General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


Ooma Announces Wireless Adapter for Low-Cost VoIP Service

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 05:13 PM PDT

telo

We took a look at the Ooma Telo recently, and found that this almost free VoIP service was a great solution for penny pinchers. Ooma's Telo bay station connects to your home network and offers nearly unlimited calls, and all you have to pay is a few bucks in taxes. Today, Ooma has announced the system is getting a refresh with a new wireless adapter and free Bluetooth capability.

Ooma previously required a direct ethernet connection to operate, though the handset itself was cordless. This was our primary gripe with the device; the wired set up was a bit of a pain. With the new wireless adapter, the Telo bay station can go anywhere in the house. The adapter supports 802.11n, so you won't need to dumb down your network.

Ooma is also set to make the Bluetooth service a standard feature. Users previously had to pay for the premium $10 per month service to make use of this. The new Ooma wireless adapter and Bluetooth adapter will be available soon at a plethora of online retailers. They will sell for $49.99 and $29.99 respectively. Intrigued? We've got a review unit for the wireless adapter, so expect a review next week.

Apple Files New Suit Against Samsung in UK

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 03:18 PM PDT

ipadtabThe Apple legal onslaught continues as the iPad maker files suit against Samsung in the UK. The case was brought before the High Court on Monday. Apple claims its case is a counter-claim to a Samsung case originally filed back in June, but no details on that case are known. This move bring the total number of patent cases between the two tech firms to about 20 worldwide.

Apple holds that Samsung tablets and smartphone devices infringe on Apple patents and trade dress (i.e. physical appearance). In a case that is playing out in Germany, Apple has won a partial ban on the Samsung Galaxy tab 10.1, and a Dutch decision is forcing Samsung to make a change to its phone software. 

The UK is one of Europe's largest tech markets, so a ban on Samsung devices there could be troublesome. Do you think Apple will secure an injunction against Samsung products in the UK?

YouTube Gets New Video Editor

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 02:59 PM PDT

editGoogle has added a new feature to YouTube that will hopefully make the viewing experience better for all of us. Users will now have access to a handy web-based video editor when uploading clips. This isn't a serious product for splicing together clips, like the one in Google Labs, but it provides the essentials. Users can adjust video properties, audio, and add effects in just a few clicks.

The interface is tabbed with a section for Quick Fixes that allow users to pump up the brightness or contrast to make a video more watchable. This is also where uploaders can apply image stabilization. The Effects tab is (shudder) a little bit like Instagram for videos. The Audio tab exposes a feature that has existed for a while now. Users can swap out the audio with one of Google's licensed tracks. 

All the changes preserve the original upload as a backup. So if a user changes his or her mind later, they can go back to the original and start over. URLs and view counts will be preserved for videos under 1000 hits, but after that any changes made will require the video to be posted as a new entry. The new features should be live for everyone soon.

Facebook IPO Delayed Until Late 2012

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 02:42 PM PDT

fbInvestors have been chomping at the bit for months in anticipation of getting a piece of that sweet, sweet Facebook stock. But the Financial Times is reporting that Zuckerberg and company have pushed the expected IPO back until late 2012 at the earliest. The upshot, you have more time to save your pennies in hopes of buying a share.

Facebook is just one of several companies like Groupon that have ended up delaying IPOs in the wake of market volatility. Facebook has not filed any papers, or even officially announced its plans for a public offering, but multiple sources have confirmed the deal is in the works. We last heard April 2012 as the deadline for the filing, but a late 2011 date was also on the table. As such, the late 2012 change is a significant one.

This isn't just a bummer for investors, but also for Facebook employees that would like to realize some value in their stock options. In general, employees have very few opportunities to sell off stock before an IPO. Do you think Facebook is playing the long game, or are there issues behind the scenes?

BUILD Conference: What We Know Now About Windows 8

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 11:11 AM PDT

We share our updated impressions of Windows 8 from Microsoft's BUILD Conference

Day one of Microsoft's BUILD Developer conference is over. Conference attendees have received their Samsung Developer Tablets, and information overload has set in. Though this event is specifically targeted at developers, there is a wealth of information for the consumer to digest. Let's look at some of the key features we learned about today, as well as some that we've received more detail into.

Metro Apps

The number one difference you will see in Windows 8 is all about Metro Apps. If you've been following the evolution of Windows Phone 7 you won't need much of an introduction to the Metro design language. Essentially the idea stems from Microsoft attempting to create consistent interface elements and controls across all of their platforms (Windows, Xbox, and Windows Phone). The implementation of Metro Apps in Windows 8 certainly takes some cues from Windows Phone, but there are a number of new tricks in the Windows 8 bag. It is important to note that Windows 8 is not limited to Metro Apps, and many of the rules and new functionalities may not apply to classic Windows Applications running in the traditional Windows UI.

Live Tiles are extremely similar to the implementation in Windows Phone 7. For the uninitiated, Live Tiles are somewhere between static icons and widgets. These square or rectangular buttons can contain live data updated from whichever service or application they reference, providing at-a-glance updates for weather, sports scores, or stock prices without even entering the application.

Multitasking with Metro Apps is going to take some getting used to for Windows Power Users. Generally, Metro Apps are intended to run in full-screen mode, with minimal buttons or scrollbars (also known as chrome). Users can easily cycle between their open Metro Apps by swiping a finger from the left border of the screen towards the middle. If instead of swiping all the way to the center of the screen you stop short on the left side, you will be given the option to 'dock' the app to the side of the window, giving you access to two applications at once.

HTML5 support is on full display here at BUILD. The classic web languages of HTML and JavaScript are now full members of the Windows developer toolset. Metro Apps can be designed and built entirely using standard web technologies familiar to the multitude of web developers in the world.

Lock Screen

If you were concerned that Microsoft would lack attention to detail in Windows 8, look no further than the lock screen. The locked view is of a full-screen image of your choosing with 'Glyphs' that provide you with connection status and message count information. The UI to actually unlock your screen supports standard passwords and pins, as well as a sweet pattern-based system that allows you to use gestures against a picture. Demos of the lock screen included tapping on parts of the screen and tracing others. Very cool stuff, and very personal, which is one of Microsoft's mantras with Windows 8.

Start Screen

The Start Screen in Windows 8 isn't entirely new, as Microsoft has demonstrated it briefly over the last few months, but there were some additional features and functionalities demonstrated throughout the day. Unlike Windows Phone 7 Live Tiles can be grouped logically, providing an easy method to organize and prioritize your applications. Whole groups can be easily rearranged, increasing usability. One brilliant scenario was demonstrated, where the presenter used one finger to 'grab' a group of apps, and with another finger scrolled through to the opposite end of the Start Screen, where the application group was dropped into place.

Charms

More of a critical piece of the user interface than a real feature, 'Charms' are hidden on the right side of the Windows 8 Metro interface. Swiping from right to left on the extreme right border of the screen will activate the Charms menu, providing you access to Search, Share, Start, Devices, and Settings. Don't think of these as simple shortcuts, as that is most certainly selling them short. The Start Charm simply returns you to the Start Screen, and we haven't seen the Devices Charm demonstrated yet, but the others provide some nifty functionality that is worth mentioning.

Search integrates deeply into Windows 8, and this post will not be able to cover the scope of this feature. Tapping the Search Charm will allow you to search both the device and the web in a single UI. Additionally, Metro Apps that have made their content available to the search function will show up in a list on the right side of the screen. Selecting one of these search-aware applications will focus the search to the confines of that individual application. This provides a consistent and simple method of finding content wherever it may be located.

Sharing is another integral part of the Windows 8 system. In the past individual applications required code to integrate with each service they wanted to connect with, a notion that is rendered obsolete in Windows 8 Metro Apps. Applications can register to either share content from the app or to accept content from another app to share with a service. Choosing the Share Charm from within an imaging application could give you access to photo sharing or social media apps which would allow you to easily post the content to the associated service.

Settings would seem like an area that didn't need a lot of work, but Microsoft has 'reimagined' (a competitive square in buzzword bingo) the way Settings work and integrate into individual apps. Clicking the Settings Charm while in a video player will launch a context sensitive settings bar on the right side of the screen. Application specific settings will be listed at the top of the screen, while applicable system-wide settings will be listed at the bottom. This method again stresses Microsoft's endeavor to create a consistent experience throughout the OS.

File Explorer

Metro Apps will make use of a new File Explorer which provides access to locally stored media and files, or files accessible on network shares or the HomeGroup. Microsoft also provides an avenue for services to deeply integrate into File Explorer, allowing you to browse pictures from your Facebook or Flickr account using the same UI you would use to browse your local hard drive.

Live Integration

Combining services into the File Explorer are just one of the functions provided by Windows 8's integration with Windows Live. System settings, application preferences, and authenticated services are just a few of the items that can be automatically synchronized and configured on any machine you log into using your Windows Live ID. Windows Phone 7 users will be happy to hear that this also integrates fluidly with similar functionality on their mobile devices. If that weren't enough, Windows Live allows for you to synchronize files to your SkyDrive, and will even allow you to remotely view files stored on your home or office PC.

System Reset

If you've ever experienced assisting a friend or family member restore their machine to working condition you will appreciate the built-in ability to reset Windows 8 PC's to the default build state, either preserving the user's files and settings or completely resetting everything.

Windows Store

Like it or not, the centralized Windows Store for software is here. The Windows Store is the clearinghouse for Metro Apps, but classic Windows software will also be available through the store. Metro Apps submitted to the Windows Store will go through a series of tests to verify stability and security, as well as making sure that the application developer isn't attempting to do something malicious to your machine.

Sensors and Connectivity
(NFC, GPS, 3G, Sensitivity to Metered Data)

Windows 8 natively supports GPS and Accelerometers, sensors commonly found in smart phones and tablets. NFC (Near Field Communication) support is also baked in, providing capabilities that combine features of Bluetooth, RFID, and Bar Codes. Cellular Data connections over 3G are also native to Windows 8, giving you more control over how the PC should act differently over a metered data connection (not looking for software updates for example).

Performance

A baseline Windows 8 install uses less memory and runs fewer processes than a comparable Windows 7 SP1 machine, but a smaller footprint is just one of the ways Microsoft is looking for performance enhancements in Windows 8. Microsoft had previously demonstrated improved boot times with Windows 8, though we're taking those with a grain of salt until we can test it ourselves. UEFI support is on full display, and promises to speed up boot times and provide enhanced security against pre-boot malware.

Conclusion

We're fairly certain we haven't done justice to the amount of information that was dumped on conference attendees today, and Microsoft isn't done yet. Be aware that all of the demos are on Developer Preview builds of Windows 8, meaning we're a long way from a final product.

Are there any features or changes that you've been waiting for? Has Windows 8 met your expectations so far? What would you like to see tweaked before the final release? Let us know in the comments.

Blue Screen of Death Lives On in Windows 8

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 11:04 AM PDT

Good news for the haters, when Microsoft said it reimagined Windows, it also reimagined what the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) should look like, which means Windows 8 isn't immune to crashing. If you think about it, it's kind of comforting in a way. After all, what would Windows be without a BSoD revealing what went wrong? You could answer "Linux," or even "Mac OS X" if you're trying to start a flame war, but we won't go there.

As much as we all hate getting a BSoD, they're actually pretty helpful if you know how to decipher them. They're also a little intimidating, despite the use of the color blue, which studies show have a relaxing effect on people. It appears Microsoft wants them to be even less frightening in Windows 8.

Pocket-Lint.com posted a screenshot of what it says is the new BSoD for Windows 8. There's a giant frownie face emoticon in the upper left, followed a message that reads: "Your PC ran into a problem that it couldn't handle, and now it needs to restart."

The type of error is displayed -- for example, SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION -- followed by a countdown clock, at the end of which Windows 8 will restart.

What do you think of the new BSoD? Do you find it to be better or worse than previous versions, or are you indifferent?

Image Credit: pocket-lint.com

Intel Shows Off A Windows 7 Computer With A Thunderbolt Port

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 11:01 AM PDT

In case you haven't noticed, Gordon's been updating the Maximum PC Twitter feed with timely bursts of insight from the ongoing Intel Developer Forum. If you didn't notice, shame on you! You've been missing out on all kinds of info, like the fact that Intel dsiplayed nifty things like an Ultrabook running Windows 8, Ivy Bridge tidbits and next-gen Haswell and Atom news. Something else you missed: the announcement that next year, the super-speedy Thunderbolt connection is coming to the PC.

Thunderbolt ports are capable of 10Gbps transfer speeds over two channels; in contrast, the new USB 3.0 standard only pushes 5Gbps. Up until now, Thunderbolt ports have only been available on Apple computers because the boys and girls in Cupertino co-developed the standard alongside Intel.

At IDF, Mooly Eden, the VP of the PC Client Group, showed off a Haswell-based Windows 7-running laptop that was sporting the taboo-until-now Thunderbolt port. Not to beat a dead horse, but if you were paying attention the Maximum PC Twitter feed you'd already know that Acer and Asus are set to deliver systems with the new interface beginning in 2012. No exact dates were disclosed, though. Intel – what a tease!

10 Game Changing Dual GPUs

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 10:47 AM PDT

Let's face it: like any major computer component, tracking the evolution of GPUs can be daunting, eye-opening, and cathartic all at the same time. I mean, take a look back at the ATI's Rage Fury Maxx that sported a whooping 32MB of SDRAM, and that was only a few short years ago. But dual-GPU's--really the whole concept of cramming two full sized cards into one mega monster that still only needs a single PCI-e slot to sit comfortably--has always intrigued us.

So we decided to take a short trip back in time, and look at all the uber-beast graphical powerhouses that brought us where we are today. Enjoy!

IDC: Tablet Shipments Up Three-Fold Since Last Year

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 10:41 AM PDT

The Earth isn't flat (Flat Eath Society begs to differ), and neither are tablet or eReader shipments. On the contrary, these devices are flying off the shelves all around the globe. The folks over at International Data Corporation (IDC) did some number crunching and determined that media tablet shipments jumped nearly 89 percent on a sequential basis, and a mind boggling 303.8 percent year-over-year in the second quarter of 2011.

"Media tablet shipments grew at a solid pace in the second quarter, led by continued strong demand for Apple products," said Tom Mainelli, research director, Mobile Connected Devices. "We expect shipment totals to continue to grow in the third and fourt quarter, as additional vendors introduce more price-competitive Android products into the market and Apple works to maintain its dominance in the category."

IDC says Apple shipped 9.3 million iPad 2 devices in the second quarter, which accounts for 68.3 percent of the global tablet market. RIM's PlayBook clutched to a 4.9 percent share, while Android tablets collectively tripped up from 34 percent in the previous quarter to 26.8 percent in Q2.

The numbers weren't quite as robust for eReader shipments, which experienced a seasonal dip in the second quarter and dropped 9 percent to 5.4 million units. However, eReader shipments skyrocketed 167 percent year-over-year, with Amazon leading the way with a 51.7 percent share of the eBook reader market. Barnes & Noble, meanwhile, took a 21.2 percent share.

These are all big numbers, but does it mean we're officially in the post PC era? We'll let our own Gordon Mah Ung answer that one.

DisplayLink Unveils World's First USB 3.0 To HDMI Adapter

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 10:36 AM PDT

It's not all quad cores and Sandy Bridges at the Intel Developer Forum this year; DisplayLink brought a touch of home theater to the party with the announcement of the world's first USB-to-HDMI adapter that taps into the raw speed of SuperSpeed USB 3.0 connections. It's built around the company's DL-3500 chip, sports the creative name "Winstars SuperSpeed USB 3.0 to HDMI adapter," and (probably) spells an end to the jaggies you see when streaming PC video to your television.

DisplayLink's press release divulges all the dirty details: "The DisplayLink DL-3500 chip gives the Winstars USB 3.0 to HDMI adapter the ability to use an HDTV monitor in either mirror mode or extended mode, at resolutions up to 2560 x 1600, with ultra-low latency, smooth window and cursor movement, and full support for full-screen 3D games and video playback. It also features 2.1/5.1 channel audio and auto-sensing hot plug support."

Well, that about explains it. DisplayLink says the adapter's going to be ready to roll with USB 3.0-packin' Intel CPUs later this year (that's probably how they snuck this into IDF). They didn't mention any pricing or date specifics.

Pssst... that's an old USB 2.0 model in the pic.

MMO News

MMO News


Perfect World

Posted: 10 Jan 2009 08:01 PM PST

Perfect World is a 3D Fantasy MMORPG set in a gorgeously designed world. The game offers both level and skill-based progression as well as an incredibly innovative character creation system with near limitless customization options. The game offers an excellent variety of playable classes and races and is easily one of the most in depth fantasy MMORPGs out there.

perfect-world-emerald-beetle.jpg

Publisher: Perfect World Entertainment
Playerbase: High
Graphics: Medium Quality
Type: MMORPG
EXP Rate: Low
PvP: Open PvP / Realm Wars [Guild Vs Guild]
Filesize: 2400MB

Pros: +Plenty of playable races and classes. +The most in-depth character creation system of any MMORPG. +Varied mounts including flying mounts. +Plenty of GM Events. +Great musical score. +Regularly updated.

Cons: -Dull combat. -Uninspiring quests. -Slow-paced gameplay. -Interface could better.

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Overview

Perfect World Overview

Perfect World is a 3D Fantasy MMORPG Set in a gorgeously designed fantasy world. Create your character using the game’s innovative character creation system and explore this lush fantasy world. Perfect World has numerous playable races and two unique classes for each race, for a total of eight playable classes.  The three races are Humans, Winged Elves, Untamed, and Tideborn. With the game’s large selection of playable races and classes, Perfect World is easily one of the most in-depth free to play MMORPGs available. The game’s playable classes are:

Archer – Archers are capable of dealing physical damage to their opponents from a safe distance. They have extremely high accuracy and critical hit chance, but low hit points and limited melee capabilities.

Assassin – Assassins are fragile but deadly. They specialize in dealing large amounts of damage to their opponents as quickly as possible. They have some of the highest DPS (Damage per second) in the game and access to powerful DoT attacks. Their weaknesses include very low hit points and weak physical defense.

Barbarian – Barbarians are powerful tanks that excel in absorbing damage. They are great front line fighters and can transform into tigers to increase increase their movement speed. They have very high hit points, high physical defense and powerful AOE skills. Their weaknesses include low accuracy and weak magical defense.

Blademaster – Blademasters are powerful melee characters with access to a wide variety of skills, making them one of the most varied classes in Perfect World. They have numerous stun skills and powerful AOE attacks, but low magic defense and limited single target damage output.

Cleric – Clerics have access to wide variety of healing and supportive skills making them extremely valuable in groups. They have powerful healing spells and access to some decent offensive magic, but the are fairly weak in PvP and cannot deal as much damage as some of the other classes.

Psychic – Psychics are an interesting utility class in Perfect World, as their spells largely revolve around buffs, defbuffs and hexes. They do have access to some offensive magic, but cannot deal nearly as much damage as wizards.

Venomancer - Venomancers are a unique type of caster class with pet taming abilities. They have access to offensive poison spells and debuffs. They are easily the best soloing class in the game because of their pets, but like other casters, they have low hit points.

Wizard - Wizards are the primary offensive spell casting class in Perfect World. They are capable of dealing the most damage in the game and have access to powerful AoE spells, but have very low hitpoints and slow movement speed.

Mystic – A hybrid offensive and defensive magic user. Mystics have access to some powerful direct damage spells but also useful heal over time spells. They can summon pets to fight along side themselves as well.

Seeker – A powerful melee oriented class which wields a large two handed blade. They have access to numerous nature spells and can cast some offensive magic.

Perfect World Screenshots

Perfect World Featured Video

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Full Review

Perfect World Full Review

By, Omer Altay

Perfect World is a 3D Fantasy MMORPG that was first released in China back in July 2005. The game was later licensed to the Malaysian MMORPG publisher Cubizone, and was eventually released internationally as “Perfect World International” in September 2008 on the Perfect World Entertainment English portal.  The game was If you've played the game before on the Malaysian servers and liked it I strongly recommend you give it a go on the official International edition, as the game runs a lot smoother and has much better English translations.  The good thing is that even though Perfect World borrows a lot of the generic MMORPG elements from other games, it does a phenomenal job of combining these elements to create an enjoyable gaming experience.

Character Creation… Wow!
The single most notable feature in Perfect World is character creation. The game allows you to customize just about every aspect of your character, from the position of your character’s smile to the size of the ears. Unlike other MMORPGs that don't spend any effort on their character creation pages, players can easily spend hours playing with all the options in Perfect World's character creation screen. Given enough time I'm confident that players can model their characters to look almost exactly like themselves.  If you're like me and you're tired of your character looking like a carbon copy of everyone else, you'll definitely appreciate Perfect World's character creation. Even though character creation doesn't directly affect gameplay, I see no reason why other game developers can't put the same effort into character creation that Perfect World did.  I'm convinced that no amount of words can truly explain the possibilities in Perfect World's character creation, so I'll let this image sum it up for me.

perfect-world-pink-head.jpg

I mean come on! What other MMORPG lets you make your character look that… unique! I tried to make my character look as silly as possible to demonstrate the possibilities of Perfect World's character creation. I'm sure if you try hard enough you can model your character after some well-known celebrities, so don't be surprised if you see a character looking like George Bush or the RPG protagonist Cloud Strife walking around. The sky is truly the limit here.

Wow… This world really is perfect.
Every aspect of Perfect World's presentation is top notch. Graphics, character models, and spell effects are all impressive, and some of the best visuals I've seen in an MMORPG. If you're like me and appreciate good graphics, you'll fall in love with Perfect World's visuals. I actually sat down and grabbed a few screenshots of a few gorgeous scenes I found in the game and just stared at them for a while.  Everything from game's trees to waterfalls are just so incredibly polished and pleasant to look at.  I feel there is one thing that I should warn you about before you actually log in to Perfect World. For some reason, your character can jump incredibly high in this game, and by incredibly high I mean absurdly high. So if you see players jumping on top of castles and buildings, it's not a glitch, just an incredibly awkward double jumping system.

On With the Gameplay!
The most important aspect of any game is its gameplay.  Perfect World doesn't shine quite as bright in this department as it does in graphics and presentation, but the gameplay is still enjoyable. Combat feels a bit dull and leveling is incredibly slow. Unlike most MMORPGs, leveling through grinding is almost impossible. One thing I really like in Perfect World is that the game rewards questing significantly more than it does grinding. I'm tired of having to commit genocide against the entire ogre or badger race just to level up, so I'm glad that Perfect World encourages questing as much as it does. The single biggest problem I have with Perfect World is that quest dialogue and descriptions aren't as detailed as newer MMORPGs like Runes of Magic and Atlantica Online. You'll often grab a handful of quests in town and when you look back in your quest log, the quest descriptions won't tell you what the heck to do.  Perhaps I'm a bit spoiled after playing Runes of Magic, but I don't see why the game can't point you in the right direction for finding quest NPCs and monsters. The game does help you turn in completed quests by marking NPCs on the map, which is definitely a convenient feature. Leveling up in Perfect World is fairly generic – players are awarded five attribute points each level and new skills are unlocked through a skill tree system which have to be purchased at your class trainer.

perfect-world-river.jpg

A Map well done.
This is sort of a minor detail, but I really liked Perfect World's map. Every location in the game is marked beautifully on the map and the terrain is also easily visible. Players can mark their favorite hunting locations by tagging them on the map as well which is a nifty feature. You can also see which guilds control which territories on the map which is helpful if you're actively involved in the game's PvP.

Woah! Internet radio?!
One aspect of Perfect World that I was really surprised to see was the game's own internet radio station. If you're tired of hearing the game's built in music you can easily access the game's internet radio button and start listening to some other tunes. When you launch the internet radio station, the game will point your web browser to an online free radio streamer by Slacker.com. Perfect World partnered with them to run their very own radio station that plays music based on the community's favorite genres of music. Of course, if you want to listen to other genres of the music you can easily access other slacker.com radio stations right from Perfect World's community interface. The sound quality from the Perfect World Radio is incredible, and is just as good as having the mp3 downloaded on your own computer! This is such a simple, yet incredibly entertaining feature.  I'm surprised other developers haven't implemented similar features in their games.

perfect-world-side-wolf.jpg

PvP… events… features galore!
If you're a fan of PvP you'll definitely appreciate Perfect World's massive 90 vs. 90 guild battles. Player guilds can actually control towns and territories in the persistent game world. So, whenever a player enters a town your guild controls, they'll see on their screen the town's name and your guild’s name afterwards. Aside from the main MMORPG content, Perfect World has a lot of other extras to offer. The game's GMs are heavily involved in the game, which is definitely a welcomed change. In game events are common and are usually incredibly fun. One of the game’s best aspects is the developer’s dedicated to the game. Perfect World is one of those games that’s constantly being updated and tweaked. Major expansion packs are released regularly with smaller patches released often. The game’s developers have been doing a phenomenal job keeping Perfect World fresh and fun.

Final Verdict: Great
Perfect world is incredibly fun and one of the most polished free-to-play MMORPGs out there. Perfect World's impressive graphics and polished gameplay more than make up for its few flaws. Even if you end up disliking the game, I can assure you that you'll at least have fun creating your character. There's no reason not to give this game a try.

Screenshots

Perfect World Screenshots

Videos

Perfect World Videos

Perfect World Official Trailer

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Perfect World Character Customization Video

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Perfect World Archer Video

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Perfect World Flying Game Footage

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Perfect World Featured Video

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System Requirements

Perfect World System Requirements

Minimum Requirements:
OS: Windows XP/Vista
CPU: 800 MHZ Intel P3 or equivalent
RAM: 256 MB RAM
HDD: 2.5 GB free
Graphics Card: 32MB 3D Accelerator graphics card
DirectX: 9.0c

Recommended Specification:
OS: Windows XP/Vista
CPU: 1.5 GHz Pentium 4 CPU or equivelent
RAM: 512 MB RAM or more
HDD: 2.5 GB free
Graphics Card: 128MB 3D Accelerator graphics card
DirectX: 9.0c or Better

Fiesta Online

Posted: 03 Mar 2009 04:42 PM PST

Fiesta Online (or just Fiesta for short) is a 3D fantasy MMORPG.  The game has cute, cell-shaded, anime inspired graphics and lively music.  The game’s entire world is vibrant and has an upbeat atmosphere.

fiesta-main-damage.jpg

Publisher: Outspark
Playerbase: High
Graphics: Medium Quality
Type: MMORPG
EXP Rate: Low
PvP: PvP Zones
Filesize: ~1120 MB

Pros: +Beautiful cel-shaded graphics. +Great interface. +Good skill progression system. +Solid Item crafting / resource gathering systems. +Easy to learn.

Cons: -Only one stat point per level. -Repetitive combat. -Five starting classes.

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Overview

Fiesta Online Overview

Fiesta Online is another interesting MMORPG published by Outspark.  The game has three starting classes, each one of which has two job advancements; one at level 20 and the other at level 60.  The game’s most notable aspects are its attractive cel-shaded graphics and its solid item crafting system.  The game isn’t nearly as in-depth as some of the newer free MMORPGs, but Fiesta is still an all-around fun game well worth checking out.  The game’s four playable classes are:

Fighter- Fighters are the generic ‘warrior’ archetype in Fiesta.  They are extremely capable in melee combat and have the most hit points and armor in the game.  They are proficient with both one-handed and two-handed weapons.

Mage – Mages are the traditional offensive spell casting class in Fiesta. They can do a great deal of damage from a distance with their magic, but are extremely vulnerable in melee range.  They have low hit points and minimal defensive capabilities.

Cleric - Clerics are experts at supporting party members in combat. They have a variety of healing and buff skills which make them incredibly valuable to a party.  They are the weakest class in the game but when they with a group they’re extremely useful.

Archer – Archers are deadly with the bow.  They are fast and agile which allows them to deal damage rather quickly from a distance, but are vulnerable in melee combat.

Trickster – A dual-wielding class that is capable of dealing large amounts of damage in short bursts. They are melee oriented and have decent HP.

Fiesta Online Screenshots

Fiesta Online Featured Video

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Full Review

Fiesta Online Review

By Jaime Skelton

Launched in 2007 in the United States by Outspark, Fiesta is a classic and well-known free-to-play anime-style MMORPG. Similar in ways to Fly For Fun, Asda Story, Dream of Mirror Online, and Mabinogi, Fiesta’s cel-shaded graphics and simple gameplay introduced many players to free-to-play MMOs. After a few years in the MMO market, Fiesta Online is still going strong, and there’s a few good reasons why.

fiesta-online-npc-dialogue-tutorial.jpg

Choosing your Path

Like any game, getting started in Fiesta Online requires going through character creation process. At the start of the game, you may choose only one of four classic classes – fighter, cleric, mage, or archer – and your gender. Character customization is extremely limited, offering only the chance to change your face, hair style, and hair color, each with only about three options each. For those concerned about the lack of classes, be reassured – each class becomes stronger with advanced classes at level 20, 60, and 100, the last of which offers a choice between two final specializations. Customization also comes in the ability to choose what extra stats are assigned each level in the "free stat" system.

A Helping Bird

Fiesta’s tutorial system is very limited and hands-on. For new players, a helpful NPC will offer a simple tip on picking up the first quests before sending them on their way. Tutorial tips come along instead with a bird-head alert in the upper right of the screen, offering explanations of each crucial game element, from combat and leveling to upgrading items and the mentor system. The alert also serves a dual purpose to let you know when new quests are available, and from whom. While the bird serves as a helper for those new to MMORPGs, many experienced players may find it aggravating, especially as it appears for each new character.

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The Classic Grind …

Like many MMORPGs, Fiesta features a quest system to help players level as well as earn useful rewards. However, leveling takes the style of older MMOs, in which grinding is more crucial to gaining experience than questing. In fact, new players will discover this element before level 5; quests are given at a level before they can be reasonably completed by a new player with no assistance. For this reason, many players choose to grind out their early levels and skip quests entirely, as early level rewards are purchasable from vendors.

and the Value of Friendship

The other option in starting off to the right foot, of course, is to have the help of friends, or at least, the kindness of passing strangers. A mentor-apprentice system exists for high level players to help out lowbies with bonuses for both, which can be one of the most efficient ways for a low level player to earn their experience. High level players may also choose to pass through and offer buffs or free potions and buff scrolls to low level players. Either of these ways can offer a powerful boost to players to make them strong enough to handle higher level mobs without being weak and risking death, or long rests after each enemy’s death. The final point to be made of this is that Fiesta is a game geared primarily for group efforts; solo players will struggle often without outside help or long grinds.

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Battling for Glory & Profit

Like many classic MMOs, Fiesta utilizes a skill-on-use system, in which players may both auto-attack enemies and input skills used on an action bar, as they choose and are available. Special HP and SP stones are available to use to restore health and spell points, respectively. In between fights, players can also use "Home" to rest in their mini-house (a mushroom on default), and regenerate their stats.

To earn money – used for buying gear and other useful items – players must sell what they find on the enemies they kill. While some "junk" is dropped, most of the items found are useful for the game’s crafting system, called Alchemy. Players can learn professions in this system as soon as they are created, and may choose two total professions from five – allowing them to produce enhancement stones, potions, scrolls, or change items into a higher or lower quality.

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Kingdom Quests & PvP

There’s more to do than grind, quest, and craft in Fiesta, of course. For players who prefer PvE, Kingdom Quests become available every two hours. Designed for players anywhere from level 5 up and separated into level spans, they can be joined individually or with a party. Each quest has its own victory conditions that can be achieved by the players inside within a set time limit. Each player inside will earn a present box if they are successful, and may earn anything from materials, scrolls, and potions to enhanced and rare equipment.

For PvP fans, once reaching level 20, several different zones become available for player versus player battling. Each city has its own battle zone, and several battlefields also become available. Guild wars are also available for those who are socially inclined to join a guild and participate in group PvP. The player versus player experience is only designed for showing off skill, and sometimes earning items and other perks like titles; experience is not rewarded.

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Final Verdict: Good

Fiesta is easy to get into, with plenty for players to do in both PvE and PvP. It makes a particularly good introduction to free-to-play MMORPGs, with an active and helpful player base and plenty of regular maintenance from its publisher. What holds Fiesta back mostly is its grinding nature: any player who hates grinding is going to find Fiesta boring or frustrating. If you don’t mind a balance between grinding and quests, and enjoy a game that rewards cooperative gameplay, Fiesta has a lot to offer.

Screenshots

Fiesta Online Screenshots

Videos

Fiesta Online Videos

Fiesta Online Character Creation

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Fiesta Online High Level Video

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Fiesta Online Official Trailer

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Fiesta Online Boss Battle

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Fiesta Online Gameplay Footage

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System Requirements

Fiesta Online System Requirements

Minimum Requirements:
OS: Windows XP / Vista / 2000
CPU: 1.6 GHz Pentium 4 or equivalent AMD processor
RAM: 512MB Free
HDD: 3.0 GB Free
Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce MX or equivalent

Recommended Specifications:
OS: Windows XP / Vista / 2000
CPU: 2.0 GHz Pentium 4 or equivalent AMD processor
RAM: 1GB Free
HDD: 3.0 GB Free
Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce TI or Radeon 9200

Runes of Magic

Posted: 10 Jan 2009 09:36 AM PST

Drawing much of its inspiration from the mammoth MMORPG World of Warcraft, Runes of Magic brings to life the fantasy world of Taborea with beautiful 3D graphics, and with over 600 quests to complete offers players much in the way of content and features. With fully-realized dungeon encounters, unmatched character customization, a unique multi-class system, in-game player housing, and a growing community of over 2,000,000 – Runes of Magic guarantees something for everyone.

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Publisher: Frogster Interactive
Playerbase: High
Graphics: High Quality
Type: MMORPG
EXP Rate: Medium
PvP: Open / Duels
Filesize: 6.7 GB

Pros: +Fantastic character customization. +Unique multi-class system.  +Player housing. +Heaps of different PvP options. +Huge game world. +Fun end-game raiding.

Cons: -Cash shop can imbalance the game.  -Sensitive language filter. -Similarities to WoW may deter some players.

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Overview

Runes of Magic Overview

Runes of magic is a feature rich MMORPG that uses a graphic style very similar to WoW’s. The familiar interface and animations help new players and MMO veterans adjust to the world of Taborea. The game supports both individual player housing and guild controlled castles located in separate instances. But what really sets Runes of Magic apart is the dual-classing system whereby characters can pick a second class at level 10. With a total of eight classes and two races (Human, Elf) to chose from, players can create truly unique characters.

Classes:

Warrior – Masters of armed combat. Warriors can use any close combat weapon and any type of armor besides plate. They deliver special strikes and blows which have various effects on their targets.

Scout - Adapt at long-ranged combat, Scouts use their bows or crossbows to deal heavy damage. They are vulnerable at close range and rely on a series of evasive and delaying skills to keep enemies from closing in.

Rogue - Specialized at inflicting deadly blows at a fast rate, rogues use daggers which can cause heavy bleeding or be coated in poison. They are very capable at doding blows, but their speed comes at the expense of armor and health. Rogues can also lay traps, scout, and increase a group’s income generation.

Mage - Commanding the elements of fire and lightning, Mages deal heavy damage from afar. They possess direct damage, and area of effect spells. Mages can also cast barrier spells and strength buffs, adding to their utility.

Priest (Human Only) - While priests can cast water based spells to deal damage, they primarily play a supportive role. Priests can cast healing spells, boost their allies stats, and even bring fallen comrades back from the dead. They can equip shields which aid their defense, but are still frail.

Knight (Human Only) - Heavily armored fighters, Knights are the only class that can wear plate armor. Knights go into battle head-first equipped with shields and light-based attacks. They are the tanks of RoM and have the ability to draw their foes attacks towards themselves.

Druid (Elf Only) - Attuned to nature, Druids are a versatile class capable of healing allies, casting damage over time spells, and even mind controlling opponents. Druids possess a special ability that allows them to gather Nature’s Power and unleash it at anytime to cast powerful spells.

Warden (Elf Only) - Close combat specialists. Wardens can use a diverse set of weapons and can wear chain armor. Wardens can summon powerful pets to fight alongside them, and have access to magical spells which strengthen themselves and weaken their opponents.

Runes of Magic Screenshots

Runes of Magic Feature Video

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Full Review

Runes of Magic Review

By Cody 'Neramaar' Hargreaves

To get it out of the way nice and early, and to give those that disagree with me a chance to respond without having to read the entire review, Runes of Magic is a WoW Clone. There, I said it. Have at me with your silver tongues and sharpened wits, exact your revenge upon my flesh, for I have gone where many have before, and branded a game a clone of World of Warcraft. The thing is, and this is where I might lose you, so pay close attention – I think that it's a good thing.

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I KNEW THIS LOOKED FAMILIAR…
You see, throughout these past short years, years that have been particularly kind to the MMO industry, games have been cloning one another on an almost daily basis. Hell, if you wanna get real technical – any game portraying an open 3D world with a third-person perspective is a clone of the original Everquest – and although I can't think of it off the top of my head – Everquest is probably a clone of another, albeit less popular, MMO game. Cloning is simply part of the industry, and as much as I don't particularly like the idea – it's here to stay, and it's something we have to get used to.

With Runes of Magic (henceforth referred to as RoM), it's different. They haven't simply cloned the gameplay style, or the character textures – they've pretty much cloned the entire damn game, right down the names of a large portion of the skills and spells. The biggest key difference between the two of them lies solely in the fact the RoM is free to play, and WoW is not. There is however a great many additions that have been added to the WoW formula in RoM, and therein lies salvation.

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FILLING IN THE BLANKS
For the three of you reading this that have absolutely no idea what the WoW formula is, or any other standard MMORPG formula for that matter, it is simply the standard way that MMORPG games are played. You create a character, and spend a large quantity of your life making that character great, through killing monsters and gaining experience and equipment, thereby making your character stronger. Thanks to the countless content updates and additions to these games, this cycle is damn near never ending – and is the main contributor to the new 'MMO Addiction' craze that's taking the world by storm.

This is the process that almost every MMORPG game takes – and is the same process that was perfected by Blizzard with WoW – hence the 11.5 Million active players. The reason I have never labeled any other game a WoW clone is because cloning this simple process of playing isn't really cloning WoW. Cloning the skills, environments, quests, and a plethora of other features however, is. There – only took me five paragraphs to explain why RoM is a WoW Clone, now on to why this is such a good thing.

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GO ON, FLAUNT IT
The key here, and the thing that gives RoM so much of its undeniable charm, is in the improvements and additions that have been made to the formula – many of which are incredible additions that truly make the game. One such addition, also the one that I like the most, is in the character creation whereby players are able to choose the size of each of their individual body parts – giving each player their own individual look and style. Add to this over 30 different face and hair options, and you have a recipe for total character customization – a simple, yet highly appreciated addition to the game.

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MY HOME IS MY CASTLE
Not enough customization you say? Then take a look at RoM's unique multi-class system that allows players to combine their main class (out of a possible Warrior, Knight, Rogue, Priest, Mage or Scout) with a second class – adopting all of their secondary skills and abilities. This allows for over 30 different class combinations in total and should be more than enough to help you stand out from the crowd. Hell – if you're really keen on appealing to your personal preferences, RoM even includes your very own house that you can use to store your loot and goodies, and decorate to your liking with furniture purchased through the in-game shop. Of course, to use the in-game shop, you'll need to get your credit card handy, and fork over some dough for a few diamonds.

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DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER

Diamonds are the in-game currency used in RoM, and can only be obtained by spending real hard-earned dollars – well – future real hard-earned dollars, as you'll need to use a credit card to make a purchase. Diamonds can be used to purchase a number of different things in RoM, from furniture for your house or upgrades for your weapons, to additional bag space and mounts to travel faster across the world, and although you don't need to purchase diamonds – you'll definitely want to, as they make the playing experience a lot more fun when you do. One downside to the game’s cash shop is that the most powerful enchantment items are only available through the cash shop.

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CAUSE AND EFFECT
Also thrown into the mix in RoM is an older style PvP system in which you have full access to attack any player you choose provided that you are both above level 15. Of course, doing so will net you some negative karma – causing you to turn red and drop your equipment if you're killed. I've been a massive fan of this style of PvP back since the days when Lineage 2 was a top game, because you really have to think about who you kill as the repercussions can be deadly. There's nothing more fun then losing your cool with a party member, ganking them out of pure frustration, then running for your life from a horde of greedy gamers drooling over the weapons they might get if they can kill you.

Of course, for every good part of a game, there is surely a bad part to follow, and at present, RoM could still use a lot of work. There's nothing especially game breaking to mention, just a few little kinks that need ironing out here and there. Things like bad translations, and in some areas, no translation at all. Missing sounds, such as the hooves of your horse as it gallops across the countryside, or the always expected 'chink' your mining pick should make as it hit's the rock – missing sounds like this really draw from the immersion, and show a severe lack of polish.

Runes of Magic is the gold standard of the free-to-play MMO experience. Since its release back in early 2009, Runes of Magic has enjoyed numerous major content updates, called “chapters”, which added enormous amounts of new content to the game. As is, Runes of Magic is one of the most content rich free to play MMORPGs out there.

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Final Verdict: Excellent
Runes of Magic didn’t just raise the bar, it continues to push it higher. It is a stalwart example of the glorious free-to-play gaming era that we have only recently begun to experience, and although it currently still has a number of flaws, it's already one hell of a gaming experience, and a must play for any MMO gamer. Since the game’s original release back in 2009, the game has enjoyed numerous major expansions called “Chapters” which introduced a lot of new content to the game. Frogster has done and continues to do a stellar job with Runes of Magic – making it one of the best free to play MMORPGs ever.

Screenshots

Runes of Magic Screenshots

Videos

Runes of Magic Videos

Runes of Magic Featured Video

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Runes of Magic Gameplay Video

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Runes of Magic Official Trailer Video

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Runes of Magic Combat  Video

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Runes of Magic Housing Video

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System Requirements

Runes of Magic System Requirements

Minimum Requirements:
Intel Pentium 4 2.0 GHz or equivalent
RAM: 512MB or more
HDD: 7 GB
DirectX 9.0c compatible with 128MB RAM Video Card


Recommended Specification:
Intel Pentium 4 Core Duo 2.0 GHz or equivalent
RAM: 1GB or more
HDD: 7GB or more
DirectX 9.0c compatible with 256MB RAM Video Card

Golfstar

Posted: 03 Oct 2010 01:01 AM PDT

Golfstar is a 3D golfing MMO. Create a custom avatar using a variety of clothing and accessories and play a few holes alone or with up to 30 other players. Golftstar has anime inspired character designs and allows simultaneous play, making multiplayer games much faster paced.

golfstar-preview

Publisher: Gamigo
Playerbase: Medium
Graphics: Medium Quality
Type: MMO
EXP Rate: Medium
PvP: N/A
Filesize: 975 MB

Pros: +All players can play simultaneously in multiplayer. +Variety of clothes and accessories available. +Up to 30 players per match. +Great interface

Cons: -Very Similar to other Golfing games. -Few playable characters. -Limited golf-course variety.


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Overview

Golfstar Overview

Golfstar is a Korean developed golfing MMO being published in North America and Europe by Gamigo. The game was developed by Com2uS and has anime styled characters. The golf courses and surrounding environments are well rendered. Golfstar supports multiplayer matches of up to 30 players, and allows them to all play at once. This speeds up gameplay tremendously and is an improvement over several older golfing games. Like other golfing MMOs, players can customize their avatars and explore persistent shopping areas. As players progress, they’ll be able to learn passive skills that improve their stamina and strength. Golfstar competes with games like Pangya, Shot Online, and Tiger Woods Online. Graphically speaking, Golfstar looks fantastic and is well worth checking out for those interesting in golfing games.

Golfstar Screenshots

Golfstar Featured Video

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Full Review

Golfstar Review

Golfstar Review

There are few sports that have as much international appeal as golf: the polite atmosphere, the calculated shots, and the athleticism required have inspired even video game players. In recent years, golf games have made their way into the online arena, hoping to capitalize on the multiplayer aspect of online gaming. One of these games, Golfstar, is published by gamigo. While similar to Shot Online, as well as other golf games like Pangya and Tiger Woods Online, Golfstar still has plenty to offer the online golf fanatic.

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Take Your Pick

Golfstar’s character creation is very limited: there are two male and two female stock characters, complete with a name, age, and biography, to choose from. These characters can be customized a little: each has two hair styles and a few hair colors, plus two faces, to choose from. Still, you’ll have the look of looking like one out of every four players, with the only distinguishing feature being the clothing you equip in-game. Fashion items also offer bonuses, however, so you still may end up looking pretty similar to the player you’re putting against.

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Teeing Off

While Golfstar aims for fair realism, the controls during play are relatively simple. Swings take place in two phases; the first has you hold down the space bar to fill your power meter and letting go when the power is to your liking, while the second phase has you tap the space bar within a small aiming reticule on the ball itself (the closer to the center of the ball, the better the shot). This mechanic works the same for both regular shots and putts, with putts showing their power meter on the green itself instead of as a swing bar.

There are a few additional controls as well. Using the mouse will let you aim left or right. Camera controls are also managed by the mouse, and three views, allowing you to focus on either the hole, the projected landing area, or the golfer, can be switched between with the keyboard. Golfers can also learn skills, which can be added to an action bar and used with standard 1-0 hotkeys for easy access. While these controls are easy to master for a beginner, the mouse controls are on a reverse axis, which may slip up a player from time to time.

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How’s the Weather?

While the graphics and controls of Golfstar are softly realistic, the challenges facing golfers on the holes are not. Like Shot Online, Golfstar impressively takes into consideration all the factors affecting a golf game, from wind and slope, to weather and humidity. Every condition you come across on the course can and will affect your shot, making it important to take a full scan of your situation on each shot – an impressive feat sometimes, as each shot is limited by a time of 30 to 90 seconds.

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Get a Grip

Golfstar is not just a free-for-all golf game; equipment and player statistics play a major part. The game features a full set of fashion items for players to equip (purchased with both the game’s in-game currency and in the cash shop), many of which affect a player’s stats. Clubs are also a major necessity in game, as are various items that can help improve a player’s accuracy, power, stamina, or control.

As you play on courses, you gain experience and money. Experience will help you gain levels, which in turn grants you a few points that you can allocate between the four stats mentioned above. This is where players can really customize their experience, putting points in the stats that they are weakest at, as well as those they feel will give them an edge on the courses. Players also get to learn skills, special abilities that can be activated while on the course to help give their shots an edge.

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Get on the Course Already

There are only four courses available in Golfstar right now, and they all look generally similar to each other with the exception of White Cliff, which offers some beach-like obstacles and background noise. Thankfully, there are several game modes to make things more interesting. These modes are stroke (a standard golf match with the lowest score winning), match (head-to-head per hole, with one or two people per team), skins (where players bet per hole to win in-game currency), and both competition and team competition, which can feature up to 30 players golfing at the same time.

Not only does Golfstar allow a large number of players on the course at once, it also makes sure that golf play goes quickly by making all players play simultaneously. While this does give a little illusion that you’re playing alone, it also significantly speeds up the golf game – a usual problem for most golf MMOs. The game also supports guilds, and hosts a regular guild day every Friday in which guilds get boosted experience and rewards as they play on the greens.

Final Verdict: Good

Golfstar is one of the better golf games available online; it’s realistic, it’s fast, and it supports its community through in-game lobbies and guilds, helping make it feel like a little less of a lobby and more like a golfing community. However, the game also has a very limited amount of content, and follows the same style of equipment rules that many FPS games do – permanent equipment is almost nowhere to be found (even your starter set has a thirty day limit.) While you can earn money in game to pay for clubs, you’ll have to keep a close eye on your inventory to make sure you don’t go broke and lose out on valuable stats. If you’re looking for a more realistic golf game, this might be your best bet – just watch your pocketbook.

Videos

Golfstar Videos

Golfstar Gameplay Teaser Trailer

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Links

Golfstar Links

Golfstar Official Site

System Requirements

Golfstar Requirements

Minimum Requirements:
OS: Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 2000
CPU: 1.0 GhZ Pentium 3 or Equivalent AMD processor
RAM: 512 MB Memory
HDD: 3 GB Free
Graphics Card: GeForce 5200 / Radeon 9200 or better

Recommended Specifications:
OS: Windows Vista / 7 / XP / 2000
CPU: 2 GHz Pentium 4 processor
RAM: 1 GB Memory
HDD: 5 GB Free
Graphics Card: GeForce 6600/ Radeon 9600

Iris Online

Posted: 17 Aug 2010 11:21 PM PDT

Iris Online is 3D fantasy MMORPG with a gypsy theme. Players can chose between three races and can explore the anime-inspired world of Arcana. Experience a unique environment centered on 22 tarot cards, including The Fool, The Chariot, and Wheel of Fortune.

iris-online-overview

Publisher: gPotato
Playerbase: Medium
Graphics: High Quality
Type: MMORPG
EXP Rate: Medium
PvP: Duels / Colosseum Matches
Filesize: ~ 2400 mb

Pros: +3 playable races, 6 starting classes. +Unique tarot card feature. +Transform into monsters using cards. +Themed instanced dungeons.

Cons: -Limited inventory space. -Familiar gameplay and character progression. -Visual style may not appeal to some players.

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Overview

Iris Online Overview

Iris Online is a free-to-play MMORPZG developed by Eyasoft, the same studio behind Luna Online. Like Luna, Iris boasts a cute, anime-inspired visual style. But don’t let the graphics fool you, Iris Online is a full-feature MMORPG with a unique gypsy theme. Tarot cards effect much of the world, including the twenty-two instanced dungeons, each of which have a different theme based off one of the cards. Players can collect monster cards off almost any enemy in the game and use them to transform into those monsters. PvP battle zones pit up to fifteen players near the same level against each other. Players progress by gaining experience and skill points. The game has a variety of races and classes to choose from.

Human - Easily adaptable race that possess great strength and excels at technology.

Fighter - Fighters rely on brute strength and large weapons to deal heavy damage at melee range.

Mage - Arcane spellcasters who fight from a distance. They can buff allies, but are fragile in combat.

Hybrid - Half-human, half-animal. Hybrids have high strength and stamina, though their knowledge of magic is limited.

Warrior - Equipped with heavy armor, warriors are always at the forefront of battle where they can defend their allies.

Rogue - Shrewd combatants that rely on speed and cunning. Rogues exploit vulnerabilities in their opponents.

Elf - Elves are the oldest race in Arcana. They have unmatched knowledge and an affinity for nature

Ranger - Trackers and outdoorsmen. Rangers are masters of stealthy movement and the gun. They can also use daggers.

Shaman - Masters of fire, air, earth, and water magic. Shamans can summon elementals to aid them.

Iris Online Screenshots

Iris Online Featured Video

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Full Review

Iris Online Review

By Erhan Altay

Most anime-themed fantasy MMORPGs tend to be very similar, but once in a while a game like Iris Online comes along and adds a new twist to the genre. Iris Online is developed by the Korean studio Eyasoft and published in North America on Gala-Net's gPotato portal. Eyasoft is behind a number of anime styled games including Luna Online and the recent Legend of Edda, but Iris Online is different from those titles. It has a 'Gypsy' theme, which means the world is filled with tarot cards, carnivals, and circus themed areas and instances. Behind the brightly colored visual style is an in-depth MMORPG with varied races, classes, PvP options, and other features.

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Races of Arcana

Iris Online entered beta testing in the middle of October in 2010, and with a 2.4 gb client size, its a fairly large game. Each account has five character slots per server, which is almost enough to cover the six starting classes. There are three playable races to chose from: Human, Hybrid, and Elf. Each of these has two distinct classes available, for a grand total of six. There are a few face, hair, and hair color options, but appearance customization is very limited overall. The character models themselves look great. After character creation, the game prompts players with an option to take part in the tutorial. It's short, and explains some of the original features found later in the game. There's also a reward for completing it, so new players should run through it at least once.

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Sign Up for the Circus

The tutorial in Iris Online takes place in a circus-themed zone where players are introduced to a new aspect of gameplay in each room. The game supports both keyboard (W,A,S,D) and point-and-click controls which will please many gamers. Better still, the keyboard controls actually feel fluid. This is one of the few Asian developed free-to-play MMORPGs where I felt more comfortable using W,A,S,D over the mouse. Players can even jump by hitting the space bar, but this propels them far into the air and is rarely practical. After learning to move, the next quest explains a bit about the game's lore. Most gamers will skip past this, but just remember that the world is called Arcana, and the races had to work together to defeat some evil force long ago. Next, players can choose between three cat mounts. Mounts come in all shapes and sizes in Iris Online including giant cats, crabs, and so on. Newbies won't be able to keep their tutorial mount, it only serves to show them how to use one. The interface in Iris Online is simple, the map is opened by hitting 'M', the quest log opens with the 'L' key, and inventory with the 'I' key. The only major complaints with the interface are the limited inventory space of twenty-five slots that new players start with, and the inability to view maps beside the one a character is currently in.

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Fortune Telling

One major feature that distinguishes Iris Online from other free-to-play games is its Gypsy theme. Tarots cards, which are still used by fortune tellers today, have perhaps the most well known aspect of Gypsy culture. These cards, and especially the twenty-two major ones, play an important role in Iris Online. Each of the original twenty-two instanced dungeons in the game are based off one of the twenty-two major Tarot cards. Veteran gamers may have come across these cards before in other games like the Persona or Ultima series. They include cards like 'The Fool', 'Judgment', and 'The Emperor.' The order that a person draws these cards is supposed to reveal something about their fortune, but in Iris they play a role in weapon customization, crafting, and monster summoning. The tutorial explains most of these features, but its important to note that besides the twenty-two major tarot cards, there are fifty-six minor ones. On top of that, nearly every monster in the game (including raid bosses) have a chance of dropping cards. The cards monsters drop come in two forms: one type can be attached to equipment Ragnarok Online style, while the other kind is used to temporarily transform into the particular monster that dropped it. Each monster has a unique set of skills, and buffs. Cards are also used in crafting and can be combined with other items to create completely new items.

iris-online-interface

Character Growth

Progression in Iris Online is fairly linear. Players gain experience by hunting and completing quests, but they also gain SXP (skill experience) independently of their base experience. When the SXP bar fills, players are rewarded with a skill point which can be distributed among the multple skill trees each class has. Each starting class has access to two or more weapon/spell types, and each is represented by its own skill tree. Rogues, for example, can use rifles or dual daggers. Shamans can specialize in divine or offensive magic. Fighters can specialize in two-handed swords, dual swords, or sword & shield skills. All classes have a passive skill tree which contains permanent boosts to health, damage output, or particular stats. It is possible to spread skill points across multiple specializations, but this is not recommended. Players can a free skill reset at level 30, when they can make their first job change, but must use a cash shop item if they mess up before or after that time. Base experience is a lot simpler. Players don't receive stat points as they level, they increase automatically and can be raised further with magic equipment and buffs. Besides skills, there is one extra layer of customization in the form of an elemental 'Force.' There are four forces to chose from: Helen (fire), Nero (water), Annes (wind), Dera (ground.) Why does Nero represent water? I'm not quite sure, but there are several translation quirks throughout the game and this may just be one of them.

iris-online-tarot-divination

Point A to Point B

Gameplay in Iris Online is heavily quest-based, and players are usually lead from one zone to the next in a linear path. New players start in the town of Terminus, which is in perpetual night and progress to hunting grounds that are at different times of the day. The assortment of quests should be familiar to MMORPG fans; kill quests, item gathering quests, and talk to NPC X quests. To auto-move to a location, players must bring up the map and click on a certain area. There's no quest objective to quest objective auto-navigation, which is actually a good thing since too much automation can make a game boring. Combat relies on actively using a variety of skills, as they usually have cool downs of a few seconds. Luckily, every class is equipped with an assortment of skills and mana regeneration is pretty high. Interestingly, spells and skills cost a percent of total mana, not just a set amount. This makes the MP recovery rate a very important stat for every class. The constant use of skills keeps combat exciting, and monsters in Iris Online start aggroing at an early level, which makes things more challenging. Early quests reward players with dozens of HP/MP potions, but these will run out eventually. There's no death penalty until level 10, and players are free to spawn right where they died. After level 10, death carries a small exp penalty, and resurrecting where you fell causes a debuff for several minutes.

iris-online-snowy-fur-bear

Carnival Games

Iris Online has many small features that help round it out as a full-feature MMORPG. These include an auction house, the ability to open personal shop stalls, and a title system. Titles are earned in a variety of ways, the most common being consuming tokens dropped by monsters. Titles effect the stats of a character when equipped, and can have both positive and negative effects. A title geared towards casters may increase magic damage and intelligence, but may decrease strength. Iris Online also has several PvP modes on top of the standard duel. Every so often, players are prompted on whether they want to participate in a capture the flag or team deathmatch event. If enough players within a certain level range agree, everyone who chose to participate is teleported to an instanced Colosseum field where two sides (each with up to eighteen players) duke it out. The game keeps track of PvP stats, including total kills, deaths, and also rewards points towards the player's currently chosen 'Force.' Besides large-scale PvP events, players can also group up to clear instanced dungeons scattered across the world.

iris-online-skill-tree

You've Come a Long Way

The visuals in Iris Online are very reminiscent of earlier anime-styled games, particularly Fiesta Online, Seal Online, and perhaps a bit of Rose Online thrown in. Being a newer game, it’s not much of a surprise that the graphics in Iris are better than those previous games. It’s a high quality title, and a slightly more mature alternative to Eyasoft's more chibi-oriented titles.

Final Verdict: Great

Iris Online may feel familiar at first glance, but it has a lot of depth and a unique theme. With three races and a large assortment of classes, Iris Online offers varied gameplay options but with a simple to understand progression system. Instanced dungeons, instanced PvP battlegrounds, and the multi-purpose card system all add up to make Iris Online a top-notch MMORPG. It doesn't breakthe mold enough to earn the top score, but it’s still a game well worth checking out.

Videos

Iris Online Videos

Iris Online Cinematic Trailer

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Iris Online Gameplay Trailer

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Iris Online Gameplay – First Look

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Links

Iris Online Links

Iris Online Official Site

System Requirements

Iris Online Requirements

Minimum Requirements:
OS: Windows  XP / Vista / Windows 7
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 2.0 Ghz
RAM:  1 GB
HDD: 3 GB Free
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon 9500 / nVidia 5200 (128mb memory)

Recommended Specification:
OS: Windows Vista / 7
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 3.0 Ghz or better
RAM: 2 GB or more
HDD: 4 GB Free
Graphics Card: Geforce 6600 GT / 256 mb video memory or better

Loong: The Power of the Dragon

Posted: 17 Mar 2010 06:00 PM PDT

Loong: The Power of the Dragon is a 3D fantasy MMORPG set in ancient China. The game has an original art style, a classless progression system, and boasts over 1000 quests. Take part in epic PvP battles that support up to 500 players!

loong-overview

Publisher: Gamigo
Playerbase: Medium
Graphics: High Quality
Type: MMORPG
EXP Rate: High
PvP: Castle Siege / Duels
Filesize: ~ 2270 mb

Pros: +Quest driven progression. +Varied weapon types. +PvP combat supports up to 500 players. +High quality animations. -Fluid gameplay & interface.

Cons: -Familiar setting. -Mobs offer little challenge. -Poor English translations. -Quests & combat feel repetitive.

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Overview

Loong: The Power of the Dragon Overview

Loong: The Power of the Dragon is set in ancient China, but sets it self apart from other oriental themed MMORPGs with its unique art style and classless progression system. Chose from several weapon types, and learn skills from eight unique talent trees. Progression is heavily quest driven in Loong, and an auto-navigation feature makes traveling between objectives simple. Players unlock several skills during the first few levels, and also earn their first mount and pet early on. The game has fluid gameplay and controls that allow for keyboard and point & click movement.

Weapon Types - Sword, Sabre, Polearm, Bow, Totem, Glove, Zither

Talent Trees - Sword, Sabre, Polearm, Bow, Battle, Yang, Yin, Healing, Zither, Magic

Loong: The Power of the Dragon Screenshots

Loong: The Power of the Dragon Featured Video

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Full Review

Loong: The Power of the Dragon Review

By, Erhan Altay

Loong: The Power of the Dragon is an Asian developed MMORPG set in ancient China. The German publisher Gamigo is bringing the game to both the European and North American region. Despite the familiar setting, Loong is a high quality title with an original art style, innovative class system, and other interesting features.

loong-create-character-female

Not a Loong Wait

Despite being released in China earlier this year, Loong is already ready for beta testing in the West. The game is a big budget project that is estimated to have cost over $10 million dollars to develop. Traditionally, MMORPGs took several years to move from Asia to the West, but the pace is definitely starting to pick up. Unlike most games out of China, Loong is a high quality MMORPG with great 3D graphics, cool attack animations, and high production value all around. At around 2.7 gb, the client size is pretty large, but the download shouldn't take long. Loong isn't Gamigo's first Chinese MMORPG. Martial Empires is an earlier high quality title, but that game is only open to European gamers. Luckily, Loong more than makes up for what we've been missing.

loong-weapons

Pick a Weapon, but not a Class

The login screen in Loong is highly stylized and sets a good mood for the rest of the game. The loading screens are a bit odd, they include animated backgrounds and real images of ladies in sexy outfits. The character creation process is very streamlined. There are five hair styles, six hair colors, five face styles, and three outfits per gender. Several 'detail' options are also available which represent things like tattoos and scars. There's also an option to preview several high level armor designs on your character before creating it. Overall, appearance customization is rather slim, especially compared to some older MMORPGs like Martial Empires or Perfect World. Like Heroes of Three Kingdoms, players don't select a class in Loong. Instead, they chose from seven weapons: Sword, Sabre, Polearm, Bow, Totem, Glove, or Zither. The initial weapon selection has no effect on character progression, players are free to switch between them freely. Eventually, players will have to select which weapons to specialize in by distributing talent points among specific skill trees.

loong-world-map

Dragon Village

New players start in Dragon Village where a number of NPCs offer simple talk quests and describe some of the game's basics. Movement can be done with either W,A,S,D or point-and-click. While most Asian MMORPGs fail at pulling off fluid keyboard controls, Loong does it excellently. I found myself using keyboard controls throughout my whole experience. There's a very simple auto-navigation system that helps players get to and from quest objectives. This means travel very simple, and also ensures players won't have to read any of the quest flavor text. The rest of the interface is well organized, 'b' opens the inventory, 'q' opens the quest log, 'k' brings up the talent trees, and so on. It's not until around level 6 that players start earning talent points, but they will receive 2 stat points every level starting at level 2. Those who follow the beginner quest lines will find themselves leveling rapidly, even without having to kill more than a few monsters. At level 5, newbies quality to leave Dragon Village and enter the zone of Dragon Castle. This zone serves as the capital city, but the surrounding areas are also the primary hunting grounds for the first few dozen levels.

loong-character-info

One, Two, Three

The early level quests do a great job giving players equipment and consumable items, but players must eventually decide which weapons to specialize in. There are a total of ten talent trees in Loong, and it is recommended to focus on one during the early levels. It is possible to reset talent point distribution quite easily, especially while under level 30. Each weapon has a primary and secondary stat, so be sure to distribute talent and stat points favorably. The six stats are: Physique, Strength, Qi, Spirit, Agility, and Skill. Simply hover the cursor over any of them to find out what they do. Before long, player will unlock several skills in their chosen talent tree and be off using them in combat. Even without skills, the monsters in Loong barely put up a fight. Difficulty seems to be something Chinese developers in particular seem to ignore. Simply spamming 2-3 skills is enough to fell any monster near your level range. You'll barely receive any damage in return. This means there's no need to rest between battles, and the fact that no mobs under level 20 seems to be aggressive add up to a low sense of challenge. Player will simply move from one hunting ground to the next, stopping long enough to kill a few defenseless critters before moving on.

loong-battle

Ride a Pony

Loong introduces players to the game's pet system early on. Pets are called 'spirit beasts' and come in a variety of rarities and skills. Some can be ridden, others can pick up loot for their master. Players can transfer, or 'pour', some of their experience towards their pets to help them level up, and pets can even be equipped with special items. Several stats track the potency of a pet including 'potential' which measures the amount of skills the pet can eventually learn and its growth rate. A pet may look cute and small, but when mounted it grows into a full size steed. This is but one of many interesting animations. If a player clicks on the ground to move there, a splat of ink appears and vanishes. The game's animations are realistic, but with an artistic touch. Jumping (space bar) also functions a bit differently. After jumping, players appear to glide down slowly. Like so many recent MMORPGs, Loong also has a title system where players can equip titles that they've unlocked by completing quests or performing other tasks. There are a ton of other small features which, added up, make Loong a much more in-depth game. Crafting skills are separate from the talent tree, and include both resource gathering skills (like mining) and production skills.

loong-npcs

Cramped Quarters

The experience in Loong is well paced, handing it quests gives a burst of experience and there are always plenty of quests available. The quest log even lists available quests which players can auto-navigate towards. Some quests are repeatable, but the sense of grind doesn't kick in until mid level. The game encourages some player cooperation in the form of a mentor/apprentice system. Players have to be at least level 50 to be a mentor, but there's no real reason to even talk to another person during the early game since the PvE offers so little challenge. Before long, players will find themselves having to throw away items since their inventory fills up so fast. New characters start with 20 inventory slots, but can increase this by using 'auxiliary bags' obtained in the item mall. There are plenty of convenience items like this for sale in the cash shop, but nothing that dramatically effects balance. Like Soul Order Online and Forsaken World, there's an odd feature that rewards players with some freebie items every few minutes. It's called 'Dragon Blessing' and the small interface menu for it is located near the middle of the screen. Users playing Loong on a small resolution will want to turn all these extra menus off since it can cramp the gameplay area. Another box appears on the left of the screen every time a player earns new attribute or talent points. Speaking of resolutions, the graphic options in Loong can be a little confusing. I couldn't figure out how to play in windowed mode, but I did discover a new mode where the game is nearly full-screen but the taskbar is still visible and you can launch other programs with Loong remaining in the background.

Final Verdict: Good

Loong: The Power of the Dragon is a high quality MMORPG with a familiar oriental setting. The classless, talent tree driven progression helps set it apart from its competitors. There are also a lot of small features that, combined, give Loong a high production value. The only problem is that due to the lack of difficulty, much of the early level combat feels repetitive. Its definitely a game worth checking, just be ready for some grind.

Screenshots

Loong: The Power of the Dragon Screenshots

Videos

Loong: The Power of the Dragon Videos

Loong: The Power of the Dragon Cinematic Trailer

Click here to view the embedded video.

Loong: The Power of the Dragon Gameplay Footage

Click here to view the embedded video.

Loong: The Power of the Dragon Gameplay Trailer

Click here to view the embedded video.

Links

Loong: The Power of the Dragon Links

Loong: The Power of the Dragon Official Site

System Requirements

Loong: The Power of the Dragon System Requirements

Minimum Requirements:
OS: Windows XP / Vista / 7
CPU: 2.4 Ghz Intel P4 or equivalent
RAM: 512 MB
HDD: 4 GB Free
Graphics Card: GeForce 5200 / Radeon 9550

Recommended Specification:
OS: Windows Vista / 7
CPU: Pentium Dual Core E2140 or better
RAM: 2 GB RAM or more
HDD: 5 GB Free
Graphics Card: NVidia 7600 GT / ATI X1600 XT

King of Kings 3

Posted: 08 Mar 2010 11:51 PM PST

King of Kings 3 is a 3D, fantasy MMORPG with a strong emphasis on large-scale PvP battles. One of the most prominent features in King of Kings 3 is the unique city building system offered to guilds as they fight for control over regions in the game.

king-of-kings-3-overview

Publisher: Gamigo
Playerbase: Medium
Graphics: Medium Quality
Type: MMORPG
EXP Rate: High
PvP: Open / Guild Battles / RvR
Filesize: ~ 1570 mb

Pros: +Unique housing and city building system. +Very high level cap. +Flying mounts. +Varied PvP options. +Massive RvR battles.

Cons: -Interface feels old. -Generic fantasy theme. -Limited PvE content.

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Overview

King of Kings 3 Overview

King of Kings is a 3D Fantasy MMORPG published by Gamigo with a strong emphasis on PvP battles. Players can create their own guilds and fight for control over land in the game world. Guilds that control territory are free to build their own cities. Graphically speaking, the game looks a bit dated, but it has a very strong emphasis on PvP. PvE fans aren’t completely ignored though, as the game boasts thousands of quests and a high level cap. Auto navigation features make progression simple, but players will have to wait until level 50 to make their first job change.

Warrior - The most physically powerful class, able to carry the heaviest armor and most powerful weapons.

Berserker - All out offensive fighters that can deal heavy damage at close range. Berserkers can dual-wield.
Ranger - Versatile fighters that are masters of the bow and blade.
Knight - Mounted fighters equipped with a lance and bow.

Mage - Fragile in body, but powerful in mind. Mages can cast devastating spells from a distance.

Sword Mage - Armed with crystal infused blades, Sword Mages can deal heavy damage but are still fragile.
Conjurer - Conjurers can harness the power of nature to deal heavy damage to their opponents.
Wizard - Masters of elemental magic, Wizards have high damage potential but rely on allies to project them.

Cleric - A supportive class that can heal and buff allies during battle. Clerics are devout and benevolent soldiers.

Scholar - True believers who are granted enormous healing abilities and the power of resurrection.
Bishop - Bishops have learned from Mages and are capable of offensive and defensive abilities.
Priest - The devotion of the Priest allows them to discharge pure holy light and call on angels for aid during battle.

King of Kings 3 Screenshots

King of Kings 3 Featured Video

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Full Review

King of Kings 3 Review

By Erhan Altay

Tired of Grindfests? Looking for an MMORPG with an oldschool feel? King of Kings 3 may be what you've been waiting for. While it has a typical fantasy theme, the gameplay is geared towards PvP, and more precisely RvR (realm vs. realm) combat. Join one of seven warring realms and conquer the world of Tangramia.

king-of-kings-3-character-creation

A Shattered Realm

After centuries of warfare, the once united world of Tangramia split into seven rival realms: Germania, Lutetia, Britannia, Mediterrania, Anatolia, Polonia, and the New World. That last one aside, its obvious that the Roman Empire was the inspiration for Tangramia. Players can chose between any of the seven realms during character creation, but first they'll have to get through Gamigo's clunky account creation process. The German publisher Gamigo holds both the European and American licenses for Kings of Kings 3. Each account has three character slots per server, which is enough to create one of each of the three base classes: Warrior, Mage, and Cleric. There are a number of appearance customization options including around eleven hair colors and styles per gender. There are also several face styles and 'features' to chose from. Features covers things like tattoos, makeup, scars, and so forth. Players are asked to set a character password before finishing character creation as an added security precaution. The password must be at least eight characters, which makes it more bothersome than the four digit pin some games ask for these days. The character designs themselves aren't very detailed, but that's because the graphics quality in Kings of Kings 3 is dated.

king-of-kings-3-leopard

Familiar Beginnings

After logging in for the first time, players are met with several screens of text that explain the backstory of Kings of Kings 3. It scrolls pretty fast, and I'm no speed reader so I missed about a quarter of it. It didn't seem to exciting, but it helps that there is some lore to the game. Each realm has its own starting area, but the newbie experience is pretty similar regardless of region. Being the good Turk that I am, I chose Anatolia as my realm. For those of you who slept during class, Anatolia is the geographic region where most of modern day Turkey lies. Like many other recent Asian MMORPGs, King of Kings has an auto-navigation feature that makes traveling and questing a breeze. Players start next to a quest NPC, and gain their first level simply by talking to him. A series of quests that involve talking to various NPCs around town, and eventually fighting nearby creatures come next. Players are rewarded with ample HP/MP potions along the way, along with a new weapon and pieces of equipment. It is highly recommend that players complete this beginner chain of quests, as it will take them to level eight or so in no time. It's much, much faster than grinding.

king-of-kings-3-mini-map

Retro Look & Feel

As I went about my newbie chores, I noticed that the interface and art style looked somewhat familiar to those in the now defunct Turf Battles. The visuals are much sharper than Turf Battle's, and the resolution options go all the way up to 1920×1980. But, the health and mana meters next to the avatar portrait on the top left, and the character and backpack screens all look like something from a classic action RPG. There are some nice visual touches such as swaying trees, and light waves breaking on the shore. Overall, the best that can be said of the graphics in KoK3 when compared to other recent, free-to-play MMORPG releases is that they are functional. Everything is brightly colored, easy to see, and thankfully there's none of that trendy bloom effect that makes everything unbearably bright. King of Kings 3 supports both keyboard (W,A,S,D) and mouse (point and click) controls. There are two hotkey bars, one activated by the function keys (F1-F12), and a smaller one activated by the number keys (1-0.) Besides skills, players can assign items such as health and mana potions to these slots.

king-of-kings-3-interface

The Path to Glory

The experience rate in King of Kings 3 is pretty high, but only if players stick to questing. Each level, players are rewarded with 2 stat point which they can distribute among six stats: Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Willpower, Stamina, and Luck. Players can hover their cursor over each stat to see what it does. Besides stat points, players receive a single skill point every level. Each class has its own skill tree consisting of 10 skills. Players must purchase skill books before they can place points in a given skill, along with meeting its other prerequisite. As with other MMORPGs, I find the need to go back to town to pick up a skill book totally pointless, but it is what it is. At level 50, each class can make its first class advancement to one of three available first classes. Warriors can become Berserkers, Rangers, or Knights. Mages can become Sword Mages, Conjurers, or Wizards. Clerics can become Scholars, Bishops, or Priests. Players are accompanied on their adventures by an Imamu, which is basically a fairy. These can perform a number of helpful tasks. They accumulate experience which they can transfer over to the player, and when they are summoned they can repair the player's equipment. Imamu can also automatically sell items in your backpack when your inventory is full. Players can set which items they want sold ahead of time so as not to lose rare drops. Besides Imamu pets, players can also collect a variety of mounts. Some quests reward players with temporary mounts, but more permanent ones can be purchased at higher levels.

king-of-kings-3-skarabare

Lone Wolf

King of Kings 3 has very linear progression, monsters are found in clumps and defeating these monsters boils down to spamming a single skill over and over again. There's no cool down to consuming HP or MP potions, and after the first dozen levels players will have to chug them during every fight. Those who can put up with the repetitive nature of early level gameplay can look forward to some pretty interesting PvP features. First and foremost, players can freely attack members of rival realms that intrude on their territory. It is also possible to disable the default peace mode which will allow a player to attack anyone they like, including members of their realm. The game discourages same-realm PKing (player killing) by increasing the chances of dropping items upon death for those who indiscriminately attack others. The game also keeps track of PvP victories and losses, and uses them to publish various ranking lists which are updated daily. Players can access these rankings via a button near their mini map on the top right of the interface.

king-of-kings-3-sword-mage-skills

Founding a Kingdom

Solo PvP is just the bottom layer in King of Kings 3. Players can go on to found guilds and participate in guild activities, including guild quests which pit guilds against each other. Players must be level 20 or higher to join or found a guild, and there are five guild ranks which determine how many members a guild can have (maximum of 28.) Once a guild reaches rank 3, its guild master can found a Legion. Legions are also ranked from 1-5, but are made up of entire guilds, not individual players. A rank 5 Legion can have up to seven guilds in it. Legions can also construct buildings on their own plots of land which provide benefits to all of its members. The leader of a Legion can embark of a series of quests to found his or her own Kingdom. Any would-be monarch will require a vast amount of resources, including gold and rare materials to found their Kingdom. Legion members can donate these resources to their leader who, if successful, will be rewarded with a unique royal mount, a monthly in-game salary, and the ability to fortify towns. Leaders of Kingdoms will also be able to populate their towns with NPC defensive workers, temples, workshops, and much more. Even players who don't have the time or stamina to work their way up this ladder can own a personal home that can be upgraded and decorated with an assortment of furniture.

king-of-kings-3-teacher-mary

Find Your Niche

The simple, but functional graphics make King of Kings 3 an approachable MMORPG for gamers whose computers might not be on the cutting edge. There are plenty of bonus features like a crafting system, and the ability to equip mounts with gear like saddles and armor, but the core PvE gameplay still involves taking turns swinging at stupid AI monsters. Players looking for an organized PvP experience will appreciate the detailed guild system in King of Kings 3, but the large number of factions worries me a little. Each server will need a lot of players to make it seem active, and whether or not King of Kings 3 can attract those numbers remains to be seen.

Final Verdict: Good

Despite a dated interface and graphic style, Kings of Kings 3 is a very functional MMORPG. The PvE content is not spectacular, but the PvP features make it worth the effort. The ability to organize large masses of players and participate in massive battles is appealing. Added extras like customizable player housing, and the ability to build entire cities are added bonuses.

Screenshots

King of Kings 3 Screenshots

Videos

King of Kings 3 Videos

King of Kings 3 Cinematic Trailer

Click here to view the embedded video.

King of Kings 3 Gameplay Footage

Click here to view the embedded video.

King of Kings 3 Official Gameplay Trailer

Click here to view the embedded video.

King of Kings 3 Gameplay – First Look

Click here to view the embedded video.

Links

King of Kings 3 Links

King of Kings 3 Official Site

System Requirements

King of Kings 3 System Requirements

Minimum Requirements:
OS: Windows XP/ 2000 / 98 / Vista
CPU: 1.0 GHz Intel P3 or equivalent
RAM: 512 MB RAM
HDD: 2 GB Free
Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce 5500 or better

Recommended Specification:
OS: Windows XP/ Vista
CPU: 2.4 Ghz Intel P4 or equivalent
RAM: 1024 MB (1GB)  RAM
HDD: 2 GB Free
Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce 6600 or better

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