Neverland Online Review: An Undercover MMO
By Kei Beneza (dividelife), OnRPG Journalist
Browser based games are definitely taking it to the next level. From text-based adventures, to interactive Diner Dash remakes, the line between application games and browser based ones is starting to vanish. Neverland Online is perhaps the most impressive Browser based MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) I’ve ever seen. Maybe cause’ it plays exactly like an actual application game which used to be an unreachable goal for last gen’s browser games. Much like your average MMO, you log in, take quests, adventure and meet people in a persistent fantasy world. Believe me when I say that I have never seen anything like this in my mundane life. What we have right here serves as a fine example of what browser based games may achieve in the future. Not convinced? Let’s dive in and see! OFF TO NEVERLAND!
Starting Up
Like most MMORPGs, the game lets you pick between a series of archetype character classes whom you will groom through the game. One factor that is absolutely terrific is that the game gives you a nice selection to choose from. They don’t really play differently since the game is turnbased, but they do give different effects and have different ways of strengthening up as they level further.
Character classes: Warrior, Mage, Assassin, Priest
Character class selection
Funny enough, for a game that features archetypes, the class’ roles are divided like your average Final Fantasy game. This means that regardless of what your character’s class is, everyone is still his or her own tank. You’re able to fix your character’s build to ensure his survival rate, not the rest of your team’s (unless you’re a healer of course).
Definitely an MMO Undercover
Yes, the game has almost every MMO feature except for combat, giving you a very awesome persistent theme through its browser based goodness. You can form parties, use items, and even level up as you play further. Another MMO-ish feature found in this game is the ever-enjoyable quest system. Much like your average everyday quests, you’ll be asked to perform a series of tasks from which you will benefit after fulfilling their conditions. There are tons of quests in the game so do watch out for them. Quests are presented by NPCs who have scrolls over their heads. Quests really pay well and give a gratuitous amount of money and experience, so it’d be wise not to skip them during your early levels.
The quest system
Stats?!
Stats used to be the traditional way of character customization. Quite enjoyable but it does push players into creating a stereotypical build for each archetype. The stats system isn’t really that good here, especially since messing with the stats like giving mages some strength wont really give them an advantage in any way. The stats system is useless, basically just a feature that lets the game show people how big of a noob they are for not picking the right stat, making them redo the whole thing after realizing that they actually needed Vitality and Strength instead of Agility and Intelligence. It would have been a lot easier if the game just removed the whole stat thing since everyone’s bound to have the same character in the end.
Combat
Combat is entirely turn based. Upon picking your skills and placing them on your hotkey bar (yes, the game has this), you’ll be pressing the attack or command then picking your target once you take the initiative. Pretty basic really, much like single player RPGs. The only difference is that you’re bound to get annoyed when people take 30 seconds to decide what to press or attack.
The aesthetic atmosphere of Neverland
Raids
Perhaps the most unique feature found in a browser game. Aside from partying up, you can form a raid group with people to take on harderencounters, and of course, find the rare loot. A very awesome feature in my opinion since never before have we seen a browser game that uses such interactive mechanics. This game is definitely on the right track. It’s not at all special in the application MMO world, but probably a god in its respective genre.
The Graphics and Sounds
It’s the best among its kind! Need I say more? FINE! From the looks of things, Neverland online uses a HUGE jpeg image that players scroll over. The game runs on an isometric birds eye view so it’s like Ragnarok Online only the camera cannot be adjusted left or right. The interface is presented exquisitely and the aesthetics are themed just right, allowing them to blend naturally as an application game’s elements would (it actually looks better than some). Areas are separated into zones, kind of like how a single player RPG screen tends to turn black when you go a certain part of the map to reveal the next area. Loading the map may take some time for slow internet connections, leaving you a big pile of pixilated colors until the stage fully loads up. The character detail is pretty cool as well, almost as if it was taken right out of a Playstation 1 RPG. There are no ways to customize your character’s looks unfortunately, but the main thought that they managed to come up with a browser game that can play like any other application game is quite superb.
Big pile of colors and text
The game does have a series of BGMs but vanishes after a certain period of time. In my opinion, this is the only thing the game has to improve to further reach its perfect state.
The Verdict
A browser game that has persistent elements? Partying up? Raiding? What more could a browser gamer ask for? Here you have a game that doesn’t require any installation whatsoever. I would definitely be surprised if another browser based game comes up and beats this one, cause’ Neverland Online is just GOD right now.
The good:
– It’s an MMO locked inside a browser game, almost hard to believe
– Awesome graphics
– Character classes
– Party up with friends and take on massive challenges
– Questing is great
The bad:
– Lack of sounds
– Pixelated bgs when loading (they could’ve just added it on the loading screen)
– Stats <__<
– Technical factor I suppose.
