Bohemia Interactive at last rolls the tanks out of their camouflage, marking today as the official launch of Arma 3!
Yearly Archives: 2013
Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft CB First Impressions
By Mohammad Abubakr (Abubakr)
It would have been very difficult to have missed hearing about Hearthstone these past few weeks for those that check up on games on a daily basis whether it be through news or simply tuning into live streams. As of now, Hearthstone is the second most viewed game on Twitch TV. Blizzard has left it up to the community to market their game and spread the word. All the popular streamers and community members have been given invites, causing their fans to go crazy over this game.
Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft is a casual but addictive trading card game. It features many of the traditional aspects of trading card games but offers enough new content to keep players interested and coming back for more. I have spent many hours playing this game and due to its casual play style, I can continue to play the game while carrying out other tasks.
The aim of the game is simple, deplete the enemy hero’s health points to win the match. However, Hearthstone offers many different approaches when it comes to how you will deplete your enemy’s health points. You can choose to build a spell deck, taunt deck, minions deck, and so on. There is a lot of room for creativity to create your own unique play style.
The game uses a hero system where aside from your played cards, your hero or player character also has abilities and may attack with weapon equips. There are currently nine different heroes to choose between each offering unique abilities such as the Mage’s ability to deal damage with a fireball or the Warlocks ability to hurt himself in order to draw a card. Nine hero choices keep the game interesting as different strategies need to be employed against certain heroes.
You can only chat using the given options.
While there may be many strategies employed by players, all the cards are very simple to understand, allowing even those that have never played a card game before to easily jump in and have fun. All cards are played using a basic mana system. Every card has a set mana cost and each turn you gain more maximum mana. You begin with 1 mana on the first turn and gain one additional crystal every turn with the end of the turn fully replenishing your mana pool. This system leads to very fast paced battles as by the time you reach 8-10 turns, players are able to play multiple cards in one go and there is little need to manage your mana pool.
For this reason the matches are very short, averaging around 10 minutes for most matches. Even powerful cards can easily be killed off and countered. Hearthstone plays out with as much action as the Yugioh cartoon series, primarily because the choice to attack your opponent’s hero directly when not taunted can put pressure on them even if you’re losing.
This style of gameplay also means that deck sizes are very small, allowing players to have higher chances to draw the cards they need. With only 30 cards in your deck, the luck factor has been reduced.
The main issue I have with the cards in Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft is that despite its genre being TCG (Trading Card Game), you cannot actually trade. I personally enjoyed the trading aspect of all card games as you would work with the community to help each other build the deck of their dreams. The system to acquire cards is still being tested but I do not see it changing drastically.
The smooth animations are what make this game amazing!
In the closed beta stages, players are able to purchase booster packs containing random cards with at least one guaranteed rare with either the in-game currency (gold) or real money. The pricing seems to be reasonable but due to the low cost for booster packs and the addictive nature of the game, it can be very easy to spend lots of money building your deck.
To remedy the issue of allowing no trading between players, Blizzard has incorporated a crafting system. Any of your duplicate cards may be salvaged into crafting currency which can then be used to create any card. Depending on the rarity of the cards, the costs will vary. This system does allow you to discard and make use of any unwanted cards but I would still like to see a trading option. The game is still in closed beta so we might see trading options in the future but as of now Blizzard does not seem in favour of the idea of player trading.
Moving on to match making, players have the option to simply play against other opponents of their level or take part in the Arena. The regular match making uses a system similar to that in place in Starcraft II. Players start out in the lower leagues (Bronze) and move up to higher leagues such as Masters based on their performance. There does not seem to be any detailed stats available to players at the moment but I would be surprised to not see more stats available after release.
The Arena is a very fun and competitive way to play the game. Players must pay a fee to enter and will then be given a semi random hero and deck. You will be given options between three cards until your deck is complete. This leads to forcing players to try out new builds and play competitively to ensure their buy in money has not gone to waste. Depending on your performance, players will be awarded rewards. Arena is tons of fun but can be quite expensive to buy in.
Arena may seem expensive, but the rewards are great!
Players will earn in-game currency for every 5 wins but most of your in-game currency will be made by completing daily quests. These random quests can give simple tasks such as winning with a certain class or destroying a certain amount of minions and reward successful completion with a large sum of gold.
Current State: Great
In conclusion, I am having a blast playing Hearthstone. Even in the closed beta the gameplay is very smooth and animations are amazing. I’ve only encountered a bug once and even that was nominal. A tablet version is set to launch after release, meaning that my daily commute is about to become much more tolerable. I could easily see myself spending hours upon hours playing Hearthstone on my tablet during my commute or kicking back in bed.
Unfortunately it is very difficult to get into the closed beta at the moment. Keep an eye on any websites or streamers giving out invites. As always, keep an eye on OnRPG for any news on beta invites or transition into open beta.
A full review will be posted upon release of the game. This is not a game you want to miss playing!
Age of Wushu: Winter Content Announcement
After a featured pack expansion in The Legends of Mount Hua, many may think we are taking a break from filling the world of Age of Wushu with exciting content for players to experience. This Winter we are proving the Legends were just the beginning.
Winter of 2013 is on the way, prepare yourselves for the invading new additions to Age of Wushu. Coveted new Scripts to master, Instances hidden within your own School, Ultimate Power, and of course the strength of Marriage are coming soon. Find out more below:
Secret Scripts
The Sunflower Manual and Star Vortex scripts once hurled the world of Jianghu into chaos, and have arisen again to finish the job. Wushu Masters will be put to the truest of tests as they attempt to learn and try to master these treasured scripts.
School Instances
Every school has a dark side. That dark side is opening and ready to challenge you. The gates to the forbidden grounds have opened at YOUR School’s Scene. Take on these obstacles for glory, power, and a chance at something truly Ultimate…
Ultimate Scrolls
The pinnacle of your School’s teachings have revealed themselves to you at last. Do you dare for glory and lead your school to new heights with this Final Inner Skill? Slice a path through other schools on your way to domination
Marriage System
Celebrate the union of Masters on a different level, not just their combat skills. Engage in romance and announce your love for another Master with a festival filled with fireworks, dancing, and more. Invite friends to join in on the experience, but watch out for the uninvited crasher attempting to ruin your big day.
Find out more about these additions to Age of Wushu in the coming weeks as we get closer to an action packed Jianghu Winter!
Arma 3 Launches
Available in digital and physical retail stores worldwide, Bohemia Interactive is proud to announce today’s much-anticipated release of Arma 3. The brand new launch trailer introduces players to the authentic, diverse and open combat in Arma 3’s massive military sandbox.
Set on the Mediterranean islands of Altis (270 km²) and Stratis (20 km²), Arma 3 features 12 singleplayer showcases, 3 factions showcases, 9 multiplayer scenarios, 10 firing drill challenges, more than 20 vehicles and 40 weapons, 5 factions, the scenario editor and modding support. The post-launch campaign will be made available via 3 free DLC episodes after release. The complete overview of content can be found here.
“We’re incredibly proud of the release of Arma 3, as well as of the unique collaboration with the people who joined for the early-access development. We experienced some significant setbacks in the past years, but the fantastic public response to the Alpha and Beta kept us going,” said Joris-Jan van ‘t Land, Project Lead on Arma 3. “Together we’ve made a game that truly meets its potential – while establishing a platform to build upon and grow even further. Our long-term commitment to Arma 3, in combination with the creative modding community and Steam Workshop, means this is just the kick off. We thank everyone for their splendid support and welcome you all to join our journey ahead.”
People can purchase the regular Arma 3 (44.99 EUR/39.99 GBP/59.99 USD) or the Arma 3 Digital Deluxe Edition (49.99 EUR/42.99 GBP/64.99 USD) from Steam and Store.bistudio.com. A boxed version of Arma 3 is also available at many of the major retailers.
Last but not least, Arma 3 Alpha and Arma 3 Beta participants will be able to play the final game after downloading the automatic update on Steam. Visit this page for answers to some of the more frequently asked questions.
LOTRO Helm’s Deep Preview Trailer
War has come at last to Rohan and now the heroes of the Lord of the Rings Online must fortify Helms Deep to stand against Sauroman.
Eudemons Online Dawn of Romance Trailer
Love is in the air in Eudemons Online so get your shining armor out of the closest and go rescue someone special.
Granado Espada Bristia Pack Giveaway
To celebrate Granado Espada Bristia Season 2, T3Fun is giving out Golden Bristia Packs in partnership with OnRPG and MMOHuts.
Granado Espada features a unique art style based on the Baroque period of Europe, differing from the standard “sword and sorcery” fantasy themes of the genre. The Multi character control (MMC) is the most unique feature of the game, allowing players to control a party of up to three characters at a time. The approach to this style of game play makes Granado Espada feel like a hybrid MMORPG and RTS.
The Golden Bristia Pack Includes:
Gold School Look for Fighter (30 days)
Gold School Look for Musketeer (30 days)
Gold School Look for Scout (30 days)
Gold School Look for Wizard (30 days)
Gold School Look for Elementalist (30 days)
To get your key you have to follow these instructions:
- If you are not yet a member of OnRPG please sign up here.
- Enter your OnRPG username and password below to get your key.
- The key will appear at the bottom of the page. Copy & paste it to a safe place as you may not be able to retrieve it once closing your browser!
To Redeem your Key:
- Register an account and create your character for Granado Espada
- Send an email to events@t3fun.com with the following details
Subject: MMOHUT Bristia Code Giveaway
– Giveaway Code
– Account Name
– Family Name
– Server
- One gift code per account.
- User will receive the items In-game in their Inventory within 24- 48hours.
- Level up fast and get special reward when you clear each step in Road to be a Master.
Forge F2P Steam Launch Review
By Jason Harper (Hhean)
Forge is an unusual beast. When you have a game that steals gameplay elements from both the FPS and the MMORPG, the end result often births a MOBA. Instead what you get is a game that feels like the PvP battlegrounds of an MMO that doesn’t exist, or a shooter that has been brutally invaded by hotbars. It’s a curious, shambling beast that becomes more than the sum of its parts as often as falls to bits.
A match in Forge is a clash of two teams composed of a small pool of different classes (Assassin, Hunter, Pyromancer, Shaman, Warden, Ravager and Tinker). Each of these have eight activatable abilities, displayed across the screen in the same way as an MMO hotbar. This large ability selection seems unmanageable at first, and is near impossible to utilise with the game’s default key bindings. However, after rebinding the keys, and memorising which button triggers which ability, the gameplay has a good flow to it. Getting over the initial hump can be a challenge though, and you’ll frequently get rolled by opponents with a better handle on their classes than you to begin with.
Some abilities need careful aim, requiring a steady hand as you’re hurling projectiles at a mad dwarf swinging towards you. Others simply auto-attack the nearest enemy to your reticule, giving an enemy no option but to take damage. Depending on the class, a character can feel like the game is being played for them, or that the game can have some very stringent windows for what does and does not count as a hit. The former can be frustrating to play against, but is a bit dull to play. The latter can evoke either satisfaction from a clever play, or a stream of curses depending on how lenient the system is feeling, or how well your connection is holding up.
Most of the abilities a class has are what you’d expect to find in an MMO, though there’s a few fun additions that stand out. Assassins, for example, have an ability that places both them and their target in their own separate phasing of the match, creating a ghostly version of the map that plays host to their private duel. The Warden has another oddball in their arsenal; Spinning like a top in order to take flight, going where ever your point your crosshairs. There’s something truly wonderful about watching a group of archers on top of a wall suddenly finding themselves under assault from a flying whirlwind.
The game’s moment to moment play is pleasing, but it leaves no lasting impression. While you’re playing, coming up with devious ability combinations to best your opponents feels good, and is an excellent mental workout. Once you exit the game though, there’s not much to think about. There’s simply nothing outside of the game to mull over, as everything in the game is built around the here and now. I’m aware it’s an unusual thing to criticise a game when you’re not playing it, but I’ve never had a game that I’ve forgotten about as quickly as Forge. This is a game that I wound up forgetting about while being asked to write a review for it. It simply leaves no impression.
Part of the issue is that while the game has a way for each of your classes to level up, they don’t do so in a manner that feels impactful. When a character levels, you gain the ability to drop one stat (Speed, Armour or Energy) in exchange for benefiting another. You also can sometimes unlock variations on your existing abilities that change about the numbers they use under the hood (Reducing cooldown while also reducing damage, for example). This does a good job of making a new player feel like they have just as much chance of winning as a veteran, but it has absolutely no spice to it. Everything operates under the hood, so compared to something like Call of Duty’s perk system, it doesn’t feel like it’s offering a different way to play but rather a few things to fiddle with on your calculator.
Another failing of this system is it locks in any changes to your character’s stats permanently. One of the real joys of building a character in an MMO is being able to tinker with the numbers, and constantly change things around to suit your tastes. In Forge, all your decisions cannot be undone, so you have to live with any change you make, even if those decisions are made when you don’t fully understand what you want at the time.
You would think something like a relevel would be held to ransom behind a paywall, but the game’s shop currently only sells aesthetic options. This is clearly to keep things as balanced as possible, a tenet the whole game admirably attempts to stick to. The downside though is that many of these aesthetic options are just color swaps, sometimes with minor model changes or an added visual effect on top. Without much to sell, the developers made one of the most frequent mistakes made by F2P titles. To make up for their small stock they pump up the prices of their goods to try and makes a larger return on the small number of purchases they get. You can be looking at costs rivaling or exceeding that of a boxed game, with some of the extreme options being in the region of $90 for a cosmetic suit of armour. Microtransactions, these are not.
The upside of all this is that while what you can buy is exceptionally expensive, the game never pushes towards its store, and you can play the game quite happily without ever spending a dime. In fact, looking around at the people playing in the games I took part in, most of its players seem to have gone for this option. In all my time with the game, I didn’t see any skin outside of the default and the extremely cheap ‘shadow’ skins that come with the digital starter pack.
Conclusion: Good
Forge is a good way to spend an evening with some friends, but likely won’t occupy you for long. It’s a blast once you get over the initial learning curve, but you’ll likely have forgotten about it once you put it down. Worth giving a shot, but don’t expect anything remarkable.
Graphics: 4 Makes good use of the unreal engine’s graphical horsepower.
Controls: 3 Default controls are terrible, but gameplay is smooth once you rebind
Features: 2 Small pool of maps, with only three game types.
Customization: 3 Can buy a few skins. Customise a character’s stats as they level
Community: 3 Largely quiet, with some good and some bad apples
EndWar Online
Tom Clancy’s EndWar Online is a tactical strategy MMO with real time battles, headquarter and army management, and community-based wars set in a browser-based game. Players are one of the last leaders left after the WW3 fallout, and must rebuild their homeland, reunite their faction, and battle for the last of Earth’s resources by supporting either the European Enforcers or Russia’s Spetsnaz. The game will be free-to-play and feature single and multi-player challenges.
EndWar Online Announcement Trailer
Tom Clancy’s End War Online is a Tactical & Strategic MMO that offers next stage browser technology, delivering an unrivaled gameplay experience. Lead a faction in the fight for control over what is left of the world’s resources.

















