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Choose My Adventure: Christmas in Agon
Oy. Well, if I had to do it over again, I'd have scheduled this whole Choose My Adventure thing in such a way as to avoid the December holiday rush. Last week was rather hectic from an out-of-game perspective, and this week is shaping up to be even more so. That's not to say there wasn't any time for Darkfall, though, and I did manage around 20 hours of in-game activity for the week. As a testament to the title's staying power, there simply wasn't as much time as I'd have liked. The fifth week of my Agonian ramble-on was filled with low-level PvP, a bit of questing and crafting, and more exploration than you can shake a candy cane at. Join me after the cut for a recap of the week that was. %Gallery-111744%
DOFUS brings the holidays to players, then blows them up
The colorful world of DOFUS seems well-suited to a holiday celebration, especially with the amount of character embedded in the game's graphics. And one is taking place on Kwismas Island, beyond a shadow of a doubt. But there's still something else for players to look for, something that's far less merry than the dungeons of the island (whose merriness is already a rather dubious quality). It's the newest class of the game, the Rogue, a class focused on guns, explosives, and the use of both in tandem. Capable of summoning a variety of elemental bombs as well as making elementally charged pistol attacks, Rogues are the 13th class in the game, available as a premium feature now. All DOFUS players can enjoy Kwismas Island, however, previewed in our gallery just below. Take a look at the Rogue teaser video past the cut, and consider the possible combination of holiday dungeons and heavy explosives. (It beats fruitcake and caroling.) %Gallery-111466%
Choose My Adventure: Time management and the AFK game
Welcome back to Massively's Choose My Adventure. As I'm gearing up for the fifth week of my excursion through Darkfall and the lands of Agon, I've settled into something of a groove based on my own personal playstyle and the schedules of folks that I've met in the game. Aventurine's sandbox is a game that sucks you in in a number of different ways. It's a game that you can (and really should) play a lot, and it's not a game that I'd recommend to folks who are dabblers and game-hoppers or those who have a ton of additional demands on their free time. This isn't solely because of the skill grind, either, but also because of the large degree of freedom a player has to choose his own goals, path, and endgame. Ultimately, Darkfall is a pretty large middle finger in the face of the popular notion that MMORPGs are casual games. In fact, Aventurine said as much several months ago, and this attitude informs just about every aspect of Agon. Though some might consider this a negative, I've thus far found it to be quite a bit of fun as well as a refreshing change from the vast majority of the disposable MMOs I've played over the past half decade. Join me after the cut for a look at time management in Agon as well as my weekly recap. %Gallery-110478%
King of Kings 3 shows off its world-class menagerie
King of Kings 3 recently launched amidst some rather elaborate promises the game may or may not be able to follow up on. (The verdict is out on whether or not it truly is the answer to all our dreams, for instance.) But gamigo's most recent game promises a fair bit of love for a longstanding player favorite: pets. We have a small preview gallery showing off a sample of the variety of pets available in the game, ranging from small helper fairies to class-specific helper pets. There are three basic categories of pets: imamus, class pets, and mounts. Imamus boost both the character's leveling rate and regeneration rate while serving as a remote vendor for unwanted items. Mounts come in a wide variety of flavors while offering players unspecified buffs, and class pets serve as a boon for several classes -- Sword Mages can conjure an animated sword as a companion, while Bishops get a guardian angel. If the description of the pets of King of Kings 3 interests you, take a peek at the gallery for some samples of the companions in action. %Gallery-108152%
Azeroth In Pictures: Before The Shattering
The Shattering has torn Azeroth asunder, and the world has broken under Deathwing's mighty power. However, your intrepid WoW Insider team has saved the old world for you in gallery form! Kalimdor, the Eastern Kingdoms, the capital cities and more are all going to be preserved forever, thanks to our galleries. Take time to see your favorite places and reminisce, because when the servers are back up, there's no going back. Jump through for a list of galleries of the old world, pre-Shattering, and sigh wistfully.
Rift classes and capital city detailed
As if a bunch of free beta keys weren't enough, Massively is proud to present even more goodies from Trion Worlds' upcoming Rift MMORPG. This time we have a detailed look at the lore behind the Guardian capital city of Sanctum, a new video of the city, and a ton of screenshots related to the Archon, Paragon, Shaman, and Riftstalker classes. Archons are support specialists who steal their opponents' strength and convert that raw energy into beneficial magic. These mages bolster their allies and unleash potent kinetic blasts, quickly turning the tide of battle. The Paragon wields two weapons to perfection, devastating his enemies. Paragons specialize in dealing consistent damage, and can also hit their enemies from range. The Riftstalker is a defensive specialist who bends the planes to enhance her constitution and shift in and out of the physical dimension. These highly skilled and survivable combatants keep their opponents' focus while easily evading incoming blows. Finally, the Shaman binds the power of the icy north to her very being, wreathing herself in pure elemental force. This power augments a Shaman's attacks, making her a powerful melee combatant, and provides shields and reactive healing Hit the jump for the lore and video. %Gallery-108036%
Moonlight Online reveals concept art for its starting cities
Earlier this year, IGG announced they had begun work on an MMO based in the Moonlight universe. Moonlight Online takes place in a dark world where werewolves and vampires war for supremacy. Since the announcement, IGG has been regularly pumping out concept art to give people a feel for the style the game is aiming for. We've been shown some werewolf and vampire characters, a dark armoured horse and a few buildings inspired by medieval and gothic architecture. New art has now been released showing the game's three starting cities: Castle Williams, Fort Traster and Wolfsburg Bastion. Castle Williams is a dark, gothic castle where all vampires first begin their journey. Home to the humans, Fort Traster is a municipality with a strong focus on teaching magic. As expected, werewolves start their adventures in Wolfsburg Bastion, a wild and untamed stronghold. IGG continue to release concept art on the upcoming title regularly, and updates can be found on the official Moonlight Online forum. %Gallery-107318%
DC Universe shows off more location screens
It's Friday night, do you know where your alter-ego is? If you're lucky, he or she is logging into the DC Universe Online closed beta. If not, we'll point and laugh, but we'll also hook you up with some new location reveals via the latest screenshots courtesy of SOE. Feast your eyes on Green Lantern and friends flitting about Metropolis City Hall, Robin and Poison Ivy deep in the swampy bowels of the femme fatale's lair, and a few shots from around Gotham City (including the Botanical Gardens, East End Hotel, and Gotham University). You'll also catch a glimpse of a player character fighting his way free of the maniacal Brainiac tutorial missions. DC Universe Online is currently scheduled to release for PC and Playstation 3 platforms in early 2011. %Gallery-107324%
Issues 20 and Incarnates previewed for City of Heroes
If you were one of the lucky fans at the recent City of Heroes meet-and-greet, you were treated to a wealth of information from Paragon Studios about the future of the game. If you weren't, however, you still get a fair slice of luck with today's reveal on the official site about the Incarnate system, complete with lore illustrating the start of what promises to be a far-reaching storyline in the game. We've also gotten a look at the event's presentation on future content, which should give fans plenty to look forward to. The Incarnate system is kicking off with the Alpha Slot in Issue 19, which will be focused on wide-ranging enhancements to all of a character's powers. Unlike Enhancements, Incarnate abilities can be slotted and removed without destroying them. Each slot will have several branches that players can explore as well, allowing for a great deal of character customization. Moreover, the most powerful Incarnate abilities allow characters to improve their effective level in battle past the cap. You can head to the official site for more details on the next major system of City of Heroes -- or you can take a look at the gallery for a preview of what's coming and the slides which give us a sneak peek at a new warehouse map, new costume pieces, and the trials of Issue 20. %Gallery-107010%
Rise and Shiny recap: Priston Tale 2
In continuing with the theme from the last few weeks, I examined another "grinder" -- this time, Priston Tale 2. I have to admit to being a little overwhelmed with the grind at this point. I cannot fathom how a player can grind after gear, levels or whatever the item is, for months, if not years, of his life. Normally, the free-to-play games I am looking at or enjoying while "off the clock" are not such a grind. Yes, there is some element of that to almost every single game I have ever played, but my favorite games give me a choice or a way to avoid the grind. It should be noted that even in the worst example of a grindy game there is the possibility of social interaction. Social interactions, in their many forms, are possible any time you have multiple players and a way to communicate. This is no small accomplishment, but it is often ignored as a very basic, important gaming possibility. Still, we're here to talk about what Priston Tale 2 might offer that is different than any number of good-looking free-to-play grinders. So, let's get to it. %Gallery-106874%
New TERA screens feature Kaiator defenders
En Masse Entertainment is back with another installment of its long-lived TERA Screenshots of the Week featurette. Today's images take us inside Kaiator, the Iron Bastion of the North, home city of the stoic amani race and an impenetrable fortress that has withstood 30 years of sustained argon attacks without a single breach. The shots show off a pair of amani warriors, male and female, the latter of which sports decidedly conservative armor (by TERA standards). Have a look at the Kaiator defenders in our updated gallery below, and don't forget to head to the game's official website for more information. %Gallery-96720%
Choose My Adventure: Voted off the island
OK, so that title is something of a misnomer, but it does carry through based on the vote from last week. Overwhelmingly, people wanted to hear about adventuring, so I'm glad to report I had a rich week of questing and dealing with the threats found on the starting island in Vanguard. I'm actually poised to leave the Isle of Dawn, but due to the number of comments recommending I finish out the diplomacy and crafting lines, I'm going to spend the time before the vote closes this week to get those out of the way. After all, one doesn't want to start out behind the curve when hitting the mainland. Curious as to how this week's adventure fared based on the voted desire for adventure? In the mood to watch me fly around uncontrollably on what must be the most annoying elevator ever? Or are you just all about the vote? Well join me after the break as I recount the trials and tribulations I experienced and outline my trip to the Temple of Ancestors! %Gallery-104309%
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%
TERA's Cultist Refuge screens revealed
Those of us cooling our heels at home during PAX Prime 2010 missed out on En Masse Entertainment's extensive demo for its highly-anticipated TERA MMORPG. Luckily, En Masse rides to the rescue with the latest Screenshots of the Week featurette. The 18th installment takes us to the Cultist's Refuge, discussed at length by lead writer David Noonan in our PAX demo article. The gothic fortress shelters forbidden magic and dark forces bent on resurrecting the demon god Lok, so adventurers are advised to tread lightly. Players will enter the area around level 35, and may also encounter a nefarious Argon as they advance their storyline and character in and around the refuge. Be sure to check out the screens in our gallery below and on the official TERA website. %Gallery-96720%
Final Fantasy XIV releases new Gridania assets
With only a few days left until release, Final Fantasy XIV has lifted the shroud surrounding the third of the starting city-states for new characters. Gridania, nestled in the Black Shroud, is a city built into the very structure of the wood around it, filled with reverence for the spirits and creatures that dwell in the environment. The newest pictures have been put together in a gallery showing off the environment of the city -- as well as a hint of the Garlean Empire. A city of warm earth tones and expansive wooden buildings, Gridania manages to carry its own distinct feel from its sister cities, especially with the stained-glass architecture that dominates the adventurer's guild. While the preview images lack the callbacks that the recent Ul'dah reveal carried, they still show off an environment that is both engaging and alien. Take a look at the full gallery, and keep your eyes open to see if Final Fantasy XIV has any more secrets to reveal prior to next week's launch. %Gallery-102406%
Atlantica Online unveils Sheriff Christine
Atlantica Online has given us a rather appealing bit of information -- a new mercenary is moseying into town tomorrow. And true to form, she's promising to bring some interesting new wrinkles to the gameplay for anyone interested in laying down the law. Sheriff Christine is the latest addition to the game, offering players a variety of abilities to help control the flow of battle and interactions with the enemy party, using stuns and control-like abilities to turn the tide. Among her arsenal of stuns and control abilities is her new Arrest ability, which freezes an enemy unit for two turns. She also brings area damage into play with her Revolver Rush skill, or single-target damage with her self-buffing skill Steady Stance. We've also been given a few exclusive screenshots of Christine in action, so check them out in our small gallery, and keep your eyes open for Christine's full launch in Atlantica Online tomorrow. %Gallery-102377%
Final Fantasy XIV assets released for the city-state of Ul'dah
The release date for Final Fantasy XIV is just under a week away, but Square-Enix still has plenty to show off for the game and a huge amount of material left unseen. The company has just released a large batch of screenshots of the city-state of Ul'dah, centered in an arid desert as one of the three starting locations for new characters. Very distinct from both of the other starting cities, Ul'dah evokes much of the middle eastern imagery found in Al Zahbi from Final Fantasy XI. A city known for lavish displays, gambling, and gladiatorial contests, Ul'dah also has no shortage of fine architecture or detailed cityscapes. The full set of screenshots can be found in our gallery just below, which also contains several shots of what appear to be automatons of Final Fantasy XI fame, as well as few pictures of the beastmen known as Amalj'aa. If you're interested in Final Fantasy XIV, it's well worth a browse through the city's scenic locales. %Gallery-102067%
Party down with the new City of Heroes Party Pack
It's time to get down and party in City of Heroes. No, not just partying up to clear some of the remarkably difficult content available in Praetoria, although that's also a fine idea. The team at Paragon Studios has just announced the Party Pack, a collection of several emotes designed to enhance your game experience. No new costume parts, no new powers -- just a solid collection of fun emotes to break out in any situation. Sound ridiculous? Maybe a little, but who can deny the enjoyment of breaking out some new dance moves in the middle of a party, or even kicking a soccer ball in Atlas Park? It's not for everyone, but the breadth of emotes available should be sure to impress several players, and it's only $7.99 for the pack. Take a look at the gallery, and there's a trailer past the cut showing the new emotes in action -- a fun addition for any dedicated City of Heroes player. [Update: This is just for the announcement of the Party Pack,. It will go live on September 14th.] %Gallery-100736%
City of Heroes shows off the upcoming Kinetic Melee set
Melee characters in City of Heroes have always lacked ranged abilities. Some of this is implied by the archetype, of course -- you wouldn't expect a character built around hand-to-hand combat to be at maximum potency outside of grabbing distance -- but it's a bit of a disadvantage at times when a tanker or brute can do very little but get shot as he moves into range. Kinetic Melee, one of the power sets coming with the Going Rogue expansion, is poised to change that a little. It might not be a blaster set, but it's more than capable of mixing things up at a longer range. Of course, that's hardly the only trick that the new powerset can pull. Kinetic Melee is full of smooth maneuvers that weaken the target with each hit -- and one of the marquee abilities, Siphon Power, strengthens the wielder with each hit. It's a steady chain of the target being worn down and the player character building up, coupled with knockback and knockdowns to keep control of the battle flow. Check out our gallery below, or take a look at the official site for more details on one of the upcoming powersets for City of Heroes. %Gallery-98440%
The lore behind districts in City of Heroes: Going Rogue
As we alluded to in our small preview last week, Nova Praetoria is one of the most elite neighborhoods in the alternate Earth setting of Going Rogue. The City of Heroes team has long been known for giving every region a detailed backstory, and the new areas of Praetoria are no exception. Official information on Nova Praetoria and the Underground has just been released on the official site, giving players a chance to take a peek behind the visuals to see how day-to-day life functions in the world's most prestigious city -- and its underbelly. The seat of humanity's self-proclaimed savior, Nova Praetoria is elevated from the rest of the world both figuratively and physically, built on an artificial island upon an artificially flooded river. Unfortunately, between the Resistance and the disenfranchised Destroyers -- former soldiers who want to tear down Cole for purely anarchistic reasons -- even the seat of power is increasingly less stable. Meanwhile, the Undergound below is a war between Cole's loyalists using the tunnels for their original purpose of surreptitious transport, the Resistance setting up headquarters to strike at Cole's base of power, and the ravenous Ghouls patrolling the tunnels for unknown reasons. The lore on both areas is top-notch, and it should help make City of Heroes players even more invested in the coming expansion. %Gallery-97436%
