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Choose My Adventure: Should have played it by now edition
I admit it: I stick with my games for a long time. When I step into an MMO, I make it home for a while, and it takes a lot of effort for me to move along. That's part of the reason the games I'm actively playing are generally on the older side -- I've already got a history there. Unfortunately, it also means that there are a lot of games, new and old, that I just haven't had the time to play just yet. So to kick off my tenure on Choose My Adventure, I'm going to kick that straight to the curb with a poll I'd like to call the Should Have Played It By Now Edition. But which game I'll spend the next several weeks playing isn't up to me; that task lies in your hands, folks. So what's it going to be? Should I stop being the only person in the world who hasn't played RIFT? Will I dive into the free-to-play domain of Runes of Magic? Should I break my usual conventions and take a shot at Global Agenda or get some solid aggression out of my system with Warhammer Online? All of these are games I've only had a little playtime with at best, and in most cases, I haven't even touched them. So click on past the break and let me know what I'll be playing, and I'll see you back here in a week to find out more about my next destination. (But make sure to vote by 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 19th!)
The Renaissance comes to Sword 2
Sword 2 is a game that's still unique in many ways, from the game's overall aesthetics to the multi-character control system which serves as one of its hallmarks. But the game hasn't stood still despite that, with the latest expansion launching just recently. Dubbed Renaissance, the newest free addition offers players a take on the nigh-ubiquitous achievement system, letting players track and record their more memorable deeds for others to see. It also features expansions to PvP and a number of new UPCs. The new region of Castilla has also been added to the game, giving characters a chance to explore the Castilla Mines Raid and Castilla Temple among other regions. Along with the content updates, the game is rolling out a new and improved UI to give easier access to important information and controls. Sword 2 isn't everyone's cup of tea, but the newest update certainly might inspire a few people to take a look at its unusual setting and gameplay.
Sword 2 officially launches
We've been hearing a fair bit out of GamersFirst about Sword 2, existing in an odd conceptual space as both a major update to the existing Sword of the New World and a new game in its own right. For existing players, it functions something like an expansion, and for new players it's being billed as a whole new package. But you don't have to take our word for it, as the beta testing is finished and the game has officially launched now. Several of the key features have remained largely unchanged, such as players controlling three separate characters at once. Other elements have been completely overhauled, many of which we've heard about from GamersFirst themselves. Perhaps most importantly, the game is still free to play, and if you can handle the download over the weekend it could be a pleasant diversion for the holiday. The full list of patch notes for the release can be read here, and feel free to take a look at our recent galleries for the game below. %Gallery-92550% %Gallery-87809%
Massively Exclusive: More details on Sword 2
Earlier this week we learned that Sword of the New World 2 is under development. The team at GamersFirst provided us with exclusive screenshots and a bit of development information. Those who tried Sword of the New World were very curious. Sword 2 looks good, and pretty screenshots are nice, but what is the game going to be like? As promised, we have a wealth of new information from GamersFirst, all about Sword 2. Follow along after the jump for a look at some of the new features -- you'll be seeing some old familiar favorites and some exciting new additions as well.
Sword of the New World celebrates spring break in style
"Spring break, baby! Wooo!" "Where are you going?" "I'm heading to the nearest computer to log into Sword of the New World! Wooo!" Or so GamersFirst hopes gamers will say when they hear of Sword of the New World's spring break promotion. Four special deals and events are livening the game up for the remainder of the month and into the first week of April. This includes a hunt for a special four-leaf clover, a new phase of Faction Wars, and -- of particular interest to anyone who plays the game -- a whopping 20% increase in drop rates off of any mobs. Even if you aren't a current player of the game, the combination of these promotions plus the title's free-to-play model make for an irresistible temptation. This comes on top of recent changes to the game and an expansion back in February. Hit the jump for specifics on Sword of the New World's spring break promotions!
GDC10: Sword of the New World changes detailed
GamersFirst's Sword of the New World is primed for several interesting game play additions. We spoke with Jon-Enee Merriex at GDC 2010 to get the scoop on what's in store for the MMORTS that first launched in 2007. Perhaps most interesting among the list of tweaks are plans to allow players to teleport between colonies controlled by their faction under the game's Political PVP system. If you're a Royalist, for example, you can look forward to jumping between Royalist-owned colonies, thereby saving considerable travel time. The teleportation is one of several mechanics intended to allow players new and old to dive right into what the developer considers the game's primary focus. "The true focal point of Sword of the New World is all about the Political PvP system. It's all about running for office, controlling the colonies, and being a tyrant," Merriex said.
One Shots: A quiet romance
There's something to be said for the quiet of a Sunday -- and for the lovely architecture and fashion of days gone by. That's why we couldn't resist this picturesque Sword of the New World screenshot sent in to us by FragmentaryHorcrux of the Fontaineblanc family on the Bristia server. The other thing that makes this excellent is the thought put into the note that came in along with it. After all, One Shots is just as much about what players are doing -- and love -- in their favorite MMOs. As such, since he sent in a great big note we're going to turn the rest of today's post over to him. Remember if you'd like to join the fun and tell us why your favorite game is your favorite game, email your screenshots to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a descripion. We'll post it out here and give you the credit. For now, on with FragmentaryHorcrux's letter -- just be sure to check out the rest of it behind the break! This shot shows one of the many romantic vistas of the Port of Coimbra in the game; a Scout, Fighter and Elementalist at the Lookout Point with the Eastern part of the town and the ocean in the background. %Gallery-85937% %Gallery-9798%
Sword of the New World offers new frontiers in Echoes of an Empire
We haven't heard anything about Sword of the New World: Granado Espada from the folks over at GamersFirst in some time. But with this most recent note, we learned why. Apparently they've been hard at work getting an ambitious new expansion pack ready for players to enjoy. If the above screenshot is any indication, this new area continues Sword of the New World's rich look and highly picturesque graphics, flavored by Central American ruins and tribal cultures. Named Echoes of an Empire, this new update offers players the chance to adventure in a new region named Errac, including the city of El Dorado. Players will also be able to unlock two new Unique Player Characters: Nar, an Erracan Warrior, and Selva (or Lady Katovic as players know her), who is described as "calculated, menacing and brutal." Now, as to whether or not this El Dorado is covered in gold they didn't say, so you'll have to adventure in the new lands of Echoes of an Empire and figure that one out yourself.
