support, to show that they care and most importantly to not kill each other until they got the screenshots.

 

On the internet where everyone “knows” everyone else is a bad guy, in a game where everyone is supposed to kill the guy on the other side of the fence and for a person who none of them have likely ever met in person, this was simply amazing. The community came together and showed support for all the right reasons and let her signal the start of a fantastic brawl afterwards. Destruction won if you are curious by the way.

 

Pink For Tink Gathering

 

Personally I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite so heart warming in any of my games. Proof that the virtual communities, which you may never come face to face with, really do care.

Features for Pardus Newcomers

Features for Pardus Newcomers

 

Pardus is a real-time graphical game set in a futuristic universe that can be played right from the browser. It features dozens of maneuverable ships as well as a sophisticated production tree with a multitude of possible buildings and commodities. Its unique “Action Points” system allows players with limited time online to be just as competitive as players that have unlimited time online.

 

In the last weeks several features for improved usability have been introduced, primarily aimed at making the first few days and weeks in Pardus more comfortable for new players. These features include informatory and guiding messages after important events or achievements, a combat assistant, and further “educational tools” for fresh Pardus players. These updates will eliminate most of the remaining sources of beginner-frustration players have experienced in the past.

 

In addition, human “Guides” are available to answer any questions in an integrated Help chat channel, easing the learning curve for players new to the game.

 

 

 Pardus Space Lineup

Myth War II: New Golden Tiger Roars into Action

Myth War II: New Golden Tiger Roars into Action

Though IGG’s fantastic world of Myth War II Online was once dominated by the four Saint Pets, the newly released Golden Tiger shines brighter than all of them.

 

As the first of the Golden Pet series, the Golden Tiger has abilities that the game’s more common pets can only dream of. When it unleashes its wrath, it can challenge any of the Saint Pets. With its impressive strength and incredible speed, players who have a Golden Tiger by their side will only regret not having obtained one sooner.

 

Myth War II Golden Tiger 

 

Gorgeous Design

The Golden Tiger has a robust body that glitters with a majestic glow. Its flaming wings give it a measure of agility never before witnessed in this world. A combination of brawn and grace makes the Golden Tiger the undisputed king of all creatures.

 

Awesome Attributes

Remember, this is no typical pet. All its attributes are much greater than those of more common pets. In particular, the Golden Tiger’s amazing agility and brute strength can tear enemies apart! Its strong physique makes it resistant to physical attacks. To top it off, the Golden Tiger is also adept at using the Dark I skill to get in the first strikes of a battle, giving it a better chance to emerge victorious.

 

The new Golden Pet series will offer players a refreshing upgrade to the standard pets currently available. More Golden Pets will be released soon, so stay tuned for details as their debut approaches. In the meantime, get your very own Golden Tiger now and be the envy of Myth War II players everywhere.

 

Myth War II Golden Tiger

War Rock Declares MayDay With The Battle Of Hyperion Vs. Nemico

War Rock Declares MayDay With The Battle Of Hyperion Vs. Nemico

 

War Rock, the premier FPS title of GamersFirst, has announced the reunion of nemesis’ Hyperion and Nemico in a two-day battle of Valor. Hyperion Vs. Nemico will be a two-day event, starting on Thursday, May 20th, streamed live on X-Fire. There will be special promo code giveaways during the event.

 

“This is the battle that players have been waiting for,” says Chuck Leonard, AP on War Rock for GamersFirst. “Hyperion and Nemico’s story of friendship and betrayal has lived throughout War Rock and will finally be hashed out in front of the entire Community; actually we have all been waiting for this!”

 

In Celebration of Valor Day, Valor Day Promotions and Events include:
– 25% XP Bonus will run until May 25th
– In-game puzzle event – players need to solve puzzles and after collecting all puzzle pieces will win the new Camo AK47* 
– Valor Day Promotion including new & popular items
– Camo RPG
– Red PSG
– K1 Gold

Other MayDay promotions include:

  • 8th Slot: Nickel M249 – May 18th – May 25th
  • 8th Slot: Nickel TMP9 – May 25th – June 6th
  • Heavy Rush Weekend includes Heavy Rush in game event – May 21st – May 24th
  • Sniper Rage Weekend includes a Sniper event; AW50F – May 28th – May 31st