Vindictus launch day roundup

GDC10: Nexon's Vindictus revealed
I'll admit to being somewhat of a Nexon fanboy, and someone that considers them to be in the toy business rather than in the MMO business. They manufacture joy in my eyes. Bright, shiny joy. But the recent announcement of their new title "Vindictus" shows us a game that we are not used to seeing from Nexon. While it will follow the same business model that other Nexon games do, it promises to be a "sexy" game: a game that will make players feel like a hero.

Vindictus is not your kids' Nexon
Nexon. The name probably conjures up brightly-colored free-to-play MMOs like their hits Maplestory, Mabinogi, or perhaps Dungeon Fighter Online to many people. But for those of you who missed our coverage of the Vindictus reveal at GDC 2010, then it's time to change your thinking. While the story is set as a prequel to Mabinogi, this game shares very little else with its cousin -- as the shiny new site that Nexon has just opened evinces.

Nexon releases new Vindictus screenshots
The latest information from Nexon gives us a further peek at the game with a series of screenshots depicting Fomors. Fomors are boss monsters that players will encounter in Vindictus. "From gigantic polar bears to skeletal princes, Vindictus will offer players new challenges and monsters to battle."

Nexon reveals Vindictus story with new video
We've gotten a good idea of what the game will look like, but what's the story behind it all? What exactly are we fighting about here? If storyline is your thing, you'll enjoy the latest offering from Nexon: the lore trailer. Vindictus is the story of humans, their monstrous enemies, a black-winged goddess, and a mythical paradise.

E3 2010: Vindictus hands-on
With as many demo stations as Nexon had available to show off their latest games -- Vindictus and Dragon Nest -- we could hardly pass by without stopping to play for a few minutes. And now we're going to try to pass the experience on to you, with words and pictures that don't quite do the game justice. But until it it goes live later this year (they're hoping to launch in the fall), this will have to suffice. So let's talk Vindictus.

New screenshots reveal Vindictus' Prologue
Nexon has released a handful of new screenshots detailing the backstory of Vindictus, for a look at what you'll find upon logging in for the first time. The game's tutorial -- or Prologue as it's called by the game -- tells the story of Tieve, the oracle and protector of the town of Colhen. Tieve has a familiar in the form of a giant spider, and all has been well until now.

Vindictus shows off the dual-wielding mayhem of Lann
Vindictus has no small number of people looking in its direction with longing, on account of its detailed graphics and action-oriented approach. Potential players might get a chance at previewing the game at San Diego Comic-Con, but everyone will get the chance to take a look at the newest preview video featuring Lann, the dual-blade warrior of the game. Even within the context of the game, Lann is a high-speed character, spinning about and dispensing death with both of his weapons.

SDCC 2010: Massively interview with Vindictus producer Chris Gyselinck
After our hands-on with the game at E3 in June, we were eager to speak to Chris Gyselinck, Assistant Producer for Vindictus about the highly anticipated game. Yes, he was wearing the gnoll spirit hood. No, he wouldn't let me try it. But he did give me the scoop on the game, including upcoming beta plans.

Vindictus teases build-a-golem mechanic
Nexon's free-to-play fantasy epic Vindictus continues to turn heads both in the industry and in fan circles. This time, the culprit is a newly released video showcasing the ability to summon and control a golem while playing as the Evie character. Once you've learned the correct skill, you can make use of a summoning gem to create the construct, and the golem's spirit will use nearby environment objects to define its physical form.

New Vindictus video highlights grappling moves
Nexon's new free-to-play offering Vindictus is all the rage this week, and players are starting to familiarize themselves with the hack-and-slash style of combat. Play in Vindictus isn't limited to "stick them with the pointy end," though. Want to finish your opponent off in style? Nexon's new gameplay video highlights the game's grappling finishing moves.

Vindictus' Evie offers a-mage-ing moves
Evie is not content to summon a wicked-looking golem to fight for her side, no! Details are coming to light that Evie, the recently introduced mage character in Nexon's free-to-play hack-and-slasher, Vindictus, will be bringing even more pain through additional magical means. Equipped with a staff at earlier stages, she will change to rather wicked-looking battle-scythes later in the game.

Vindictus gives characters a moment around the campfire
The focus that Nexon has pushed with Vindictus has been one of non-stop, no-holds-barred action. While that's not a bad thing in any sense, it does lead one to wonder if there will be anything but the non-stop slaughter to deal with. As it turns out, there will be a feature in the game not just allowing players a brief rest, but actually encouraging one -- the campfire.

Vindictus rips out a new trailer for the last part of beta
Vindictus is set to officially launch on the 27th of October, but it could be argued that the launch has already happened. After all, while the game is currently in open beta, all levels and money will carry over from this phase of testing to the live launch. That's a fine incentive to go ahead and start playing the game early, but if you're one of the people not quite won over to the game, maybe the latest trailer will help convince you.

Vindictus invaded by pumpkin-headed vampires and skimpier costumes
Just when you thought it was safe to wander into the raucous carnage of Nexon's Vindictus, their "Fall Fear Festival" Halloween event is here. Indeed, these normally bloody lands have been invaded by vampires who appear to have mistakenly left their fangs at home, forgot that vampires are normally quite allergic to fire, and instead slapped their Headless Horsemen costumes on.