Yearly Archives: 2011

Maplestory: Mapleworld Through the Years

Maplestory: Mapleworld Through the Years

By Jerrico Tan (JetSet), OnRPG Journalist

 



Maplestory is a side-scroller action MMORPG published by Nexon, the same company behind popular titles like Atlantica, Vindictus, and Mabinogi. Despite being just a 2D platform adventure online game, this one still charmed a total of 100 million accounts worldwide for of its cute anime presentation, tons of adventures, frequent updates and many other features that sum up a game with lots of stuff to do to keep you busy.

 

 

The game has been running for almost 5 years and Maplestory still offers freshly updated content for the convenience of the game’s new, loyal or even returning players. The most notable expansion made available almost a year ago was the “Bing Bang” update, where the game system has been totally revamped. The update adjusted the game’s EXP curve so that players could reach the max level cap easier. This also added a new resolution option to players (1024×768) which made exploring the lands of Mapleworld even better.

 

 

There is also a recent update titled “Rise of the Fellowship” and this added a “familiar” tab in its monster codex card system. Now, players could choose one of any collected monster cards as an assistant monster in the field. Each monster also has different stats and abilities to help you kill enemies efficiently. The game’s regularly updated content wouldn’t leave returning players with an impression that this game is getting old.

 

 

Controls



The game mostly uses the keyboard for character movement and actions, which is obviously important when playing side scroller games. The mouse pointer is still in there but only for item sorting and NPC interactions. The controls for this game are highly customizable; an in-game keyboard layout is presented so you can mix and match hotkeys to your perfect setup. Now that’s a great convenience especially for players with cluttered laptop keyboards. Lastly, if you prefer playing side scroller games on a controller, Maplestory also supports gamepad controls with fully customizable key mapping just like the keyboard. With these convenient control features, players can surely maximize their gaming experiences in the Mapleworld.

 

 

An Improvement in Gameplay



During its early years, the game’s main problem was its awful grind oriented gameplay, and thankfully, Nexon remedied that by adding a number of fun quests in the game. One of them is the Dojo quest where you rack up points by killing monsters “street fighter” style and exchange your points for a specific belt title. There are also Party Quests, which are tackle puzzles and riddles rather than mere“monster-farming”. Additionally, completing the first chapter of the storyline quests would easily advance players to level 25 so they won’t really grind that much anymore.

 

 

Classes and Skills


The world of Maplestory is chock-full of choices for adventure. Starting players are also made to choose one of the many storylines presented. Players could choose to simply be a casual explorer who protects the Victoria Islands, be part of a Resistance group against the confederate Black Wings, or be one of the Cygnus Knights that are dedicated to fight off the forces of an evil Black Mage. Each class group offers character classes, which has at least three of the following main classes: the warrior, the archer, the wizard, the thief and the pirate. The stories behind your class group progresses as you get to a higher job level and this small storytelling feat gives replay value to the game.

 

 

There are many job types that should also be considered under the said class groups.They branch out into three job specialties once you have an opportunity to advance your job level. Every job class has specific skill specialties (not that original or amusing in my opinion) but its macro skill feature was what really caught my eye. You can choose a combination of three skills and jam it in one hotkey and even name your macro with whatever you want to call it. Now you won’t have to press so many buttons when executing buff skills before battle.

 

 

Customization


The item selection is one of the core features behind Maplestory. The game’s item database has vast amounts of equipment that you could use to dress up your character. They are also statistically balanced in order to have the best set of equipment and so that each character would never look alike. Players however should be careful when buying items for there are gender and class restrictions.

 

 

Upgrading equipment is also pertinent in this game. You can use scrolls to upgrade your equipment’s stats. The lower the scroll percentage, the bigger stat bonuses it would receive should the forge succeed. Be careful when forging low percentage scrolls, though. Not only are your scroll lots forever lost even if the scroll fails, but using dark scrolls puts your equipment at risk of being destroyed.

 

 

PvP


Another great feature that was added in the game was its “age of battle”. This age introduced the battle arena and it will open itself to players once they reach lvl30.There are also level categories so players shouldn’t worry about level gaps. The current update offers four battle game modes: Free For all, Team Battle, Ice Knight, and Capture the Flag.

 

 

The first three modes are obviously self explanatory; however, the most unique mode that players should try out is the Ice Knight mode. The battle starts when a random player in the room turns into the Ice Knight. Aside from changing appearance, that transformed player would get monstrous stat buffs. The objective is simple enough in that the Ice Knight tries to survive a gauntlet against every other player in the room. With these competitive features, Maplers get a chance to show that their equipment is best suited for battle and not just for show.

 

 

Community

The community, perhaps, is one of the key factors responsible for Maplestory’s success and popularity throughout the years and I have to say, the game’s current running community is still fairly decent. Most of the gamers present are friendly and helpful and some would wholeheartedly help you complete quests. And if you’re lucky, you might even receive equipment and Mesos (its in-game currency) from them generous folks.

 

 

Graphics


The graphics in the game wouldn’t stand a chance with games that have dazzling 3.0 shader effects. But who needs those shaders when the game has action packed gameplay and everlasting cutesy charm all over it? The game was published almost five years ago (2007) so you shouldn’t even worry about its system requirements if your PC was made during that period of time.

 

 

Conclusion


With many features and fresh, exciting contents being regularly added, Maplestory is definitely one of those few MMORPG titles out there that let you enjoy playing in your own way even without paying a cent. With tons of quests to choose and complete, you won’t even notice that you’ve already spent more than three hours of game time in just a day. Even if its graphics could give initial negative impressions, Maplestory’s vast, entertaining and enjoyable gameplay still gets my 2-thumbs up. Now hurry and download it for free.

 

 

The Good:

*Revamped game system

*Always fresh content

*Fast paced gameplay

*Fully customizable controls

*Vast item selection

*Newly added PvP features

 

The Bad:

*2D graphics

*Gameplay could be repetitive in the longrun

*Some third party online item sellers

 

 

Graphics: 3.5/5

Controls: 4/5

Features: 3.5/5

Customization: 3.5/5

Community: 3/5

The Missing Ink is Found, Online!

The Missing Ink is Found, Online!

 

 

UK-based indie developer RedBedlam has revealed The Missing Ink; a vast, wildly entertaining, yet strangely familiar multi-themed MMORPG in which each player can create, develop and share their own unique virtual world.

 

 

It’s a funny old world. Well, actually it’s a funny new world full of old ideas. We’re told that there are only so many stories – Shakespeare says 12, Goethe and Polti say 36 – one thing though is certain. Certain recurring characters, ideas and references have appeared and reappeared in human myths, legend and story-telling culture since such things began.

 

 

In the world of The Missing Ink, these stories, legends, fairy tales and adventures have all been brought to life – but something is drastically wrong. Each of the stories are strangely corrupted. The knight in shining armour has gone missing and the damsel in distress is really quite happy with her lot. The star-crossed lovers aren’t interested, the big bad wolf has eaten some very dodgy magic beans and nobody can find the Emperor’s new clothes anywhere.

 

 

So it seems a mysterious evil force is taking all of our most beloved stories and ideas and, for some despicable and inconceivable reason, messing them up a treat. Into this world step the players, using their PCs and Macs (tablet version to follow next year), either with a free download or directly in the web browser.

 

 

As well as exploring this almost-traditional MMORPG, dungeoneering, questing and, quite literally, setting the world to rights, each player also has their very own sandbox virtual world in which their own imagination runs free and, with the fun and free construction tools provided, can create virtually anything their heart desires. Virtually. D’ya see?

 

 

Kerry Fraser-Robinson, RedBedlam’s Managing Director commented, “leave me alone – I’m busy.” Later, he somewhat more constructively added, “Oh for the press release? Right. Let me see. Tell them it’s funny. Ground-breaking. Innovation oozing from every pixel. A showcase for our artistic talent and technical expertise. And it’s free.”

 

 

The Missing Ink will run an open Alpha promotion in December 2011 and is expected to make the leap to Beta in early 2012 with a full multi-platform launch currently scheduled for Q3. Though stay tuned to OnRPG as we will be getting our viewers in to the alpha test early!

The Missing Ink

 

The Missing Ink is an odd ball to say the least. It’s a fantasy atmosphere in which the characters are 2D while the environment is 3D. It also gives players access to tools similar to Minecraft so that they can craft and customize their own worlds to share with their friends, or invite their foes into to smash their heads in.

Features:

 

Vast Diverse 3D world: With multiple realms to explore, and constant new maps being added by the developers and other players, there is an infinite amount of exploration to be had.

 

World Builder: Using simple tools, players can terraform, construct buildings, and add nifty switches that activate special features when flipped.

 

Do what you feel: Players can smash down monsters with a variety of weapons, or take up a pick axe and gather materials from the overworld to be reused in constructing your private world.

Iris Online Celebrates First Birthday

Iris Online Celebrates First Birthday

 

 

Light a candle and bring out the cake – Iris Online’s first birthday is almost here! The adorable anime adventure game turns one year old on November 24, but couldn’t wait to open its presents: a tremendous bonus event is already underway. Plus, when the big day comes, existing players can log into Iris to receive a free, exclusive, permanent costume!

 

 

Iris has grown and learned a lot in the past year, and now it’s ready to share its experiences with players by offering 100% Experience, Skill, and Battlefield Point boosts until November 26. Level up faster than ever before and see all the magical lands and monsters Arcana has to offer! With an extra 50% Enhance Rate and Drop Rate, you’ll have better luck than ever at customizing your character and maybe even picking up some of the monster drop cards that will allow you to transform into a powerful monster.

 

 

It gets even better on November 24. EXP and SXP points will be boosted a full 400%, and anyone who’s been playing Iris since September will be rewarded with a free costume for logging in. This costume has never been offered before – and never will be offered again! Prove you’ve been there since day one (or at least year one!) with this jaunty little jacket and matching pants, both of which are yours to keep.

 

Check out our game profile for front and back views of the new costumes!

Meta’s Verse: New Toys!

Meta’s Verse: New Toys

By Meticulous Meta, OnRPG’s Paragon City Journalist

 

 

 

I started out writing my City of Heroes series last week and initially intended to write about the signature story arc going on right now. But as I got to actually writing I realized it wasn’t right to give things away. And the article without giving the story away just didn’t feel right. So I decided to write about the mid issue update that came out. But then that turned out to be somewhat of a small disaster and lacking some of the big things we had originally expected to be included.

 

 

What happened you ask? Firstly the two trials that were expected have been held back for a bit more work. Now the only reason this really matters, other than everyone wanting them is that the update was named Media Blitz for one of the trials. It’s unfortunate that the biggest part of the update wasn’t there. But I think I speak for everyone when I say I’m glad we didn’t get something that wasn’t ready. Not so bad, right? That was only the beginning.

 

 

User Interfaces that had been customized by people would reset every time you logged in and sometimes even when you went into a new zone. Armor lost its glow. An arrow made it so you couldn’t complete a mission. But the most amusing thing that happened was Vanessa DeVore, leader of the Carnival of Shadows, was appearing as a generic boss and bases would attack anyone who came inside. All of these have been fixed now except for the base attack which the crew the crew was still tweaking with at the time I wrote this article.

 

 

But that’s not what I’m writing about. Today is all about the new toys that have come out on the Paragon Market since it went live. Every week something new is added to the market. Sometimes it’s something big, sometimes it’s small.

 

 

German Shepherd

This week something came out that has been long wanted and now that it’s finally here it really opens up new options that were never there before. The German Shepherd non-combat pet. Now he (or she) isn’t color customizable and doesn’t fight, but at least it lays the ground work for future four legged companions! I’m personally hoping for some animal control Masterminds. We got a glimpse of the four legged rig early in the Haunted House at Halloween time with the wolf that seems to follow you at the mansion. This got people excited at the prospect of what is now possible in the game.

 

 

Autumn Path Aura

Path auras have become a popular new addition to City of Heroes since they were released. They allow you to leave a trail of fire behind you as you speed through the city, or do your best Nyan Cat impression with a rainbow trailing behind you. The newest path gets us in the spirit of the season change with a path of leaves behind you as you walk. It is supposedly color customizable though people have commented on the fact that it can only be one color. Personally I think it looks amazing and more realistic because its only one color. FYI potential buyers, it doesn’t work while flying. The best part about it is that it recognizes when you’ve jumped and makes a bigger pile of leaves when you land. I can see a lot of plant dominators and controllers using this aura.

 

 

Halloween Costume Pack

The Halloween costume pack allows you to be a vampire, a fish monster or Medusa, but the most popular part of the pack was the brain in a jar. These pieces were all insanely popular over the Halloween season. But now that it’s over I’m seeing fewer and fewer of the pieces being used. Though I know the brain in a jar spawned requests to have headless models be an option. Which was something already hinted at during a recent Ustream broadcast. Sadly the pack is only available for a limited time. Which is understandable and means people will look forward to next Halloween when they’ll be able to buy it again. That is assuming they don’t bring it back on the market in the meantime for special deals.

 

 

The Undead Survival Kit

The Undead Survival Kit came out just after the Halloween event finished. Which was really unfortunate timing as it really would have been perfect to have during the weeks of near constant zombie invasions. It features a collection of items which are all available for free in game if you put in time to go through several story arcs. It comes with:

 

  • 75 Charges of Holy Shotgun Shells
  • 30 Charges of St. Louis Slammer
  • 5 Charges of Warwolf Whistle
  • 5 Charges of a Self Resurrection Power
  • 5 Large Inspirations

 

 

The only real downside to the kit is that there is no backpack or physical representation of the kit on your body.

 

 

Volcanic Aura

Volcanic Aura is much like any other aura that has been in the game for years. It has everything you could want to be your own walking volcano. It is color customizable except for the puffs of cloud which remain dark no matter what color you pick. The lava is explosive. Imagine if you will something similar to volcanoes in Hawaii with lava bursting out. The aura can go anywhere on the body, including the eyes which sounds painful to say the least!

 

 

These are only a few of the new toys that have come out recently in the Paragon Market so be sure to take a look for yourself at all the goodies available. I’ll cover the recent major updates in my next article, such as the new powersets and costume sets. I can’t wait to see what they come out with next week!

 

 

This week the strike targets are Moonfire and Renault.

 

Meta’s Verse is written by Meticulous Meta who lives in Atlas Park and needs a second job to support her market purchase habit.

Mythos Global Announces December CB Test

Mythos Global Announces December CB Test

 

 

Hanbitsoft and T3Fun today announced that the highly anticipated dungeon-crawler Action RPG Mythos will hold a five-day closed beta test beginning on December 1st. Beta keys are now available at OnRPG for those interested in jumping in on this initial test.

 

Beta players will have the exclusive opportunity to experience this epic world in all of its non-stop, monster-slaughtering glory. Mythos features high-quality random dungeon generation designed to ensure that each run is a new and exciting experience, an intricate loot system boasting a massive array of possible stats and attributes for items and equipment, and an in-depth crafting system containing entire skill trees which are unique to crafting.

 

There will also be lots of events for beta players to participate in, held both in-game and via the Mythos Facebook page. Fans can also sign up for the official newsletter in order to get the latest information and updates regarding the beta period.

 

 

For those not in the know, Mythos is an online action RPG set in the land of Uld, a fantasy world arisen from the ashes of a dark and terrible war. Uld is a place where many different races live and where gods try their best to gain more power and influence among their followers. The constant conflict between the gods who seek order and the gods who seek chaos, led to a division among the races living in Uld. Following the ideals of reason and science are the humans, gremlins, satyrs, and Cyclops, while those who yearn for savagery and wars are the Discordians. Mythos features fast-paced role-playing and hack-and-slash combat in which players can choose from unique races and classes like the Bloodletter, Pyromancer and Gadgeteer. Uld is a living world of fantasy and danger with an endless assortment of dungeons to conquer whether you play by yourself, co-op with friends, or PvP.