From the few videos I have seen, I was pretty intrigued by the Continent of the Ninth Seal. So when I heard that a VIP Closed Beta test was going to occur for the Global version, I decided to rush in and get a key. From what I had seen I expected the game to be pretty decent and polished, however I was pretty sorely mistaken. Read my experiences below.
After trying to download the game for three days, due to the download file constantly getting corrupted, or the connection to the server getting lost, I got slightly annoyed. I tried downloading it through the normal download, then I tried the downloader they (Webzen, the distributors of the Global Version of the game) recommended, i tried a random software called Download Manager Pro and then I finally succeeded with Download Accelerator Pro.
Now like most games, after installation of a 4.16 GB files, you should be able to use it straight from the program, but, Webzen has tied up the game with their site, so have to log on to their site and then play the game from there. This step I could deal with because this process has worked with Maplestory, a game I was fond of for quite a while.
In the game launcher, you are shown the latest news, an option button to set the basic graphical settings of the game, you can check the patches and you can start the game. Upon starting the game, you choose a server (currently there is only the VIP test server) and then you are sent to your character selection screen, which contains 12 character slots, more than quite a few games that are out right now. When you create a new character, you can create one of three classes; a warrior, a ranger and a shaman. A warrior is a traditional Tanky, Semi-Damaging Class(Locked as Male), Rangers are the standard DPS class (Locked as Male) and Shamans are the basic Mage class(Locked as Female). While creating the character the user is given quite a bit of customisability with their characters, and can adjust various features of their hair, face, body and most other aspects of their appearance.
The interface of the game is quite dated and resembles those used in games that were made around 5-6 years ago, this is really not appealing when you're playing a game in 2012 when the rest of the competition has a much neater and better looking interface. There are also numerous typos when quest descriptions are given, when characters speak, when cut-scenes occur, etc. This may be fixed later on as the game progresses into open beta and eventually into complete release, but typos just tend to annoy the user
Upon entering the game for the first time, you are presented with a tutorial that explains the basics of the game quite well. The commands are basic as in any action MMO, where the mouse is used for basic attacks, and creating combo attacks, various hotkeys are used for skills, and the WASD or Arrow keys are used for movement. The F button is used for hitting enemies that have been knocked down. The battles are far too clunky and slow for my liking; when compared to games like Vindictus and Dragon Nest, where the game play is far smoother and faster.
The skills that are learned can be divided into three types; active skills, stances and passive skills. Active skills are those which the player utilizes from the hot key bar and have a variety of effects. Passive skills provide a certain bonus to some stat or the other, without having to be utilized. Stances are like passive skills, they do not need to be equipped on a hot key and used, but they provide a set of actions that the player can utilize. These actions also provide certain skills as well.
PvP has not been released yet, I shall give a brief overview of that when it comes out.
Overall, the game is too slow and clunky for my liking, however some people may enjoy it. The graphics are decent, but the interface seems very dated.The major factor that I liked was the huge degree of customization the player is allowed, however if the game itself is not too great, then no matter how much you customize it wont make much of a difference. If you want to play a good Action MMO I would recommend you give Dragon Nest(SEA or NA, depending on your location) a try, or if you have access to a US/EU IP then you could try out Vindictus as well.
After trying to download the game for three days, due to the download file constantly getting corrupted, or the connection to the server getting lost, I got slightly annoyed. I tried downloading it through the normal download, then I tried the downloader they (Webzen, the distributors of the Global Version of the game) recommended, i tried a random software called Download Manager Pro and then I finally succeeded with Download Accelerator Pro.
Now like most games, after installation of a 4.16 GB files, you should be able to use it straight from the program, but, Webzen has tied up the game with their site, so have to log on to their site and then play the game from there. This step I could deal with because this process has worked with Maplestory, a game I was fond of for quite a while.
In the game launcher, you are shown the latest news, an option button to set the basic graphical settings of the game, you can check the patches and you can start the game. Upon starting the game, you choose a server (currently there is only the VIP test server) and then you are sent to your character selection screen, which contains 12 character slots, more than quite a few games that are out right now. When you create a new character, you can create one of three classes; a warrior, a ranger and a shaman. A warrior is a traditional Tanky, Semi-Damaging Class(Locked as Male), Rangers are the standard DPS class (Locked as Male) and Shamans are the basic Mage class(Locked as Female). While creating the character the user is given quite a bit of customisability with their characters, and can adjust various features of their hair, face, body and most other aspects of their appearance.
The interface of the game is quite dated and resembles those used in games that were made around 5-6 years ago, this is really not appealing when you're playing a game in 2012 when the rest of the competition has a much neater and better looking interface. There are also numerous typos when quest descriptions are given, when characters speak, when cut-scenes occur, etc. This may be fixed later on as the game progresses into open beta and eventually into complete release, but typos just tend to annoy the user
Upon entering the game for the first time, you are presented with a tutorial that explains the basics of the game quite well. The commands are basic as in any action MMO, where the mouse is used for basic attacks, and creating combo attacks, various hotkeys are used for skills, and the WASD or Arrow keys are used for movement. The F button is used for hitting enemies that have been knocked down. The battles are far too clunky and slow for my liking; when compared to games like Vindictus and Dragon Nest, where the game play is far smoother and faster.
The skills that are learned can be divided into three types; active skills, stances and passive skills. Active skills are those which the player utilizes from the hot key bar and have a variety of effects. Passive skills provide a certain bonus to some stat or the other, without having to be utilized. Stances are like passive skills, they do not need to be equipped on a hot key and used, but they provide a set of actions that the player can utilize. These actions also provide certain skills as well.
PvP has not been released yet, I shall give a brief overview of that when it comes out.
Overall, the game is too slow and clunky for my liking, however some people may enjoy it. The graphics are decent, but the interface seems very dated.The major factor that I liked was the huge degree of customization the player is allowed, however if the game itself is not too great, then no matter how much you customize it wont make much of a difference. If you want to play a good Action MMO I would recommend you give Dragon Nest(SEA or NA, depending on your location) a try, or if you have access to a US/EU IP then you could try out Vindictus as well.
For full image click here
No comments:
Post a Comment