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Priston Tale 2 shutting down on March 25th
It's never easy to say goodbye to a game you enjoy. Priston Tale 2 has enjoyed a decent lifespan for a small free-to-play title, but after three years of operation, the game is shutting down on March 25th. According to the official shutdown announcement, the game simply hasn't attracted enough of an audience, due in no small part to a lack of support from the game's original developer. Players looking for a new home are being directed toward the upcoming title The Aurora World, which is currently in closed beta testing. All unspent cash shop currency from Priston Tale 2 will be transferred over to the new game, and players will be able to receive special benefits for having a high-level character if the same account is used for both games. It's not going to stymie the sense of loss, but hopefully it'll take some of the edge off. [Thanks to Joshua for the tip!]
Priston Tale 2 goes to the Desert Frontier
Saddle up those camels and stock up on water: Priston Tale 2 is expanding once more with the all-new Desert Frontier zone! The new area may be weather-beaten and sandy, but it's certainly rich in additional quests, challenges and adventures. The Desert Frontier takes place in an alternate realm where the populace has bowed its will to the evil god Midranda. As you might imagine, this does not make for a fluffy, heart-warming place, and players will need to be quick on their toes to fend off never-before-seen mobs like the Anduhal Rider and the Grity. With today's 2.1.9 patch, all players will also be able to reset their skill combinations and reallocate points. GamerKraft plans to release another update next week to add PvP match-making features to the game. For more info on the free-to-play Priston Tale 2, check out our Rise and Shiny exploration of the title, and to get a quick overview of the Desert Frontier, hit the jump to watch the official trailer!
Gamerkraft announces Aida Arenas MMO brawler
Ready for another free-to-play MMO brawler? Ready or not, here it comes in the form of Aida Arenas, a new title just announced by Game Bridger Entertainment for its Gamerkraft F2P distribution platform. Aida Arenas is an action title from Korea's GalaxyGate development house, and it looks to combine classic beat-'em-up arcade stylings with the character progression and social features commonly found in MMORPGs. The world of Aida is a place where "good ol' fashioned rough-housing" is a primary pastime, and "the game's accessible controls and gameplay mechanics are sure to appeal to a wide range of both hardcore and casual gamers," according to a Game Bridger press release. Game Bridger is the publisher behind F2P titles like Freejack and Priston Tale 2, and you can learn more about its latest offering by viewing the Aida Arenas trailer after the cut.
Priston Tale 2 adds a new region and a mentoring system
If you're one of the souls inspired to step into Priston Tale 2 thanks to Beau's recent foray into the game, you picked a fine time to start playing. A large update has just hit the servers, featuring a brand-new area for players to explore. The Damned Burial Ground may be just a bit late for the Halloween season, but it would have fit in just fine as a haven for the restless bones of fallen soldiers and demons. The game has also launched the brand-new Master and Apprentice system, a setup by which experienced players can get rewards for mentoring newer players about the fine points of the game. Experienced players get to earn previously unavailable in-game items, and new players get rewarded with the full knowledge and experience of a game veteran. The newest update has come with a small selection of new screens as well, available in the gallery below and showing off what Priston Tale 2's engine is capable of producing. %Gallery-107578%
Rise and Shiny recap: Priston Tale 2
In continuing with the theme from the last few weeks, I examined another "grinder" -- this time, Priston Tale 2. I have to admit to being a little overwhelmed with the grind at this point. I cannot fathom how a player can grind after gear, levels or whatever the item is, for months, if not years, of his life. Normally, the free-to-play games I am looking at or enjoying while "off the clock" are not such a grind. Yes, there is some element of that to almost every single game I have ever played, but my favorite games give me a choice or a way to avoid the grind. It should be noted that even in the worst example of a grindy game there is the possibility of social interaction. Social interactions, in their many forms, are possible any time you have multiple players and a way to communicate. This is no small accomplishment, but it is often ignored as a very basic, important gaming possibility. Still, we're here to talk about what Priston Tale 2 might offer that is different than any number of good-looking free-to-play grinders. So, let's get to it. %Gallery-106874%
Rise and Shiny recap: FreeJack
FreeJack is a new MMORPG brought to us by Gamerkraft. It's based on parkour, a sport that pits human against pavement -- a ballet performed upon rooftops and railways. Well, that's the theory, at least. In reality, parkour is sometimes very cumbersome to watch. If you are ever fortunate enough to catch a televised parkour competition, you'll see that there is almost no fluidity involved at all. Instead, players perform flips and spins on a perfectly laid-out track. It feels clunky, especially when the runner pauses to set up a killer move. FreeJack, I had hoped, would give back some of that fluid movement to the sport. After all, a fall in a video game does not end your life -- greater risks can be taken. When we picture parkour in our heads, we see superhero-like movements, leaping between buildings, or balancing on wires. In most ways, FreeJack delivers this experience. It also features some really cool graphics, fantastic customization and great social systems. But in the middle of all that fun, the game can just stop you and make you feel more human than ever. %Gallery-102590%
