Yearly Archives: 2009

Dragon Ball Online

 

This is Dragonball Online, the MMORPG based on the hit manga which sold millions of copies around the world, and considered to be the work which opened up Japanese manga to the world. The storyline in the game, however, differs that of the manga. It is now 250 years after the last events which took place, and the 3 races, Human, Namekian and Majin have since lived peacefully together as a community. There is no definite storyline or plot, players can choose to become either one of the 3 races and explore the world and even time travel back to the past for missions.
Why it is hot
Its hot because it’s Dragonball Online. Before it was announced,  no one would have ever thought any development studio will be bold enough to take a classic and make it into an online game. When  was the last time a Japanese manga was made into a MMORPG ? Plus, the series manga and anime have millions of loyal fans around the world, especially Asia, where teenagers literally grew up reading the series, including me. The MMORPG is also designed by the series’s creator, Akira Toriyama, for the past 5 years. Closed Beta applications for just a few thousand slots was swarmed with by almost 200 thousand requests.

 

Galaxy Online wants your input on Game Audio

Players of Galaxy Online can now look forward to new background music and 3D projector support in the future.

Recently, the Galaxy Online dev team has been running demonstrations featuring more diverse audio effects, including new background music. Soon players will be able to evaluate them and offer feedback on what they’d like to hear in the game. The team will take players’ suggestions into account when deciding on the final audio improvements.

The big news from the graphics side of the development team is that they’re now working with ViewSonic’s latest PJD-series video projectors to improve Galaxy Online’s graphics. If the idea of immersing yourself in an all-out space battle with an affordable hi-res projector sounds intense, wait until you see it with your own 3D-spectacled eyes. When these astonishing new graphics and kicking new sounds finally go live, Galaxy Online will take you out of your chair and into a universe of fun.

 

 

Ys Online Announces New Open Beta Content

Thousands of players are currently enjoying the Ys open beta, but exciting new content is coming and they will be among the first ones to test it! The anticipated new features will be enjoyed by both veterans and new users alike and will include the following additions:

– Innovative Master and Disciple system
– Up to 300 new items
– Additional beginner zone
– First large scale PvP map: The Ultimate War Sanctum

To help lower level players, Masters will now be able to recruit them as their Disciples. New players under level 20 will have a ‘Rookie’ emblem displayed next to their name to indicate that they are eligible of becoming a Disciple.  Masters must be at least a level 40 and both players must be on each other’s friend list. Whilst the Disciple gains from learning the Master’s secrets, the Master will also gain from improving his experience to help him reach the challenging new level 64 cap.

New higher level zones, including the instant dungeons, are now available in game. These provide a great chance to try out the latest 300 pieces of armor parts and weapons for Grade 3 and 4, which are now available!

We also have a new and novel beginner level zone: Kepin! This zone will teach you the basics of the quest system and give you a chance to practice your skills. It also gives you the chance to earn some attractive rewards such as your own Mini Pickard Pet!

The first maps for the large scale PvP content: The Ultimate War Sanctum will also be launched. The War Sanctum will happen as scheduled events so be sure to talk to the various NPCs across the villages who will keep you updated.

Goddess Statue

The Goddess Statue is coming! Donate to her and you will receive fairy dust in which you can use to buy buffs. The more players donate the more The Goddess will increase in level, get her up to level 4 and you will receive free XP buffs!  Be careful though, as she will not remain at level 4 for long if everyone stops donating.

Check out more new screenshots of the new content in the Ys Online Screenshot Gallery!

CT Racer Announced Open Beta Date!

Game Networks announced the tentative Open Beta date for their very first casual Free to play MMO racing game CTRacer. The tentative date for CTRacer highly anticipated OBT will be on August 21 2009.  Aside from that we will let our gamers experience some exciting contest in-game and off the game that will allow them to power up their cars.

CTRacer Online, developed by Mobil Planet, published by Game Networks in the Global market, this newest MMORacing Game in web will let players experience real racing while speeding in the virtual world.  It features an exact realistic replica of the skyways and the highways of Seoul Korea. In addition players can also experience to race in our downhill maps.

We are encouraging players to join our open beta as well as to participate in our events and contest.

Earth 2025: Yes I Own My Country

By Vincent Haoson (Vincenthaoson), OnRPG Journalist

Earth 2025 is a browser based game from Swirve, the creators of another browser-based game, Utopia. The game puts you in the seat of a leader of an establishing country after a cataclysmic war that destroyed everything. You are leading a country that has established itself slowly with the help of the survivors of the war.

Yes I OWN a country

In Earth 2025 you own a country that needs your help and guidance in trying to become one of the most developed and advanced of the countries after a world-shattering event. You do this by trying upgrade on your country’s income, military and diplomatic capabilities. You can either build your own structures, research on key areas or buy the necessary things you need for your country to be on top. The development of your country relies on your capable hands.

For building structures you are given 100 acres of land to build on. Within these 100 acres you have the choice to invest on different structures which are namely:  Enterprise Zone, Residence, Industrial Complex, Military Base, Research Lab, Farm, Oil Rig and a Construction Site. Investing on these structures relates directly to how you want your country to turn out in. As for the research, investing on this would boost the overall output of your country. The areas where you can do research are: Military, Medical, Business, Residential, Agricultural, Warfare, Military Strategy, Weapons, Industrial, Spy, SDI. The game has a corresponding effect in the research page to explain what would happen if you do place some points on the said research.

Building and researching in Earth:2025 requires one or more turns. You earn these turns per hour and there is a limit on how much you can store. The turns are important in Earth:2025 because it’s the determining factor for whatever actions you do in the game. Unlike most browser based games, the turns here in Earth:2025 are not time locked in the sense that you don’t have to wait for the turn to finish. Instead, the turns you get are like payment for the actions you took.

Battles

Aside from improving the quality of your country, you have to battle it out with other countries as well. Though it may either be that you are the one attacking or defending, a battle is inevitable. Earth:2025 makes the battles easy to do because there are only a few things you need to consider when it comes to that. There are only four types of units you can use which are namely the troops, jets, turrets and tanks. Once you start playing you are provided with 100 free troops you can use.

When you are about to attack you will then be asked to allocate how many would be part of the attacking brigade. The units that remain then become part of the standing army. Those who get left behind, or are part of the standing party will be your country’s defense against attacks. Your country’s defense not only relies on the units you have in your standing army but also on the structures and researches you have done. You need to have a harmonious mix in this to make sure your country stays prosperous and has a military arm to boot.

Competition Friendly

Earth:2025 has in fact different servers that cater to any type of player’s needs. The game boasts that it is competition friendly and that it provides an avenue for both casual players and hardcore tacticians alike. You have the primary server, alliance server, tournament server and the limited server.

The Primary server is one that is more for the new players and the casual players. The game is moderately paced and alliances or clans are not allowed on this server. The Alliance server on the other hand is more for the experienced players and it becomes possible to forge clans. This server is for the more active players and those who seek to be more involved with the game. The Tournament server is the monthly version of Earth:2025, it is more fast-paced and there is even a ladder-tournament setup. The best players who advance through the ladder are allowed to enter the higher level games. This is for those who want more our of their Earth:2025 experience.

The Limited Server is for those who have reached a certain level in the Swirve site. This server is more exclusive and the game is more relaxed and gives players more freedom. Anyone can join in on this server, but those who have attained Silver Service status on the Swirve.com site will get to advance beyond the protection phase and continue playing.

Lastly you have the Earth Council server which is like the alliance server but is run by select volunteer users. The game is more accelerated than the Alliance server and clans are highly encouraged here.

Conclusion

Earth 2025 is one of those browser-based games that lacks any images that it would seem that it is a bland game to begin with. But as the saying goes, ‘looks can be deceiving’ and that is the case here in Earth 2025. While it may be true that the game does look bland, the game is text-based after all, the game is simple and straightforward. There is no shortcut to having yourself a strong country and everyone who starts off would have to do things from scratch. This lack of any complicated mumbo jumbo that most games seem to have in the dozens makes Earth:2025 a truly engaging game to play. You have to rely on your wits, cunning and tactics to stand out. Everything is easy to understand and you can get it immediately as long as you pay enough attention.

The majority of what you find in Earth:2025 is self-explanatory. There is no ‘making the game original’ idea behind the game because this is in fact a strategy game down to its core. Of course you still to have to look at the guide once in a while, unlike in some games where you waste precious time in reading up exactly how this works: Earth:2025 cuts visiting the explanation pages down to a minimum. With the lack of any images the game loads faster compared to other browser based MMOs. You immediately see what you create without waiting for a turn to end.

Of course the lack of any images could make the game look emptier. Also, you might have a problem with the color combination of the text and the background because it hurts the eyes. This problem, though, is not really that big because you wouldn’t spend too much time in the game anyway, which adds to its charm because it doesn’t make you stay logged in more than needed.

The learning curve of the game isn’t that big because you get everything almost immediately. Instead of concentrating on trying to understand how things work you are given more freedom to focus on the strategy for your country. It’s a shame that Earth:2025 is under-appreciated due to the lack of images.

The game is also competition friendly. The various servers open for you to join is proof of that. The game gives you an alternative server to join in if you think you can go toe-to-toe with other players instead of forcing you to keep on playing on the normal server which is what most browser-based games are doing. If you want your browser strategy games simple, fast-loading without the complications most strategy browser MMOs put into then Earth:2025. If you’re more of the type who wants their browser-based MMOs more image-oriented I’d suggest you’d go for a different one.


Pros:
– Fast game transition
– The game is stripped down into the core gameplay
– You don’t have to worry about game loading times.

Cons:
– The game is text based
– The font color hurts the eyes
– Without images the game turns bland after playing it for some time.

Ninja Trick

Overview: NinjaTrick is a great browser action game where you play as a Ninja and battle other players in a multiplayer action scenario. The goal is to collect the gems hidden around the map.
Effectively use your Jutsu and traps to outsmart your opponents and collect all the gems to WIN! Prepare your Jutsu and traps wisely; strategize using your wits and you will control the match. Be crafty, and work your way to the top!

Requiem Bloodymare Review: Definitely Not For Carebears

By Kei Beneza (Dividelife), OnRPG Journalist

BloodymareRequiem: Bloodymare is one of the few MMOs to ever get a mature rating. It immmerses people into a world influenced by failed experiments and wretched science, Requiem is without a doubt one of the goriest MMOs to ever hit the gaming world. Characters may find themselves soaked with the blood of their enemies (as well as their own) as they scurry along the putrid lands. Blood is pretty much the most detailed and eye catching part of the game. I guess its because they’re trying to show us that the game is truly for mature audiences only.

Unlike other MMOs, the monsters in the game aren’t cute at all. If I must compare, I would say that these creatures look a lot like gremlins, only more evil still. Sometimes when you kill them, they don’t stop moving for a few seconds as they slowly die.

Requiem’s storyline isn’t very deep. Of course, who needs a good storyline when the only thing you’ll remember in the end is brainless murder? But there is some story to the game. It basically starts out with the Turans and Bartuks rebelling against their unified kin known as the Xenoan Empire, who was on the verge of rediscovering lost technology. With the aid of the Kruxena race,  the Turan/Bartuk alliance were successful in overthrowing their oppressors, forcing them to activate the Thanatos Project. This reckless gamble caused a massive explosion that tore all three races apart, scattering them into different locations.

Now modernized, the three races find themselves in the midst of darkness; with terrible creatures lurking from every corner, ready to obliterate them from the shadows.

This is a story of science being more of an addiction rather than ambition, where the races of Ethargica unravel their untimely demise as the power of science continues to overcome them. Its more like a rather detailed version of ‘curiosity killed the cat’, creating a world of unspeakable darkness through their humble expectations. 

If you think that Requiem: Bloodymare is just another MMO that’s just a bit bloodier than the other, then you’ve got another thing coming. Requiem: Bloodymare also has a lot of interesting features that make the game a must-play among MMO enthusiasts. –Are you ready for your bloodbath?

Classes

Requiem’s classes differ through racial specialty. This means that not all of the races are complete and would the help of other races to progress further in the game, especially on instances or dungeons. For example: A pure Kruxenan group may have hard time handling mobs without the help of a Bartuk tank. You’ll start out by picking your race and, of course, your base class. Your base class will determine which path you’re going to take (which is pretty much self explanatory) and will lead you to your ideal second job. Though each race has different names for their base classes, know that they are still classified as either caster or melee (geez, that makes it easier to understand).

You say tomato, I say tomahtow!

Although you might think that classes are that much different from each other, most of them are pretty much the same thing regardless of what they are called. Healers will always be healers and tanks will always be tanks. Each race may generally have the same type of classes at a majority level, but know that each of them always lacks a certain thing that other races are known for. It’s probably a good way for players to expand their character’s role in the game. Fact to ponder on: it is much cooler when you tell people that you’re a Bartuk Warlord than saying “warrior tank looking for group”… because that’s just dull, man.  

Changing Your DNA

One of the game’s noticeable features is the DNA system. This allows you to further customize your character’s skills by enhancing their effects as well as your character’s adaptability towards that certain build. This feature is rather helpful and may be quite useful in removing your character’s weak points. A damage-per-second (DPS) type caster will only be useful if he/she provides enough damage to suffice the party. Messing with your DNA system can help improve your mana regeneration as well as your overall damage while other DNAs focus more on enhancing a certain skill, making them deadlier and more lethal that ever before. So DNA can really become a spec.

Your DNA’s cost increases as you fill more slots. This is probably the one thing that makes you want to study your character before filling it in. You wouldn’t want to spend that much Lant (in-game currency) only to find out that you were supposed to enhance something else (headdesk for making that mistake).

Mom, meet my inner demon

Possession BeastThe beast possession system is Requiem’s best feature. It lets players transform into a savage killing machine. You can obtain your first possession beast when you reach level 23 by completing a special quest. Aside from your first beast, other possessions can only be collected from monsters or in the auction house if you’re in a hurry to get one. Possession beasts can be used by clicking or pressing their corresponding shortcut keys just like any other skill, provided that your hardcore gauge is around 90% or more. You can fill your hardcore gauge by killing monsters throughout the game. It may seem a bit boring to do so, but if you’re going to kill monsters throughout the game. Possession beasts can also be combined with other beasts, letting you create better and more competent possessions as you continue to level yourself to perfection. If there is one thing that Requiem should be known for it’s definitely the Possession Beast.

What?! It’s getting dark! This must mean…. DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNNN!

No sir, your video card is not broken! Requiem monsters spawn at their own designated time. When the in-game clock strikes 23:00 – 2:00 (note: not synchronized with real world time), stronger and more formidable monsters roam the land. Nightmare monsters, as they are called are much stronger that regular ones regardless of level. Don’t think you should avoid them though, these monsters give a decent set of drops compared to their weaker kin. Possession beasts can also be looted from this beasts so make sure you get a good spot when they go around. Overall, the graphic detail is amazing, making it hard to believe that you can run this on a 128mb video card. The visuals look creepy and apocalyptic enough to satisfy your hunger for horror. If you’re looking for something that looks nice on a low-end PC, then this game wont disappoint you one bit.

Tententennnnn tennnnenenennnn… “Where’d it go?” BASH BASH!

The music is sort of irritating… you’ll end up getting the same set of BGMs that usually vanish before you even know that you were listening to one. The ambiance is poor and is easily dismissed by the sound of swords and spells giving you nothing more than WASSHHHHes and WOOOSHHes. This by the way doesn’t really affect the game since the sound effects pretty much gives you a satisfying CRUNCH whenever you start hacking and slashing.

The Verdict

BloodyAll in all, Requiem: Bloodymare is one of the best MMOs I’ve ever played. The graphics are good and can be run on old computers, which is a big plus on my part. The characters are designed pretty well and are quite attractive, although they could use a wider variety of clothing. Its unique in-game system is superb and would definitely appeal to any MMO lover. Subscription whoring is probably the only thing that I don’t like about this game since subscribers usually gains an UNFAIR advantages over those who are playing it for free. The enhanced experience points and low death penalties are okay, but getting to loot better items faster and more efficiently than the others makes it kinda slick. Then again, the price is quite steep so I guess it’s quality over quantity.


The Good:
Excellent visuals
– Unique system
– Old pc-friendly
– Instances
– Good balance.

The Bad: 
Sucky in-game music
– Low number of quests
– Most of the armors look the same.

Product Review: Inland Bass Vibration Headset

By Mohammad Abubakr (Abubakr), OnRPG Journalist

A few months ago my microphone broke and I was in dire need of a new one in order to play my favourite MMOs. Normally I would just go to the dollar store and find a replacement, but I thought it was time I got a headset that would last a long time. At that time I didn’t have a lot of money saved, so I couldn’t buy the high-class expensive gaming headsets. I had to search for a cheaper headset that would get the job done.

After looking around at different stores I found the Inland Bass Vibration headset. This is a nice headset which is great for gaming. It comes with a bendable microphone as well for when you use programs such as TeamSpeak or Ventrilo with your guild and friends. Best of all, it only cost me 36 CAD (31USD)!

Inland Headset

Comfort and Ease

 

This headset has nice padded ear cups so your ears won’t hurt after a long day of gaming; although they might feel a little funny once you take the headset off. To make your gaming experience more fun, there is an in-line volume control along the wire which will easily let you adjust the volume without ALT+TABbing out of your game! The volume control area also has buttons for adjusting the amount of vibration you would like.

 

*boom* Why is my head shaking?

Talking about vibration, this headset has built in vibration! What’s better then actually feeling the grenade that is thrown in your favourite FPS (not literally of course)? This headset will literally shake when a grenade explodes near you! If you like to listen to music while gaming you’ll also like this feature as the headset will vibrate according to your beat. The vibration will not distort your music. It will actually make it sound better!  You will need to hook up the USB for vibration or use batteries.

Loud and Clear

When you purchase a headset the primary requirement is good sound quality. This headset has great sound quality and bass! When you’re playing a game, like an FPS, you can clearly hear your enemy’s footsteps and be ready to attack. Also, when you’re in a raid with your guild, you won’t have to ask people to repeat themselves in Ventrilo.

Can you hear me?

You won’t have to worry about people not hearing you clearly with this headset. The boom microphone has great sound quality. If you’re leading a PvP attack, you won’t have to worry about your guild not understanding your order. If your microphone is too low, make sure you’ve adjusted the settings through your computers sound settings.

Conclusion

I really recommend this headset to everyone who is looking for an affordable headset that will get the job done. Some of you might be saying “$36 isn’t very cheap” but it is for a quality headset with great features for gaming. Sure, you can purchase a cheaper headset but it won’t be as great as this one. You’ll miss out on the padded ear cups, great microphone/sound quality and vibration!


The Good:
Great sound quality
Bass
Vibration
Good microphone
Sound Control
Cheap

The Bad:
Long use can make your ears hurt (after you take it off)
Wearing it one spot can make your hair go down. 

Specifications

General
Product Type Headset
Recommended Use PC multimedia, Portable audio system, Video conferencing system
Additional Features Bass vibration control

Headphones
Headphones Type Headphones – Binaural
Headphones Form Factor Ear-cup
Connectivity Technology Wired
Sound Output Mode Stereo
In-Cord Volume Control Yes

Microphone
– Type Built-in – Boom
– Microphone Operation Mode Mono
– Connectivity Technology Wired

Remote Control
Type None

Connections
Connector Type 1 x Headphones ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ), 1 x Microphone ( Mini-phone 3.5 mm )

Miscellaneous
Cables Included 1 x Audio cable – Integrated – 8 ft

Power
Power Device None
Battery 2 x Headset battery – AAA type.

Manga Fighter Review: Hey, Isn’t that Pedobear!?

By Vincent Haoson (Vincenthaoson), OnRPG Journalist

Manga Fighter is a casual third person shooter from Publisher Games Campus, the company who also handles games such as Shot Online, Asda Story, MLB Dugout Heroes and Xiah Rebirth.

Manga Fighter revolves around the story of two kids Ken and Hana who accidentally stumbled into the world of Pangaea, a world of toys. They found out that if they want to return to Earth they would need to collect essences found throughout Pangaea and that they would have to battle against toys to get it.

Starting the Game

There are six characters you can choose to use in Manga Fighter, The humans Ken and Hana, the animals Kuma and Miumiu and the aliens Dr. Uru and Sai. The character you choose on the start of the game would be your permanent avatar in-game.

Upon entering the world of Pangaea you are asked if you would like to take part in the training that the game system gives you. It is advisable that you take the lecture because not only would it help you be familiar with the game controls, it would also provide you in-game currency that you can use to suit up your character.

You have four weapon types in Manga Fighter that you can use. They can be accessed using the 1-4 buttons and can be switched in battle. The four types of weapons are the melee weapons, the gun weapons, the launcher and the thrown weapons.

Manga Fighter

Game Modes

There are six different game modes in Manga Fighter you can participate in. They are namely the Deathmatch Point or Time Mode, the Team Deathmatch Point or Time Mode, Keeping the Essence Mode, VIP mode and Practice mode.

The Deathmatch mode is your typical beat ’em up style of fighting where your goal is to attack other players till their HP reaches zero while you try to keep yours. The two kinds of Deathmatch mode available is the Time and the point system. In the timed Deathmatch you have to keep on killing till the time expires and whoever gets the most kills wins, while in  the whole concept in the Deathmatch point system is the same except there’s a point cap that you have to reach, whoever reaches the point cap first wins.

Next would be the Team Deathmatch mode. The general gameplay is the same with the individual Deathmatch except that you play this in teams.

Keeping the Essence mode is the trademark game mode for Manga Fighter. The goal of the game is to have your team hold on to the essence as long as possible within the time allotted. Whoever has the most time holding the essence when the time ends wins.

The goal on VIP mode is to eliminate the other team’s VIP while defending your team’s VIP. Each VIP kill awards the team who killed points and whoever gets the most points when the time ends wins.

Practice mode is practically self-explanatory. You get to practice with the weapons you get by killing practice bunnies.

Skill Cards

You don’t only rely on weapons as you fight in Manga Fighter. You also have skills that your character can use in the form of skill cards. You can either buy them from the shop or they may be dropped in-game.

There are four levels of skill cards which are the metal, silver gold and rainbow colored cards. The colors represent how high the level your cards and they are ranked from lowest to highest accordingly.

There are various requirements before you can use a card during a fight. One is the level of your character. Skill cards are level locked and therefore if you lack the required level you cannot use a high level card. Next would be the amount of skill points your character has. Each card has its own required Skill points and you would need to meet the amount of skill points before you can use it.

You are allowed on about 3 skills cards that you can carry into a game and an one open skill card slot for the skill card you may happen to chance upon in the battle.

Personal Recommendation

Manga Fighters is a Third person shooter that brings cuteness into a genre that is dominated by serious and dark themes. Where can you see a game where your weapons shoot out pellets or toys and get killed with them?

With a genre that is doomed to have a recycle of the same game modes gift-wrapped with a different kind of title, Manga Fighter accepts that fact wholly but adds the charm of battling in child-inspired maps that is a perfect venue for shooters like this.

The whole kid-world look works well for the game as well as the characters are well suited in such a theme as this. The game handles smoothly and the controls are intertwined with the type of character you are playing, so if you chose Kuma, who looks like a clumsy character, your controls feel clumsy.

Manga Fighter

As a Third person shooter game, the in-game item drops and boosts should go smoothly with the game itself especially if you are in a tough battle, but it seems that the in-game items sometimes don’t click and that you’d have to sometimes pass through them twice before you get the drop. This is true with the skill card drops.

The root of that issue is that the game has lag problems once in a while. If it takes you to pass through an item drop twice before you can acquire it would mean that the game is lagging. Thankfully this has happened only on a few occasions, but it would really pain you especially if it’s an important match.

Another thing about Manga Fighters is that there are times when a match becomes totally imbalanced. One example was that while I was in a team Deathmatch, my teammates left me and I was off alone and the match was like one against four. It would have been better if the game has an auto-team balance system that players don’t have to activate it or not. It may be fun to go against such odds especially if you are on the larger side but it isn’t that fun when you are practically spawning just so you can become chicken fodder for the other team.

Overall Manga Fighters is a game that is cute and fun to play. You can’t really blame the game for the lack of innovation though because the genre itself is locked. The game practically bathes on cuteness and it has not failed to grab attention. The fast-paced shooting is also another plus for the game but there are still lingering issues the game has to fix. If you’d like to feel like a kid once again and use toys to go play “boom boom” then this game is for you.


Pros:

– Cute characters adds to the playablity factor of the game
– Purchasable skill cards adds flavor to an otherwise bland shooter game
– You have a mini-map that you can use as your reference in stages that would seem to be a little bit confusing.

Cons:
– Awkward camera angle can hinder in gameplay
– Lag issues arise specially when you are in the heat of things
– Players can determine team balance in the battle, some can abuse this and make a batlle 4 v 1 without the game stopping midway.