Yearly Archives: 2009

Conquer Online: 3 Day Meteor Shower Event

To celebrate the release of the new expansion, “Raiding Clans”, the TQ team will host a 3-day Meteor Shower event for all servers in Conquer Online!
 
From 18:00, June 5th, to 18:00, June 7th PDT, players will have a higher chance to get a Meteor by hunting the monsters in all regions.
 
Don’t miss out! Take this opportunity to gather those much needed Meteors for the Raiding Clans.

Fiesta: New Server Open

A new server has just opened in Fiesta Online, called Cypion. To celebrate the opening of this server Outspark is holding a contest called Race to 1,000,000 Spark Cash: It will start with 1 million Spark Cash being available, and diminish by 350 per hour until someone reaches level 105. That person will then receive the amount left, but the ticker will keep going down until two more people reach level 105. The Spark Cash will lock in respectively for the next two people and then the contest will end.

Stronghold Kingdoms

Live the life of a medieval lord in the world’s first castle based MMO.

Besiege the castle that’s never been taken, overthrow tyrants, bankroll your factions war effort, pillage your neighbour’s resources, peacefully raise sheep or do it all! The choice is yours in a wide ranging simulation of medieval life, played out in real time against thousands of online opponents striving for power and glory.

A unique hybrid of web and PC based gaming brings online interactivity and community together with a richly depicted medieval world of thriving villages and dramatic battles. Build a kingdom over days and weeks. A mix of real time gameplay with long term planning, bring a truly novel twist to the Strategy genre.

A huge range of stats and rankings give every player something to aim for, whether it’s ‘Besieger of the month’ or ‘Apple farmer of the day’!

Join a medieval social network! Factions and elections, liege lords and their vassals, all provide a real sense of structured community.

Whilst strong and well planned castles are at the heart of any lord’s domain, players can also specialise via a vast research tree. Starting out as a humble peasant, each promotion brings research points to spend on becoming the best in as many areas as you wish, trading, diplomacy, warfare, farming and more, as the player seeks to control the local parish, county and beyond. As their power grows, players can eventually join in a country wide war for the Crown.

Cross Fire Trailer

A trailer for the free MMO FPS Cross Fire that introduces most of the features that you can find in this very interesting game: lots of weapons, permanent stats, different game modes. Check it out!

Fairyland Review: Let Your Fairy Tale Come To Life

By Vincent Haoson (Vincenthaoson), Onrpg writer
 
Fairyland is an MMORPG from Lager Network. The game centers on the story that people nowadays are forgetting the fairy tales that we have grown to love since we were kids. Some minor stories have been finally forgotten that the citizens of this world, the world of Mysteria needed to find a way for their world to stop crumbling.
 
As a solution for their plight, the citizens of Mysteria have decided to open their doors for people so that they may believe in fairy tales once more.
 

Character Creation

The character creation in Fairyland is not that complex. You have a limited amount of choices for the look of your character which include the gender, the kind of suit your character has the skin color and you can adjust the color of your suit as you would like it to look. Character customization is minimal in Fairyland and the thing that distinguishes your character from the numerous of players out there is the color of your suits as you pass through one job class to another.
 
As you level up in Fairyland you earn stat points which you can allocate to different attributes which are: strength, agility, charm, intelligence, constitution and luck. Each attribute affects your character in a certain way like most MMORPGs which follow the same ability tree.
 

Game Features

The game has a treasure trove of features, but the thing that best defines the game is that it has a pet library that reaches into the thousands. Your character owns a pet which, when nurtured, can be part of your party and take on the numerous cute, but deadly monsters that populate Mysteria.
 
Besides owning and nurturing the pets, you can also mix and combine them to create a new and more powerful pet. This is reminiscent of the console game Monster Rancher to the consoles while it can be compared to Shin Megami Tensei Imagine for the MMO scene.
 
Aside from the humongous pet library, the game also features a marriage system, a work skill system and a very unique job class system that makes the game different from other MMOs. The job class system in Fairyland is different because before you can delve into the job class itself you need to go through the three major branches of the classes which are the Warrior class, the Diviner class and the Journeyman Class. However, before you can decide to become one of the three classes you have to reach level 10. If you are confused which path you can take in Fairyland you can become an apprentice and experience what it is like.
 
When you do become an apprentice you’ll receive the skills for that class and you can get to level it up like any normal job class. The thing is that it’s not permanent and you can switch apprenticeships. However, when you do reach the required level of your chosen job class, it will become permanent.
 

Battle System

Another defining feature in Fairyland is the RPG-ish battle system that it has. In the case of most MMOs, all you need to do is click on the monsters to start attacking them or use your special skills immediately as you see them to kill them. In fairyland there are some differences. You do not get to see the monsters you need to face until you meet them face to face. This happens after you are immediately transported into the battle instance which randomly happen as you go through the world of Mysteria.
 
When you enter this instance you then get to face the monster or monsters that you need to kill to get the instance over with. You then have a preparation stage where you can set up your battle plan and execute the attacks or skills that you want to use to eliminate the monsters you are currently facing.
 

Conclusion

Fairyland is one of those games that have a lot of potential to be a hit but it would seem that the game has lost its luster by sticking too much with the graphics engine that is already too dated in this day and age.
 
There are a lot of redeemable characteristics the game has, such as the interactivity it has with its players, the novelty of having fairy tale characters infusing themselves into an MMORPG and of course having a character that is more than just a PVE-centered avatar.
 
You have a game with a cliché of a storyline but is suitable for our day and age, a battle system reminiscent of those good ‘ol console RPGs that we so love to play and characters that are both memorable and very much part of our childhood. It would seem the game is an online version of Kingdom Hearts, minus the Disney brand.
 
The only difference between Kingdom Hearts and Fairyland is that the latter has failed to evolve visually. You have a F2P games like this that are obviously centered on today’s youth but fail to impress them due to the lack of visual “umph” which other F2Ps offer.
 
Thankfully this problem has not escaped the eyes of those who are running Fairyland, who made sure that at least they have enough content to make the people who are currently playing stay and enjoy the game. Until this moment I had not seen a game that has completely embraced its community in such a way that everything made by the community that is related to the game is showcased both in its main website and its wiki page.
 
Also, I must include that among the F2P sector, rarely have I seen a wiki page that is as informative as the one Fairyland has. It has everything about everything about the game and the only thing a person may complain about it is that the wiki page ruins the exploration and getting to know the MMORPG.
 
As I have mentioned, Fairyland has a lot of redeeming qualities that you would not find in other games, it also has the novelty value that is exclusive to Fairyland. The thing is, would you be willing enough to play a game that’s this graphically outdated? If you are willing to set aside that bias and give the game a chance then I would think that you can enjoy Fairyland to the fullest.
 
Pros
– There are a lot of things besides level grinding
– The game is easy to pick up
– The game takes to great lengths to make the players feel at home with the game
Cons
– Outdated graphics
– There are not other camera angles, this becomes problematic on fights
– The game controls feel clumsy

MechQuest Interview: Mechanical Wars In A Fantasy World

Questions by Mohammed Afzal, Onrpg writer
Answered by Warlic, manager creative direction and content creation for MechQuest
MechQuest is another brilliant creation of Artix Entertainment, the creators of Adventure Quest, DragonFable and Adventure Quest Worlds. The game offers us a different aspect than the other games from Artix Entertainment; The game is mainly Sci-Fi combined with features of an RPG. The game might be browser based, but this does not take away that it is a great, unique and challenging game that offers us many hours of amusement!
We of Onrpg came in touch with Warlic, the guy from the mage shop in Adventure Quest, and we’ve given him the opportunity to tell us more about MechQuest.
 
 
Onrpg: Could you introduce yourself, please?

Warlic: Hello!  I am Warlic.  In addition to running GEARS University in Soluna City,  I am also in charge of creative direction and content creation for  the game,  MechQuest by Artix Entertainment!
 
Onrpg: What kind of game is MechQuest actually? 

Warlic: MechQuest is a Fantasy meets Sci-Fi Online RPG,  but instead of swords and sorcery,  you’ve got ballistics and lasers…and lots of explosions!
 
Onrpg: What differs MechQuest from your other games? 

Warlic: Aside from the Sci-Fi theme, MechQuest’s biggest difference is our battle engine which centers around mecha combat instead of traditional swords and sorcery combat.  Mecha may be equipped with arm, shoulder, and head weapons.   Firing weapons uses your mecha’s energy. Powerful weapons require more energy and often have longer cooldowns.  Both your mecha and your pilot have independent stats that also affect battle.  With these differences, fighting in MechQuest has a completely different strategic feel than the fighting in our other games. 
 
Onrpg: In what century does MechQuest take place and why did you pick that century?

Warlic: MechQuest actually takes place 5,000 years before AdventureQuest.  We chose that century so we could completely confuse… err,  I mean re-imagine the world and characters from the other games.
 
Onrpg: How can MechQuest, a game full of modern technology, take place before Dragon Fable and Adventure Quest when these games are built in a medieval world?

Warlic: That’s kind of a secret, but know this,  by the end of MechQuest your character will be at the center of an event that affects the entire universe… one of the biggest jaw droppers to ever hit the web.

In Combat wtih Kaiju Scythe.

In Combat wtih Kaiju Scythe.

Onrpg: MechQuest has a very complicated plot. Could you summarize it for us? 

Warlic: Actually, at this point the plot is so complicated we are no longer in control of it…   No seriously, it’s not really that complicated.  You start out as a young recruit on your way to GEARS University to study mecha piloting.  However, on your way to the University, a terrible war breaks out with an evil alien invasion force called the Shadowscythe.  You and the other students quickly take up arms to help defend the planet from these aliens.  In between saving the galaxy you can take odd jobs, rescue important people,  and explore space forging new alliances with other planets to defend the galaxy from the Shadowscythe.  Each planet has its own story!
 
 
Onrpg: What is G.E.A.R.S. exactly ?

Warlic: GEARS University is a school that trains talented young students in the art of mecha piloting.  As a new student there you will want to join one of the three houses:  Wolfblade,  Runehawk and Mystraven.  Each House has a philosophy that closely resembles the fantasy RPG archetypes. The Wolfblades are strong warrior types who will battle anyone in the galaxy to prove they are the best. They are seeking a fabled sword that is said to make anyone who draws it King of the Universe.  Runehawks are knowledgeable mage-types who have magic-based mecha. They are searching to learn the secrets of the Dragons, who mysteriously disappeared hundreds of years ago.  The Mystravens are rogue-like rebel  types who have quick ninja-like mecha.  They possess a magical door which is said to grant ONE wish if they complete a seemingly endless supply of bizarre tasks across the stars. You may only belong to one house at a time, however from time to time you may have the option to betray your house and join another.
 
 
Onrpg: It’s been said that the characters of MechQuest are different from the other Artix Entertainment games, but some of the NPCs show many similarities to those of the other games. What could you tell us about that?

Warlic: Many of our main NPCs from the other games are different in MechQuest.  This makes a lot of sense when the climatic ending is revealed. Since the universe that MechQuest takes place in is very different from the other games, we have re-imagined many of our characters for this different setting.  We have also introduced many brand new NPCs. 
 
Onrpg: What are Star Captains and Nova Gems?

Warlic: Star Captains are players who purchase an upgrade their account with a one-time payment.  They  get access to unique mecha models, unlock special powers, are able to access exclusive quests, have more stat points per level, and they even get their own customizable starships.  Nova Gems are a special currently that allows players to access special powerful weapons and items.
 
Onrpg: What is the difference between a Guardian and a Dragonlord?

Warlic: Guardians and Dragonlords are upgraded players from our other games.  Guardians are upgraded players in AdventureQuest.  Dragonlords are upgraded players in DragonFable.   MechQuest has some exclusive content in the beginning of the game that is available only to Guardians and Dragonlords.
 
Onrpg: Can you be a powerful player without subscribing to the game?

Warlic: All of our games may be enjoyed for free.  We try to balance the game so that free players may get a full gameplay experience without having to upgrade.   Free players may enjoy a significant amount of power but miss out on some of the cool items and extra features that Star Captains get.
 
 
Onrpg: Is there a PvP option in the game? Could you tell us more about it?

Warlic: MechQuest does have an option to fight against other players’ characters.  There are two types of PvP battles in MechQuest.  One in which you can load your friends character and fight them, and another in which you may battle a random character from an opposing GEARS House.  MechQuest PvP differs from traditional PvP because the opponents are controlled by the game AI instead of being Human-controlled.
 
Onrpg: What is the difference between mecha combat and melee combat?

Warlic: Mecha combat utilizes your player’s mecha and is the main focus of the game.  Melee combat is an alternate,   simplified fighting engine in which you can fight as your pilot, outside of your mecha using Energy Blade Weapons.  The melee fighting is much simpler than mecha combat and your player’s skill can be improved at GEARS University’s Energy Blade Fighting Class.
 
 
Onrpg: Could you tell us a bit more about these ‘energy blades’ ?

Warlic: Energy Blades are swords that have lasers instead of blades.  Energy Blades have many different shapes and sizes and some of the blade shapes are different than traditional swords, since they are comprised of energy instead of metal.
 
 
Onrpg: There are many different professions such as Lore and Zargon. Are these jobs similar to each other?

Warlic: There are many different professions in MechQuest.  Some jobs (like Mecharoni in Soluna City) are simple repetitive quests that give you a chance to get promoted to higher positions and unlock new items/mecha.  Other Jobs (like Planet Zargon) are entire involved storylines with a large variety of quests and characters.
 
Onrpg: How do the stats of a character affect its performance in battles?

Warlic: In MechQuest, we have the following pilot stats:  Power, Reflex, Accuracy, Efficiency, Perception, and Luck.  Power increases your overall damage.  Reflexes affect your chance to take the first turn in battle and your chance to dodge attacks.  Accuracy affects your ability to hit your target. Efficiency can lower the total amount of energy you use while fighting.  Perception lowers your overall damage in combat.  Luck slightly affects many things like your chance to get a critical hit, and your chance to go first, etc.  Pilot stats are independent of your mecha stats.  So, if you change your mecha model, your Hitpoints and Energy points will change,  but your pilot stats will stay the same.
 
 
Onrpg: Thank you for your time!

Warlic: Time is irrelevant, but thanks!

 

KARMA: Operation Barbarossa Announced

What if WWII didn’t end?  ijji.com, the premier eight million members-strong online destination for hardcore gamers, is offering a glimpse into a Europe entirely under Axis’ control in KARMA: Operation Barbarossa, the most recently announced title to join the portal.  The game boasts frenetic multi-player first-person shooter (MOFPS) action where players chose to play with or against Germany as they make a play for the Soviet Union’s weakened boarders.
 
“KARMA: Operation Barbarossa serves as another great addition that furthers ijji.com’s hardcore gaming and FPS agenda,” said Philip Yun, CEO, NHN USA, which hosts ijji.com. “We are proud to be a leader in providing a powerful and specialized gaming experience to our members. Our fans crave the immersive, realistic experiences wrongly associated exclusively with console gaming.  We don’t believe in those boundaries, so we are bringing hardcore triple-A titles to the online, free-to-play space.”
 
In KARMA: Operation Barbarossa, is set in a Europe that hasn’t seen the end of the Second World War.  The entire continent is under Germany’s unyielding control.  As the Axis’ white-knuckled grip threatens to extend East, a bloody strike on the Soviet Union proves imminent.  The tension is palpable as a strained Europe embarks on the latest rounds of fighting in the fast-action combat zones of KARMA: Operation Barbarossa.      
 
Developed by Dragonfly, Futureport and Blueside, KARMA: Operation Barbarossa will be released by ijji.com for the PC in late 2009.

Alliance of Valiant Arms Coming In 2009

The concrete jungle will soon become a warzone.  ijji.com, the premier eight million members-strong online destination for hardcore gamers, is taking on contemporary warfare with the Unreal Engine 3-powered Alliance of Valiant Arms (A.V.A.).  A.V.A. promises multi-player online gaming and twitch-based fast action first-person shooter (FPS) action, resulting in visceral, intense combat set in a gritty, war-torn Europe.
 
“With the addition of games like Alliance of Valiant Arms, ijji.com is quickly becoming known by FPS gamers as the place where guns never cool and the smoke never clears,” said Philip Yun, CEO, NHN USA, which hosts ijji.com. “We are more and more discerning when deciding which titles to bring to the hardcore gaming portal, and A.V.A. simply blew us away. Not only does A.V.A. offer a unique urban warfare setting, but the combination the game’s realism and stellar engineering make it an intense, consuming experience our fans will have a hard time pulling themselves out of.”
 
In Alliance of Valiant Arms, a formidable war has broken out in Europe between the European Union (EU) and the Neo Russian Federation (NRF), and players are tasked with picking a side and squaring off in an unprecedented battle.  With the signature quick-fragging action of the Unreal 3 Engine, combat escalates quickly and tensions run high as players anticipate a bloody clash around every corner.  Europe has yet to see more ominous missions or relentless enemies as on the streets of Alliance of Valiant Arms.      
 
ijji.com received the rights to publish Alliance of Valiant Arms in North America from Neowiz. Neowiz is currently servicing the game in Korea on its online game portal, Pmang. Developed by REDDUCK, A.V.A. will be released by ijji.com for the PC and be available to play in late 2009.