The Gameplay (So Far)
I included the So Far because I have only just started it, therefore have not experienced the game in full. So if you get further then I do, your experience could be completely different then mine. In other words, I am covering my ass :P. Ok, so the gameplay (so far :P) seems to be pretty damn solid. Basically, you play a badass character, chosen from several different classes (unfortunately there is no race change or gender change [although it is rumored that gender changes for each class are coming soon]) which each have a different backstory, introduced in awesome comic book glory (may be a cop out instead of doing a fully animated intro, but I think it works). Once you choose your class you are thrown into a forest, where the beautiful and completely helpless Seria awaits your rescue from the evil clutches of the wussy goblins that fall before your might easier then dominoes against a rocket launcher. This is when you realize that this MMO is completely different than any other you have played. The skills are well implemented, and awesome looking, and wreak havoc on whatever creature you have decided needs to die.
Of course, as with most brawler games, there is an issue with actually hitting some creatures. Some look like they are directly in front of you, but in reality are slightly below you, causing some near misses where you have no other choice but to /facepalm. There is a half fix in there though. Some attacks, like a swing from right to left, will hit enemies slightly below you, adding to the realism of your attacks. Anyway, the rpg aspects are done well also. Each time you level up, your character earns Skill Points (SP) which you spend at a trainer to learn new skills, which are pretty much mandatory.
The control system seems a little daunting at first, as your using the A,S,D,F keys for skills, number keys for items, Z,X,C for jumping and attacking and the arrow keys to move, but it is quickly assimilated and only becomes a minor annoyance when trying to reach your items whilst kicking goblin ass. The inventory system is well done, weight effects your ability to carry things, not space as some rpgs go (WoW) and the ability to equip things is of course another crucial part of the game. The only thing that I didn't like about equipping was the fact that only the weapons change the appearance of your character. To fully change the appearance of your character, you have to spend cash money (real life money) to purchase NX points and spend em on your appearance (which I find a slight waste [unless you can get it for free, see tomorrow's post to find out how]).
The Classes
Classes seem to be pretty unique while still stayin in that easily identifiable range. You have your Slayer, the typical badass with a sword, with a twist. The Slayer has a possessed arm. The demon that resides in his arm grant him special powers... and by special I mean of course Badass. Then you have your Fighter, which is your main melee class. This chick gets up close, picks you up, flips you, and slams your ass into the ground before you even have a chance to ask her out (reminds me of my ex). The gunner, your typical long range dude that somehow pulls a minigun out of his trenchcoat (don't ask me where he hides it, I try not to think about it) and busts a cap. You got your cute little mage girl who you just want to cuddle until she lights your hair on fire. The priest, who is slightly different from your average mmo priest. First off he carries a big ass cross with which he uses to beat the living daylights out of anything that gets in his way. Each of these classes has several subclasses that you change to based on your playing style, then another subsubclass that you change to farther down the road.
The Catch
Ok, so remember how I said that this game is free? Of course you do. It comes with a catch. While playing the game is free, you can only change your appearance and access certain changes with NX points which cost real life cash money. Changes include bank upgrades, special items, ways to make your character awesomely nifty looking, etc. According to Nexon though, there are no unbalanced features that come with players who buy their items. While maybe possibly not completely utterly true, it seems that you cannot buy anything that will make your character amazingly more powerful then a "free" character.
The Artwork
The game features amazing, old school pixel art that portrays an amazing fantasy world and awesome beasts and baddies. I am a lover of pixel art, so every time I enter a new enter I get to oggle the change in environments. Everything is well animated and beautifully rendered. All attacks, characters, monsters, powerups and buffs are easily identifiable.
The Overall
All in all this game is pretty solid. I would have to give it a 7.5/10 (I do not use NXpoints) and wouldn't be surprised if the game stays on my hard drive for an extended period of time.
