Yearly Archives: 2011

KARMA Online Interview: Now 80% More Zombies!

KARMA Online Interview – World War II: Now w/ 80% zombies!

By Michael Sagoe (Mikedot), OnRPG journalist

 

 

Developed in conjunction with Dragonfly, and published by Joymax, KARMA Online: Prisoners of the Dead is the newest installment in the KARMA Online series, a popular online first-person shooter series in South Korea.  Players will go back in time to World War II, where they must choose to side with the Axis or Allied powers and join the fight for global victory – with a zombie twist.

 

 

Mikedot: Hello there! Before we begin the interview, would you mind telling me a little bit about yourself for our readers?

 

Jae: Hi, I’m Jae-young Park.  I’m the LEAD GAME DESIGNER for KARMA Online.

 

 

Mikedot: Now the first question is an obvious one: There are lots of free-to-play shooters out there, so what makes KARMA Online so special?

 

Jae: We could name a whole heap of things that set Karma Online above and beyond the competition.  First of all it is developed by Dragonfly who is known for developing very high quality FPS titles.  In addition, we’re particularly proud that we’ve committed to keeping to the most authentic WWII weaponry.  This level of historic accuracy is something not often found!  But players of Karma Online: POD will also find that the addition of zombies and the fact that in the game it is as if WWII never ended mean that the experience is a combination of a WWII experience and a modern day shooter combined.

 

 

Mikedot: There are also lots of shooting games that feature a zombie mode of some sort. Is KARMA Online following this trend or does KARMA’s zombie mode have something special?

 

Jae: The difference is clear upon competing in your first zombie mode match: We don’t treat zombies like they’re stupid; if you want a challenging AI enemy, this is the game you want to play.  The zombies in Karma Online: POD are formidable enemies and the feedback we are getting from people who have tested out the Zombie mode so far is that it is really intense and exciting.

 

 

Mikedot: Besides zombie mode, what other game modes will be available?

 

Jae: While the game will have a total of 23 maps and 33 modes when it is fully launched, during Beta we will initially provide 8 maps and 9 modes.  Once the beta is complete, we’ll be adding in the rest over time as well as developing new content.

 

 

Mikedot: When playing as either the Axis or the Allies, will there be any major differences between them? Ex: Weapons, skills, power-ups?

 

Jae: Since this is an FPS game, it becomes difficult to maintain a balance if there is a big difference between factions, so each faction has similar appearances and skills. The difference in terms of appearance is that most Axis forces have bluish uniforms, and most Allied forces have reddish uniforms in a military style.

 

However, the factions develop characteristics according to the differences in characters and skills of each faction (This is the difference from other FPS games too). The Axis forces have many characters with skills based on strong firepower, and Allied forces have more characters with skills for fast movement and accurate firing. This is something that shows the individuality of the factions.

 

 

Mikedot: Speaking of weapons: What kinds of weapons will be available? Will they be customizable?

 

Jae: Players have to select appropriate weapons according to the structure of the team and the size and structure of the map, such as an SMG for close distance, an MG that is slow but strong, and a rifle that is extremely powerful for middle to long distances.

 

Also, thanks to the Karma inventory system where you can carry many main weapons as long as it does not go over the weight limit, you need to strategically think about what combination of weapons and armor you will carry.

 

The weaponry for Karma Online: POD is being revealed slowly through our Facebook and Twitter; so far we’ve shown nearly a dozen that will be available, but we’re keeping the total number a secret!  It will include rifles, handguns, grenades, and more of course.

 

 

Mikedot: How demanding is KARMA Online for the processing power of an average PC?

 

Jae: Players can adjust the game options to meet the requirements on their PC environment, so the game can run on PCs with both high and lower specifications.

 

 

Mikedot: How does the skill point system fit in with KARMA Online?

 

Jae: There are so many different types of skills that it is difficult to explain them all. One thing I can say is that it is impossible to develop all the skills when developing one character, so you have to be cautious about selecting a skill within the limit of 20 skill points.  I personally like the “assassin” skill, using a knife.

 

Mikedot: Tell us a little bit more about the game’s pacing.

 

Jae: We’ve combined a quick-paced environment with strategic thinking.  Play patterns change drastically according to level. You quickly have to adapt to that. For example, the bunker level has a lot of narrow passages so there are many short-distance battles, but the fortress map has many large spaces with a wide view so you will be doing a lot of long-distance battles. In addition, some upcoming maps will include both short-distance and long-distance battles.

 

 

Mikedot: Voice chatting has become a very integral part of FPS titles. Will KARMA have a voice chat feature?

 

Jae: Unfortunately, the Voice Chatting feature isn’t available in KARMA Online.  Actually, there are a lot of voice chat features outside the game, which a lot of FPS players already use.   Since a lot of players already use these programs on their own,  which they feel comfortable with, so supporting this feature in the game itself might not be in great demand.  We’re looking into this and considering implementing the feature in the future, though.

 

 

Mikedot: What kind of matchmaking features will be available?

 

Jae: The basic structure is 8:8, but there are slight differences according to map.  We can also say the matchmaking system will call up allies and foes of similar levels.

 

 

Mikedot: Lastly: When will public beta testing for KARMA Online begin?

 

Jae: Closed Beta will begin in June, with open beta testing to follow this summer.  We find the best way to communicate all of our plans for the game with the growing community is through our Facebook or Twitter so we highly encourage people to follow us there!

 

 

Mikedot: Is there any other comments that you would like to add?

 

Jae: Bringing Karma Online to the global audience for the first time has been an exciting and challenging process.  Every time we find these players out there, questioning and waiting for Karma Online, we feel so grateful and lucky.  Every concern is precious for us and it makes us push ourselves harder to perform better.  We’re really thrilled to introduce our game to the global community and the huge responsibility is very welcomed!

 

 

Mikedot: Thank you for your time!

Farmerama Review: Farmville Extreme

Farmerama Review: Farmville Extreme

by: Kei Beneza (DivideLife), OnRPG Journalist

 

 

Farmerama is a social MMO game similar to Farmville. The game is heavily played, and gets around 400,000 players online on a daily basis. The object of the game is simple, own a fully productive farm complete with animals, plants and various veggies. This however, is no easy feat, as much like any farming job, you will be plowing fields, waiting for seeds to mature, and adjusting to various weather effects before your crops reach tiptop shape. Farm game players are sure to enjoy what Farmerama has in store for them, with a great HUD, easy to learn interface, and a nicely animated background.

 

Making Moo-ney

I’m going to assume that you have not played farm games. Once you get your farm running, you will be harvesting crops and relying on your animals for cash and experience. This helps the overall rotation of your materials and budget, constantly expanding the farm with more crops and more animals to strengthen your income. I honestly don’t know what makes these games so addicting, but I would be lying if I say that I didn’t enjoy it. I guess taking care of virtual Chickens and nonexistent crops are somewhat—–fun!

 

 

Farmerama also has a ‘questing’ system in the form of orders. While some require a pack of different veggies, other orders require items and crops that are not available to you yet, making you work double-time to increase your level and income, thus unlocking the supposed order.

 

Take It To The City

As fun as it is to farm in a virtual world of animals that look like Shaun the Sheep, farmers will also have to leave the farm in order to buy seeds, show off their farm, as well as expand it. This is done by visiting the City, which apparently is just one click away (how I wish it was really that easy). Some of the features are exclusive to premium subscribers, but gamers who are playing the game for free can still enjoy it without having to pay.

 

 

Premium Power! Power! Power!

Yes, apparently every free to play game out there must have something to fund it with. The game does have a premium subscription, and it speeds up farming and reaping by a mile. They also gain access to ‘insta-farming’ utilities that sort of acts like a bot that instantly plows, seeds, waters and takes care of the farm for you. I would consider it the lazy way out, but if you REALLY want to have the best farm around with minimal effort, then this form of membership is for you.

 

 

The Verdict

Much like Farmville, Farmerama is a farm game worth playing. I personally enjoy these types of games while working, especially since it allows me to pass time and reap crops without having to wait for countless hours doing nothing. It’s a great game, but lacks a bit of player-to-player interaction. I would suggest linking the game to your facebook account, as it allows you to invite other users without difficulty. Never farm alone!

 

 

Pros

-Good visuals

-Easy to learn

-Just plain fun for everyone

-literally everyone can play

-It’s on facebook

 

Cons

-gets repetitive in the long run

Chronicling the War of Legends

Chronicling the War of Legends

by Mitch Baylosis-Benesa (Syllica), OnRPG Journalist

 

 

In past couple of years, we have seen a proliferation of browser-based games especially in the strategy genre. For someone like me, this screams a challenge: how productive can you be in an hour? You focus on work, you chat, you think of your growling stomach, you try to beat that looming deadline, and you have duties in between at your palace. Uh-huh, I did say palace. War of Legends is one of the real time strategy browser-based games that is a welcome break for anyone who is bored or needing a somewhat, uh, productive distraction from life’s mundane activities. If you are a masochist for stressing over virtual politics and internal affairs on top of your real life work, then a tactical game like War of Legends should work well for you.

 

 

A King’s World

 

War of Legends kicks off with you choosing your preferred leader’s gender and then his or her class: the Warrior whose strength is invaluable, the Seer who specializes in defenses, and the Monk who can utilize the game’s artifacts. War of Legends has the same formula as any other browser strategy game: you establish a village, produce resources like food and copper, train troops, invade areas, and strengthen your area of responsibility. In this game, you aim to be the top “legend” of the game, “legend” being the name for a war lord. You establish a palace for your governance; you create buildings for warfare, and establish universities.

 

 

Never Neglect Your Education

Your tasks vary from basic kingdom building to expanding your territories. Aside from the usual military expeditions and exploration, you are also expected to respond to your citizens’ needs. You need to consistently check their loyalty and make appropriate decisions on how to pacify them should there be a decline that may lead them to abandon you. Your university is another thing that you shouldn’t overlook. Yeah, you’re probably hearing an echo of your parents’ voices telling you not to neglect your studies. You can’t escape it: this game will make you learn a lot of useful and beneficial skills for your kingdom like increasing your troop recruitment rate or cultivating of food.

 

 

 

War of Legends lets you perform two actions at once, so you can upgrade your garrison while some of your laborers build your market. The game also lets you explore different areas like Monoliths and Paradise as well as find treasures.

 

Verdict

War of Legends’ player battles are turn-based and tastefully done. The environment looks appropriate for the Oriental setting and the key elements to the game are easy to understand especially with the helpful newbie tutorial. You can coast through this free-to-play game without having to pay for anything, but if you find yourself immersed in its game play (like I did since I’m also impatient), their premium packages will definitely be tempting.

 

 

Pros:

–        Interesting player battle

 

–        Tasteful and stylish artwork. You won’t be led to this game just because some boobies are about to show

 

Cons:

–        Same old thing has been done before

 

–        Can be slow moving

Aida Arenas Reveals Final Class: Ninja

Aida Arenas Ninja Unveiled

 

 

Game Bridger Entertainment has unveiled the fifth, and final, playable character class in its upcoming MMORPG Brawler, Aida Arenas. In his action-packed video debut, the Ninja shows off his nimble reflexes and flashy martial arts moves before diving deep underground to slice up some monsters with his dual short swords. GamerKraft is prepping Aida Arenas for a closed beta release in spring 2011. That means it could happen any day now!

 

 

As a master of speed and stealth, the Ninja can quickly enter the fray from the sidelines, launching sneak attacks and deadly finishers on unsuspecting foes before quickly escaping the scene like a true assassin. Never take your eye off a Ninja! Be sure to check out our Ninja Preview video here.

ACE Online Releases Tier 3 Weapons; Item Dissolution

ACE Online Releases Tier 3 Weapons and Item Dissolution

 

 

The latest patch for ACE Online has arrived. The new Item Dissolution system as well as the 3rd Tier of Slot Machine weapons!

 

For those out of the loop, ACE Online is a 3D space shooter that combines action and MMORPG elements. Developed by MasangSoft, ACE Online puts players in the role of fighter pilots and behind the controls of ships known as “Gears”. As the player battles in this intergalactic world at war, they will complete missions and engage other players in intense aerial dogfights.

 

 

ACE Online injects action and shooting elements into the traditional MMORPG formula. Players have complete control over their gear and must engage enemies directly in combat – relying on quick shooting and skillful maneuvering in order to survive. As players progress through the game, they acquire credits which can be used in the game’s item shop to purchase hundreds of customizable weapons and add-ons for their “gear”. Players can then fly their “gear” into immense online space battles as part of ACE Online’s “Nation Wars” PvP system. These RPG elements add a layer of personal customization and multiplayer strategy to ACE Online’s already action-packed gameplay.

 

 

Item Dissolution adds another layer of customization by giving players a new means of using their old junk or some of the other stuff that they pick up that does not have much use. Instead of selling them for almost no in-game currency, they can convert the useless items into Ion Particles which can be used to increase the capabilities of your PET as well as your healing items. As long as you can supply yourself with more and more particles, you can have an edge against the competition!

 

Also added with the new patch are the latest Tier of Slot Machine weapons! Always wanted to fight in style? These weapons offer another set of weapons for players to use in order to have their own unique style!

Divinity 2: The Dragon Knight Saga Review

Divinity II: The Dragon Knight Saga Review!

By: Kei Beneza (Dividelife), Onrpg Journalist

 

 

If you like Dragon warriors, Dragon eyes, and particularly everything Draconic, then you will definitely enjoy this game. Divinity II: The Dragon Knight Saga is not really a new game overall, but rather a remastered version of the original game ‘Divinity II: Ego Draconis’ and its awesome expansion Flames of Vengeance. Since the first game got a lot of major criticisms regarding bugs and other graphic issues, Larian Studios decided to give it another shot, especially since the game has a lot of potential as an action RPG. Ego Draconics played in an extremely bad manner, and most of the other reviewers deemed its Xbox360 counterpart as ‘completely unplayable’. Funny though, since the REMASTERED game still had some issues shortly after being launched. The PC version seems to have encountered some frame rate issues, even if your PC meets the required standards on the box. The game however was patched, allowing players to set their desired frame rate capacity (silly, I know). Anyway, enough build up, and let’s get down to the real content.

 

Epicness Told

After creating their character, players start out as a newbie Dragon Slayer who is about to be welcomed into the order. Honestly I was enthralled by the overall concept of Dragon Slayers in this game where they forget everything about their past, gain mind-reading abilities, and the best part, get glowing white dragon eyes. The story starts off very slow, meaning you will be doing a lot of irrelevant tasks such as listening to gossip and scaring people to pay their debts; however, the game will be pretty hard to leave the computer once the story picks up. You encounter a dragon which at the time is your target, who will tell you that Dragons are not really the threat to the world and are currently fighting for a bigger cause. Sadly, tis all I can tell you, for you have to discover what happens next on your own.

 

 

The Flames of Vengeance Expansion takes place immediately after the Eco Draconis campaign and revolves around the land of Aleroth (the last area of the first game). While players may be tempted to start with it due to the darker and much more attractive character screen, I would advise you to finish the first campaign before pushing through with this expansion. In this expansion game, players are given level 35 starter character, which by far will be a half-baked character without proper skills provided that you did not finish the main game. Just another reason to make your way through the chapters in order!

 

Action ARPEEGEE

 

The game is more of an Action RPG rather than one that requires simulation and strategy. Once you enter combat, you just continue hacking and slashing or using Slayer abilities to kill your opponents. It’s not really such a bad thing since the characters move exquisitely, but it may get a little repetitive since this IS an RPG, and far from a hack and slash game. As players level up, they gain points that must be distributed in the skill selection menu in order to gain that particular power. There are tons of skills to choose from, and trying them all out was always a treat.

 

 

DRAGON UP!


At some point in the game (just to not spoil you) players will gain the power to transform into a dragon, which does not really look much like a dragon and more of a scaled bat. The good part is that you can fly, breathe fire, and take out enemy artillery as you do your quests. While you can’t transform into a dragon in tight places like dungeons, it’s always a treat to fly around and explore knowing that you are a lot stronger than everyone below you. Also, aside from having unique dragon skills, players also get items and equipment that can only be worn in their dragon form. It’s not really as diverse as Human armor sets, but I’m glad to know that the developers put in the extra effort to give the dragon form some RPG depth.

 

 

Graphics And Sounds

 

The graphics, in my opinion, are mid ranged by today’s standards. They are not really as breathtaking as Dragon Age on the PC, but it looked marvelous despite the comparison. The armor sets look great, the characters look dashing, and the areas look diverse and colorful. The game suffers from a bunch of graphical glitches at times, such as clipping and frame rate issues. The frame rate option is actually a good add-on, but I would advise players to not boost it all the way up, unless they want to suffer some intense motion lag and weird bugs. The soundtrack on the other hand is most appealing, and really emphasizes the fact that you are on this epic adventure where the world is against you as you work your way towards your goal to save the world.

 

 

Verdict

 

Overall I would say that the game really had a lot of potential. Too bad the bugs really annoyed the hell out of me. One time I was fighting monsters, and the next thing I knew, I went through the floor and fell forever. The game really had a lot of bugs, but the expansion was pretty flawless. It’s great that Larian studios decided to remaster this epic story, even though the remastered version felt like a rebugged one. Anyway, I still believe that people would have oodles of fun playing this, as long as they stay away from the original Ego Draconis and buy this bundle instead. You won’t regret it.

 

 

The Good

-Epic story


-Great characters


-Tons of voice acting


-Good looking graphics (it looks good!)


-Dragon mode

 

The Bad

-Tons of bugs


-Glitchy graphics, even for a supposedly remastered game


-Drags on at first

Divinity 2

Tasked with the quest to become a Dragon Knight, players are given the ability to engage in battle as both human and dragon. Divinity 2 allows players to take to the skies in a unique blend of arial and ground combat. Morality becomes your compass as it helps guide you through the story as every choice is burdened with its own consequence. Powered by mythical relic known as the the Dragon Stone the anicent Battle Tower grants players a variety of upgrades. Become a grand Necromaster with the ability to create and customize a supporting cast of abominations to aid on the journey.    

Three Kingdoms Brawler Enters Beta, Offers Logitech Raffle

Three Kingdoms Brawler Enters Beta: Offers Logitech Raffle

 

 

The9 Interactive has just started the pre-launch beta of its debut title, the highly-anticipated Three Kingdoms Brawler, an updated version of the classic side-scrolling arcade beat-em up games for the new generation of online gamers. In celebration of the pre-launch, The9 Interactive is holding a huge event called “Out Classed”. To participate in the “Out Classed” event, players may simply register and play.  Any player who reaches the Hero Class status before June 3rd will be entered into a raffle to win one of the 44 great prizes, including the Ultimate Trio G Series Gaming Combo from Logitech!

 

 

“I don’t know a gamer out there that would pass up a chance to enhance their Three Kingdoms Brawler experience with this amazing gear,” said Community Manager Gambol of The9 Interactive. “We really wanted to reward as many players as possible, so in addition to the awesome Logitech gaming gear, 40 other players will win a GoCash card!”

 

Three Kingdoms Brawler players who reach level 18 and complete the Hero Class quest chain to become a Hero Class between May 26th and June 3rd will automatically be entered into a raffle to win one of the following great prizes:

 

Grand Prize: Logitech Keyboard (G519), Headset (G930), and Mouse (G700)

Prize 2: Logitech Keyboard (G519)

Prize 3: Logitech Headset (G930)

Prize 4: Logitech Mouse (G700)

20 lucky winners will receive: $10 GoCash Card

20 lucky winners will receive: $5 GoCash Card

Inspired by the legendary saga of the Three Kingdoms era in ancient Chinese history, Three Kingdoms Brawler lets players take control of legendary warriors fighting to determine the future of the country. By choosing their guardian spirit and hero class, players can customize their fighting experience to fit their own play style. As they progress, players will upgrade their combo moves, armor, and weapons, becoming a powerful force capable of taking on the many challenges that are being uncovered along their path.

 

 

With a vast world to explore and conquer, players will want to join together in factions and guilds to take on the trying battles of this feudal land.  The robust crafting system allows players to create a multitude of unique weapons and armor to enhance their combat skills, while the auction house allows players to buy and sell their creations with other players. With thousands of different weapon, skill, and armor combinations, each player will have a unique experience tailored by their personal choices.