Wolfteam is an amazing looking FPS game which spent a great amount of detail on the backgrounds and settings. You’re not just walking through a random bombed-down area, but these environments have true character. They clearly have a history, people were once there. That makes Wolfteam much more lifelike and exciting. But don’t get distracted too much, you’re being hunted!
Take a first flight tour through the world of Alganon, a new fantasy MMO in development. Check out the mystical landscapes and amazing, tropical environments and get a glimpse of characters and NPCs you might come across.
Sphere Online is a Free MMORPG where you can explore a magic world and complete exciting missions. Defeat nigthmarish monsters in PvE and take part in territorial raids in PvP.
By Jason Gallienne (Jrgsubzero), Onrpg writer
Many different thoughts come up when the word ‘RuneScape’ is spoken. Well, I’m here to share my thought on this game and try to give an unbiased review as well a deep look into this world.
First, let’s talk about the most discussed subject about the game. That’s right, the graphics. While the graphics are nothing compared to today’s high detailed monsters, RuneScape continues to hold its charm and style even though it had its graphics overhaul last November .
The graphics have undergone many of these overhauls and Jagex continues to make small changes to them as the days go by. The most recent minor change was done on April 1st to an NPC named King Vargas.
The game also has very low system requirements and no download is required, so you may run this game from any computer that has internet.
The animations, while not the best, get the job done. Some might be clunky looking (chopping wood for example) but some of the special attack animations are impressive.
The sound effects in this game aren’t the most realistic. The combat twangs and clanks sound alright but when something gets hurt or is dying it can sound pretty weird. The life skill sounds hit the mark most of the time. I personally really like the sound when you mine ore.
The music is wonderful. The tracks convey emotions with what seems to be simple melodies. It’s not an over-the-top orchestra but it has that old-school feel that some might appreciate. As you go places you unlock the tracks that play there and you can listen to them anytime by using the jukebox feature on your screen.
The best feature of RuneScape is the gameplay. From fighting monsters to growing crops, there’s plenty to do. So, let’s talk about combat. You left-click to attack and you will do so with whatever you have equipped. (or with punches and kicks if you have nothing). You can then eat food or drink potions to recover your health, switch fighting styles, change weapons, cast spells, or run. You exchange blows automatically and monsters will drop items and/or money upon death. Most enemies will drop bones upon death for you to bury and raise your prayer skill.
Upon death, you will keep your three most valuable items according to alchemy cost. Alchemy cost is how much gold you create when you cast a spell called “Alchemy” on an item (which transmutes it). This means if an item has an alchemy cost of say, 100k, but it’s worth 10mil on the Auction House, then it will only be worth 100k when considering it as your three most valuable items. No matter how much gold you collected, when you die it is counted as one gold piece. This goes for all stackable items. So, if you have three items on you, it’s safe to say you will lose all your gold upon death. Prayer can be leveled to use the protect item prayer which lets you keep one extra item.
There are three types of way to kill a monster: with melee, magic, or ranged attacks. You start off with a simple sword and shield, a bow and arrows, and a couple runes to cast spells with. Talking to the different tutors will grant you these items and other tools to help you make your living in the world.
Fighting styles often come in four flavors depending on what type of weapons you have equipped. For melee the style aggressive raises strength, accurate which gives attack experience (or exp), block which accumulates defense exp, and controlled which gives all three exp at a lower rate. You gain +3 in each stat (character statistic) depending on which style you choose, +1 to each if you’re using controlled.
In the Ranged skill the style deemed accurate will raise ranged exp, rapid makes you attack faster and also gives ranged exp, or long range lets you gain ranged and defense but at a split cost. Your exp for melee and ranged is calculated by your damage x 4 = exp.
For magic, you get the three basic weapon styles on your staff, plus two auto-cast styles which automatically cast a selected spell when you click a monster. One is regular and one is defensive so it can raise your defense exp as well. You gain magic experience even if you “Miss” and how much experience you get is based on the spell itself.
This is one of the greatest features of RuneScape, as it stands at this moment in time free-to-play players have access to 15 skills while members have access to all 24. In order to level up a skill you must perform the related action, for example if you chop a tree you get woodcutting experience. This is different from most games where you obtain skills at certain levels. Here, your total level is determined by the sum of all of your skill levels. The more important combat level is calculated by how high your combat skills are and is your basis on judging how strong you are. This does not mean you have to dive into combat. You can live happily in RuneScape by only chopping trees, making fires, cooking the fish you catch, and selling them. There is no limit to how many skills you can raise so if you strive for it you can raise all of them to the max!
If you wish to read up on all the skills that RuneScape has to offer please visit the manual.
PVP in this game is handled differently than most. There are certain worlds marked as PVP. In these worlds you can be attacked anywhere at any time as long as you’re outside a safe zone (a place where you cannot be attacked by anyone. You spawn here when you first enter a PVP world. Safe zones and PVP zones are designated by an icon on your screen). Also, you’re still flagged even if you run into a safe zone for 10 seconds. Normal death rules apply except if you’re ‘skulled’. You become skulled if you’re the first to initiate combat. If you’re skulled, you drop everything. When you kill another player you don’t get what they were wearing but rather a market value item of the wealth they were carrying. How long you’ve been pvp-ing and the wealth you’re carrying also affects what will drop.
Alongside this there are PVP mini-games. Such as Castle-war, Clan-wars, and Duel arenas. In Castle wars you choose red or blue and it’s like a ‘capture the flag’ game. But with catapults, barricade building, and other things. No death penalty. Clan-wars is just as it sounds. 1-100 combatants on each side. You can choose to have a safe match or a death penalty match. In Duel Arenas players challenge each other can set rules such as: no running, no magic, no melee, no prayer, no food, etc. You may stake items in this mode and there’s no death penalty.
The community has its own share of very helpful people to its scamming scum. The game offers forums for use by members and F2Pers who have earned 12.5m experience total. There is also quick-chat servers where players can only talk using a quick-chat system if you wish to avoid undesirables or to just have a quieter run through the game.
There are different server types for different needs. PVP, Trade, Quick chat, and Normal are the common types. Some servers are used for specific activities as marked by the world list. Such as house parties, Castle wars, Role-playing, and many more.
Overall, I would recommend this game for at least one play-through. I also highly advise you find or make a friend who knows his way around this world, as it can be daunting at first.
Pros:
– Plenty of skills to keep you busy
– Easy to run on most computers and no download required so you can play from almost anywhere
Cons:
– Graphics (if you care about them)
– Can be overwhelming for new players
– Community can be unfriendly
Questions by Rick Charbs (Jammart), Onrpg Journalist, and inspired by the Onrpg community.
Answered by AION Community Manager, Lani “Liv” Blazier.
Aion is set to be released for us English-speaking players sooner rather than later (here begins the anticipation…)! I was very pleased to have the opportunity to hold an interview with the Aion staff. This is a game totally axed on players’ abilities to fly. The unique concepts in Aion set it for record heights in the MMORPG market: “Flight is a key part of all aspects of gameplay: combat, collecting and exploring.”. Read on for more exclusive information on this highly anticipated title!
Onrpg: What renders Aion so unique?
Aerial combat and deep character/gameplay customization are the first things that come to mind when I think about Aion. Also, our unique PvPvE feature. We really wanted to marry the two types of gameplay (PvP & PvE), giving players a balanced version of the best of both worlds.
Onrpg: Customization is an important point of interest for the MMO community. What customization will be available, in terms of gameplay and character development?
If you’ve seen Aion’s character creator, you know just how powerful that system is – it’s just one example of how important it is to us that players feel a sense of ownership and connection to the character(s) they create. When it comes to gameplay and character development, we want the same thing. An example of gameplay customization would be Stigma Stones; basically they are the captured essence of ancient Daevas who have died beyond the reach of the resurrection power of the Obelisks. Each time the player is in town, they can create a “stigma deck”; by utilizing different combinations of Stigma stones, players can enhance and change their class so that they are unique. This comes in especially handy if you have a melee fighting character and you want them to go into battle with a few long range skills.
Players can equip themselves with Stigma stones at level 20, with a maximum of five as you increase in level. Stones can be obtained from various monsters and quests – some are easy to get, some are hard – totally depends on the value of the stone. They are not soul-bound, so they are tradable amongst players.
Onrpg: What new unique features will this game bring to the MMO market?
Flight! Our development team knew that flight would be a huge challenge in the MMO market, but knew that if they did it right, it could bring something very exciting and unique to the genre. It’s definitely a new experience but once you take to the skies it’s as natural as running. Flight is a key part of all aspects of gameplay: combat, collecting and exploring.
Onrpg: Will there be elements focusing on both casual gamers, as well as hardcore gamers?
Yes, the main design goal of PvPvE was exactly that! We wanted to make the PvP parts of the game more accessible and less intimidating to the casual gamer, while staying true to what veteran PvPers love the most. Hardcore players will love it for its unique challenges and casual gamers will find it accessible to participate on many different levels.
Onrpg: How will the flying feature work? Will there be a limit as to how long you can fly in an allocated period of time?
Everyone gains the ability to fly at level 10, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you can leave your “running days” behind. Each character has a flight bar that displays the amount of time they can fly. Characters will gain more air time as they level up and there are plenty of gear, buffs and potions that can increase flight time.
It’s important to remember that flying is not just a way to travel – it is a strategic and integral part of gameplay. There are both PvP and PvE skills that affect flight duration and speed and some skills will even knock you down from the sky. Players will have to be very aware of what they can use in the air and how much time they have to do it. I’ve found myself asking, “Do I want to make an aerial attack or save some flight time for a quick retreat? Do I want to explore a dangerous area with the risk of knowing I may have nowhere to land?” Flight adds a whole new dynamic to MMORPGs, but more importantly, it’s just a lot of fun to do!
Onrpg: For all of the PvP lovers out there, what unique PvP features do you plan on releasing for the gaming community? Could you please briefly explain how they will function?
The Abyss (which, for the PvPer, will be the big toy on the playground) features a system that rewards players for both PvE and PvP. Because they are intertwined, players will be encouraged to participate in both and rewarded for both. Points earned can be put towards gear and consumables – points can also be deducted when you die. This constant gain and loss of points will keep players participating and not just sitting on rank or gear once they reach the top. As you gain rank you will gain certain Abyss skills that grow in power as you grow in rank.
Onrpg: Knowing most games on the market, many players seem reluctant to try a game with a large “grind” factor. How time consuming will advancing in the game be?
Aion is level-based advancement, but the main focus is on character development. We have multiple ways of growing their character, such as vanity items, Stigma stones, item collection, crafting, title collection and PvPvE rankings. The curve for getting to the max level is on par with most Western MMOGs.
Onrpg: How party oriented will the game be? Will it be more beneficial for players to solo, or gather in large groups?
The game can be played either way. We have systems in place to support legions and group raids, but soloing from levels 1-50 is also an option. Some of the higher level areas, like the Abyss, may be challenging to play alone but that’s the beauty of Aion, if a solo player wants in on some Abyss action, it should be easy for them to find a party from their faction that they can temporarily team up with.
Onrpg: What is your personal favourite aspect of the game?
Without a doubt, flight. I love it for the complex reasons: the edge it brings to combat, and I love it for the simple reasons: the ability to glide. There’s something very zen about finding a nice cliff to take a flying leap off of – though instead of falling to your death, you simply glide your way to the bottom.
The story is also one of my favourite aspects of the game. During our internal test I decided to play the faction that I knew I wasn’t going to play when the game went live. Now if you asked me to make the switch, I would say “no way”. You spend the first 10 levels learning about your faction, your history and yourself – you become connected to your character. I am now incredibly loyal to my faction and can’t see myself making the switch 😉
Onrpg: Do you have any approximate idea on how payment options are going to be upon release?
We haven’t made an official announcement on the payment options yet – those details should be coming very soon though.
Jade Dynasty, the highly anticipated martial arts MMORPG and third title from Perfect World Entertainment, is now open to the public!
The game world of Jade Dynasty is wide and varied, with 10 different areas for players to explore.
Nestled between Jadeon and Incense Valley is the peaceful land of Sunstream. Renowned for its beautiful scenery, it is a hub of trading within the realm of Jade Dynasty. Players will begin their journey through Jade Dynasty in center of this land, Sunstream City. This is where players will receive their first weapon and set of armor, as well as first Esper and pet. Sunstream will also give players their first introductions to the five different factions of the game. No matter what path you decide, Sunstream will always be your home away from home.
Jadeon is the self-named home of the Jadeon faction. It is a vast realm-mighty peaks that surrounded the peaceful valley that houses the Crystal Hall-the headquarters for the Jadeon followers. In Jadeon, players can explore Moontop Hollow to see the place where Jadeon the Revered found Regenesis, founding the Jadeon Faction.
Atop the mystical Sumeru Mountain, rest the Skysong Temple of the Skysong Faction. The temple is a holy ground, with the constant lullaby of mantras floating through the air. It is a place of learning and healing, and visitors will find there are many lessons to be learned from the Factions members that live there.
Far to the east is The Billows, a land where the sea is covered in mists and the waves relentlessly crash against the waves. Safety can be found in the main city stronghold of the area, the Laguna Collective. The Billows is an area known for having many powerful and divine herbs, however, they are all guarded by frightening creatures.
To the west of the river that cuts the continent is the Doom Bog. It is a vast swamp, and few living humans remain there. Most of those who dwell there stay within the walls of Brigand’s Keep. The Doom Bog’s Outer Marsh is filled with monsters and other horrors. The Inner Marsh is even more dangerous, filled with vengeful spirits. The constant rain keeps the entire Doom Bog wet, damp and cheerless.
Far to the north is the Wildlands, a vast and desolate desert. Dry as a bone, it has never rained and can easily lead an adventure to his death. There is at least one oasis though-the Wildland Sanctuary. This stronghold is reportedly the original sanctuary for the Lupin Faction. Now it is a sparsely populated safepoint for those brave enough to venture into the sand.
South of the land of Sunstream, sits the beautiful Incense Valley. To rest and re-gear, an adventurer can stop at Hall of Surveys. The Hall is a quiet city, with ivy and greenery slowly overtaking the beautiful architecture. The quiet Hall and surrounding areas give way to the dark Soulflame Temple, which sits atop a lake of lava.
Farthest to the south lies the treacherous Southern Border. Nearly everything dwelling here has become twisted and will attack on sight, including forests of man-biting trees. To find a brief respite, find Seven Mile Cave. The cave is a beauty, filled with tropical trees and visitors may see the occasional peacock strolling the grounds. The Wansha Hall was one a place of learning and enlightenment, but has since fallen into ruin and is over-run with serpent creatures.
Beyond the dangerous Doom Bog, farthest to the west is the snow covered Kunlun Mountains. An ancient mountain range, Kunlun’s smaller peaks surround the Mountain Lake, where it is fabled that ancient dragons dwell. Those looking for a warm cabin and a friendly face should stick to the city Cold Cloud. It is a lonely land, cold and vast; but has always been considered a sacred ground.
Far to the north and east is the dark and ominous Shura. This land has fallen to great ruin, filled with the spirits and souls of lost warriors, now twisted for evil. Lost travelers can find quick refuge in the crumbling remains of a city, now known as the Floating Path to Hell. Much of the land is dwarfed by the great Djinn Palace. A bird’s eye view will reveal Shura lies much like the path of life-to one side, the path of hell into the palace, to the other side, the path of righteousness. Both will gain access to the palace, but which path is up to you.
Every location has its own story to tell. Pick your faction, and dive into the game world of Jade Dynasty!
(for high resolution screenshots check out the gallery)