Rainbow Six Siege gives the spotlight to its destructible environments in their latest dev diary.
Yearly Archives: 2015
Heroes of the Storm – Life is Hard Promo
Heroes of the Storm features Ryon and Felicia Day, two active streamers of the game, coming together to play the revolutionary 2 player champion, Cho’Gall.
Age of Wushu Dynasty Review: Mastering the Art of Mobile Ports
By: Ojogo
There is something that must be said for mobile ports of existing MMOS and well, it usually isn’t good things. It’s already expected that ports would often suck, and more often than not, be seen as a game dev company beating a dead horse.
However, there are some exceptions where the game devs would add a bit more something to said port. Making the port sometimes a better version of the original. Such is the case with Age of Wushu Dynasty.
Overview
Age of Wushu Dynasty, is the mobile port of Snail Games’ PC sandbox Wuxia MMORPG, Age of Wushu. It brings everything that was good with Age of Wushu and streamlined it for the mobile platform. We were given a chance to play around with the game on its first beta test and I must say I am really impressed with what Snail Games did.
First off, they cut down the schools you can join in the game. The original eight have been cut down to four. Expectedly, the character customization is also removed and you are just given a generic face for your character with a switch between genders on some classes and a choice between body build for all schools.
The game retains the skills-based character growth system. But Dynasty goes back to a normal MMO leveling system. The game’s skill system is still surprisingly robust and really hails back to what made Age of Wushu’s rock paper scissors combat so engaging.
The game also retains its oriental theme down to a T. Though it’s still a toss-up sometimes if it’s good or not since there will be moments that you will get sick and tired of seeing the same lily pad pond as you progress through the game.
The game focuses more on social interaction with an easier and streamlined way of interacting with people, creation of teams, building of guilds and even PvPing.
Furthermore, Dynasty, just like other titles out now, allows automation of attacks, quest paths and even NPC interaction with just a tap of the screen. You will mostly be whisked away to areas without thinking, though players turned off by the concept can always manually travel where they want to go.
Critique
There are a few glaring problems that Dynasty has. First would be the default camera angle and the lack of any option to switch its angle as you travel through the world of Jianghu. Since the game is Oriental in nature, it should be expected that Chinese-themed structures tend to be a bit obstructive for just one angle. I really wished that they added that camera option to make those awkward travels and battles under the bloom tree arc and pagodas a bit easier to handle.
Another problem with the camera angle is more a predicted issue of what will happen when the game servers are opened to a worldwide audience. I am already expecting a really packed map. I mean sure you can switch channels if things get a bit too packed, but if the game really takes off you will be faced with a screen with tons of players logged in all at the same time, often blocking vision of paths or npcs you need to get through on smaller screens.
Another thing of note is the sometimes disjointed way the in-game text is made. I mean, it should be expected for Snail Games, but I really wish they could’ve done a bit better in this department. Dynasty brings a bit more to the storytelling experience with the cut-scenes and overall intrigue filled plot compared to the sandbox style original. However, the experience and feel is mangled by the disjointed text.
Beautiful Game
On the flipside however, Dynasty is truly a gorgeous game to play. The oriental theme, the clothes design, the Chinese inspired character and enemy mob design really pops out of the screen. The skills and those special attacks really look explosive, and there will be times it feels like you’re watching an Anime, or even watching a game version of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Character movements are elegant and I really like how the moves are consistent to real world or fictional martial-arts moves. Combos chain together smoothly as well, with jerky transitions between skills being a rare sight. The aerial attacks and moves remind you of old-school martial arts films sans the hammy acting.
Robust Skills System
I know that I have been repeating myself in this review about how robust the skill system is. And truth be told, while it’s not really new to the Age of Wushu experience, it’s still hands-down better than what mobile MMORPGs are expected to offer in the current market. No one will question that a large amount of the design team’s energy was spent on perfecting this part of the game.
The game, which promotes you to focus on your chosen school skills, still allows you to dabble in other school’s skills and abilities. It just depends on what you want to do with your character and how cool you’d want to make them look. This decision is key in PvP but giving players the option to acquire trump card skills that their enemy won’t be expecting, while differentiating player builds at end-game.
Conclusion: Great
Overall, my experience with Dynasty is really exemplary. For a port, it’s really well made and I love that Snail Games was not afraid to cut things from the source material to make the game a stand-alone title. I also like that Dynasty was made so that it’s accessible to anyone without needing any prior Age of Wushu experience.
Age of Wushu Dynasty, is definitely one of those mobile titles that you can really look forward to especially if you think the current mobile MMO stock fails to impress you one bit. It’s easily accessible, easy to play and has a lot of replayability with the tons of features that opens up as you continue leveling up. If you have something to look forward to playing in the mobile platform, this game would be it.
The game is now in its second beta phase with a planned full release scheduled for sometime in January 2016.
Aurelius Update Enters The World of Albion Online
Sandbox Interactive, the developer of cross-platform sandbox MMORPG Albion Online, today announced that after a successful Closed Beta start two weeks ago they have now launched the first major content update, ‘Aurelius’. Thanks to player feedback, the ‘Aurelius’ update brings not only new PvE content and additional interface features but numerous quality improvements as well to improve the game experience in Albion Online.
The Aurelius update expands the PvE content by adding three new Keeper-themed dungeons types, spread in 23 variations throughout the Albion world. Players will face three new lethal bosses with another three new mob types available for those wanting for more. The combat also becomes more entertaining with 10 additional new spells and abilities spread across different weapons, granting more tactical variety.
Next to PvE content, the update delivers some eagerly awaited Quality of Life improvements, including the much requested option to use different chat channels, the ability to force the character to move to a certain location by right-clicking and preventing the character from accidentally harvesting or looting in combat. Also, players can now see whether they are in combat by looking at the character portrait, as well as receive better visibility once spells become ready again.
Warhammer 40,000: Dark Nexus Arena Early Access Launch Trailer
Warhammer 40,000: Dark Nexus Arena launches its Early Access today on Steam, complete with a new trailer.
Grand Fantasia Mechanic Update Preview Trailer
Grand Fantasia is actually getting an update, including a new Mechanic class, 4 new maps, and more!
First Assault Announces Early Access Program
Nexon America and Neople today announced an Early Access program for their first-person shooter Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – First Assault Online (First Assault) will begin Monday, Dec. 14 on Steam and the Nexon Launcher. Players will get to dive beyond humanity as they upgrade and augment themselves into walking weapons in this gripping tactical shooter, where coordinating calculated attacks, hacking enemy weaponry and utilizing SkillSync to share cyberskills holds the key to success. For the chance to be a part of the Early Access program or later beta tests, players can sign up at www.FirstAssaultGame.com. Or, for immediate access when the game goes live next week, Nexon America is now offering a selection of Early Access Packs for purchase, which include exclusive in-game content.
Neople is looking to fans who join the beta at this phase to test content and help shape the game. The development team will make themselves available to players throughout the Early Access program, and will leverage community feedback and suggestions as First Assault evolves.
“First Assault is truly a passion project for us at Neople – so many of our team are fans of ‘The Ghost in the Shell’ franchise, and we’ve wanted to create a game like this for some time,” said Jung Eik Choi, lead director, Neople. “We want First Assault to appeal to longtime fans of the Stand Alone Complex anime as much as to FPS fans looking for a new sci-fi game experience, and we’re working hard to develop elements to engage both audiences.”
In First Assault, players will join Section 9, an elite force of cybernetically enhanced combat operatives responsible for protecting society and fighting cyber terrorists on the neon-drenched streets of a futuristic Japan. Licensed from “Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex”, the critically acclaimed series based on Shirow Masamune’s original comic “The Ghost in the Shell”©, one of the core originators of the Cyberpunk genre, First Assault takes place in a world in which society has embraced new technology, leaving themselves vulnerable to malicious super-hackers.
Players who join the Early Access program for First Assault can fight as one of several distinctive operatives, each with a unique cyberskill ranging from heat-seeking drones and deployable turrets, to therm-optic camouflage and infra-red vision. Fans of “The Ghost in the Shell” franchise will recognize characters from the Stand Alone Complex anime, including Major Motoko Kusanagi, Batou and Togusa, all playable in the game. Players can share their unique cyberskill technologies with fellow Section 9 operatives, systematically deploying crippling strikes that evolve the tactical shooter experience.
The Early Access Packs for First Assault provide players immediate access to the game on or after Dec. 14, through a variety of options containing exclusive content, including:
- Recruit Early Access Pack – $4.99
Provides beta access and exclusive MP-V5A Rare Tachikoma Weapon Skin. Available on Steam and the Nexon Launcher. (Value: $5.99)
- Operative Early Access Pack – $9.99
Provides same content as Recruit pack, plus exclusive M4A1 Rare Tachikoma Weapon Skin and 2 100,000GP coupons* (in-game currency). Available exclusively on Steam. (Value: $19.99)
- Specialist Early Access Pack – $14.99
Provides same content as Operative pack, plus 1 character unlock coupon and exclusive L118A-S1B Rare Tachikoma Weapon Skin. Available exclusively on Steam. (Value: $35.98)
- Elite Early Access Pack – $29.99
Provides same content as Specialist pack, plus 1 character unlock coupon (total of 2), exclusive Motoko Rare Character Skin and 2 500,000GP coupons* (800,000 more than Operative and Specialist packs). Available on Steam and the Nexon Launcher. (Value: $83.94)
*One GP coupon will be available upon purchase, and the second GP coupon will be added to your account at Open Beta.
For additional details about the First Assault please visit www.FirstAssaultGame.com or Wish List the game on Steam at http://store.steampowered.com/app/369200/.
TERA Brawler Update Dragonette Pet Pack Giveaway
OnRPG has partnered with En Masse Entertainment to celebrate this week’s release of the Brawler in TERA by giving out a free 7 day Dragonette Pet!
The Brawler is the latest race/gender exclusive extended class to be introduced to TERA, bringing a new aggressive route to the ever needed tanking role. Smash through hordes of enemies in a fury as your rage pulls you through impossible situations, and your combos keep your enemies off guard long enough for your team to bring down the baddest of BAMs.
• Pet: Dragonette (7 days) – This little firestarter may be too hot to handle but will still warm your heart. Equipped with the auto-loot function.
To Redeem your Key:
- Go to https://account.enmasse.com and create a new En Masse account or log into an existing one.
- Click the “Redeem Code” button from the “Account Overview” page.
- Enter your code and hit “Submit”.
- Launch TERA and log in. If you haven’t installed TERA, download it from: http://tera.enmasse.com/download.
- Claim your items from your in-game Item Claim.
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Total War: ARENA Vercingetorix Reveal
Total War: ARENA reveals its newest commander, Vercingetorix, the Gaul leader who dared defy Caesar.
Ace of Arenas Hiro Champion Spotlight
Ace of Arenas puts the spotlight this week on the mysterious robot Hiro, Traveler of Worlds.









