rusty-hearts
Latest
MV Guide: January 16-22, 2012
MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV. Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of titles to take a look at. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, and simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.) Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule!
Free for All: The still-satisfying world of action MMOs
Look, I'm a red-blooded American gamer. I even call it 'Merica. So it should be no surprise when I feel like getting down with a melee-based chop-'em-up or have the desire to leap, jump and bounce my way through countless levels. In other words, action. We 'Mericans love our action games. I have my particular favorites, for sure, and within that list are my favorites of favorites that get the nod for different reasons. Honestly I'm not into action-based games just for the challenge. I don't need to make repeated attempts at downing a boss to have fun. I enjoy the immediate response that an action game gives me. I love to click the mouse button and see my character's sword swing or gun fire. It's satisfying. Of course, action games can have their drawbacks. Not only do they tend to produce a euphoric haze that can only be described as "stoner glare" and an open-mouthed state of hypnosis, but they can take a toll on delicate, drum-beaten wrists like mine as well. I take the good with the bad, I guess. Click past the cut and I'll let you know my favorite F2P action MMOs.
Win free Steam games with Spiral Knights and Rusty Hearts
If you've been checking out this year's Christmas Steam sales, you'll undoubtedly have seen the Great Gift Pile giveaway. By completing various game achievements and objectives, Steam users unlock prizes that can be anything from a lump of coal to discount vouchers or even a full copy of any game on Steam. There are reports of people winning massive prizes like Skyrim or the Valve complete pack, and even if you just get a lump of coal, it's still a valuable prize; seven lumps can be exchanged for a new random prize, and those left over at the end of the holiday event will count as tickets in a lottery to win a copy of every single game on Steam. While many of the achievements require the purchase of cheap indie titles, there are several ways to get your hands on a gift from the great pile absolutely free. Checking your Steam inventory page and trading any item with another user will get you two free gifts, and joining the 2011 Holiday Group will net you a third. Two more prizes can be collected by completing the Son of a Nutcracker! achievement in Spiral Knights and the All I Want for Christmas is Sewers achievement in Rusty Hearts, both of which are free-to-play MMOs available through Steam. Skip past the cut for details on how to beat the Steam gift achievements for Spiral Knights and Rusty Hearts, including full walkthrough videos.
[Updated] On the tenth day of giveaways, Perfect World gave to me...
[UPDATE: All winners have been selected and contacted. Thanks to everyone who entered!] On the tenth day of giveaways, Perfect World gave to me... ten grab bag items! On the ninth day of giveaways, GamersFirst gave to me... nine SWG mementos! On the eighth day of giveaways, Enjin gave to me... eight guild-wide gifts! On the seventh day of giveaways, NCsoft gave to me... seven years of memories! On the sixth day of giveaways, GamersFirst gave to me... six retail packs! On the fifth day of giveaways, Trion gave to me... five subscription codes! On the fourth day of giveaways, Nexon gave to me... four pet items! On the third day of giveaways, Wargaming.net gave to me... three premium years! On the second day of giveaways, BioWare gave to me... two warring factions! On the first day of giveaways, Turbine gave to me... a lifetime VIP! Day 10 of Massively's 12 Days of Giveaways is all about Perfect World Entertainment. The developers pulled out all the stops, giving us a total of 10 different items from Star Trek Online, Champions Online, Rusty Hearts, and Perfect World International. Two winners will receive 1,000 Cryptic Points for Star Trek Online, and two more will receive 10 days of gold membership status in Champions Online. Three Rusty Hearts fans will walk away with a gift package containing items for triple XP as well as instant weapon and armor enchants. Finally, if you are a fan of Perfect World International, we've got three codes for a very rare Giant Bunny pet. Ready to enter? Check the contest rules below for eligibility, hit the comment button, and tell us which prize you'd like and why you should win. Enter by the deadline of tomorrow, December 23rd, at 6:00 p.m. EST, and good luck!
Rusty Hearts celebrates Cells of Darkness update with free items for fans
Rusty Hearts, the free-to-play hack-and-slash title from Perfect World Entertainment, launched its second major content update today. The update, titled Cells of Darkness, brings a higher level cap, new zones, and new dungeons to the game, along with much more. Given the title, we think it's no surprise that Cells of Darkness has a decidedly creepy feel. The new Cemetery district features a new Pet Shed as well as Pet Resurrection. The four new dungeons -- the Conservatory, Arboretum, Quarantined Labs, and Debtor's Prison -- provide a trip through mad-scientist land as players head toward the new level cap of 36. The developers have also unveiled a long list of new skills and weapons for everyone. Cells of Darkness promises enough new content to keep even the most hardcore Rusty Hearts fan busy for a long time. Even better, the team at Perfect World Entertainment has given us a pile of booster packages to share with you! The packages includes a +5% physical attack scroll and the Hard Work and Effort title, a very rare title that gives big boosts to HP and mana. To get your booster package, simply visit our giveaway page, claim a code, then head to the Rusty Hearts redemption page. Make sure you're logged into your Perfect World account, enter the code in the box, then select the server and character you wish to receive the items. Click submit, then log into Rusty Hearts and check your mail. Enjoy your new booster package as well as Cells of Darkness, and thanks to Perfect World Entertainment for the gifts! [Sorry, all codes have been claimed]
Rusty Hearts introduces the gunslinging Natasha
Perfect World Entertainment has announced the newest addition to the Rusty Hearts cast, and her name is Natasha. This scantily clad, gun-toting heroine joins the Rusty Hearts roster in hopes of avenging the death of her brother. She's capable of dual-wielding pistols or blowing her enemies away with muskets, making her the perfect character for the player who just wants to make things go boom. For more information on the game's newest playable character, jump past the cut for a dev diary video or head on over to the Rusty Hearts official site.
Rusty Hearts rolls out an Awakening
Rusty Hearts might still technically be in the testing phase, but the game is already rolling out its first major content update in Awakening. And it's a big one, raising the level cap to 30, rolling out 40 new storyline quests to invest players in the game's lore, and unveiling four new dungeons. That's without even getting into the new weapons added for characters, new bosses, new non-story quests, additional items... you get the general idea. There's a lot to explore in this update, and so it wouldn't be complete without a trailer showing off all of the action-based, cel-shaded goodness. Jump on past the break to take a look at the full trailer, and you can log into the game right now to start enjoying all of the update -- or perhaps just messing around with your hairstyle without the cash shop for a while. (Yes, that's one of the update features.) [Source: Perfect World Entertainment press release]
Massively exclusive: Rusty Hearts prepares for the Awakening
Open betas are always a heady time for players and MMO studios alike, and Rusty Hearts is proving to be no exception to this. The fast-pace action title has been in open beta for a little under a month at this point, but Perfect World Entertainment is already putting the final touches on its first major content update, Awakening. Perfect World promises that Awakening contains not only some ideas the developers thought would be good to get in the game but also several features that came as a result of player feedback. With a higher level cap, additional quests and dungeons, and weapons galore, Rusty Hearts players are going to have their plates full when the update hits on October 11th. For an exclusive sneak peek at all of the details of this exciting update, hit the jump and find out what's in store for a very rusty future!
Rusty Hearts open beta now live, and with a new trailer to boot
Perfect World Entertainment's free-to-play beat-'em-up Rusty Hearts has been in closed beta for what may seem like ages now, but it's finally time to open the doors wide for everyone. According to a press release from PWE earlier today, the game has entered open beta, allowing anyone and everyone to take a crack at the dungeon crawling goodness that awaits. To celebrate the game's transition to open beta, PWE is putting on a bunch of fun events and contests for players to win prizes such as limited edition Rusty Hearts posters and a Logitech F710 gamepad. And last but not least, PWE launched a brand-new trailer to commemorate the game's release, which can be found after the cut. For more details on the contests, and to download the client and register for open beta, head on over to the game's official site.
Rusty Hearts celebrates the PAX experience with a testimonial video
You could sit here and read our opinions of Perfect World Entertainment's Rusty Hearts all day long, but it's not until you see the faces of those who just played the game as they talk about how much they loved it that you realize it might be something worth checking out. PWE recorded video testimonials from PAX attendees who just finished playing the game demo, showing off some true-to-life opinions of the game from those still riding high on the adrenaline from that famous Rusty Hearts action combat. "Rusty Hearts cuts all the bull crap out," one attendee claims, while several others are particularly excited about the game's gothic art style. If you'd like to check the game out for yourself, it's set to hit open beta on September 13th. Don't miss the PAX video right after the cut.
Rusty Hearts smashes its way into open beta on September 13th
Fans of Perfect World Entertainment's side-scrolling beat-'em-up Rusty Hearts are in for a treat. After a leisurely Labor Day weekend, PWE announced in a press release today that the title will launch into open beta on September 13th. Closed beta players will have their last hoorah on September 8 at 5:00 p.m. EST, at which point the game will shut down until it enters open beta on the 13th. The open beta isn't the same old cow as the closed beta, however. With its open beta launch, Rusty Hearts is also bringing a number of new updates, such as the removal of the universally panned Stamina system and customizable gamepad settings for Rusty Hearts' more console-inclined players. The level cap will also be raised, allowing players to explore a brand new hub world and a number of new dungeons and quests. So sit tight, Rusty Hearts fans. You'll be pounding monsters into a fine paste before you know it. [Source: Perfect World Entertainment Press Release]
Massively's guide to PAX 2011
What can be said about PAX Prime in Seattle, Washington that hasn't been said already? Everyone knows that it is the largest public gaming event in North America. Attendance totaled 67,600 last year, not including press and exhibitors. And this year, even more gamers will descend on the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. The latest and greatest games -- released and unreleased -- will be available for public consumption. Developers will mill around the showroom floor, answering your questions. Not to mention that no one will look at you funny because you play video games! This year, MMORPGs really stand out in the crowd. Seattle native NCsoft has a huge presence at the convention, borrowing a theater just to showcase its games. BioWare comes armed with its heavy-hitter, Star Wars: The Old Republic. And free-to-play titles like Firefall, Lord of the Rings Online, and Wakfu promise to strut their stuff at this year's PAX. Punch past the break as Massively outlines the must-see booths for MMO fans. And don't forget the panels, including a couple of MMO spotlights for PAX Dev, the gathering of fans and developers at Sheraton Seattle Hotel on the 24th and 25th.
Rusty Hearts' closed beta swings into phase 2
It's an exciting time for the hyper-kinetic Rusty Hearts, as the title is not only moving into its second closed beta phase today but ramping up for a blockbuster appearance at this week's PAX. Perfect World is upping the ante for potential testers, offering a free costume item for those who log into the game in the first 12 hours. This costume piece will persist through open beta, so there's no worry it's going away anytime soon. Rusty Hearts' closed beta phase 2 is also increasing the amount of content available in the game, including a complete town restructure, a fine-tuning of the PvP system, the ability to compare yourself to other players, a side quest system, a revamp of the skill tree, advanced crafting, and unique cosmetic looks for crafted weapons. If you don't have the pleasure of attending PAX, the Rusty Hearts dev team has a present for you anyway: the full PAX walkthrough video that will be on display at the convention. You can check it out after the jump!
New Rusty Hearts dev diary gets bossy
It's time yet again for another Rusty Hearts video dev diary. This time the focus is on the big baddies that players will be pitting their skills against in the anime-style brawler. We're talking, of course, about boss fights. As any brawler or beat-'em-up fan should know, no true game of the genre is complete without a challenging boss fight to cap off a level. The dev diary introduces players to a couple of the early bosses they'll be encountering, such as the nasty Blood Skeleton and the hulking Butcher. In addition, it details the rewards players can reap for defeating these challenging fights, such as copious amounts of gold, high-quality equipment, and high-value loot cards. For the full diary, including some footage of players facing off against the game's many bosses, jump on past the cut for the full video.
Free for All: The 'fall' of free-to-play
Here in Texas we have been suffering from one of the worst heat waves in the history of the state. It's the type of constant heat that makes you mad at something, perhaps the sky or the sun. It's not logical, but you start to get mad at the state for being where it is. Then you start to get angry because your lawn is dying off or because your electricity bill is almost double what it was the year before. The next logical thing is to dream of colder times. I have already begun to fantasize about wrapping myself up for a crisp, cold winter's walk with the dogs. Hot cider, the holidays... it's all coming soon. I hope. The next several months will also be the time to keep an eye on a bunch of developing titles. Click past the cut and let's look at what makes me so excited for this fall!
New Rusty Hearts dev diary delves into delicious design decisions
It's time for another dev diary from the fine folks at Perfect World Entertainment, this time detailing the art of Rusty Hearts. We're sure that by now most of you have seen Rusty Hearts and its crisp cel-shaded anime style, but the dev diary goes into detail on what the team is aiming for with the art, and outlines the inspiration behind it. The team is careful to note that while the overall vibe of the game is decidedly dark and gothic, that by no means insinuates that the world will be dull or muddled. Taking inspiration from popular anime such as Bleach and Full Metal Alchemist, Rusty Hearts aims to carve a niche for itself as a "living comic." For the full dev diary, hop on past the cut!
First Impressions: Rusty Hearts
Normally I don't like to take deeper looks at closed betas, especially because they can have missing features, broken text, or other things that make you wonder why you didn't wait until open beta or launch to try them out. I'm also pretty selfish and want to create a character once; I hate replaying those same early levels. So generally, just give me my open beta invite and I'll have at it. But this is Rusty Hearts. This is Perfect World, one of my favorite developers. While the company has become famous for making beautiful yet really grindy games like Perfect World, it has morphed over the years into a sophisticated, multi-faceted publisher. I even said that Rusty Hearts was one of my favorite things I saw at E3, so of course I jumped at the chance to take it for a test drive. I did find a few flaws in this otherwise gem of a game, so let's get started. Click past the cut, would you?
The MMO Report: The Force is with you edition
Casey Schreiner needs to play with his new laundry and wash his iPad -- or maybe it was the other way around -- so we must hurry through the description of this week's MMO Report! I'm not joking, he really has to leave quickly. Casey starts with quips about a bearded dragon in the new expansion for Lord of the Rings Online, which is ironic, coming from the Master of Beards himself. Following that, our man of MMO mystery discusses the vehicles, beta, and pre-order for Star Wars: The Old Republic. He says the very thing that is on the mind of every fan: "EA you're doing it wrong." First you announce release date, followed by pre-order, and then beta! On another topic, Casey begs the new VP at Disney Interactive Studios, Bill Roper, to actually release information regarding the Marvel MMO. And lastly, Sir Schreiner lets us in on PvP for Rusty Hearts and explains why America needs to be more like Russia. To catch all of this and dip into Uncle Casey's mailbag, jump past the break and get ready for all the sweetness of the MMO Report.
Rusty Hearts closed beta goes live; new trailer and screenshots released
Perfect World Entertainment has announced that the Rusty Hearts closed beta has launched to overwhelming response. The fast-paced hack'n'slash MMO's servers reached maximum capacity within hours of the launch, forcing PWE to scale them up in order to accommodate the torrents of new players. Players outside of the United States will also be pleased to know that the IP ban previously instated has been lifted, allowing everyone to get on the cel-shaded fun. During the beta, players are given the choice of one of three characters and given free reign over the game's content up to level 10 20. It's not all fun and games, though, folks. PWE takes a moment to remind us that they will take player feedback from the beta test into serious consideration to ensure that, come launch, Rusty Hearts is the best that it can be. To round all of this out, we have a new set of screenshots and a new trailer to share with all of you, so click through the gallery below and jump on past the cut for all of the Rusty Hearts goodness. [Update: You can play up to level 20, not just 10 - Ed.] %Gallery-129433%
Rusty Hearts dev diary unveils new PvP details
The latest Rusty Hearts dev diary from Perfect World Entertainment is a short one, but it's still packed to the brim with new details on the game's PvP system. So if you're the type of player who would rather smash your comrades' faces into the dirt than -- gag -- cooperate, listen up. Players will be able to create private rooms for their friends to join and take part in PvP combat, which comes in a variety of delicious flavors. Of course, you've got your vanilla team deathmatch for those of you who like to keep it traditional, or the elimination deathmatch in which two teams battle until only one is left standing. There's also the VIP gametype, which designates one player of each team the VIP, while the other players are tasked with protecting their own VIP and assassinating the enemy's. All of these games' statistics will be logged for bragging rights, and players will also be rewarded with PvP points that can be spent on fancy new items. Players will also be ranked in a ladder system that will allow them to see where they stand compared to the rest of the world. With all this and certainly more to come, it looks like Rusty Hearts is shaping up to be a competitive player's dream. Jump on past the cut for the full dev diary.
