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Elsword adds open-world areas, quadruples in size
Kill3rCombo is adding an open-world element to its manga-inspired actioner called Elsword. A new summer update brings with it brand new "fields of battle" between each of the game's towns. Prior to the patch, Elsword's combat was limited to instanced dungeons and PvP areas. Now, though, players can explore a world that has quadrupled in size, slaying tons of enemies and discovering new towns as they go. We've got new screenshots in the gallery below as well as a new video just after the break. %Gallery-120229%
Elsword celebrates first anniversary with cake
It seems like every other day is an MMO anniversary around these parts. Next on the list is Elsword Online, the free-to-play side-scrolling manga actioner from Kill3rCombo. "As with any new business venture in North America, we were both apprehensive and hopeful that online gamers would receive Elsword as well as audiences overseas have," says Kill3rCombo CEO Ben Colayco. "Now, as we celebrate Elsword's first anniversary, we are proud that the game continues to grow and has found its niche within the gaming community." The firm is not only proud but in a giving mood if the in-game anniversary festivities are any indication. Players can enjoy reward-filled anniversary cubes, hit point recovery cake, limited edition coins, play-time bonuses, and increased drop rates. All of this is ongoing through May 8th, so log in now to join the celebration. [Source: Kill3rCombo press release]
Elsword unleashes a new update for the new year
The new year may have lost a little of its luster, but it's still pretty new. So what better way to enjoy it than with new content? Elsword's developers have apparently decided that there's no better way, bringing players a trio of new dungeons to celebrate the new year and provide plenty of action-based enjoyment for the game's fans. And of course, new dungeons means new enemies to tear apart. Each new dungeon is meant to challenge players at a variety of skill levels, from experienced veterans to relative newcomers. Players who find that even the hardest challenges of the dungeons aren't enough can also turn on "Hell Mode," which promises to give players exactly what it says on the tin. A trailer for the new dungeons is just past the break, showing off the new areas and new enemies included in the update -- and really, who wouldn't like a new fistfight for the new year? [Source: Kill3rcombo press release]
Elsword adopts cute, cuddly, ferocious pets
Pet lovers, rejoice: Elsword Online is adding a brand-new pet system to the game. Pet haters, rejoice: Elsword is allowing you to torment furry balls of cuteness in order to turn them into killing machines. Once players hit level 10, they can select a pet to help them in their journeys. Right now there are only two types of pets in the game -- Pocket Phoru and Ancient Phoru -- although Kill3rCombo promises that more are coming soon. A pet can be trained as it grows through multiple stages of life, changing based on how the player treats it. Pets aid their masters with different types of attacks and buffs. Kill3rCombo's Ben Colayco sees the pet system as keeping in line with the overall tone of the game: "Introducing pets to Elsword adds another dimension to the game and allows players to become fully immersed in the comic book style world. By echoing character evolution and growth within the pet system, we wanted to reinforce that Elsword offers a unique and dynamic environment to players, while at the same time maintaining the key differentiators that set us apart, such as maturation of characters." [Source: Kill3rCombo press release]
Exclusive community Q&A with the Elsword crew
The makers of the hyper-kinetic Elsword Online have made it their mission to sit down with the community and tackle the pressing questions of the day. In the first of an exclusive series here on Massively, Kill3rCombo devs respond to player questions about the fresh-faced title. Q: How do the developers come up with new content? Do you guys sit around and throw out ideas? Or do you have certain developers come up with their own designs then present them to one another until everyone can agree on one thing? A: There's a game design team within the development team that's responsible for planning and proposing game content. Often, one of the game designers will present his or her ideas to the team and get feedback to help refine the feature. They'll also freely discuss their ideas on our internal message board, a very similar tool to the forum. Every member of the development team has a chance to voice their ideas about new content they'd like to see or how to improve existing content. We also have a team specially dedicated to developing Elsword for North America. The team updates the Korean Elsword content so it's tailored for North American gamers. Everyone on the team has a chance to offer ideas to create a more fun experience for players in North America.
Elsword bringing new class content, maps, and more
Elsword, the side-scrolling manga brawler MMO from Kill3rCombo, is already getting a significant content update despite launching just over two months ago. The free-to-play action title will soon boast updated maps, new items, and new job classes for the game's main characters. Elsword, Aisha, and Rena will be able to access their new jobs on July 6th, 13th, and 20th respectively, according to a new Kill3rCombo press release. Elsword's new job choices will enable players to become either a Lord Knight or a Rune Slayer upon reaching level 35, with the former class boosting melee abilities significantly while the latter focuses on supernatural and magic attacks. Check out all the details, and download the game for free, at the official Elsword website.
Elsword Online unlocks the doors to two new dungeons
The comic book action-fest Elsword Online got a little bigger today, as Kill3rCombo expanded the newly launched title with additional dungeons, enemies and quests. The dungeons -- Nasod Foundry and Altera Core -- will offer tougher challenges to the three main characters, while 24 new quests should help to keep the playerbase busy. Since dungeons are run repeatedly, two new locales will be welcome across the board. When they're not beating up the bad guys, the principal characters can now learn a third cash skill and earn one of two new titles: Hero of Ponggo and Hero of Sonic. No, not the hedgehog or fast-food chain (we checked). You can get a peek at Nasod Foundry and Altera Core in the gallery below, and don't forget to check out our first impressions of Elsword Online from last month! %Gallery-120229%
First Impressions: Elsword Online
Last time we checked in on Elsword Online, we found a fun, little, over-the-top, side-scrolling, action-based MMO. (That's a mouthful.) It provided a good amount of challenge but was never too hard, and the freeze-frame finishing moves were... well, neat. I've just used a series of words that do not really describe to you how fun the game is, but like most fluffy arcade romps, it really just needs to be experienced. It was nice to go back and check in on the game after its official release, but I didn't find much difference. Sure, the cash shop is now open (will explain that later), and yes, there are actual players around now, but it's still basically a cute little tear-'em-up that will probably make millions. If you like this kind of game, you'll love Elsword Online. Click past the cut to read more.
Elsword Online launch day is here
What's better than launch day for Elsword Online? Well, free beer for everyone springs to mind, but since we can't afford the latter, you'll have to settle for the former. Kill3rCombo's action manga is the next best thing for fans of anime-themed MMOs, though. The free-to-play title sports a highly stylized look resulting in an original side-scroller that feels as much like a comic book as it does a video game. Elsword boasts three customizable player characters and fighting styles that evolve based on job class upgrades and a variety of skills and combos. Gameplay includes solo content and cooperative missions, and there's a bit of PvP for the competitive crowd as well. "By keeping with the original manga aesthetic and animation, we hope to give players easily accessible gameplay while also staying true to the game's Asian roots," says Ben Colayco, CEO of Kill3rCombo. Head to the game's official website to download the client and get started.
Elsword Online open beta starts April 27th
Not enough side-scrolling manga-style beat-'em-ups in your life? Elsword aims to remedy that, and the title's closed beta is rapidly nearing an end. According to a new Kill3rCombo email blast, open beta is just around the corner and the servers will be up and running at midnight PDT on April 27th. You can download the client right now, and the game will automatically patch to the new open beta version as soon as the servers come up. The new public testing period will also see Elsword's item mall open for business, and guild features (as well as consumable items) will be enabled. You can learn more about the title at the game's official website as well as via our recent hands-on impressions piece.
Kill3rCombo launches Elsword closed beta
It's officially closed beta time for Elsword, the manga-themed MMORPG from Kill3rCombo. If you've been itching to star in your very own comic book, now's your chance, as interested players can sign up via the game's website. The closed beta period is going on right now and will run through Wednesday, March 30th. That should give you plenty of time to play as Rena, Aisha, or Elsword as you take on quests in the game's co-op dungeons or duke it out in the PvP arenas. Elsword sports a unique comic book style as well as a combo system that is both newb-friendly and deep enough to challenge veteran button-mashers. Elsword also features skill specializations, which allow for various playstyles. Kill3rCombo hasn't graced us with an open beta or release date as of yet, but stay tuned for more updates as the closed beta period rolls on.
