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Early beta access a perk of Aura Kingdom Founder's Packs
If getting in and checking out the many classes of Aura Kingdom is on your Christmas wish list, this news is for you: Aeria Games has announced a special Founder's Beta just in time for the holidays. By purchasing a Founder's Pack, players get guaranteed access to this special beta that begins on December 16th, access to the following closed beta, and other assorted goodies. All packs include name reservation and loyalty points, while higher-priced packs also offer costumes, gear, pets, and mounts. The top package also includes special collectables you can keep by your desk. Prices range from $19.00 to $299.00. Get a peek at the pet and two of the mounts in the new screenshots below. [Source: Aeria Games press release]
Exclusive: Aura Kingdom's final reveal showcases ranged classes
Just because you don't want to go toe-to-toe with your enemies doesn't mean you want to cast magic, and Aura Kingdom has you covered for non-magical ranged classes. The final classes revealed for the upcoming free-to-play fantasy game use gunpowder instead of incantations to inflict damage. Whether you prefer the dual pistols of the Gunslinger or the large cannon of the Grenadier, you can fire from afar and blast your opponents. Check out these final two classes in the gallery and get the full scoop on them in the exclusive dev blogs below. Then watch all seven classes strut their stuff in the trailer at the end.
Exclusive: Aura Kingdom reveals caster classes
Last week you got a glimpse of the melee classes coming to the anime world of Aura Kingdom. But what if you eschew the face-to-face fighting style of melee and prefer to fling fireballs at your foes or offer friends succor instead? Then this week's caster class reveal is for you! If you enjoy raining magical mayhem down on the heads of your enemies, the Wizard class is right up your alley. On the other hand, if you'd rather be the one to save the day with your healing aid, you can delve into the role of the Bard. Can't quite decide between the two roles? Then become a Sorcerer and do a little of both! Have a look at these three classes in the gallery and then delve into even more details in the dev blogs below.
Melee classes get the spotlight in Aura Kingdom reveals
You've already heard about some of the lore behind Aura Kingdom, the upcoming free-to-play fantasy game set in an anime-style world. So you know a bit about why you do what you do in the game. But how do you do it? That question is answered in part with the title's first class reveal, which in fact involves three different melee classes. Players who like to get up close and personal with foes during a fight can play as a tank with the Guardian or a damage-dealer with the Duelist or Ravager. The classes are defined by the weapons they specialize in; the Guardian utilizes sword and board, the Duelist dual-wields daggers, and the Ravager uses a great axe. These class weapons and their accompanying skills are what players will use throughout the beginning part of their journeys, but a secondary weapon can be selected at level 40, and that new class can be leveled up just like the first. Want to learn more? Take a gander at the classes in the gallery below and check out more details in the full dev blog after the break. [Source: Aeria Games press release]
Aura Kingdom offers its first installment of story
Let's face it, every MMO's lore is fundamentally an explanation for why there's something to kill and what you hope to accomplish by killing it. But even in the games that only need the thinnest veneer of a plot anyway, there's still some lore, and someone's going to be happy to learn about it. Aura Kingdom is aiming at having a bit more than an excuse plot, evidenced by the fact that a large piece of lore has just been placed up on the main site prior to the game's beta test commencing. The crux of the game's history hinges around the Cube of Gaia, an immensely powerful artifact that was discovered roughly 1,000 years prior to the game's present. This first bit of lore covers the first empire to control the Cube, with a normadic warchief rising to worldwide domination through careful use of the Cube's power. Take a look at the lore, and if it appeals, go ahead and sign up for beta while you're there.
Aeria Games Announces Aura Kingdom at Otakon 2013
Attendees at Otakon 2013 were treated to the first reveal of Aeria Games' upcoming Aura Kingdom, a fantasy-based title with interactive companions, "elaborate" skill trees, and an anime-style world. Developed by X-Legend of Eden Eternal fame, Aura Kingdom is set for closed beta launch in both English and French sometime in the near future. Aeria Games is calling Aura Kingdom its "biggest title to date." Players with an Aeria account can sign up for a closed beta slot on the official website; in the meantime, check out the teaser trailer after the break. [Thanks to Skurvel for the tip!]
Aeria to publish F.E.A.R. Online
Quick, which F2P company do you think is publishing an online version of the much-loved psychological horror-thriller-first-person-shooter F.E.A.R. franchise? If you said Aeria, the firm that brought us Eden Eternal and Lime Odyssey, well, you get a gold star. Anyway, yes, Aeria is publishing F.E.A.R. Online, which appears to be a continuation of the story of Alma Wade who has served as the series' primary mystery and antagonist since the original 2005 Monolith title. Aeria's press release mentions a co-op mode and several competitive team modes, with the new title's story supposedly running parallel to that of 2009's F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin. Though Aeria is publishing the game in the west, it is actually being developed in Korea by Inplay Interactive. You can sign up for a beta slot on the title's official website. [Source: Aeria press release]
FEAR Online, a multiplayer shooter that fancies free frights
Fear is free. We're not talking about the emotional state but rather FEAR Online, a free-to-play online shooter being crafted for the PC by Korean outfit Inplay Interactive. FEAR Online will continue the story of the world's creepiest child, Alma Wade, and will include several competitive team modes. FEAR 3's Soul King mode returns, tasking players, floating about as spirits, with possessing AI enemies and using their guns to kill other AI-possessed players for points. If you've ever played GameCube scare-em-up Geist, it's kinda like that. Up to four players will be able to band together in a separate co-op mode in FEAR Online, which will run parallel to the events of FEAR 2: Project Origin. No mention of other modes is present in the announcement embedded past the break. FEAR Online will be published through Aeria games, an online games publisher who specializes in licensing established games for distribution. The publisher is ramping up a closed beta and currently accepting applicants, if you're into that sort of thing.%Gallery-194687%
Rise and Shiny: Eden Eternal
It's been a while since I last played Eden Eternal. I have enjoyed it off and on over the last year, but mostly because of how much I loved the graphics. As a matter of fact, I would vote Eden Eternal as one of the best-looking MMOs out there, up there with The Chronicles of Spellborn, Guild Wars 2, and Ryzom. Sure, it covers a more stylized branch of the graphical tree than other games, but that's a pretty important job. Every year designers try to make games that look fun and bright, but they almost always come out generic. Eden Eternal is just awesome to look at. How is the gameplay, though? Being that the last major patch we talked about consisted mostly of graphical updates, I didn't expect to enjoy the game this time around as much as I did when I first discovered it. Luckily I enjoyed myself just as much -- if not more -- thanks to the game's easy pace and sandbox gameplay.
Eden Eternal celebrates second anniversary with The Reawakening update
What better way to celebrate a second anniversary than with a monumental update? That's exactly what Eden Eternal is doing; Aeria Games has launched The Reawakening, an ambitious update that includes graphical enhancements throughout the entire game as well as a new loyalty shop where players can buy various rewards using loyalty points (which can now be obtained through both questing and defeating monsters). The Reawakening also comes with sparkle ponies and llamas! OK, so the sparkle pony is really called a snow colt, but it does sparkle -- see for yourself below. You can also check out the graphics overhaul (including a comparative before and after shot) in the five new gallery images and in the trailer after the break.%Gallery-120523% [Source: Aeria Games press release]
Scarlet Blade reveals first major content update
Though it's a game best-known for removing things (clothing in particular), Scarlet Blade is actually adding something this time around: Aeria Games has announced the free-to-play game's first major content update. Players in Scarlet Blade can now reach level 34 and venture into a new zone called Barbiron. New gear also accompanies the level cap increase, as do new dungeons, including the aptly named Subterranean Factory, which sits underground. PvP also received attention in this update with the opening of Viledon, an all new open-world zone capable of holding hundreds of combatants. This zone, which contains quests to complete, bosses to fight over, and escort missions to complete or sabotage, can be entered and exited at will. [Source Aeria Games press release]
Second Wind Roundtable: NSFW edition
For this edition of the Second Wind Roundtable, I thought it'd be a funny little prank to coerce a couple of my colleagues into playing Scarlet Blade with me. I was wrong. I was so, so very wrong. We lost some good men in there, but those of us who survived to talk about it gathered 'round for some group therapy over hard whiskey and mind-bleach. Coincidentally, we also transcribed it so that you can learn from our mistakes. Be warned, many screenshots below the cut are explicit, though some have been tastefully censored for the sake of all things holy and sacred. No, really, we are not kidding: This post is not safe for work/children/anyone with a sense of common decency. That being said, you can join us after the cut. I'm so, so sorry.
Rise and Shiny: Peeking into the half-naked world of Scarlet Blade
As soon as I knew that I was going to be covering Scarlet Blade, the new title published by Aeria Games, I decided that I was not going to dedicate 1,000 words or so to discussing just how stupidly offensive the game is. I'll cover the issue of sexism in gaming through other avenues because I know that there are generally two types of players in MMOs: those who think this is a sexist industry and those who don't care. I will, however, concentrate on the gameplay. I am always ready to volunteer and cover weird or icky games like Scarlet Blade. After all, I can't comment on a game I haven't played. What I found wasn't really surprising, but it was relatively confusing. Warning: Don't read the rest of this article if your boss is over your shoulder. Unless your boss is my boss, in which case it's OK.
Eden Eternal update introduces gear fusion
Eden Eternal has dropped its latest patch for players to unwrap and marvel over its contents. At the core of this update is the Arcane Box fusion system, which provides several ways to upgrade your character. By using the Box (a device whose mystery is only exceeded by its power), players can fuse gear together or break it down to make specific improvements. The patch also adds a PvP zone called Elysian Island as well as a duo of PvE dungeons: Vingot Lab and Destruction Dimension. [Source: Aeria Games press release]
Scarlet Blade streaks into closed beta
The self-proclaimed "premier mature MMO" of our time, Scarlet Blade, has gone into closed beta. Aeria Games announced that this saucy beta test will be the last step before the game's launch. Aeria Games calls this a "monumental day" and says that Scarlet Blade already has one of the largest fanbases of any of the studio's titles. Players who hit certain mature milestones in beta testing will receive premier prizes when the game goes live. Scarlet Blade also has several founder's packs available for those who want to stock up on bundled goods for a discounted price. There's no word yet whether the studio will be charging for character clothes by the square inch or for sex change surgery so that male characters can join the fun. [Source: Aeria Games press release]
DK Online charges into open beta
After two months in closed beta, DK Online has opened its testing doors to everyone who wants to get in on the action. Now whether you prefer the style of the mighty Warrior, the subversive Shadowmage, the righteous Paladin, or the fire-flinging Sorceress, you can take on the role of a Dragon Knight to battle against the encroaching evil of Dark Knight Nox. Along with open doors, this beta is bringing two new castles to fight for, a new level cap of 42, plenty of new monsters, a skills revamp, and the new land of Emtlant for players to explore. Aeria Games is also hosting a number of events during this time, such as GM hide and seek, a scavenger hunt, and a large-scale invasion. For more details on the events and to download the game, visit the official site. [Thanks to Ville for the tip!]
DK Online begins closed beta testing
If you were just thinking that it's been too long since you last got your hands on a new Aeria Games title, you're in luck! DK Online enters closed beta today. Players in DK Online take on the role of Dragon Knights to fight off the terror of the ancient dragon Kharvag. When they're not busy duking it out with an ancient menace, players can hone their skills by beating each other senseless in one of the game's PvP modes. With the launch of closed beta, a new PvP mode has been opened up: Castle Siege is a contest between several guilds, with total domination as the ultimate goal. Skip below the cut for a video preview of Castle Siege. Aeria Games is promising an "avalanche of special events" during closed beta. The game can be downloaded from the official site. [Source: Aeria Games press release]
Aeria highlights Scarlet Blade's skimpy armor
Aeria Games is readying yet another free-to-play MMO. We say yet another because by some counts, the newly announced Scarlet Blade will be the company's 13th published MMORPG since its founding in 2006. This time around the firm is giving players 50v50 and 80v80 PvP as well as control of what it calls "eye-catching heroines" and "exhilarating combat." The former gets more play in the company's latest press release, which states that Scarlet Blade's all-female cast is "so adept at combat that they can hold their own even in the scarcest attire." Closed beta signups are now live on the game's official website. [Source: Aeria Games press release]
Massively Exclusive: DK Online shows off the Shadowmage
Last time, we gazed upon the Paladin and we saw the light. Now, we delve into the darkness and shadows with an exclusive look at DK Online's Shadowmage. The final class highlighted in Aeria Games' spotlight videos, the Shadowmage proves that not all heroes are pure and innocent. By embracing shadow magic, this class is able to support comrades by debuffing opponents while simultaneously buffing allies. Like any good dark mage, some of the available skills are poison, paralyze, and bleed. However, while Shadowmages use a more sinister and subversive method of magical combat, they aren't above smashing heads with their staffs as well. If this class sounds more your style than the Warrior, Paladin, or Sorceress, jump past the cut for a more in-depth look, including a dev blog, exclusive interview, and video.
Choose My Adventure: Beware the Bard edition
All the world's a game, and all the men and women are merely players. Shakespeare was really onto something there, even if he flubbed a word a bit. Folks who try to deny their participation in games are just fooling themselves! What are games, after all, but progression in a given world? Some people are just so boring that they stick to only one world. We know better, though, don't we? We choose ours from a myriad of options! Or, as in this case, you Choose My Adventure. I will admit, I have been in the wings, eagerly awaiting my next casting call. Twice now you've sent me on amazing adventures, and I've had a blast! And finally, it's my turn to take the stage again. So what will I star in this time? Will it be a military epic, a space adventure, or a flight of fantasy? My big comeback is in your hands! Peruse the list below and follow your muse to choose which world I will spotlight for the next six weeks. Just be sure to have your vote in by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday the 9th. And don't forget to stay tuned to the MV Guide over the coming weeks to watch the adventures unfold on Massively TV!
