This game is a lot of fun. It's terrific really... finally a
developer has had the sense to maximize an aspect of gameplay. Now,
there are not unique or pluribus aspects of the game that make
me say "oh yea...," but the tide of extremism in and of itself is wildly
appealing. Let's start with the basics -
1. Good hack and slash action.
The graphics and interface are solid enough to keep me at bay for hours at a time.
2. The loot is good and well developed.
Not too much, maybe slightly too little, and limited enough so that you don't hear - "Oh I got that too..."
There is also a cool system of re-enchanting.
3. Overall a mostly satisfying experience.
There are two leagues - hardcore and default. When you die in hardcore you are removed from that league and placed
into the default league never to be hardcore with that character
again. You can start in the default league if you so choose.
4. The cool part - The skill tree is two things; only passive abilities, or traits, and it is absolutely massive.
One can almost guarantee a unique build for their character. Their are
six classes, each with a different initial skill tree.
All in all I would give this game an 8.3 out of ten.
I
have only just begun playing (the open beta just started) and am
thinking that this will be the first of two entries. I do love that
feeling of, "aw, what color is that?!" and hope that it does not go away. Odds are, you should really give this one a try.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Bit Dungeon - A Bit Tempting
I was recently prompted by a Google+ user to play a free game called Bit Dungeon. It's a whole lot of fun. It is a simple dungeon crawler RPG where you have one life and no continues. Each dungeon level has nine rooms and one boss room. You travel from room to room clearing out baddies and collecting keys to subsequent rooms. There are random drops of armors and weapons each modifying your character's image. The music is somewhat enjoyable.
On the plus side -
-Slightly randomized dungeons
-Random loot drops
-Quick and easy gameplay
On the minus side -
-You cannot save your game (if you die, you have to start over)
-Level ups will only get you so far. I hope you have a good strategy.
-Lack of explorations and unknowns
On the plus side -
-Slightly randomized dungeons
-Random loot drops
-Quick and easy gameplay
On the minus side -
-You cannot save your game (if you die, you have to start over)
-Level ups will only get you so far. I hope you have a good strategy.
-Lack of explorations and unknowns
Monday, January 21, 2013
CS: Global Offensive - Gungame
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a terrific game. It has been substantially redone since Counter-Strike: Source. Here's another vid of a Gungame Match -
Ragnarok Online 2 - Emoticon Future
I, among many others, was very excited by the release of Open Beta Ragnarok Online 2. I was also very disappointed. The game does not really offer anything new or particularly interesting. It feels like a game that I've played many times before.
On the plus side -
There is a card system. Collect 'em all.
On level up one can upgrade base stats as well as skills.
Frequent drops off of single monsters.
On the minus side -
The controls are not so great; the camera is pushy and the graphics don't match the menu access.
The loot is boring (Not much randomized...). Equipables especially.
The skills are boring.
The combat is bad. I really would've played more.
All in all the game is O.K. I would've liked to see more from such an anticipated sequel.
Here is a quick video I made -
On the plus side -
There is a card system. Collect 'em all.
On level up one can upgrade base stats as well as skills.
Frequent drops off of single monsters.
On the minus side -
The controls are not so great; the camera is pushy and the graphics don't match the menu access.
The loot is boring (Not much randomized...). Equipables especially.
The skills are boring.
The combat is bad. I really would've played more.
All in all the game is O.K. I would've liked to see more from such an anticipated sequel.
Here is a quick video I made -
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Secrets and Minecraft 2
I'm patient but c'mon. Where are all of the epic titles at? Last I remember WoW came out and since then I've been waiting for someone to top it or at least to capture peoples' attentions again. Vindictus came out and that was cool but all of these new games just feel so limited. And ever since World of Warcraft every PC mmo and rpg just seem to follow and not lead.
Of course there's minecraft but ever since people started modding it I have been praying for some cool loot/treasure system to come out in an update. Minecraft 2? That would be so cool. There is a game Blockscape in development. There is no meta-game yet though... hopefully some sort of rpg elements will go into the system.
My theory is that the next big game will have no level cap. That would be awesome. No?
Of course there's minecraft but ever since people started modding it I have been praying for some cool loot/treasure system to come out in an update. Minecraft 2? That would be so cool. There is a game Blockscape in development. There is no meta-game yet though... hopefully some sort of rpg elements will go into the system.
My theory is that the next big game will have no level cap. That would be awesome. No?
Saturday, January 19, 2013
C9 mmorpg - Can you dig it?
Today I have a brief review of the recently open beta'd mmorpg C9, or Continent of the Ninth.
This game is an attention grabber, but all in all I would say that there is no need to get excited. The game takes multiple key elements from other games and tries to put them together into something grander. Good for temporary fun? Yes... Good for "oh shit I love this game?" No.
The graphics are half-way done - it does not look like the game was made with love. Graphics, in my opinion, help to define a game, not to make a bad game good. Better maybe... but not good. In C9 the graphics remind me of a dirty kobold.
The game is fully instanced so there are only two places to go - go to town or go to fight goblins. The town is fairly complicated and the instance selection shares the same dirty forestling appeal. The quest system is, in conjunction with the in-town control, annoying. The battle controls on the other hand are easy to use and fun. Very much a 3d Double Dragon sort of thing. If you like playing as a dirty kobold. D-i-r-t-y K-o-b-o-l-d.
The loot system has serious appeal however. It is not particularly innovated but it has enough variation to make you click the next difficulty setting and go back for a better shot at the Goblin Chief's personal stash. And as per most usually, the equipment that you find has a level requirement. I hate that. I'd like to see a game where the treasure is innovated and in wicked wild supply. Hugh!
Here's a little video showcasing the game Continent of the Ninth -
If they had a vestibule with C9 next to one of Golden Axe, I would probably play Golden Axe.
This game is an attention grabber, but all in all I would say that there is no need to get excited. The game takes multiple key elements from other games and tries to put them together into something grander. Good for temporary fun? Yes... Good for "oh shit I love this game?" No.
The graphics are half-way done - it does not look like the game was made with love. Graphics, in my opinion, help to define a game, not to make a bad game good. Better maybe... but not good. In C9 the graphics remind me of a dirty kobold.
The game is fully instanced so there are only two places to go - go to town or go to fight goblins. The town is fairly complicated and the instance selection shares the same dirty forestling appeal. The quest system is, in conjunction with the in-town control, annoying. The battle controls on the other hand are easy to use and fun. Very much a 3d Double Dragon sort of thing. If you like playing as a dirty kobold. D-i-r-t-y K-o-b-o-l-d.
The loot system has serious appeal however. It is not particularly innovated but it has enough variation to make you click the next difficulty setting and go back for a better shot at the Goblin Chief's personal stash. And as per most usually, the equipment that you find has a level requirement. I hate that. I'd like to see a game where the treasure is innovated and in wicked wild supply. Hugh!
Here's a little video showcasing the game Continent of the Ninth -
If they had a vestibule with C9 next to one of Golden Axe, I would probably play Golden Axe.
Friday, January 18, 2013
DragonSaga MMO - 1942 comes to mind...
I tried out a new MMORPG today. It is called DragonSaga. It's good. Not amazing but good... The title was actually released a couple of years ago under the title Dragonica. They appear to be the same exact game. Maybe I am missing a hidden dragon world filled with endless riches and Pluto and crayons. I doubt it.
The gameplay is quite good. It is a sidescroller, arcade style, with four separate and distinct classes; warrior, mage, rogue, and archer I believe; varying from magic missiles to plunging a sword into the ground. Damage is included and health bars and gold coins when defeated...
The loot is pretty good. Above average I would say. The gameplay is instanced, which in my opinion, takes away from the adventure of the game - at least in this one. There is out of instance, or world, hunting and questing, but I do not believe there is loot anywhere but on the completion of an instance. Monsters or mobs do drop crafting items and the sort, but no real treasure is to be found anywhere but when defeating a boss.
The skills are pretty typical, average I would say, each class having their own unique skill tree. I can't wait to see a game with an intricate loot system (customisable) and a skill tree adapted to super high levels. -(Like level 350)
The gameplay is quite good. It is a sidescroller, arcade style, with four separate and distinct classes; warrior, mage, rogue, and archer I believe; varying from magic missiles to plunging a sword into the ground. Damage is included and health bars and gold coins when defeated...
The loot is pretty good. Above average I would say. The gameplay is instanced, which in my opinion, takes away from the adventure of the game - at least in this one. There is out of instance, or world, hunting and questing, but I do not believe there is loot anywhere but on the completion of an instance. Monsters or mobs do drop crafting items and the sort, but no real treasure is to be found anywhere but when defeating a boss.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Asheron's Call 2 Review
Hello hello! Today I have the actual review for Asheron's Call 2 instead of the locale based on its return. So let's get down to the nitty gritty -
Asheron's Call 2 is a sand-box MMORPG. The reason I like this game so darn much is because of the xp system. Instead of getting xp only to level up, you actually get to spend the xp you have gained to increase the effectiveness of your skills and abilities. This is a lot of fun and actually pretty exciting... to me at least...
Now for the best part - the loot! I love loot... of all shapes and sizes I do... the loot system is pretty top notch. Many colors for many different types of gear, rare drops, and a lot of variation from one item to the next. There is massive potential for avatar customization and uniqueness. There's not as much variation as I would like to see but I gather Asheron's Call 3 will be absolutely incredible (if there is such a thing... (*please, please*...))
One other cool feature is the portal summon and portal recall ability-ees. One can either return to the last portal used or summon a portal to that same exact portal! The same is true about returning to a lifestone. Cool!
I'm not sure what the level cap is but there are a buttload of skills to be used and learned and upgraded.
Here is a video I made hi-lightning the awesomeness of Asheron's Call 2
Asheron's Call 2 is a sand-box MMORPG. The reason I like this game so darn much is because of the xp system. Instead of getting xp only to level up, you actually get to spend the xp you have gained to increase the effectiveness of your skills and abilities. This is a lot of fun and actually pretty exciting... to me at least...
Now for the best part - the loot! I love loot... of all shapes and sizes I do... the loot system is pretty top notch. Many colors for many different types of gear, rare drops, and a lot of variation from one item to the next. There is massive potential for avatar customization and uniqueness. There's not as much variation as I would like to see but I gather Asheron's Call 3 will be absolutely incredible (if there is such a thing... (*please, please*...))
One other cool feature is the portal summon and portal recall ability-ees. One can either return to the last portal used or summon a portal to that same exact portal! The same is true about returning to a lifestone. Cool!
I'm not sure what the level cap is but there are a buttload of skills to be used and learned and upgraded.
Here is a video I made hi-lightning the awesomeness of Asheron's Call 2
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Counter-Strike Materia
Counter-Strike GO finally came out. It's really pretty radical: the whole aiming system has been redone from Source and there are seven or so new weapons; old models have been redone (no more silencer on the m4), there are new grenades, and the original maps are configured slightly differently.
In my opinion the aiming is much more difficult in GO. The crosshairs have a new function model - there is an outer crosshairs for calculating or anticipating recoil. As well the guns have more sensitive recoil. What would have been a headshot may no longer be quite so bangin'. The select player model before entering a match has been removed. Instead all members of a team wear the same gear.
Here's a bit of footage I captured of a gungame deathmatch -
The new mini machine gun is heavy loaded and fun to use
In my opinion the aiming is much more difficult in GO. The crosshairs have a new function model - there is an outer crosshairs for calculating or anticipating recoil. As well the guns have more sensitive recoil. What would have been a headshot may no longer be quite so bangin'. The select player model before entering a match has been removed. Instead all members of a team wear the same gear.
Here's a bit of footage I captured of a gungame deathmatch -
The new mini machine gun is heavy loaded and fun to use
Where my ninjas at
Well... Realm of the Mad God! Magic be thine enemy. How placard thee.
This game does not boast much but packs quite a punch. A very varied class decision system along with, initially, enticing loot. When I first played I thought I would wind up dedicating a small part of life to this Mad God. The gameplay is easy fun and the exploration is or seems to be sand-box - there are no skill trees and no guilds. At first it seems to be an awesome game.
Unfortunately the level cap is 20... and there is no randomized loot, instead there are only eight or so weapons and armors per class for the whole shebang. So just when the game is getting exciting, there is nothing to do except unlock character classes and try to get "end game" loot that matches everyone else's.
What I would recommend would be to just put a little more time in on the treasure hunting algorithm and raise the level cap to 100 or so and the game would be super popular. The graphics are so simple that it could not be too difficult to add a buttload of new weapons and possibly randomize their stat bonuses so that players could individualize themselves. What I saw was potentially awesome and dynamic, but I was disappointed by the lack of exploration conduit.
The gameplay is simple and effective. I've always been a fan of simple graphics, such as in The Legend of Zelda for the NES or The Illusion of Gaia for the SNES, and simple gameplay, recoiled, can be just as fun (ie: Gauntlet for the NES) - 8-bit FTW!
I believe that things got popular somewhere around Runescape and Ultima Online.
This game does not boast much but packs quite a punch. A very varied class decision system along with, initially, enticing loot. When I first played I thought I would wind up dedicating a small part of life to this Mad God. The gameplay is easy fun and the exploration is or seems to be sand-box - there are no skill trees and no guilds. At first it seems to be an awesome game.
Unfortunately the level cap is 20... and there is no randomized loot, instead there are only eight or so weapons and armors per class for the whole shebang. So just when the game is getting exciting, there is nothing to do except unlock character classes and try to get "end game" loot that matches everyone else's.
What I would recommend would be to just put a little more time in on the treasure hunting algorithm and raise the level cap to 100 or so and the game would be super popular. The graphics are so simple that it could not be too difficult to add a buttload of new weapons and possibly randomize their stat bonuses so that players could individualize themselves. What I saw was potentially awesome and dynamic, but I was disappointed by the lack of exploration conduit.
The gameplay is simple and effective. I've always been a fan of simple graphics, such as in The Legend of Zelda for the NES or The Illusion of Gaia for the SNES, and simple gameplay, recoiled, can be just as fun (ie: Gauntlet for the NES) - 8-bit FTW!
I believe that things got popular somewhere around Runescape and Ultima Online.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
AC2 I don't believe it!
So...
I heard it through the grapevine that Asheron's Call 2 has returned!
I must say, I am very excited. I only got a chance to play but a little when the title came out in 2002 and was alarmed to hear that it had servers shut down in 2005. For three or four years now I have been mourning the loss of the sister to Asheron's Call 1 (quite arguably the best game ever made) occasionally searching for private servers with no luck. Well, my wildest dreams have come true, and Asheron's Call 2 is back up for download and play. HooHa! Pack Drudge FTW!
If you love me just let me know...
I heard it through the grapevine that Asheron's Call 2 has returned!
I must say, I am very excited. I only got a chance to play but a little when the title came out in 2002 and was alarmed to hear that it had servers shut down in 2005. For three or four years now I have been mourning the loss of the sister to Asheron's Call 1 (quite arguably the best game ever made) occasionally searching for private servers with no luck. Well, my wildest dreams have come true, and Asheron's Call 2 is back up for download and play. HooHa! Pack Drudge FTW!
If you love me just let me know...
Pad Nation Goes Green
It Has Begun...
Welcome to Padmeister Nation! Here you will find in depth and appropriated responses to the gaming experience: specifically, the Role Playing Game. Now, I have never done a blog before, so bear with me if I'm off track a bit, but what I hope to do is create a reasonable response to RPGs that I have played before and let gamers know what I thought should or should not have been a part of the reviewed media.
Let me start off by saying that I love video games. I have been playing them since I was three and I am now twenty-seven. As I am sure many would agree, summer was not wasted. Perhaps I should begin by compiling a list: this list will be some classic RPG titles that I thought were either important to the genre or excellent and creative works.
Herein, -
Dragon Quest I - NES
Dragon Quest II - NES
Dragon Quest III - NES
Ultima II: Exodus - NES
Hydlide - NES
The Adventures of Link - NES
Final Fantasy - NES
Final Fantasy II - SNES
Final Fantasy III - SNES
Chrono Trigger - SNES
Secret of Mana - SNES
Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals - SNES
Soul Blazer - SNES
Actraiser - SNES
Mario RPG - SNES
Shining Force II - Sega Genesis
Ehrgeiz - Playstation
Star Ocean II - Playstation
Monster Rancher I - Playstation
Monster Rancher II - Playstation
Final Fantasy Tactics - Playstation
Breath of Fire III - Playstation
Azure Dreams - Playstation
Ogre Battle 64 - N64
Atelier Iris III - Playstation II
Kingdom Hearts II - Playstation II
Ever Grace - Playstation II
Diablo - Playstation and PC
Phantasy Star Universe - Playstation II and PC and Xbox 360
Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall - PC
Heroes of Might and Magic II - PC
SimAnt - PC
Asheron's Call - PC
Diablo II - PC
Runescape - PC
Counter-Strike - PC
Wizardry VIII - PC
EverQuest - PC
I'm pretty sure that this is not the complete anthology but it will definitely suffice for now. Seeing as this is my first and only first entry, I'm going to decline writing about one game in particular and instead ask this - what is it exactly that keeps us coming back for more in these games? I believe that the answer to this question is actually just that; more! And as they always say, "Keep 'em coming back for more!"
Welcome to Padmeister Nation! Here you will find in depth and appropriated responses to the gaming experience: specifically, the Role Playing Game. Now, I have never done a blog before, so bear with me if I'm off track a bit, but what I hope to do is create a reasonable response to RPGs that I have played before and let gamers know what I thought should or should not have been a part of the reviewed media.
Let me start off by saying that I love video games. I have been playing them since I was three and I am now twenty-seven. As I am sure many would agree, summer was not wasted. Perhaps I should begin by compiling a list: this list will be some classic RPG titles that I thought were either important to the genre or excellent and creative works.
Herein, -
Dragon Quest I - NES
Dragon Quest II - NES
Dragon Quest III - NES
Ultima II: Exodus - NES
Hydlide - NES
The Adventures of Link - NES
Final Fantasy - NES
Final Fantasy II - SNES
Final Fantasy III - SNES
Chrono Trigger - SNES
Secret of Mana - SNES
Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals - SNES
Soul Blazer - SNES
Actraiser - SNES
Mario RPG - SNES
Shining Force II - Sega Genesis
Ehrgeiz - Playstation
Star Ocean II - Playstation
Monster Rancher I - Playstation
Monster Rancher II - Playstation
Final Fantasy Tactics - Playstation
Breath of Fire III - Playstation
Azure Dreams - Playstation
Ogre Battle 64 - N64
Atelier Iris III - Playstation II
Kingdom Hearts II - Playstation II
Ever Grace - Playstation II
Diablo - Playstation and PC
Phantasy Star Universe - Playstation II and PC and Xbox 360
Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall - PC
Heroes of Might and Magic II - PC
SimAnt - PC
Asheron's Call - PC
Diablo II - PC
Runescape - PC
Counter-Strike - PC
Wizardry VIII - PC
EverQuest - PC
I'm pretty sure that this is not the complete anthology but it will definitely suffice for now. Seeing as this is my first and only first entry, I'm going to decline writing about one game in particular and instead ask this - what is it exactly that keeps us coming back for more in these games? I believe that the answer to this question is actually just that; more! And as they always say, "Keep 'em coming back for more!"
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