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One Shots: Eat your heart out, Bluebeard
Today's One Shots takes us from the intimidating to the lighthearted, thanks to Massively reader Xarrin: Dynasty Warriors Online has an intriguing feature. While fighting on a battlefield vs. other players, neutral NPCs will occasionally pop up and challenge all of the combatants. Whoever can defeat this roaming vagabond will obtain his or her services as a skilled warrior fighting alongside you. This gentleman, later named Pinkbeard, was by far the most interesting random-generated NPC in the game. With the appearance of an old man, voice of a 10-year-old, and namesake beard, he continues to frighten and confuse my opponents in matches. Send a pic of the funniest, most strangely designed, or scariest enemy you've taken on in an MMO to oneshots@massively.com along with your name and the name of the game. Tell us a little about the foe and we'll share it here on One Shots! Next week on One Shots is guild week. It's time to show off your best group shot of you and your guildmates. Whether you're hanging out, enjoying guild housing, taking out a huge enemy, or throwing a party, grab a screenshot, send it in, and tell us about your guild! %Gallery-112285%
First Impressions: Eden Eternal
Hello, Massively readers, and welcome to my first ever first impressions article. Are you excited!? No? Well, feign interest for me anyway, and be gentle! Today, I've been asked to take a look at the currently-in-closed-beta Eden Eternal from Aeria Games, and you all have front-row seats for the grand tour. Now, I don't know about y'all, but I tend to be highly skeptical in regard to free-to-play games such as this one. I'm sure at least some of you know what I mean -- anime-inspired graphics, microtransaction-based, each with the same instantly recognizable website layout. With this in mind, I wasn't expecting much when I first logged in to Eden Eternal. I was anticipating, at best, some limited character customization, poorly translated quests, and a whole lot of grinding that could only be alleviated by shelling out for upgrades in the cash shop. What did I find instead? Jump past the cut to find out.
Eden Eternal opens second closed beta server
Eden Eternal is apparently more popular than its publisher was expecting, as Aeria Games has issued a press release celebrating the need to open a second server for closed beta testing. The beta phase kicked off yesterday and features a load of events designed to spice up the testing experience with some fun. From mass healing missions to boosted loot hours, there's always something going on. Eden Eternal allows players to freely swap between 15 classes, build sprawling player towns (and charge visitors for town services), and tackle a variety of solo, 3-man, and 5-man dungeons. Head to the game's official website for more detailed info, and if you'd like to check it out pick up a beta key from our giveaway.
Eden Eternal surpasses 100,000 beta signups
Eden Eternal's beta is picking up a head of steam, and today Aeria Games has announced that the closed testing phase has garnered over 100,000 registrants thus far. You've still got time to sign up, though, as the testing doesn't start until June 2nd. Aeria Games' JT Nguyen says that the game's robust feature set is the main draw. "We credit the high number of sign-ups to the amount of new and innovative features available in Eden Eternal," he explained in a recent press release. What are some of those features? For starters, you can freely swap between any of 15 classes. Players can also work together to build extensive player towns and populate the resulting buildings with handy NPCs. Aeria is also highlighting character customization that includes a wide variety of dyes as well as various skills, talents, and specialization options. Finally, what's an MMORPG without epic dungeons and bosses? Eden Eternal has those too, including solo, 3-man, and 5-man instances. Learn more at the official website.
Aeria teases Eden Eternal Thief video
Another day, another Eden Eternal video reveal. It's almost old hat now since the free-to-play fantasy title from Aeria Games is on its third class trailer in as many weeks. First we had the Warrior, then the Magician, and today we get a glimpse of the Thief as the game rolls on towards its June 2nd beta date. A glimpse is probably all we'll get, too, since the Thief is a trickster who excels at evasion and stealth. Two cloaking skills come standard with every Thief, and the rascals can also make use of the five branch skills available to all melee DPS classes. Thieves are most effective when dual-wielding a pair of daggers, but like all Eden Eternal classes, they can fight with any weapon in a pinch. Sneak past the cut for a look at the Thief in action.
Dragon's Call joins Aeria Now catalogue
Last time we heard from Dragon's Call was way back in October of 2009, when we were just getting our hands on the first details of the game. Over the past year-and-change, the browser-based fantasy MMORPG has made its way into the hands of Aeria Games. It's now available in Aeria's Aeria Now stable of browser-based games. Dragon's Call features a story told through Flash-animated cutscenes and drops players into the role of one of three classes (Warrior, Mage, or Assassin) and sends them on a series of "thousands of captivating quests." PvP battles are also offered alongside the storyline quests for those of you with a bit more bloodlust. No matter which route players take, they will have the opportunity to level up their characters' skills and upgrade their equipment to customize their characters as it suits them. To give the game a whirl, head over to the official site.
Eden Eternal's Magician previewed in new video
Eden Eternal's beta is coming up fast (June 2nd, if you're keeping track), and today we've got another class teaser for those of you anxiously awaiting the free-to-play fantasy title from Aeria Games. Our last video focused on the game's Warrior class, but this time around we're taking a look at how the other half lives courtesy of the Magician archetype. Unsurprisingly, the Magician lives and dies by his ranged DPS, and thanks to Eden Eternal's switching mechanics, you can swap to one of the game's 11 other classes if you're dying a little too often. Chances are you'll do fine, though, as Magicians deal elemental damage, cast buffs, turn invisible, and provide party teleports. The staff is the Magician's weapon of choice, and he can also pick from eight class-specific skills and five branch skills shared with other magic DPS classes. Head past the cut for a closer look at the new Magician video.
Aeria releases new Eden Eternal Warrior video
Class systems are sometimes maligned by certain segments of the MMORPG-playing population. Whether these folks feel that classes are too restrictive or simply desire gameplay that deviates from the norm, anti-class rhetoric is fairly common. While Aeria Games' free-to-play Eden Eternal MMO still makes use of traditional MMO class archetypes, one thing the game has in spades is variety. Eden Eternal allows players to freely swap between 15 classes, one of which is the venerable Warrior and the subject of a newly released video. Warriors, as you might expect, fall under the game's tanking branch. What you might not guess is that in addition to being meatshields, Warriors do respectable damage. The class uses shields, seven different types of axes, five tank branch skills, and seven class-specific skills that you'll see in the trailer. Have a look after the break.
Massively talks with Aeria about Eden Eternal, spies a trailer
Aeria Games has a lot of games under its roof, so why not add one more? Eden Eternal, the latest up-and-comer from developer X-Legend Entertainment, allows players to host their own guild towns and play up to 15 character classes. Tired of your current class? No problem -- just switch to another one. Players can switch as much as they like (while outside of combat) so getting a full group together should be no problem! Luckily, we were able to fire off some questions to Aeria. The company also sent along a trailer that shows off five of the potential 15 classes that you can find in the game. During beta, players will only access 12 of the classes, but for some reason we think that will keep player plenty busy. Each class falls under one of five classic MMORPG class branches: melee DPS, ranged DPS, magic DPS, healing, and tanking. Each class has a unique set of skills that can be accessed from every class in that particular branch. Class branches also share combat traits, and as we noted before, players will be able to switch between classes on the fly! Click past the cut to view the trailer and to read the interview.
Aeria Games reveals a first look at Eden Eternal
Aeria Games has released the first sneak peek at its upcoming MMO Eden Eternal in the form of screenshots and a short description of the game's Limestone Mountain map. Limestone Mountain is a busy area with several zones, including a mining village with merchants to serve your every need -- and a few tasks to set you on the road to glory. There are also two dungeons filled with treasure and dangerous enemies, a forest area with mythical creatures, and much more. Check out our gallery below for a series of screenshots highlighting the Limestone Mountain map. Want a closer look? Aeria Games is accepting closed beta signups for Eden Eternal now, so visit the site and get your name in the hat for beta testing! %Gallery-120523%
Battle gets elemental in Dynasty Warriors Online
Historical hack-and-slash isn't just for the movies any more! Now, along with hacking through wide swaths of enemies in Dynasty Warriors Online, players can add some insult to injury by using special elemental abilities. Why would you want to do that? Well, so you can do mean and nasty things like setting people on fire, as we see above. Just imagine -- roast DOTted mob. Mmm, festive! Mind you, you're not restricted to only using fire; you can opt to kill your enemies using other elemental attacks instead! Ice grants the ability to freeze enemies into blocks of ice as a means of crowd control. Lightning allows players to zap enemies, stunning them so you can chain together huge damage combos. Wind offers crowd control in the form of knockbacks, allowing you to focus damage on one targeted group at a time rather than getting swamped. Finally, there's void power, which offers the ability to negate opponents' armor and drive home pure butt-kicking damage. For those curious about what the elemental attacks look like, we've gathered a handful of screenshots in our Dynasty Warriors Online gallery for you, or you can pop over to the Aeria Games site and sign up for some hack-and-slash elemental free-to-play fun of your own! %Gallery-99390%
Lime Odyssey to be published by Aeria Games
For those fans of all things citrus, Lime Odyssey will set you on a quest for pieces of LIME: key items used for the restoration of a ravaged realm. Don't worry, there's always the ever-present search for guts and glory with classes like Knight or Magician. You can also pursue wealth and fame as a Chef, Tailor, or other non-combat professions. Not only that, but the game will feature a farming system and other rich social tools. Roleplayers will be happy to know that there is also promise of rich roleplaying "features" combined with robust gameplay. We're not sure how exactly these features will be implemented, but it sounds inviting. You can sign up for the closed beta on the game's teaser site -- just make sure to make an Aeria Games account first. The closed beta is scheduled to start in late Q2 of 2011. %Gallery-107553%
Tear through mobs galore in Dynasty Warriors Online
Had a frustrating day? Just in the mood to feel obscenely powerful? Like lots of hack-and-slash? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then we've got an MMO you'll want to keep an eye on. The newest update from Dynasty Warriors Online features a preview video chock-full of crazy fighting action. We're not just talking interesting moves, here -- we mean these weapons seem to cut through mobs like a freakin' lawnmower. Dynasty Warriors Online from Tecmo Koei and Aeria Games offers lots of old-school weapons like nun-chucks and staves, as well as more imaginative weapons like the Beast Gauntlets. Giant swords, maces, and axes feature in the action too, if you prefer something a bit larger-than-life. Sound like your kind of stress-release game? After you've checked out the screenshots below and the video behind the break, head on over to the shiny new Dynasty Warriors site to sign up for beta. Gratuitous slaughter awaits! %Gallery-99390%
Kitsu Saga shows off character options and a preview trailer
Kitsu Saga, the newest free-to-play game from Aeria Games, is currently still in the midst of beta. While we were a bit unfamiliar with the game when it was first announced -- which is to say completely unaware of it -- we've just been given both a preview trailer for the game (embedded after the cut) and a small gallery of images showing off the range of body types available to players during character creation. According to the development team, characters can be aged as well as having different body types, which has a direct impact on the character's abilities. A middle-aged and heavily muscled man will have better physical stats at creation than a willowy little girly man, for example. Aside from character creation, both the gallery and the trailer show off the clean and cartoonish style of the game's graphics. Take a look past the cut for the trailer, and keep an eye as more news comes out about the coming Kitsu Saga. %Gallery-102068%
Exclusive: Dynasty Warriors Online shows off new screens and customization video
Looking for a free-to-play brawler with above-average character customization and visual flair? You might want to check out Aeria Games' Dynasty Warriors Online, which is currently accepting closed beta signups. Dynasty Warriors Online is the latest title in the popular Dynasty Warriors franchise (which dates back to the 1997 Playstation fighting game), and looks to bring its unique blend of action and strategy to the MMORPG space. Aeria has teamed with Massively to bring you an exclusive gallery of environment screenshots for the game, showcasing locales that include courtyards, taverns, crafting facilities, and more. Aeria has also released a short teaser showing off aspects of character creation as well as a brief glimpse of PvE combat. Have a look at the video after the cut, check out the exclusive screenshot gallery below, and don't forget to sign up for beta at the game's official website. %Gallery-101828%
Aeria games reveals new Dynasty Warriors Online screenshots
Dynasty Warriors Online gained some interest earlier this month when Aeria Games announced it would be publishing the free-to-play MMO in North America. While there is no official date for closed beta yet, signups are being accepted and the forums are fairly busy with conversation between fans and developers. Aeria provided a series of screenshots with the original announcement, offering a preview of Dynasty Warriors Online's graphics, and the company added to that lineup this weekend with three more images. Check out the gallery below for the newest look at the game, then check out the site to sign up for the first round of closed beta testing. %Gallery-99390%
Dynasty Warriors Online set for American release by Aeria Games
The Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history is one of those settings that people just can't seem to get enough of, with other free-to-play games mining the territory with vigor. The Dynasty Warriors franchise, however, has quite a bit of pedigree, with a long tradition of character-based storytelling and impossibly large battles. American fans of the franchise can take heart, as it has just been announced that Aeria Games will be publishing Dynasty Warriors Online in North America, with the game currently accepting beta applicants. Fans of the series will be happy to know that the game hasn't lost sight of its roots, with the engine focusing on allowing player-created characters to face off against huge hordes of NPC opponents. The game will also allow players to have a direct influence on the historical setting, with the outcome of battles affecting the delicate balance between Wei, Shu, and Wu. Naturally, there will also be the same psuedo-historical personalities made famous in the series and in the source novel. Dynasty Warriors Online is set for an official launch later this year, and if you're on the fence, take a look at the gallery below to get a feel for the game's appearance. %Gallery-99390%
Rise and Shiny recap: Dream of Mirror Online
Each week Rise and Shiny asks you to download and try a different free-to-play, indie or unusual game, chosen by me, Beau Hindman. Some of the games will be far out of your gaming comfort zone, and some will pleasantly surprise you. We will meet each Tuesday and Friday night at 9 p.m. EDT (8 p.m. CDT), followed by this column the Sunday after. I welcome any suggestions for games, either in the comments or at beau@massively.com or Twitter me @Beau_Hindman. At some point in his life, every man has to attempt to grow a beard. I am not talking about a finely chisled goatee, or one of those odd looking Robin Hood-type deals. I am talking about a full beard, a substantial mound of hair rooted in our face -- an escape-attempt by the very testosterone that makes us a man in the first place. I knew I had a chance this time when, after suggesting to my wife what I would attempt, she only shrugged. Normally she pulls on any scruff that pops out of my chin and says, "You look homeless. Shave." As you grow this beard, there will be times when you will be very conscious of it. When you first step out of the shower When you are eating and food falls into it When you are playing MMORPGs Some MMOs are better suited to a beard: EVE Online, for example. EverQuest II will feel all right. World of Warcraft? Only while PvPing. If you're like me, though, and spend most of your time within balloon-bright cartoon-fests like Dream of Mirror Online, then you might be surprised at how it feels while playing bearded .
Kingdom Heroes shows off PvP in new screens
Aeria Games wants players to know what to expect out of Kingdom Heroes, and one of the biggest draws can be explained in three letters: PvP. More specifically, large-scale PvP that features up to 100 participants on each side, culminating in the bloody Kingdom Wars that are shown off in a new set of official screens. The first picture in the gallery is a brief moment of calm before the storm, with the subsequent images showing off just how bloody the fighting can get. Set during China's Three Kingdoms period -- the setting for Romance of the Three Kingdoms and the Dynasty Warriors series among others -- the game is still in open beta, with a variety of weekend events running to help entice new players. If you're fond of the historical setting (with some exceptions made for the sake of gameplay) or just fond of large-scale PvP, take a look at the gallery and consider giving Kingdom Heroes a shot. %Gallery-97107%
Touring the battlefield of Kingdom Heroes
I was very excited when I was invited to take a tour of the new MMORPG Kingdom Heroes, made by Aeria Games, one of my favorite publishers. When I first read the details of the game, I pictured players controlling hundreds of soldiers at a time, without ever considering how the game could possibly run with more than several players (and their armies) on the screen. Instead, each player controls between two and six soldiers in his "army," and once I saw how quickly these smaller groups add up on the battlefield, I was convinced that Aeria made the right decision. The game is set in the era right after the Han Dynasty, often considered to be the "Golden Era" of Ancient China. The trees and buildings, and especially the water, are rendered beautifully. It's a wonder that the game runs with almost no graphical lag, even during battles (more on that later). There are four standard classes to choose from: the Warrior, the Fencer (a ranger type), the Tactician (a cleric/buffer type) and a Conjurer (mage). You can pick from several hairstyles and faces, and can make your character child-like or adult. Of course, being an Aeria game, you can pick from several crazy hair colors as well.
