Monthly Archives: December 2010

Nexon America Launches Complete Overhaul of MapleStory

Nexon America Launches Complete Overhaul of MapleStory

 

Nexon America announces the launch of the Big Bang update in MapleStory, the largest update in the history of the game. Big Bang, set to roll out in three phases, has initiated the first update today, introducing a visually richer Maple World, simpler user interface, redesigned and rebalanced skills, an easier EXP curve, and two new worlds, one of which is the first world to be hosted on the east coast.

 

Maple Story Big Bang

 

 

MapleStory is a 2-D, side-scrolling, massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) with real time gameplay that combines action and traditional RPG elements. Currently, players will be able to enjoy 13 unique character classes, hundreds of quests, and nearly endless character customization options.

 

“Big Bang is going to completely change the way players enjoy MapleStory,” says Crystin Cox, Nexon America’s MapleStory producer. “We’ve been listening to our players and this complete overhaul of the game will implement major changes based on their input, making the game more current and modern, allowing them to experience new adventures in a game they know and love.” 

 

With this update, players will be able to jump into MapleStory as heroes with rebalanced and redesigned skills that can level up much faster than ever before.  Monsters, quests, and zones have also been rebalanced accordingly, allowing new and returning players to discover adventure in a world filled with unique challenges.

 

MapleStory’s higher graphical resolution will allow players to experience a more visually alluring Maple World.  Other changes include a complete user interface revamp, making Maple World simpler, neater and easier to navigate. In addition, MapleStory will be opening up two new worlds, with one suggested for east coast players.

 

MapleStory is now available to download and play for free at the official website

Fly For Fun Nostalgic Review: Flying Fun!

Fly For Fun Nostalgic Review: Flying Fun!
By Kei Beneza (dividelife), OnRPG Journalist

 

Yet another nostalgic review. Fly For Fun (better known as Flyff) is one of the most famous old school MMOs around. Although the game is old, the servers are still populated. Either it’s just the fanbase working or the game really is that damn good (I’d probably go with the latter one). Flyff is a very memorable game for me. Not only was it my first 3D MMO, it was also the game that exposed me to the world of flight. In game flight was pretty hard to grasp during those days, and having an option to do so makes this game extremely awesome. Looking at the in game elements and mechanics from this era, Flyff doesn’t really have that much to offer; however, it was pretty huge and rather innovative during at the time. As a modern gamer, I’d say an awesome game like this demands that we travel back in time and review it as though the game was still in its prime. It feels kind of awkward playing this game again… Ah the memories…

 

Starting Up

Compared to other MMOs, Flyff really has less to offer when it comes to character creation. You can only create up to three characters, with little premade options to choose from. Aside from the gender option, players can customize their characters further by picking between an array of premade faces and hairstyles that don’t really have that much variety. The hair color option doesn’t seem to work either, meaning you’ll be stuck with the standard hair color until you decide to wear something over your head. If you think about it, being old does not give the game an excuse for the lack of character customization. Ragnarok Online’s pretty old as well, but it still gave us the ability to change our hair color, right? 

 

Flyff Starting Up

 

After creating your Vagrant (newbie class), you’ll be catapulted straight to the newbie grounds where you must satisfy a series of tutorial instructions to familiarize yourself with the ingame controls. Once you’ve grasped the game’s control scheme, you’re ready to grind like hell.

Classes : Yo yo yo Majigga Dawg! Yo’ Mah Assist!

Even though the whole idea of job changing is slowly diminishing from the MMO scene (at least with the presence of the archetype system), I still think that this feature is golden and must be used for other upcoming MMOs. Like I said, players will start as a Vagrant and must work their way to level 15 in order to change jobs. There are around 12 jobs in the game, including the second classes that are attainable on level 60. Anyway, let’s not rush that and head over to the first jobs.

 

First jobs are as follows:

 

1.Acrobat- A long distanced fighter who utilizes the use of bows and yoyos. Your average DEX type character with a ranged twist
2.Assist- A pretty weird class… kinda like a mixture of a healer and warrior. Funny name though… kinda like a basketball player. Assists can buff and heal but are formidable attackers as well. Paladin?
3.Magician- Your average spellcaster. Can muster a burst of damage with a flick of his/her magic wand. Low HP… wonder what’ll happen if they gave magic users a higher health ratio XD.

4.Mercenary- The typical warrior. Can withstand heavy attacks as much as he/she can deal them. An expert at close combat.

 

Side Note: All classes need mana… oh God this is just precious.

 

Quests

Although I don’t remember doing any of these during the old days, Flyff features a nice lineup of quests to keep their players entertained. There are dungeon quests, solo quests, and the mandatory job quests. I’m still not that impressed with the whole “bring me” factor, but having something that gives you extra exp while grinding is rather helpful when rushing levels. Guild quests are also fun to do, as it exercises the main point of why it is called an MMO to begin with.

 

Flyff Dungeon Quest

 

PVP

If you’re into PVP then I suggest you enter the Open PVP server. There players are free to duel each other to their heart’s content. Come to think about it, the game does have a nice PVP system as they allow players to duke it out in an open arena made for PVPers. Guilds can also participate in group battles, which in my opinion is tons better than dueling one-on-one. Nothing beats an all out war!

 

Fly For Fun!

Of course it wouldn’t be FUN if we didn’t talk about FLYING right? After purchasing your first broom or whatever, you’ll be soaring the skies like crazy. It literally is “Fly For Fun” as the only point of getting a flying mount is for heck of it. It’s amazing being able to see the world from above. You can attack mobs from the air, but I don’t really see the relevance of this action as it’s actually faster to grind from the ground. Much like other RPGs, players will be able to reach new places after acquiring their ability to fly. Flying is now a basic feature in other MMOs, but damn it was awesome during those times.

 

Flyff Fly For Fun

Graphics And Interface

Although the graphics are pretty much outdated now, it served as my big leap to the 3D platform back in the day. The visuals were brilliantly laid out and the background was just marvelous to behold. I guess the best way to admire the scenery is from above, but it’s not that big of a problem as the game does involve flying around. The visuals sport the same cartoony feel as Rose Online. A bit weak compared to our modern MMOs but like I said, it was practically God back then. The interface is simple and easy to comprehend. There’s the mock windows start menu that gives you access to all your stats and other in game functions. It’s kind of humorous if you ask me.

 

 

Flyff Graphics

 

The Verdict

Despite its age, Flyff is one tough cookie. Not only is it alive and kicking, the game also updates itself regularly with gratuitous amounts of content, allowing it to stay on par with our modern MMOs. A nostalgic game that refuses to be a memory… Flyff is still worth your time and effort.

 

Pros

-Ability to Fly
-PVP
-Tons of Jobs
-Dungeons
-Lots of Quests
-GUILD PVP!

 

Cons

-Let’s face it! It’s old
-Outdated visuals
-Point and click just feels static
-Flying is no longer that special

 

Rift BETA Event #2 To Start December 17th

Rift BETA Event #2 To Start December 17th

 

Featuring the first 20 levels of play, Rift‘s second closed beta event “Guardians of the Vigil” is scheduled to start at 6.00pm GMT Friday, December 17th and run through Monday, December 20th at 6.00pm GMT.

 

About “Guardians of the Vigil”:

Players will be reborn as Ascended souls of the Vigil, prophesized to put an end to the tyrant Aedraxis and his plan to sacrifice the world to Regulos. Save the forest of Silverwood from the war between fiery minions of chaos and the corrupted followers of the elven prince Hylas. Venture into the Realm of the Fae to break the hold that Greenscale’s lieutenant Lord Twyl has over the ancient home of the elves.

 

“Guardians of the Vigil” will be localized for English, French and German speaking territories.

To register for beta go to the official sign up page.

 

ARGO Online

 

ARGO Online is a post-apocalyptic, steampunk-style MMORPG with RTS elements. Choose to become either the Noblian, apologists of technology and progress, or the Floresslah, living in symbiosis with nature.

ARGO Online is now shut down.

 

Features:

Eight Classes: Choose to play from eight diverse classes, each distinctly affected by the race you choose.

Redesigned Skills and PvP: Under a new publisher, ARGO now features redesigned and balanced skills, plus a rework of the PvP system.

Extensive MMO content: Unique gear, pets, mounts, guild battles, and more await the dedicated!

Batheo Confirms its Open Beta Test

Batheo Confirms its Open Beta Test 


After polishing the game during the past two rounds of Closed Beta Test, MMORPG Batheo will launch its Open Beta Test on Today, December 7th, announced Power Hosts Technology Limited, the publisher of Batheo.  The OBT will last for a week, during which every gamer would be gifted with 1,000 Gold on a daily basis after logged into the game, which is intended to help the gamers to further explore the excitements the game has to offer, according to the announcement.

 

Batheo Online Landing Page

 

Batheo is the company’s pilot game published under ClapAlong platform, the brand new browser-based MMORPG allows gamers to directly enter into fierce and glorious ancient battles between Gods, Giants and Heroes, without having to go through strategy game conventions like managing resources and building troops.

Batheo City View

Batheo gets gamers back into ancient Greek chaos to march on over 13 large instances and meet over 100 ancient gods and other mythical creatures in epic battlefields. There are up to 72 troop types and 10 formations for gamers to choose from. Gamers can deploy different troops and formations based on their own judgment of battlefield situations, the forum elaborated.

 

Batheo World Map

As more gamers around the globe will be invited to join Batheo OBT, the long anticipated game is very close to its official release. A staff member from Batheo adds, “We certainly hope that global gamers could enjoy a brand new game experience in Batheo as we’ve been working really hard on this brilliant game, and we’re so excited that it is getting to the final point of meeting so many wonder gamers out there.”

 

Batheo Battle

Batheo

Batheo gets gamers back into ancient Greek chaos to march on over 13 large instances and meet over 100 ancient gods and other mythical creatures in epic battlefields. There are up to 72 troop types and 10 formations for gamers to choose from. Gamers can deploy different troops and formations based on their own judgment of battlefield situations, the forum elaborated.

 

Vindictus Episode 4 is now live! New Dungeons, New Level Cap!

Vindictus Episode 4 is now live! New Dungeons & Level Cap!

 

Two exciting new dungeons are now available in Nexon America’s physics-based action MMORPG, Vindictus. The two new high level dungeons, Prairie Entrance and Ruins of Sanctity, open up a world filled with a new vicious clan of Gnolls, deadly spiders and evil toads, as well as a slew of cunning new boss monsters to defeat.

 

Vindictus New Dungeons

 

The Prairie Entrance dungeon features wide-open spaces, and requires mercenaries to plan attacks and strategies carefully as dangerous traps are waiting to be triggered. The Ruins of Sanctity have become overgrown with vegetation due to constant heavy rain, creating a sense of gloom and foreboding that haunts the ruins.

 

In addition to the new dungeons and Fomors to fight, players will face off against boss monsters such as Goliath, Dim Gray, Warchief Black Scar and the Giant Spider. Players who’ve mastered their skills thus far will be able to attack with several new skills such as Berserk, Lightning Fury and Large Shield Mastery.

 

With this update, players will also be able to enjoy leveling their characters up to the new level cap of 44.