hack-and-slash
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Cheeky hack-and-slash RPG ‘Nobody Saves the World’ is available now
Available now on Xbox and PC, Nobody Saves the World is hack-and-slash RPG crammed with Drinkbox’s signature self-aware humor, quirky combat and vivid art style.
Sacred 3 now available to pummel with friends
Deep Silver's hack-and-slash game Sacred 3 is now available on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC via Steam. The top-down brawler pits players and their co-op partners together against "hordes of grimmocs, brute beasts, legions of mercenaries and undead wizards." Oh my! As indicated by its name, Sacred 3 is the third game in the arcade-style action series, the first of which was originally developed by German studio Ascaron for PC in 2004. Announced in February, the latest game drops players into a war for the series' primary locale, Ancaria. Players choose one of four different heroes with varying skill and weapon sets, upgrading their characters and using special co-op combat arts to tackle bosses. Up to four fighters can adventure together online, though co-op action is limited to two players locally. [Image: Deep Silver]
Slayin' is a hack-and-slash trip down memory lane
Do you remember the old 8-bit hack-and-slash games? You know, the ones where your little knight or wizard was composed of a total of about a dozen pixels, and they walked in one direction and essentially demolished everything in sight? Slayin' is all of those games, condensed and crammed into a single, frantic all-out brawl. You never actually go anywhere, but rather navigate a screen-sized chunk of land while enemies pour in from all angles. They crawl up from below, drop in from above and pop up in every corner of the screen. Your job is to dispatch them -- surprise! -- and thanks to several content-filled updates, there are now a total of six playable character classes, each with their own specialty and weakness. The knight attacks with his sword, but is vulnerable from behind; the wizard can become temporarily invincible, but lacks a jump; and so on. The enemies start out mild, but ramp up to be quite formidable. There are also some seriously epic boss fights tossed in to punctuate the action. These battles are nothing to sneeze at, and you might even be reminded of the mind-numbingly difficult battles from the 8-bit generation. As you progress through the waves of bad guys, your character will gain experience, levels and coins. Your cash can be used at merchants to purchase newer, more powerful weapons and to replenish your health. There's also a type of in-game currency called Fame Points, which are used to unlock things like interface tweaks and additional characters. Slayin' oozes nostalgic charm and it's a bargain at US$0.99. You simply won't find a better way to relive the joys -- and frustrations -- from the yesteryear of gaming than this.
The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot arrives on Steam
The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot, the game with the cheeky title that turns into a monstrosity of an acronym, has arrived on Steam. Ubisoft Montreal's free-to-play game is available as part of Steam's Early Access program, and while it's free, there are several bundled packages for sale. The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot is a multiplayer action game that incorporates castle-building (and pillaging) and is currently in closed beta. Massively will be taking a closer look at this game in the near future, but in the meanwhile, why not give it a whirl and sound off in the comments?
Daily iPhone App: Dungeon Hunter 4 is a hack-and-slash that asks for cash
I got to see Dungeon Hunter 4 in action a few weeks ago at GDC, and now the app is out and available for free on the App Store for you to try out for yourself. I'm torn on this one, unfortunately. On the one hand, this is an excellent game -- the graphics are extremely well done and the controls are excellent. While it is a little repetitive, this is a very respectable dungeon-crawling action game, similar in tone to the very famous (and much-loved) Diablo series. If you liked Dungeon Hunter 2, you'll be glad to see that the series has abandoned arenas for an actual story again, and I think all three of the game's classes are well-balanced and fun to play. That's all fine and dandy, but the issue here isn't with the game, it's with the business model. Dungeon Hunter 4 is a freemium title, and I'd go so far as to say it's viciously freemium. It's up to you what the most annoying of its many in-app purchase tricks are, but they include putting a timer on potions so that you have to wait or pay to use them frequently, teasing the player with better items for sale right there in your own personal inventory, or making you wait in real time (or pay, again) for item upgrades and crafting. One of these ideas might not be so bad, but including all of them means that a good quarter of your time in Dungeon Hunter 4 is taken up with the game tempting you to spend money, rather than just enjoying your time in the game's virtual world. It's up to you whether that works or not. Personally, I like Dungeon Hunter 4 -- I won't spend any money in it, but I get a kick out of the action RPG gameplay, and I can see sitting down for some multiplayer sessions with friends. If everyone who downloaded this game played like me, however (without spending any money at all), then Gameloft would go out of business, or have to fall back on a premium model. So it's up to you -- if you feel this is a worthwhile way to sell games, then by all means, give them your money. If you think making the monetization systems almost as complex as the game itself is a mistake, then it's probably better to move on and try something else. Ridiculous Fishing, for example, is an excellent title that leaves gameplay and monetization completely separate.
Daily iPhone App: Swordigo hacks and slashes in 2D
Swordigo is a really impressive venture on iOS. It's a 2D-action platformer with a lot of nice RPG elements. In other words, it's a 2D Legend of Zelda title, and it lives up to that comparison quite well. There are a few weak points. The graphics aren't exactly impressive though they do get the job done, and the story is barely there and hamstrung by some translation issues, I think. But neither of those things matters much, because the game is well designed. Every swing of your sword pops up XP into a meter, which feels very rewarding and makes the whole affair a lot of fun. Plus, Swordigo is free today, so you should probably just go download it. It's a quality game anyway, but for zero dollars, it's a must-get.
Latest Elsword patch introduces enhanced PvP, grouping incentives
Kill3rCombo's anime-style sidescroller Elsword has just received a brand-new update that adds a few new features for players to enjoy. PvPers will surely be overjoyed by the newly enhanced PvP system, which boasts new matchmaking functionality and the addition of Arena Points. Arena Points are earned by players through participation in matchmade games and can be used to purchase new weapons. Social players will find that partying up now grants increased experience points, which should provide greater incentive to adventure as a group. The final two Velder town levels are now available, and so are two new pets which will assist players on their adventures. To get in on the fun, head on over to Elsword's official site. [Source: Kill3rCombo press release]
Dungeon Hunter 3 screenshots leak
Gameloft's Dungeon Hunter series has delivered some of my favorite gameplay on iOS -- the second game, especially, has made for some really great single-player moments, and even some terrific co-op gameplay. Sure, the series is heavily influenced by Diablo and other hack-and-slash RPG titles, but considering Blizzard hasn't yet made a game for iOS yet, I'm happy to let Gameloft do it for now. Dungeon Hunter itself is so popular that it's even made the jump to the PS3 as a full downloadable console game. And while the company hasn't actually announced Dungeon Hunter 3, that hasn't stopped a few images from the game from leaking out onto the Interwebs. Slide to Play found an Italian blog that's got a few pictures from the unannounced title, and they look ... about like what you'd expect: Better graphics, new enemies, and about the same gameplay as before. The shot above even apes what we've seen of Diablo 3 a little bit, though obviously we're not quite looking at the level of polish in Blizzard's game. That doesn't really matter, though -- if it allows us to hack and slash through bad guys and collect the sweet, shiny loot that drops from their corpses, I'm all for it.
Isometric DarkEden vampire MMO enters closed beta
Quick, name a vampire-themed MMORPG other than CCP's long-awaited World of Darkness. If you said DarkEden, you get a gold star. The isometric hack-and-slash game debuted way back in 1997 and while none of its various versions really caught on in the western market, that's not stopping Ignited Games from attempting to reanimate the game for a modern audience. The game features three races and "distinctive gameplay mechanics and methods for character progression such as the vampire's need to drink blood to gain experience points," according to a new press release. DarkEden's closed beta phase is currently live, and you can sign up for a chance to test at the game's official website. [Source: Ignited Games press release]
New hack-and-slash MMO Core Blaze discusses boss fights, platforming details
What is Core Blaze? Well, to be honest with you, we weren't entirely sure either. But from the looks of things, it's an upcoming Unreal-Engine-3-powered action MMO from Gamania and RedGate Studios. "Big deal," you might say. "There's a ton of action MMOs out there already," you might also say. So what separates Core Blaze from the chaff? RedGate Studios' chief operating officer Jacky Chu sat down with PC Gamer to try to answer that very question, and then some. Chu claims that the key factor that will separate Core Blaze from other hack-and-slash MMO titles is its cerebral nature. He emphasizes that the game is "much more than a mindless adrenaline rush." Boss monsters are designed like "a puzzle that can be solved in multiple ways," requiring players to work together to develop and execute a strategy rather than running in sword-swinging and spell-slinging until one side isn't standing. Chu puts emphasis on the fact that players should have ultimate freedom rather than being restricted into one optimal build, one optimal equipment set, one way to kill a boss, or one way to traverse a level. Players looking for an action-based MMO with a great degree of personal choice should likely keep their eyes set on Core Blaze, though no North American release date has been announced. For the full interview, head on over to PC Gamer.
Daily iPhone App: Emissary of War
Emissary of War is a new title from Cedar Hill Games, a studio run by a former Bioware developer who's gotten into mobile development. The game is an action RPG title, and while it is a little short, there's quite a bit of polish here, some fun humor, and a good chunk of intriguing gameplay. You can point and click your hero around the game while hacking and slashing through various enemies, and he has a potion-throwing buddy that will help out both in battle and by healing at the correct times. There's a Rage mechanic for extra attacks, and lots of upgrades and collectibles to find as well. There's Game Center integration for achievements, too, which adds a little extra replayability to the affair. It's a solid title, and the fact that it's available as a universal app for free means you should probably just go ahead and pick Emissary of War up right away. The free game only includes the first episode, but the second is just 99 cents anyway, which is more than worth it if you get to that point. Emissary of War is an excellent addition to iOS (and Android, incidentally), and we're glad to have Cedar Hill's developer here on the platform.
Win big in the Rusty Hearts beta giveaway
For some people, just getting to take part in a beta is reward enough. But not for you, right? No, you have higher standards than that -- you want to hit the jackpot as well! It's OK, ambition is an admirable trait, and apparently the folks at Perfect World think so too, since they're giving away an awesome prize pack during the Rusty Hearts beta. Three Rusty Hearts limited prize packs are up for grabs, each containing a Logitech G510 keyboard, a Logitech F710 gamepad and a limited edition Rusty Hearts bear. This prize pack is valued at around $170, and it can be yours by simply redeeming a beta key. Players who enter in their Rusty Hearts beta key by July 3rd have a shot at this package (specific rules are on the official forums). Don't have your key yet? We've got you covered -- head on over here to snag a key to this hack-and-slash title! Rusty Hearts' closed beta will begin on July 27th.
Dragon Nest open beta date announced
Action RPG fans, rejoice! Nexon has announced that the newest member of its MMO stable, Dragon Nest, will be entering open beta on July 26th. You may remember that we had some hands-on impressions with the game at this year's E3, but what exactly should players expect from Dragon Nest? From the looks of things, players should expect equal parts adrenaline-pumping action and good old-fashioned dungeon crawling. Players get to take on the role of one of four (gender-locked) classes -- Cleric, Sorceress, Archer, or Warrior -- and dive headlong into some combo-based hack-and-slash combat in search of phat loot and all that jazz. If this sounds like your proverbial cup of tea, head on over to the official site to register.
Rusty Hearts announces closed beta date
Rusty Hearts, the upcoming side-scrolling hack-and-slash MMO from Perfect World Entertainment, has finally been slated to enter closed beta. On July 27th, players will be able to jump into the cel-shaded dungeon crawler (with which our own Beau Hindman was able to go hands-on at E3) and start slicin' some baddies. According to the press release, players should expect "a thrilling gaming experience and epic dungeon crawling fights led by the unique heroes of Rusty Hearts, each with their own compelling backstory," a game in which they can smack their way through multiple dungeon difficulties in search of shiny loot. And finally, to commemorate the beta announcement, PWE has released a brand-new gameplay trailer for your consumption, which you can check out after the cut.
Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure preview: Babes in toyland
Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure is one of those things that's tough to explain in preview text, but easy to understand once you've seen it in action. It starts with a series of real-life plastic toy characters, 32 in all, molded in the style of Spyro the Dragon and his friends, old and new. These real-life toys can be placed on a drum-like device called a "portal," that then connects up to your gaming console (the Wii to start, though Activision promises more later on). Once you're all set up, the action is surprisingly easy: Place the toy on the portal, and instantly that character appears in your game, playable and ready to go. Switch toys, and your character switches, but retains all of the XP and loot it earns on the go. "It's the easiest pitch in the world," says Paul Reiche, studio president of Toys for Bob, the developer behind Activision's new take on Spyro. "It's so emotional and primal. It's what you expect. You have a toy, it's in your imagination, it's alive, and the fact that it isn't is strange. So when you see it instantly come to life, it's a natural, pleasant experience." He's right -- while the actual game behind Skylanders is clearly meant for younger players (we'll get to that in just a second), the technology is pretty amazing to children of all ages. Toys for Bob has made the transition between the real-world toys and the in-game characters almost seamless, and it makes this kids' game worth a look.%Gallery-125347%
Rusty Hearts announces E3 debut
Perfect World Entertainment announced in a press release today that its upcoming title Rusty Hearts will make its North American debut at this year's E3. Presented in a crisp, clean, cel-shaded style, the game is described as a hack 'n' slash dungeon-crawler and allows players to take control of one of many pre-made heroes for a fast, furious and combo-filled brawl through a number of dungeons. It will also include PvP in the form of arena battles, guild battles, and tournaments. And for those of you who prefer to let your thumbs do the work, the game will provide full support for PC gamepads. Keep an eye out for more information on Rusty Hearts from the upcoming E3, and feel free to hit the game's official site to sign up for the beta.
Mythos European open beta starts today
It's been a long road home for Mythos, the free-to-play hack-and-slash MMO from HanbitSoft and Frogster. The game, which enters its European open beta phase today, originally began its life at ill-fated Flagship Studios and was resurrected after the company's dissolution. After a lengthy development cycle, Mythos has officially thrown open its doors to all registered players (over 100,000 of them to date) in preparation for the game's April 28th launch day. A Frogster press release indicates that additional optimization and localization will continue throughout the open beta, and considerable new content will be introduced as well. The level cap will be raised from 27 to 50, and adventurers will be able to explore the snow-capped Umbral Peaks. Players can download Mythos for free at the official website or pick up a retail box version at stores or online retailers. The box copy includes several bonus items as well as a two-day head start on the game's official release.
First Impressions: Spiral Knights
If you were one of the lucky few who grabbed a Spiral Knights beta key recently, then you will appreciate the joy I feel when talking about this game. It's simply a toy -- a ray-gun or a tin robot. It does what it is supposed to do and does it on a variety of machines without many issues. It is mechanized fun, simple and to the point, yet somehow also endearing and even sweet. Perhaps the tiny robots and adorably destructive weaponry implemented by the folks at Three Rings help to bind the game to our hearts, because I found myself worrying that the little robot I was aiding would never find the materials he needed to escape from the dreadful gearworks and steam engines I was forced to investigate. Confused? Well, go log in and try it out or click past the cut to hear my explanation!
Mythos announces European launch information
The hard part of anticipating a game early in the development process is the question of when you'll finally get a chance to see it released. Mythos has thankfully killed that part of the anticipation with the official announcement that the game will be going live as of April 28th, 2011. But if you can't wait that long to start in on a hack-and-slash bonanza and haven't been fortunate enough to get into the beta testing, how about a nice shiny box copy? Before you get your credit card information out, it should be noted that as this is still the European release; the box copy itself is being sold through Amazon.co.uk and will thus be rather limited for American players. For the European contingent, however, buying the box will allow access to the game on the 26th, two days before general release. Mythos players still have time to enjoy the closed beta for now, and as previously noted, open beta will begin on the 12th, if you're still up in the air.
Open beta en route for Mythos Europe
If there's been a single unifying thread for our last several beta giveaways for Mythos Europe, it's been a wail of anguish that the keys have vanished quickly. (Like cheap beer on a college campus, if you'd like an analogy.) But while we can't conjure new keys out of thin air, we can console those unable to get one with the news that the open beta is on its way. On April 12th, the servers open to everyone for testing and enjoyment. For the open testing phase, the level cap is being raised to 50, giving players the opportunity to explore new abilities and new zones. The game's third major area, Umbral Peaks, will be accessible in the last testing phase with the raised cap. Current beta players are also in luck, as servers have been added for several languages, including English, French, and Turkish. Mythos is getting closer and closer to launch, and starting April 12th, everyone gets to take part in putting on the final pre-launch testing polish. [Thanks to Blake Linton Wilfong for the tip!]
