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Peria Chronicles puts sandbox features front and center at G-Star 2014
If you're not looking forward to Peria Chronicles, that's sort of understandable since you've probably never heard of it before now. It's a new Korean anime-inspired sandbox game with -- wait, don't walk away, I'm just getting to the part that's interesting! It's more like a cel-shaded Minecraft, you see, and the latest trailer shows off some of the reasons you should care even if seeing the words "Korean" and "anime" and "sandbox" in close proximity give you the urge to run for the hills. You can check out the G-Star trailer courtesy of Steparu just past the break. While it only goes over some of the game's features in rapid succession, it shows off floating player-created landscapes, player-made objects with varied functions, and the monster taming system. If that sounds interesting, jump on down and check out the trailer. No sort of US release has been discussed at this time.
Human Element no longer F2P, still aiming for November 2015
Human Element, Robotoki's class-based, apocalyptic zombie survival game, will no longer be free to play when its central experience launches on PC in November 2015, as reported by Gamasutra. "As the game evolved we realized that the elements that make Human Element the most fun would be hindered by keeping it a free-to-play experience," Bowling explained. The shift in design led to the dissolve of a deal for Human Element with free-to-play publisher Nexon and involved laying off a portion of Robotoki's staff. Human Element's debut is a two-piece effort, with a mobile, Google Maps-supplemented counterpart supporting the at-home game with real-world exploration for things like resources. There was once a third effort that involved an Ouya-exclusive prequel, but it was canceled to focus on PS4 and Xbox One versions of Human Element. [Image: Robotoki]
Nexon teases Hyper Universe with a trailer, will publish Tree of Savior
Although Nexon's big showcase for the year, G-Star 2014, doesn't start until next week, there's already some information coming out thanks to a press day, and MMO Culture nabbed a few bits of news. Nexon showed a teaser trailer for its upcoming Hyper Universe game. While information about the game is a bit scarce, the premise of heroes from multiple universes battling it out lends itself to a possible PvP brawler idea. You can get a glimpse of a few of the various characters in the trailer below. Nexon will also be the Korean publisher for Tree of Savior; the company is taking over all marketing and business activities from this point on. Players can expect a new trailer of the game to be released next week during G-Star 2014, and the pace of development is said to be quickening to still meet its 2015 launch schedule.
MapleStory gets aerial combat
Mounted ground combat is so yesterday's MMO feature. If you want to really rise above the competition, then you'll need to throw in aerial combat into your game. MapleStory is doing just this with an upcoming patch. In the second chapter of the Black Heaven storyline, players will be able to jump into a flying machine and duke it out in the sky. As with everything else in the game, the action will take place strictly in a side-scrolling 2-D format. From the looks of it, it calls back to classic shmups of earlier console generations. Also coming in one of the future updates is a revamp to MapleStory's Resistance classes, including the Wild Hunter, Battle Mage, and Mechanic.
MapleStory 2 shows off its housing system
MapleStory 2 is not going to make your character live on the streets. Probably not, anyway; the new video on housing makes it appear that space is limited for buying and building a house or a room, but players will have the option of doing either. Yes, there's housing, and the video just past the break shows it off in all its glory, even if the narration will be a bit difficult to follow for the non-Korean-speaking members of our audience. While open-world plots are rather expensive, rooms can also be purchased for characters to use, offering many of the same benefits. Some decorations are purely cosmetic, while others offer a function; the video shows off using a cabinet for storage and a mannequin for quickly changing to a new gear set. There's also the option to quickly teleport back to your home as necessary once you own one. Check out the full video past the break for a clearer picture of the housing setup.
Let the cuteness of MapleStory 2 woo you
We've got another video preview of the upcoming MapleStory 2 for you to check out today, albeit with the standard "it's not in English, so either get really good at Korean fast or just pretend that you know what's happening" disclaimer. So what do you think about the blocky landscape? Is it perfect for the MapleStory setting or too reminiscent of the Minecraft crowd? Also, how has this entire population not killed itself for a lack of handrails next to bottomless drops into the sunshiney abyss? [Thanks to Lunian and Dystopiq for the tip!]
Watch MapleStory 2's feature trailer
Even if you don't understand Korean, chances are that you can grok some of what's going on in this new MapleStory 2 features trailer. The video shows various systems in the game, including player-created content, housing, customization, and (oh yes) minigames. Check out the video after the break and let us know what you think of MapleStory 2's look and offerings!
Vindictus previews upcoming hero Arisha
Bad news first: if you're a stateside player of Vindictus, you don't know when you're going to be able to start playing with Arisha, as she's not releasing in Korea until August 7th. You can, however, take a look at her trailer just past the break to get a sense for the character and how she fights, so that's something, at least. In play, Arisha looks to be a fast-moving character using a single blade and magic to teleport, freeze time, and otherwise tear through her opponents. Also, by the looks of it, she's got a pet dog. Take a gander at the trailer if you're interested in seeing more about the character, although you will have to wait for a while yet to play her yourself.
Vindictus highlights its new character with fashion silhouettes
When you think about it, catwalk struts are seriously underused as a means of introducing new content to an MMO. Vindictus is taking the genre in a bold new direction with its latest reveal. The Korean reveal page for the new character makes it clear that Arisha is bringing a whole new style to the game. That style is... well... style, perhaps? Seriously, the trailer doesn't reveal anything but a silhouette. Datamining has revealed that she's a hybrid melee/magical character, although that could go a lot of different routes. Still, you can get a very shadowy peek at her in the trailer past the break. Based on that, she'll attack primarily with six-inch heels and fishnet stockings because hot pants, heels, and plunging necklines are crazy useful in combat.
MapleStory details Tower of Oz content coming July 23
MapleStory's new Rising Heroes: Tower of Oz update is highlighted in this week's official update notes on the site. This Wizard of Oz-themed content allows players to traverse 50 levels of monsters, jump quests, and more, including battles with the monstrous versions of Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman, the Cowardly Lion, and Dorothy herself. This new v.151 content will be available for free in game on July 23.
Vindictus shows off its TV spot
If you're already a fan of Vindictus, you're not really the target audience for the game's TV spot. Not that you should avoid watching it all the same, though. Who doesn't enjoy the prospect of seeing a game on the small screen? And you can watch it right now! As mentioned, there's not a whole lot to be said if you are a fan of the game, although you can certainly determine how well you think the ad represents the game as a whole. If you're not a player or a fan, though, you can still check out the trailer just past the break to find out what the game's all about. (Hint: hacking at people with swords.)
Gears of War's Bleszinski teaming with Nexon America for arena shooter
It looks as if Cliff Bleszinski is getting exactly what he wanted, as the former Epic Games design director is partnering with Nexon America to create a PC arena shooter. Just one week after Bleszinski announced his return to game development following a 21-month absence, the designer now has a studio by the name of Boss Key Productions and a new game to go along with it, codenamed BlueStreak. No, the game won't star Martin Lawrence (as far as we know). Rather, BlueStreak is a free-to-play, sci-fi FPS that will offer a "new take on an old favorite," according to Bleszinski. It's the latest in a string of strategic publishing partnerships by Nexon America, who recently agreed to publish an as-yet-unannounced game from Sleeping Dogs developer United Front Games and will also distribute Splash Damage's Dirty Bomb. [Image: Boss Key Productions]
Nexon opens beta for mobile MMO Legion of Heroes
Nexon M, the mobile branch of Nexon Co. Ltd, has announced the release of its mobile MMO Legion of Heroes into beta testing. The beta test is currently available for Android users and will open for iOS mobile devices in the future. Already released in Korea, the fantasy mobile MMO focuses on community, allowing teams of players to unify against an ancient evil. This stage of beta ends at 1 p.m. EDT on June 30th, so be sure to head over to the official site to sign up soon if you're looking for a new mobile MMO. [Source: Nexon press release]
Vindictus EU introduces playable Lynn
Vindictus Europe has a good cause to cheer today, as Nexon introduced a new playable character to the roster. The fresh face is Lynn, the so-called Princess of the Lost Kingdom. She's a lightning-fast fighter who uses a spear to strike out and quick reflexes to dodge attacks. Some of her skills include Swift Assassin, Five-Fingered Death, and Jade Fox. The addition of Lynn coincides with an in-game event that gives out special awards at specific times and the opportunity to win gifts. You can see Lynn in action in a video after the break!
Vindictus running its Golden Time event
It's the perfect time to play Vindictus if you've been on the fence. Not because of some huge update, but because the game is knee-deep in its month-long Golden Time event. During the event, each week brings a new set of boosts and promotions for players, just a little something extra to enjoy. This week is all about making the weary business of adventuring just a bit less weary, starting with a 50% discount to all repair costs. Players can also resurrect for free between 8 p.m. EDT and 10 p.m. EDT every day this week, and special items will be distributed to players who are logged in at 10 p.m. EDT on Saturday and Sunday. What does the next week bring? You'll just have to find out, but it should provide a nice encouragement to anyone playing the game. See? It's the perfect time for play. [Thanks to Soren for the tip!]
Meet Durango, Nexon's dino survival MMO
Pop quiz, hotshot! Which of these things do not go together: dinosaurs, wooly mammoths, hot air balloons, chainsaws, survival gameplay. It's actually a trick question, because in Durango, Nexon's newest MMO, they all do. Nexon recently revealed the survival-based dino-tastic MMO with a teaser site. From the looks of it, players will be put into a mish-mash prehistoric isometric setting and challenged to survive by making tools, constructing traps, fighting dinos, and building up a safe home. The title is being made by the folks who did Vindictus. In an interesting twist, Durango will be heading primarily (from the looks of it) to mobile platforms, including iOS, Android, and Nvidia Shield. You can check out the teaser trailer after the jump.
See MapleStory 2's bubbly 3-D in action
"Oh yeah," you think, looking at the headline. "They are working on a MapleStory 2. I forgot about that!" That's right, buckaroos: Nexon is charging ahead with a sequel (well, technically a prequel) to the colorful 2-D MMO, and today the publisher has a gameplay trailer to prove it. In the trailer, you can see the transition to chunky 3-D graphics as characters boogie, battle, and be Little Bo Peep to a flock of sheep. MapleStory 2 will be throwing a "Supporter's Day" for select fans in late June and should enter Korean closed beta later this year. We've got the new trailer for you after the break. [Source: Nexon press release]
MapleStory's Legacy of Nine update marks anniversary
It's MapleStory's ninth anniversary, and for that joyous occasion, the team at Nexon has prepared a special update that landed today called Legacy of Nine. Legacy of Nine is a huge patch that kicks off with skill updates for 10 of the game's classes. That act is followed by a zombie outbreak event (where, as a twist, the players become the feared undead), the new high-level soul weapon system, the Rose Garden addition to the Lion King's castle, and cross-world party quests. So happy birthday, MapleStory! You can check out the Legacy of Nine spotlight video after the jump.
Dungeon Fighter Online returns from the dead
It was a about a year ago that Dungeon Fighter Online closed up shop in North America, but the scrappy MMO might be back for round two. The resurrected version of Dungeon Fighter Online is being run by developer Neople, not Nexon. The studio plans to begin the alpha test of DFO tomorrow, May 15th. This will be an open alpha test requiring players to use their Facebook accounts to access. "As some of you rightly mentioned, this is an alpha test, not a full re-opening of the game," Neople cautioned on its Facebook page. "So there might be bits and pieces that don't go as smoothly as we want, and we sincerely hope the DFO community understands this." [Thanks to everyone who sent in this tip!]
Atlantica Online gets new class, dungeons, and more
Nexon has added new dungeons, a new merc, and a new class to Atlantica Online. The Empires of Gold update boasts dungeons including the Forgotten City of Chichen Itza, Machu Picchu, the Golden City of El Dorado, and the Gold Empire of Defense. Atlantica's new class is the Celestial Hunter, "a fierce archer who can best any challenger with her bow and arrow skills." We've embedded the update trailer for you after the break!
