The closed beta for 3 Kingdoms Online closed its doors today. Like many players new to the concept of beta-testing I assumed that the transition from closed to open beta would be immediate. I was thoroughly disappointed to discover that not only had my character been wiped from Wave Games' databases, but that I wouldn't be able to log on for who knows how long as they prepared to launch the open beta.
It was at that point, as I tried to find something on my hard drive that I actually wanted to play, that I came to the sudden realization that I was addicted to 3 Kingdoms. Or more truthfully I was addicted to the MMO system. Honestly, I had a blast beta-testing 3 Kingdoms and when the powers that be decide it's proper time for another romp in the kingdom of Wei I'll be there, but I realized it's not so much the game itself but the community and sense of purpose I missed.
Maybe it's because the auto-battle and NPC-party system in 3 Kingdoms made grinding so easy that the constant need to get to that next level was never irritating, but I can genuinely say that the basic mechanics in place need no changing at all. Sure, trading items wasn't working and quests were riddled with bugs, but the actual leveling/grinding/fighting system was a blast. In the end it allowed me to focus on making friends, helping others, and generally just the "being social" part of the game. I realize now that I'm going to miss that.
Which is why I'm downloading Runes of Magic. Another MMORPG, a bit more traditional in the sense that (1) there are no bots; and (2) I'll be the only one not knowing what the hell I'm doing. But I'm craving for that sense of satisfaction that reaching that next level stirs in me... and I'm willing to download the 5GB client for the next four days to get it.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Wartime
Tonight was the night that the 3 Kingdoms MMO weekly wartime took place. This so far only the second instance of wartime, it's interesting to witness the back and forth power tug between Caocao and Liubei.
I managed to log on about two minutes before wartime and the chatbox was chaotic and frantic with the leaders of multiple clans trying to coordinate their fighters and freelancing warriors, like myself, in the precious minutes before all hell broke loose.
The chatbox was all "DONGJUN" and "GO TO DONGJUN" and "YOU LAZY BASTARDS GET YOUR ASSES TO DONGJUN!", I asked why nobody was gathering in the south to defend our border there and was ignored. Turns out we shouldn't have bothered anyway, our fortress in the mountains was more than enough.
I managed to log on about two minutes before wartime and the chatbox was chaotic and frantic with the leaders of multiple clans trying to coordinate their fighters and freelancing warriors, like myself, in the precious minutes before all hell broke loose.
The chatbox was all "DONGJUN" and "GO TO DONGJUN" and "YOU LAZY BASTARDS GET YOUR ASSES TO DONGJUN!", I asked why nobody was gathering in the south to defend our border there and was ignored. Turns out we shouldn't have bothered anyway, our fortress in the mountains was more than enough.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
3 Kingdoms Online
3 Kingdoms Online -- a Chinese developed game, I assume -- recently began its Closed Beta here in Indonesia. I'm not a fan of MMO's but the 3 Kingdoms lore has always interested me, so I decided to give it a shot.
This isn't my first MMO. I actually spent several hours exploring Perfect World before the mundane quests got to me. I'm not much of a social gamer, I tend to prefer going solo, so I suppose this particular niche of gaming isn't suited for me. The constant grind was also a major turnoff for me.
There are two particular aspects of 3 Kingdoms that I feel was tailor-made for players like myself:
First of all, combat is a curious combination of MMO and Dynasty Warriors. Players have the option of recruiting computer-controlled soldiers into their party, and characters that have built up their CHA (Charm) stat can eventually lead armies of soldiers. When wartime between the three titular kingdoms comes along it should be interesting to see how the server handles thousands of soldiers battling. For fans of Kessen and Warriors Orochi the appeal of an MMO Dynasty Warriors is clear.
Second, to deal with the constant and arduous level grind the developers seem to have made bots an integral part of the game. Whereas other MMOs punish players for using bots to grind, 3 Kingdoms actually promotes it; as I type this my squad of soldiers is beating up on evildoers. In its beta stage the AUTO-BATTLE function is rudimentary at best, though I'm interested in seeing how this affects wartime and battling in general. If properly developed this could be an interesting execution of Final Fantasy XII's Gambit System in a MMO environment.
Graphically and aurally the game is -meh-. It seems to use a common engine with Lineage II and the music seems to consist of generic MIDI quality tracks. Still, combat is a blast and the community, at this point in time, is rather welcoming to new players.
I'm still half-and-half here on whether I'll stick with this game in the long run, but at the very least it's something I'll be observing for awhile.
This isn't my first MMO. I actually spent several hours exploring Perfect World before the mundane quests got to me. I'm not much of a social gamer, I tend to prefer going solo, so I suppose this particular niche of gaming isn't suited for me. The constant grind was also a major turnoff for me.
There are two particular aspects of 3 Kingdoms that I feel was tailor-made for players like myself:
First of all, combat is a curious combination of MMO and Dynasty Warriors. Players have the option of recruiting computer-controlled soldiers into their party, and characters that have built up their CHA (Charm) stat can eventually lead armies of soldiers. When wartime between the three titular kingdoms comes along it should be interesting to see how the server handles thousands of soldiers battling. For fans of Kessen and Warriors Orochi the appeal of an MMO Dynasty Warriors is clear.
Second, to deal with the constant and arduous level grind the developers seem to have made bots an integral part of the game. Whereas other MMOs punish players for using bots to grind, 3 Kingdoms actually promotes it; as I type this my squad of soldiers is beating up on evildoers. In its beta stage the AUTO-BATTLE function is rudimentary at best, though I'm interested in seeing how this affects wartime and battling in general. If properly developed this could be an interesting execution of Final Fantasy XII's Gambit System in a MMO environment.
Graphically and aurally the game is -meh-. It seems to use a common engine with Lineage II and the music seems to consist of generic MIDI quality tracks. Still, combat is a blast and the community, at this point in time, is rather welcoming to new players.
I'm still half-and-half here on whether I'll stick with this game in the long run, but at the very least it's something I'll be observing for awhile.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
-OZ- - Wisteria
-OZ- is back with their first release in 2010 Wisteria. This five-piece from Tokyo has only recently popped up on the radar of most casual VK fans, a sign that their persistence is finally paying off. The band formed in 2004 and has been steadily garnering attention for their unique brand of metal.
I haven't really heard a band like -OZ- since I first heard SIX back in 2007. Whereas in SIX -OZ- was still looking for their defining sound -- back then they were experimenting with some strange influences, even dabbling a bit in jazz -- the -OZ- on Wisteria exhibits a band that has finally found itself.
Their songs are distinct, relying on drop-D tuning to keep the riffs heavy without wandering into thrash or death metal territory. The first track on Wisteria titled "Pressed Flower" gets the SP off to a rather shaky start; you can tell what the guitars are trying to do but they lack any punch. Once Natsuki's vocals kick in the song picks up. Natsuki defines this band, his sharp voice coupled with his rapid vibrato really pull their sound together. After a rather forgettable interlude we get to the chorus which is immediately catchy.
-OZ- aren't going to win any awards for musicianship; while their vocalist may be fantastic the lives I've seen showed me a so-so drummer and rather shoddy guitar work. The solo on Pressed Flower is forgettable.
The next track titled "Retrograde" opens up with the sound of a girl screaming played backwards and a synth track rewound. Solid drumming, a rather catchy riff. Rather standard -OZ-, for better or for worse.
The third and last track "Another Reign" is easily the best track on the album. The melody swings, the screaming is fantastic, and the chorus is great. Everything seems to come together on this track, the bass is suitably distorted and the guitars finally have the punch in the low-end that they've been searching for throughout this entire release. The drum work is great.
- Download: Mediafire
RECOMMENDED
On DELUHI
I've been listening to a lot of DELUHI lately. You can read my review on their latest single by clicking on the REVIEWS link in the menu to your right.
It's not that they're a particularly unique band. In fact, it's rather become a trend in the VK-scene to combine catchy melodies with screaming and dropped tuning. Other bands are heavier, some are poppier, some write catchier riffs, but DELUHI seems to have found the perfect mix and my ears are thankful.
It doesn't hurt that each member is particularly good on their respective instruments: LEDA and JURI never disappoint.
I recently watched their concert at Shibuya and was impressed by JURI's vocal skills. Not that he has particularly unique vocals -- he's no Dachou -- but he's nearly pitch perfect all the time, and that's worth mention in an industry where looks are certainly more important than the music (regardless of what VK executives want you to think).
It's not that they're a particularly unique band. In fact, it's rather become a trend in the VK-scene to combine catchy melodies with screaming and dropped tuning. Other bands are heavier, some are poppier, some write catchier riffs, but DELUHI seems to have found the perfect mix and my ears are thankful.
It doesn't hurt that each member is particularly good on their respective instruments: LEDA and JURI never disappoint.
I recently watched their concert at Shibuya and was impressed by JURI's vocal skills. Not that he has particularly unique vocals -- he's no Dachou -- but he's nearly pitch perfect all the time, and that's worth mention in an industry where looks are certainly more important than the music (regardless of what VK executives want you to think).
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