Yearly Archives: 2009

Final Fantasy XIV Full Update

By Jeffrey Kerkdijk (Hyarume, also known as OnRPG’s Nr1 FF fan), OnRPG Journalist


FFXIV Logo

The Announcement

 

It is E3 2009 and Sony had a surprise at their press-conference, right after a new trailer from Final Fantasy XIII. Jack Tretton the head of Sony Computer Entertainment America, announced Final Fantasy XIV as a console exclusive MMORPG for the Playstation 3 Computer Entertainment System.  The public thought it was a joke. After the trailer it became quite clear that Jack was, in fact, not joking. The crowd went crazy.

Final Fantasy XIV was announced and Square Enix confirmed the game’s release for the PS3 and PC. They cancelled their own press-conference and did a Question and answer session about Final Fantasy XIV.  No filming was allowed, and only the press had access to get in.

The Q and A gave us the following info:


The World of XIV will be named Eorzea and it will be totally different from the world in XI: Vana’diel.
FFXIV is a completely different game; there will be no such thing as character transfers (even though the character designs are similar). They also announced to be stepping away from the Playonline Platform.

The game systems will be different as well. FFXIV will introduce new systems for character development, and a different type of job system. Additionally, Square Enix stated that they have learned a lot from XI and XIV will have many things improved upon. There will be content for everyone; solo play and party play the hardcore and the casual. You will still be able to have fun in FFXIV, even if you can play only 40 minutes a day.

They’ve also added that player feedback has a very important role in their development. After FFXIV’s launch, there are no plans to stop development for XI. Square Enix hopes that both of the games will be played. They also said to be trying out various concepts with the many servers of the game during the beta, which will determine whether the game will be world-wide and/or cross-platform.

FFXIV Trailer Released:

Finally Square Enix told us that there is footage from the game engine in the trailer (the part where you see the Galka-like (Roegadyn) fighting on a boat). They also revealed that the game will have a simultaneous launch world-wide in English, Japanese, French and German on both the PS3 and PC.

The trailer can be viewed here.

IGN’s Interview

 

IGN had the opportunity to interview the team behind Final Fantasy XIV. From this interview we learned that XIV will have some things in common with XI, such as familiar monster design. Furthermore there will be options to create a character that looks somewhat similar to your character in XI. Also XI won’t stop developing as long as people are playing it.

And the most interesting detail of this interview was that FFXIV will not have a character growth system based on experience, but based on an all new different system. The returning job classes are somewhat unclear, but they will be slightly different from FFXI’s job roster.

Square Enix then explained to IGN that when they approached Yoshitaka Amano for the logo art for FFXIV, weapons were very important. The concept was a wheel of adventurers carrying their weapons. It had to look like the adventurers relied on each other. The interview can be viewed here.

There was speculation about Square Enix hiring people to test FFXIV in September and it is likely to be true, but Square Enix is very strict about the NDA.

It was quiet around FFXIV until July 28, when Square Enix announced that FFXIV will make an appearance at the Gamescon convention. Tons of new information about the game appeared from the depths of the unknown. The races where announced, some classes where revealed, some in game screenshots arrived, and the websites were heavily updated. Along with this surprise were some demonstrations, where the game was actually playable.

The Races

 

The following information was taken from the FFXIV offical website.


Races of FFXIV

The Elezen (The Elvaan like)

 

From Square Enix: Noble and Refined

The Elezen are a traditionally nomadic people who in former times claimed sole dominion over Eorzea, their presence predating that of the other races. Believing this prominence to be ordained by the gods, they came to develop an esteemed sense of honor and pride.

Their characteristically tall, slim physiques and elongated limbs are part of a successful adaptation to the land’s various environments. Indeed, it is said that their highly sensitive ears can discern the squeak of a field mouse at a distance up to several malms.

The Elezen perceived the immigration of the Hyur as tantamount to invasion, and as a result the two share a past plagued by warfare. At present, however, they can be seen coexisting peacefully, the exception being the reclusive Duskwight Elezen.

FFXIV Elezen

The Hyur (The Hume like)

 

From Square Enix: Diversity in Numbers

Boasting the largest population in Eorzea, the Hyur came from neighboring continents and islands in the three great migratory waves. With hem they brought sophisticated technology and complex ethos tempered by the breath of the outside world. They rapidly became a driving force behind the cultural progress, and are now widely attributed with spearheading advances in Eorzean civilization.

One of the Hyur’s strengths is the staggering variety of languages and social institutions they exhibit. This is said to account for their firm conviction in individual freedoms, though it also results in a relative lack of solidarity and group cohesion.

Two distinct groups now exist among the Hyur-Highlanders, denizens of mountainous areas, and Midlanders, who reside in the lower elevation.

FFXIV Hyur

The Miqo’te (the Mithra like)

 

From Square Enix: A Tribe of One

During the age of Endless Frost, as the seas turned to ice and passage over them became possible, Eorzea saw and influx of Foreign fauna to her shores. This in turn brought the hunting tribes which subsisted upon them, the modern descendants of whom are today known as the Miqo’te.

Since then, the Miqo’te have diverged into two physically distinguishable groups-the diurnal Seekers of the Sun and the nocturnal Keepers of the Moon. Both groups share a suberb olfactory sense and powerful lag musculature, results of a long evolution geared towards hunting and predation.

Comparatively few in number, they maintain an insular group mentality, tending to avoid contact with other races. Many individuals lead isolated lifestyles, even when residing in the more populous cities.

FFXIV Miqote

The Lalafell (The Taru-Taru like)

 

From Square Enix: More Clever by Half

The Lalafell where originally a group of agriculturalists inhabiting the fertile islands of the south seas. With the introduction of transmarine commerce, they soon wound their way into Eorzea via trade routes. They are now one of the more populous races and are well established troughout the region, though they remain averse to cold climates.

The short, rotund builds of the Lalafell belie an incredible agility, and their seemingly feeble legs are capable of carrying them long distances over any terrain. Many among them are also known for possessing highly developed and cunning intellects.

The lalafell place a great deal of significance on familial bonds, but are by no means unfreandly to outsiders. This is evidenced by the fact that they continue to share prosperous relations with all of the other races of Eorzea.

FFXIV Lalafell

The Roegadyn (The Galka like)

 

From Square Enix: Size Matters

The Roegadyn are a maritime people whose largest of the concentrations are found in the northern seas, by the way of which they came to Eorzea.

They possess enormous, muscular builds and are known for the cultural emphasis they place on competition and unflinching courage, though tender, introspective individuals can also be found.

Rougadyn in and around the Limsa Lominsa area are typically seamen putting in at port, but many have also settled permanently, becoming mercenaries, bodyguards, or even pirates by trade. Far away, deep into the mountains of Ul’dah, live mountain clans of reclusive Roegadyn known as the Hellsguard, said to have mastered the magical arts.

FFXIV Roegadyn

 

Here is a demonstration from emotes within FFXIV.

Eorzea, a world loved by the gods

 

Eorzea

As previously announced FFXIV will take place in Eorzea. Eorzea is but a region in the vast world called Haiderin. It is a geographical name for the continent of Aldenard and the islands that are surrounding it.  Sevaral cities can be found there as well: Limsa Lominsa, a pirate hub; Ul’dah, a desert city; Gridania, nestled deeply in the ageless wood; and Ishgard, bastion at the top of a mountain.

FFXIV Limsa

FFXIV Uldah

FFXIV Uldah
Cities of Eorzea

Let’s take a look at the highly detailed weather effects in Eorzea. The area has both harsh and soft climates. You can watch a demonstration of the weather effects from Gamescon, here.

Scenery

Armory system

 

A character progression not based on levels?! What?

“The Armory system is one of the foundations of the FINAL FANTASY XIV experience, simultaneously being both the impetus behind character development and a key factor determining individual gameplay. By merely equipping any of a variety of weapons or tools, players can instantly change their active skills, thus enabling them to dramatically alter their style of play as well as their character’s outward appearance.” – Square Enix.

So let’s capture all of this. Get a sword, become the Knight? Get a staff, become the Mage? The currently known classes are: Gladiator, Archer, Thaumaturge, Illusionist, Gardner, Fisherman, Blacksmith and Chef. That is all that we know about the classes.

FFXIV Gladiator

Players may also specialize in one particular art, let’s say the art of magic, or the art of fighting. This is what Square Enix calls the disciple system. You can either pick a disciple or make free use of the armory. The choice is yours. The Disciples are: Disciple of War, Disciple of Magic, Disciple of Land and Disciple of Hand.

Guildleves

 

FFXIV Guildeleves

Guildleves are small rectangular plates made of stained crystal, set into a frame of metal. They act like missions or quests. You have the option of completing them alone or with other players. The harder the challenge is, the more you will be rewarded.

Aetheryte

 

Aetheryte is the name of the massive shards created from aetheric mist, cut precisely and fused into arcane machinery. They are used mainly for teleportation, however using them to often or using them to travel greater distances requires you to rest as it can damage the body.

New Interviews

 

In the latest of Japanese interviews we learned that:

  • FFXIV will not have an auto-attack feature; doing the same attack again and again will be noticed by the monsters and won’t work. The enemy will see right through you, and they won’t take the hit. Specializing in a good method of combat is the way to go in FFXIV.
  • FFXIV will be a pay-to-play game. (this is confirmed twice) We can expect to see paid server transfers and that kind of stuff in FFXIV as well.
  • You gain abilities by advancing in skill with the weapons that you use.
  • There will be action gauges, one for each hand you will attack once the action gauge is full or do a skill once it is full.
  • You can change your weapons anytime, but not in battle. Unlike FFXI where you have to change your job in the mog house, you can change your job anytime in FFXIV.
  • Within each race there are different clans, these also affect your appearance. There will be many customization options available.
  • Players can choice freely where to start, and the difference between attributes of the races will be more or less equal.
  • PvP will not be there in the sense of open-world PvP. They rather offer PvP games like in FFXI. PvP will also (most-likely) not be available at the launch.
  • There will be three different camera angles, 3rd person, 1st person, and a camera angle coming from behind your shoulder, much like a shooter game.
  • The game was created on the PC and is ported to the PS3.
  • The PS3 version will have full keyboard/mouse support
  • The cut-scenes will have voice acting
  • Square Enix is looking into a variety of payment options, including pre-paid cards

Gamescon in-game footage

 

Some gameplay footage is available at sites such as gametrailers.com and 1up.com. Most of the people who played it didn’t know what to do, and it seemed like playing the game correctly wasn’t an easy task for the most of them. You can watch them here and here.

Expectations

 

FFXIV promises to be an interesting and unique MMORPG. I think that FFXIV will be a great MMORPG. I wonder how all of the features will turn out, and I look forward to playing FFXIV when it releases, or maybe even before.

What do you think of Final Fantasy XIV? What are your expectations? Will you play?

Let’s discuss it!

FFXIV is scheduled for release in 2010 on both the PS3 and PC. An Xbox360 version might come later as well. Square Enix is still in discussions with Microsoft on that since there are issues with the Xbox live policy.


Sources:

www.1up.com
www.gametrailers.com
www.finalfantasyxiv.com
www.eorzeapedia.com
http://www.ign.com
http://www.ffxivcore.com/

Nida online starts closed beta

NIDA online, a hybrid action MMORPG has begun its CLOSED BETA test, CBT will be two weeks from august 26 to September 9. All characters will be deleted after closed beta. In the OPEN BETA phrase characters will not be deleted.

No invites are needed, just register and download and Play!

About NIDA online.
NIDA online was initially started by 3 Korean programmers, the game has called names itself as a hybrid action MMORPG. The game features vibrant and colorful graphics, clearly defined character development, that makes the game you play feel like another game when you have developed you’re character in a different kind of way, and all of this set in an Exotic Fantasy World.

Nida Online

Bright Shadow

Presented in full 3D, Bright Shadow adopts an anime-inspired style with diverse monster designs, a lush game world, and endless options to customize your character.
– High quality graphics, including a weather system.
– Supreme social features: friend list, in-game mail system, party matchmaking, mentor system, guilds and more!
– Choose from 20 class archetypes: warriors, mages, machinists and shamans.
– Battle hundres of unique monsters!
Soul Power System: players asorb Soul Power from slain enemies. Soul Power is used for a wide range of purposes, including skill and spell activation, production, starting guilds, raising pets, and more!
Card Collection System: over 500 monster cards can be obtained via battle. Monster cards have a range of uses, from purchasing special items, activating special abilities to summoning monsters.

Zodiac Online Enters Alpha Test

Ingle Games Ltd has announced that the long-awaited MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) Zodiac Online is entering into its Alpha testing phase on Sep. 1st, 2009.

Text: Zodiac Online is a colorful, free to play MMO based on the Chinese Zodiac. Its 12 characters are set in a fantasy land borne of an amazing legend of allegiance, valiance, and guardianship. In the game, players will act as Zodiac Envoys on a mandate from heaven, which creates an unforeseen and mysterious set of circumstances.
 
Some of the game’s unique features are listed as follows:
1. There are no class limits! In Zodiac, nothing but aptitude counts, therefore all skills are available to all players! 
2. Innovative way of aptitude growth. The way characters’ aptitudes increase depends on which Zodiac Envoy you choose, not on your class. This creates endless possibilities for each character’s growth.
3. Zodiac sign system. Underpinned by the history of Chinese horoscopes, it is especially designed in-line with the Zodiac signs, granting unexpected surprises, windfalls or posing some challenges.
4. Taming wild monsters. Unlike other MMO’s limited choices of pets, the game provides a wide range of choice, with all monsters available for capture!
5. Find Mr. Right. Similar to constellation horoscopes, this system works with the Chinese traditional horoscope. It reads your future, and helps you recognize the right person from the crowd from the very first moment.
6. Growing weapon. It grows as you level up. Reinforced by Spiritual Stones possessing disparate powers, it is always the strongest backing for your fight. 
 
As a whole, Zodiac will be digitally distributed on Sep. 1st, 2009 by Ingle Games Ltd. By that time, more features and details will be unveiled.
 
How to join in the Alpha Test?
As the testing day approaches, some official events will be held on its forum. There will be a chance to get activation codes by taking part in these activities.
Good Wishes (Alpha Code Giveaway 1)
Code Hunter (Alpha Code Giveaway 2)

Zodiac Online

Squirrels With Scythes, Evil Pumpkins Galore Storm GamepotÂ’s Bright Shadow

Answering the call for a unique take on MMORPG, Gamepot (USA), Inc., the U.S. publishing division of Japanese gaming behemoth Gamepot, Inc., is proud to announce its second North American offering, Bright Shadow.  Making its way to North American gamers for the first time, Bright Shadow is currently beloved by countless fans around the globe.  While the adored MMORPG’s cute, cartoon-like characters and novel monsters – known as “Umbra” – will remain as found in other markets, Gamepot USA is localizing and adapting Bright Shadow with updated storylines, unique new items, and new systems for nearly endless character customization and imaginative new experiences. 
 
“Bright Shadow lets players own their adventure – placing great emphasis on personalized experiences for them and their friends,” said Thomas Lee, director of business and marketing, Gamepot (USA), Inc.  “With a focus on creativity, finely-tuned social options and easy-to-learn gameplay, we feel it’s the perfect online entertainment experience to bring to North America as part of our growing roster of free-to-play games.”
 
The vast Bright Shadow game world – complete with its own ever-changing weather system – places a high emphasis on combat with a horde of unique, deadly monsters and social functions, featuring vigorous guilds and 20 unique classes, a number almost unheard of in traditional MMORPGs; making it ideal for both hardcore and casual audiences alike.  Also included in Bright Shadow are an innovative Monster Card system used for a variety of abilities (including monster summons), a “Soul Power” collection system to boost skills, tailored item crafting and original pet systems all geared toward providing a truly customizable undertaking where no two players will be alike. 
 
Bright Shadow is scheduled for release for online PC gaming in late 2009, with closed beta beginning this fall.  Like all Gamepot games, Bright Shadow will be a 100% free-to-play experience with the option of purchasing “Pot Cash” for special in-game items further down the line.

Bright Shadow Poster

Zero Online: Event Preview: September

ZO’s second anniversary is drawing near! We have prepared a string of fun events for its arrival. Let’s take a look!

1. Weekend Double Experience Event (September 5th to 6th)
You can gain double experience once you log into the game, and you will gain Quad Exp if you use a double exp potion at the same time.

2. ZO Carnival Online Event (September 10th to 16th)
In order to celebrate the second anniversary of Zero, we have decided to hold a great carnival. A carnival means party and what else? Gifts? Bingo! There will be 17 fun online events during this period. Don’t forget to join this fun party and win the great rewards!

3. ZO Carnival Offline Event
If you think 17 online missions are not enough, then come join our series of offline events! Don’t miss out on your good chance to win a bunch of ZPs(bound)!

4. Summon Friends back to Win Gifts of 200 USD!
Do you have a friend who has taken a break from Zero? Send them your invitation to come back and fight again. You will obtain a chance to play the lottery once and win a guaranteed prize! The value of the grand prize is 200 dollars! And the returning veteran can choose their desired Ultra weapon (bound) once you credit a TQ Point Card to your account. Now or never! Grasp this great chance to win amazing rewards!

5. Open the Expanding Horizon Season 2
We will add the No.5 – No.8 Fusion Units. The 4 male and 4 female units are as followed: Oroide Ares; Athena Exclamation; Solar Reaper; Aureole Fairy; Laser Eliminator; Trail Blazer; Doom Terminator; Galaxy Butterfly. After the update of the fusion mission, you will have the chance to gain two opposite class units by doing the Units Assembly. It will increase the fusion rate.

6. Fused Unit Upgrading Campaign
When we release the new fusion unit, we will hold a fused unit upgrading war. All of the fused units can participate in this event. As for the new fused units, we will give out another secret prize.

Sound great, right? Don’t hesitate to join these events. The next lucky winner could be you, so keep your eyes peeled! For the detailed information of these events, you can pay attention to our website.

Zero Carnival

 

Combat Arms Europe

Combat Arms is a free-to-play, online multiplayer first-person-shooter (FPS) from the world leading online games developer and publisher Nexon. Nexon Europe, the European publishing arm of Nexon Group, now brings this nonstop online action to the European gamers, featuring eye-catching graphics, a vast array of lethally powerful and customizable weapons, modifiable characters and outfitting, dynamic game-play scenarios, persistent web-based stat-tracking, and a worldwide theater of combat.
 
In addition to these features, Combat Arms also has the high level of socialization present in all Nexon games – Buddy Lists, Clan Support (both in-game and web), vengeance kills, Rival Clans and more. This potent mix of combustible elements ignites a truly unique offering in the world of first-person shooters: a dynamic, evolving game that encourages both companionable competition and cooperation among its players.
Aspiring soldiers of fortune can purchase weapons and equipments to further optimize their play-style, and even customize them in different ways by using GP (Gear Points). Need a suppressor for your AK-47? Upgrade your MP5 with a scope? The extensive arsenal at Combat Arms offers everything from additional weapons, specialized grenades and many more. And they will come in handy once you are out there on the frontlines: the unique backpack system allows soldiers to carry on and to use multiple weapons during their combat, which provides a much more dynamic and precise battle technique.

FreeSky Review: Is It Really Worth Your Ten Minutes?

By Rickee Charbonneau (Jammart), OnRPG Journalist

Synopsis and General Gameplay

FreeSky Online is a fairly new browser based strategy game published by IGG. The main plot of the game revolves around a sky battle between airships of enormous quantity and size. You may choose one of two main paths in FreeSky: commercial trade or military empire. Unlike most online strategy games you have ever played, FreeSky is a fully-graphical browser based game with a unique storyline and context. It is extremely casual and offers a system that allows your account to keep growing while you are not necessarily playing the game.

Castle

Like all games of this genre, you begin with an undeveloped territory that you will have to begin to develop immediately. You must choose from one of the four nations at your disposal, but choose wisely as they are all against each other. The four Nations are: Light, Shadow, Diety, and Devil. I did not personally try them all out, but I do fear that they are overly generic and offer little to no difference in game play (not in terms of game mechanics, but any alteration besides visuals whatsoever).

Stepping foot into a world of airships

Your first goal in this game is to build and maintain a wonderful castle. After that, you simply have to bring prosperity to your mini-province, or take down the opposing nations by raging war against members of enemy nations. Once you have updated your income and your resources, you will then have the opportunity to build around your castle and expand your territory, studying sciences and other important mechanics along the way. Ultimately, one’s goal will optimize into owning various mighty castles.

FreeSky Online is more community oriented than one might perceive. Within the nations, players can create special alliances to help each other out in their conquest. This is where the game play distinction between economic players and military players is useful. Both types of players can easily give each other a hand with this alliance system and boost their development twofold. A nifty “miracle village” system is also introduced on FreeSky Online’s official website, but it is poorly explained and I was not able to try it out. It is simply a village of combined effort within an alliance, and it offers some pretty good perks to its members as it develops.

Air Combat

This game is very easy on new players. As you start up, a helpful tutorial is offered, and a beginner quest line soon afterward to keep you on track. Building units and such is almost instant as a beginner, but it promptly becomes tiresome and takes many hours in queue to build simple buildings. This is why I brought up the casual game aspect of FreeSky. Not only is there little to do currently, but building and upgrading your nation takes so long that you will most likely only hop on for a few minutes daily and then resume different gaming or other activities unrelated to this game. This is when I begin to lose my understanding of the purpose of this particular game.

Production: Building and using collected resources

The resources obtainable in-game currently are gold, food, sand stone, crystal, wood, and metal. With these particular materials, you will be able to eventually craft a wide range of airships used offensively or defensively in combat. However, parts will be required to build these futuristic machines. With the help of players who develop economic science, the production of metal parts, wooden parts, and power parts is possible through wealth and hard work! All players have access to creation of the parts, but some have very hefty requirements. There are also other items available for craft that do not involve airships such as weapons and engines. Oh, and of course…buildings! Some building units are more important than others, and some act simply as pre requisites, but I will not get into detail with them as it is far too similar to other strategic games. However, one building type is very particular and unique: the taverns.

Military Setup

Heroes and Alcohol

Taverns are simple buildings that offer entertainment for various characters that may enter or leave your city. After you have successfully built one, you will come to notice every so often that a hero character has come inside to relax and have a good time. If you proceed to clicking on your tavern info, you are then given the option to hire these visitors as members of your city, working as town archons performing tasks for you in city development, or army commanders bringing your fleets to war for you. These hero characters take a lot of weight off your shoulders, but they do require payment. You may train and level up these hero characters with the help of some special building units.

Personal Recommendation

Unfortunately, this game was a bore for the most part. The attacking, building… well, almost everything is done automatically. Fleets fight once they meet in war, buildings are always in construction queue, and everything just seems so robotic. The graphics and sound were above average, the concept art was especially well done, and the user interface is ground-breaking for a browser based game of this style; it really feels like a 2D client game. As much as I did not really enjoy this game, I would not dismiss it right away. There is a lot of potential with a game like this as it is just so accessible to just about anyone, and it is so casual and easy to play that there is no real time consumption on your part in order to play effectively. This means that basically anyone can play without the hassle of being in front of their computer all day long. There are even plans of maybe releasing this game on the iphone soon-pretty nifty!

All of those facts aside, I still do not see what the point of playing a game that you do not really play. Maybe for bragging rights… maybe for killing a little bit of time… maybe for seeing the results of your growing city? Whatever enjoyment you may extract from playing this game (if you decide to try it out that is), I hope you will be more satisfied than I was. Happy gaming!

Pros:
-wonderful interface
-easily accessible
-no learning curve
-very casual
-not time consuming
-interesting storyline.

Cons:
-not very challenging
-generic in most aspects of game play
-maybe too casual
-loaded with spelling mistakes.