Maveric
07-06-2008, 05:17 PM
Saw this website advertised on SPIKE TV and decided to check it out.
http://www.aeriagames.com/
I've only tried Shiaya and Last Chaos.
Shiaya is not bad at all. Good graphics and the standard zelda type quests. I wish there were more dungeon exploration opportunities, haven't found any so far... game seems more focused on warring factions of good vs evil.
Just started Last Chaos but quit. Good graphics but the controls were just to awkward and it seems like the dumbed it down way too much.
This reminded me of a previous post by GoldRush in a similar thread;
I was gonna post these "one of these days", but haven't fully reviewed them all. I've spent quite a bit of time looking for good MMOs that are "free" or near free. Of course, these tend to be Asian (or Korean), but there are others. My list is not complete, because Burb's list has given me MORE to look through.
So, these are the ones I've looked at comments, looked and studied homepages and feel they are worthy of more evaluation (download and play). I will add a list later about what I consider "junk" ones, but I keep them on my favorites web tab to give them a try to either confirm my view that they are bad or just give them a shot.
Some of these places have multiple games, so if you create an account on one game, you can use the account for another game.
Also, some of these games require points cards if you want to buy better equipment, but on many of these, you don't really need 'em. You can get good equipment in-game for the most part. I feel they may bring this method to the states, especially XBox Live and Wii (and Playstation) because there are already Points-cards for those systems. If you REALLY want to buy things, there are ways to do it online, but be wary, sometimes it is not worth it. On one game, most of the items you buy expire after only a certain amount of time, so investigate before you jump in. Especially in these games, no reason to buy items (or whatever else).
There are still a TON of games out there. Keep them coming!
The games
Hero Online - http://hero.netgame.com/ - More Asian style game-play. A bit of a WoW interface. Many people seem to voice positive opinions about this game. Of course, I am interested in the setting and will try this out eventually.
Voyage Century - http://www.voyagecenturyonline.com/getting.php# - (Actually, Burbs listed this, but it is one of the few games I have played!) This was mentioned in Sally's pirate Post. This is a Pirate game. A bit plagued by grammatical errors. Interface is mostly point and click. Nice simple game for the most part. You get to kill Ridley Sea Turtles for profit! Wee. Okay, maybe not too fun, but there is sailing and you can get into PvP sea battles.
Conquer Online - http://www.conqueronline.com/ Another Asian setting styled game. A bit more colorful than most. Not tested yet by me. Figures seem stiff (but many of these games have stiff avatars).
FM Online - http://www.fmonline.net/en/main.htm - This game seems to come from Taiwan. Again, some limit with races, but at least you can choose male/female. Game says it is "Turn-Based", but that just may be combat. (?) Looks beautiful, but another I need to try out. This also was rated well.
DO Online - http://doonline.e-games.com.my/index_eng.asp - Yes, ANOTHER Fantasy game set in Asia's (China's) past. Still, it IS a break from what Americans tend to see, which is European fantasy. Looks promising and was rated well.
Martial Heroes - http://www.martialheroes.com/main.php - Yes, you are asking yourself, "When will this facination on oriental fantasy end, GR?", but the games I am listing DO look very good. This one especially. Just think of this as a *real* good cure for those other American RPGs that seem to focus on European fantasy. Rated very well.
Justice X War 2 - http://jx2.gameflier.com.my/ - This entry into Asian Fantasy comes from Malaysia. It seems to offer a clan system similiar to Acclaim's "9 Dragons". Graphics look good. No other real info on it. Like a few asian games, especially from certain countries (Malaysia, Singapore, Phillipines), they are printing calendars of cute girls that supposedly play these games. These girls are also shuttled to events and cons to sign autographs. I am not sure if these girls *really* play these games or are just hired models, but I have my silent suspicions. I will let you decide. Anyway, this game does look promising.
Kal Online - http://www.kalonline.com/ - This game is a genuine Korea offering (as if that is so rare :rolleyes: ). The screenshots look beautiful and it actually looks like it diverges a bit from strict Oriental Fantasy in much the same way as Anime puts in bits of Asian mythology, mixes it up, and creates something new. What I like about this game are there are 2 races that aren't quite wholly "human". The Dark skinned winged race is not a Dark Elf, but something that looks like it could come from the mind of an asian as does the saber-toothed temple defender (I get bored with the offerings of "human", "pointy-earred human", "short human", and "human midget that can't afford shoes" that most american Fantasy RPGs have). A definite try-out in my book.
Tantra Online - http://www.tantra.ph/ - First of the Phillopino offerings here. Again, an Asian Fantasy, and again, choose a tribe (class), similiar to "9 Dragons", but from the names, this seems more from India Mythology. Have to give i a whirl. Looks good so far.
Gunz The Duel - http://gunzonline.com/ - Okay, here is something different. Shooting. A First-Person Shooter, in fact. Hmm, maybe not too different from things you can buy off the shelves, but look at how many countries it caters to. I think there is more of an RPG element than "just shooting" people. A few folks rated this highly. Still have yet to try and give my yay or nay. If anyone else wants to give it a go, please do.
Navy Field - http://www.navyfield.com/ - Burbs posted a ship battle game. Here is mine. This one is based on WWII vessels. You upgrade and PvP or PvE your way across the world. Different than most MMOs. If you are into things like this, as I am a bit, you may like this. Heck, you can think of these ships like they are from "Star Blazers" and have at it. 2 Servers. Missouri is suppossed to be for beginners and Arizona for Advanced. Had some good ratings.
Rakion - Chaos Force - http://rakion.softnyx.net/ - Not sure what I think of this. I may be let down, like Corum Online, but it is on my "to try" list. Lots of Spanish speakers here, it seems. Looks to be "conventional" fantasy.
Ran Online - http://www.ranonline.com.ph/ - This is the phillopino game, which I can get by in because sometimes some spanish is spoken. Also, since folks repeat lines, it can be pretty easy to figure out what people are generally saying if you are patient. One of the few games on my list I have tried out; they were offering a Double XP weekend so I thought to give it a go. The design team seemed to visit the states (Los Angeles, at least). The web site and instructions are 99.2% english, except for some grammar-sentence structure. They do have a more colorful website for their Malasian server on http://www.ranonline.com.my/. Basically, this is a RPG about your school having a gang fight against another school (you choose btwn 3 schools). Sexes are also "set" per class. Another Point-click effort to move. Only 2 character slots per account unless you buy more. Even with 5 servers to choose from, you can only have 2 characters. But, easy to solve problem; just make another account! Also, this is one of those games I told you earlier that if you buy most items, they expire, mostly within 10-30 days, depending on item. Some things last forever, but I only saw 1 or 2 things (like the extra character slot: that last forever). This game can be fun. Depending how you zoom out your camera, you could either feel like you are playing Diablo or feel more involved. With the point-click system, even if you lose details, best to zoom out. As I've seen, there are tournaments for prizes on this game as well.
Still, if you want "free", you can play perfectly like that...and beat up school rivals in the process. Can't say this has ever been done in america! Very Asian school setting. :) Good for a lark, imo.
ROSE Online - http://www.roseonlinegame.com/ - Now here is another interestingly different MMO. Graphics look good and the game looks like it has potential. It is set in space, depite all the wood, pirates, cars, and whatnot. Anime-style. The game is sorta like "Skies over Arcadia" that was available for Gamecube and Dreamcast. Or even "Rogue Galaxy" for PS2. Definitely worth a look. However, this game has a 7 day trial. The rest is Pay-2-Play. :( So, in some circles, that could indicate a "good" game. This is mostly why I haven't jumped on this game. But, it is a nice look at "what else is out there besides the american humdrum".
Scions of Fate - http://www.netgame.com/landing/fate/index.php?sname=mmosite&bname=dlbanner_728_90 - Well, this is my LAST top choice of "Must Tries" on my list so far. Again, another Asian Oriental fantasy, but this one is more Anime-Big Eyes- style. Also, you seem to have a great degree of customization over your character with hair and clothes. Even many emotes. This may be a fun game, as it is marked "casual action", for casual types such as myself. Worth a try just for that, then I can figure out if it keeps me interested or not.
I know, wierd typing witout no gold in my posts. :p Anyway, I might post the more memorable "junk" mmo/betas later. Tonight, enough is enough!
================================================== =
Gold Rush
Anyone have any reviews they wanna share?
http://www.aeriagames.com/
I've only tried Shiaya and Last Chaos.
Shiaya is not bad at all. Good graphics and the standard zelda type quests. I wish there were more dungeon exploration opportunities, haven't found any so far... game seems more focused on warring factions of good vs evil.
Just started Last Chaos but quit. Good graphics but the controls were just to awkward and it seems like the dumbed it down way too much.
This reminded me of a previous post by GoldRush in a similar thread;
I was gonna post these "one of these days", but haven't fully reviewed them all. I've spent quite a bit of time looking for good MMOs that are "free" or near free. Of course, these tend to be Asian (or Korean), but there are others. My list is not complete, because Burb's list has given me MORE to look through.
So, these are the ones I've looked at comments, looked and studied homepages and feel they are worthy of more evaluation (download and play). I will add a list later about what I consider "junk" ones, but I keep them on my favorites web tab to give them a try to either confirm my view that they are bad or just give them a shot.
Some of these places have multiple games, so if you create an account on one game, you can use the account for another game.
Also, some of these games require points cards if you want to buy better equipment, but on many of these, you don't really need 'em. You can get good equipment in-game for the most part. I feel they may bring this method to the states, especially XBox Live and Wii (and Playstation) because there are already Points-cards for those systems. If you REALLY want to buy things, there are ways to do it online, but be wary, sometimes it is not worth it. On one game, most of the items you buy expire after only a certain amount of time, so investigate before you jump in. Especially in these games, no reason to buy items (or whatever else).
There are still a TON of games out there. Keep them coming!
The games
Hero Online - http://hero.netgame.com/ - More Asian style game-play. A bit of a WoW interface. Many people seem to voice positive opinions about this game. Of course, I am interested in the setting and will try this out eventually.
Voyage Century - http://www.voyagecenturyonline.com/getting.php# - (Actually, Burbs listed this, but it is one of the few games I have played!) This was mentioned in Sally's pirate Post. This is a Pirate game. A bit plagued by grammatical errors. Interface is mostly point and click. Nice simple game for the most part. You get to kill Ridley Sea Turtles for profit! Wee. Okay, maybe not too fun, but there is sailing and you can get into PvP sea battles.
Conquer Online - http://www.conqueronline.com/ Another Asian setting styled game. A bit more colorful than most. Not tested yet by me. Figures seem stiff (but many of these games have stiff avatars).
FM Online - http://www.fmonline.net/en/main.htm - This game seems to come from Taiwan. Again, some limit with races, but at least you can choose male/female. Game says it is "Turn-Based", but that just may be combat. (?) Looks beautiful, but another I need to try out. This also was rated well.
DO Online - http://doonline.e-games.com.my/index_eng.asp - Yes, ANOTHER Fantasy game set in Asia's (China's) past. Still, it IS a break from what Americans tend to see, which is European fantasy. Looks promising and was rated well.
Martial Heroes - http://www.martialheroes.com/main.php - Yes, you are asking yourself, "When will this facination on oriental fantasy end, GR?", but the games I am listing DO look very good. This one especially. Just think of this as a *real* good cure for those other American RPGs that seem to focus on European fantasy. Rated very well.
Justice X War 2 - http://jx2.gameflier.com.my/ - This entry into Asian Fantasy comes from Malaysia. It seems to offer a clan system similiar to Acclaim's "9 Dragons". Graphics look good. No other real info on it. Like a few asian games, especially from certain countries (Malaysia, Singapore, Phillipines), they are printing calendars of cute girls that supposedly play these games. These girls are also shuttled to events and cons to sign autographs. I am not sure if these girls *really* play these games or are just hired models, but I have my silent suspicions. I will let you decide. Anyway, this game does look promising.
Kal Online - http://www.kalonline.com/ - This game is a genuine Korea offering (as if that is so rare :rolleyes: ). The screenshots look beautiful and it actually looks like it diverges a bit from strict Oriental Fantasy in much the same way as Anime puts in bits of Asian mythology, mixes it up, and creates something new. What I like about this game are there are 2 races that aren't quite wholly "human". The Dark skinned winged race is not a Dark Elf, but something that looks like it could come from the mind of an asian as does the saber-toothed temple defender (I get bored with the offerings of "human", "pointy-earred human", "short human", and "human midget that can't afford shoes" that most american Fantasy RPGs have). A definite try-out in my book.
Tantra Online - http://www.tantra.ph/ - First of the Phillopino offerings here. Again, an Asian Fantasy, and again, choose a tribe (class), similiar to "9 Dragons", but from the names, this seems more from India Mythology. Have to give i a whirl. Looks good so far.
Gunz The Duel - http://gunzonline.com/ - Okay, here is something different. Shooting. A First-Person Shooter, in fact. Hmm, maybe not too different from things you can buy off the shelves, but look at how many countries it caters to. I think there is more of an RPG element than "just shooting" people. A few folks rated this highly. Still have yet to try and give my yay or nay. If anyone else wants to give it a go, please do.
Navy Field - http://www.navyfield.com/ - Burbs posted a ship battle game. Here is mine. This one is based on WWII vessels. You upgrade and PvP or PvE your way across the world. Different than most MMOs. If you are into things like this, as I am a bit, you may like this. Heck, you can think of these ships like they are from "Star Blazers" and have at it. 2 Servers. Missouri is suppossed to be for beginners and Arizona for Advanced. Had some good ratings.
Rakion - Chaos Force - http://rakion.softnyx.net/ - Not sure what I think of this. I may be let down, like Corum Online, but it is on my "to try" list. Lots of Spanish speakers here, it seems. Looks to be "conventional" fantasy.
Ran Online - http://www.ranonline.com.ph/ - This is the phillopino game, which I can get by in because sometimes some spanish is spoken. Also, since folks repeat lines, it can be pretty easy to figure out what people are generally saying if you are patient. One of the few games on my list I have tried out; they were offering a Double XP weekend so I thought to give it a go. The design team seemed to visit the states (Los Angeles, at least). The web site and instructions are 99.2% english, except for some grammar-sentence structure. They do have a more colorful website for their Malasian server on http://www.ranonline.com.my/. Basically, this is a RPG about your school having a gang fight against another school (you choose btwn 3 schools). Sexes are also "set" per class. Another Point-click effort to move. Only 2 character slots per account unless you buy more. Even with 5 servers to choose from, you can only have 2 characters. But, easy to solve problem; just make another account! Also, this is one of those games I told you earlier that if you buy most items, they expire, mostly within 10-30 days, depending on item. Some things last forever, but I only saw 1 or 2 things (like the extra character slot: that last forever). This game can be fun. Depending how you zoom out your camera, you could either feel like you are playing Diablo or feel more involved. With the point-click system, even if you lose details, best to zoom out. As I've seen, there are tournaments for prizes on this game as well.
Still, if you want "free", you can play perfectly like that...and beat up school rivals in the process. Can't say this has ever been done in america! Very Asian school setting. :) Good for a lark, imo.
ROSE Online - http://www.roseonlinegame.com/ - Now here is another interestingly different MMO. Graphics look good and the game looks like it has potential. It is set in space, depite all the wood, pirates, cars, and whatnot. Anime-style. The game is sorta like "Skies over Arcadia" that was available for Gamecube and Dreamcast. Or even "Rogue Galaxy" for PS2. Definitely worth a look. However, this game has a 7 day trial. The rest is Pay-2-Play. :( So, in some circles, that could indicate a "good" game. This is mostly why I haven't jumped on this game. But, it is a nice look at "what else is out there besides the american humdrum".
Scions of Fate - http://www.netgame.com/landing/fate/index.php?sname=mmosite&bname=dlbanner_728_90 - Well, this is my LAST top choice of "Must Tries" on my list so far. Again, another Asian Oriental fantasy, but this one is more Anime-Big Eyes- style. Also, you seem to have a great degree of customization over your character with hair and clothes. Even many emotes. This may be a fun game, as it is marked "casual action", for casual types such as myself. Worth a try just for that, then I can figure out if it keeps me interested or not.
I know, wierd typing witout no gold in my posts. :p Anyway, I might post the more memorable "junk" mmo/betas later. Tonight, enough is enough!
================================================== =
Gold Rush
Anyone have any reviews they wanna share?