Team Fortress 2

According to GeekWire, Newell spent time talking about how the company's understanding of consumer trends is increasing. Team Fortress 2's recent shift to a free-to-play model provided Valve with insight into how audiences react to different pricing models.

The team-based shooter has seen a five-fold increase in its user base since going free-to-play, Newel said, an increase that other Valve titles offered free for a limited time never approached. He explained this disparity saying that free and free-to-play imply very different things, with the latter creating a sense of increased future value for the players.

Speaking to free-to-play conversions rates of players that go from experiencing the free content to those who spend money on in-game items, Newell said Team Fortress 2's rate is 10 times that of anecdotal numbers from partners at 20 to 30 percent. "We don’t understand what’s going on," Newell said, "It’s just an exciting time but also a very troubling time."

Newell also spoke to the pricing of titles, and the affect it has on revenue. He characterized game prices as perfectly elastic; No matter the price of a game, the final revenue will remain the same with more or less purchases over time depending on the price point. This makes pricing decisions alone incapable of increasing revenue.

The seasonal sales that Steam is known for do bring in more revenue by a factor of 40, but this is time-shifted revenue, Newell said, expediting future purchases. The Valve co-founder said that despite the aforementioned elasticity in relation to revenue, the sales promotions work in a different way. Post-sale purchase numbers typically see a boost that put them higher than pre-sale numbers at the same price point, he said, adding that retail sales also see an increase showing the size of the player base as a more effective marketing tool than the lowered price during sales periods.

Kirby's Return to Dreamland

Kirby revisits his roots in this fun, familiar platformer.

The Good
Fun, silly new super abilities   Loads of charm   Excellent multiplayer co-op.
The Bad
Light on difficulty.
Nintendo's popular pink protagonist has been on some wild rides of late. Journeying into lush yarn-filled worlds and splitting into a tiny horde of cute little ankle biters have offered some neat new ways to hang with Kirby and his pals. But after spending the past few games shaking up the status quo with off-the-wall concepts, HAL Laboratory returns to the series' roots with Kirby's Return to Dreamland. While innovation has pushed the series forward in interesting ways, the return to basics is no bad thing. New screen-annihilating super abilities and bubbly multiplayer co-op liven up this ever-charming romp through Kirby's old stomping grounds. This is classic Kirby with a few minor twists.

Multiplayer co-op is a cool addition.
The adventure picks up with Kirby and his cohorts being interrupted mid-snack by an alien ship falling out the sky and crashing into Dreamland. Pieces of the craft break apart and scatter across the realm, leaving the friendly alien traveler in need of a helping hand to gather his missing components so he can return home. Kirby is more than eager to take on the task, but he's not alone this time. Mischief makers King Dedede, Meta Knight, and Waddle Dee are available for recruitment too. Each has his own weaponry and play style. Grabbing couch mates to join in with local co-op adds a little depth to the jubilant experience. Extra players can drop in or out of the game at almost any time, and co-op specific elements like sharing health power-ups and piggybacking together to unleash team attacks make playing with friends a lot of fun.

Regardless of how you choose to take them on, each of Dreamland's themed worlds holds a handful of beautifully designed stages filled with colorful environments that are loaded with playful personality. There's a good level of variety from one area to the next, and despite the fact that you travel familiar terrain, the obstacles change up at a steady pace to keep things from getting stale. Secret areas and branching paths also frequently appear, giving ample incentive to revisit stages to grab all the loot. Aside from the main ship parts you must track down, there are tons of gears tucked away in the nooks and crannies of each area. Grabbing these hard-to-acquire items unlocks special stages, minigames, and bonus content to explore on the downed spacecraft. Item-specific challenges test your abilities with the game's various powers in timed runs through obstacle courses. Other unlockable minigames, like Scope Shot, Ninja Dojo, and The Arena, also offer some light diversions for solo or competitive play. There's a lot of ground to cover and a good amount of replay packed into this adventure.

Gallivanting about the foodie-themed landscape as you gobble up goodies, whomp enemies, and hunt for collectibles delivers the same flavor of easy-to-pick-up platforming that made the original Dreamland such a standout game. Kirby's trademark ability-copying power remains intact this time around, and holding the Wii Remote sideways, you run, jump, float, and dispatch foes as you go. The usual cast of ability-yielding edible foes returns alongside newcomers that give the loveable pink puff some cool items like an Indiana Jones whip and a Mega Man-style leaf shield. Kirby has a few new tricks up his sleeve too. There's a new super inhale power that lets him gobble down hulking foes or large numbers of blocks by shaking the Wii Remote.

Small Kirby + big sword = epic win.
Once Kirby has gorged on enough baddies to turn into a rotund bulging mass, he can spew the whole shebang out as large shiny projectiles that are capable of plowing through multiple obstacles. His new super abilities are even more amusing and are picked up by inhaling special glowing foes. Once consumed, you can use these absurdly devastating powers to destroy every enemy in sight and thrash the environment to bits. It's amusing to see a tiny Kirby swinging around a sword that takes up the entire screen, even if these super abilities have a limited use and are only found in specific stages.

For those who've grown accustomed to the numerous creative surprises woven into Kirby's past few outings, Return to Dreamland's old-school-oriented approach may not be as dazzling as Kirby's Epic Yarn or Kirby Mass Attack. It makes up for this with tight gameplay that is as absorbing as it is adorable. The addition of seamless multiplayer does bring something fresh to the table, and Kirby's handful of new abilities add an extra touch of comedy and silliness to the mix. You won't find much trailblazing action here, and the challenge is a light one for most of the way until you unlock the tougher game mode by completing the story. Still, there's enough charm on tap to satisfy diehard Kirby fans and younger players.

World of Tanks Review

World of Tanks is a great, accessible shooter that you'll probably end up spending some money on even though you don't have to.

The Good
Action is easy to get into but has plenty of depth   Dozens of different vehicles to unlock and do battle in   Loads of vehicle upgrade options to experiment with   No two battles ever play out the same way   Can be enjoyed indefinitely without spending any money.
The Bad
Premium items give paying players a slight advantage in battle.
Hear the title, see a few screenshots, and you could be forgiven for assuming that World of Tanks is a simulation game inaccessible to anyone who doesn't know the difference between a T20 and a T29. That's not the case at all though; World of Tanks is a shooter first and foremost, with uncomplicated controls and a relatively sedate pace that make it easy to get into. Furthermore, it's a free-to-play game that, while loaded with plenty of ways for you to spend money, can be enjoyed for countless hours without ever doing so. World of Tanks wouldn't be difficult to recommend even if reaching for your wallet was a prerequisite, so recommending that you give it a try for free is a no-brainer.

World of Tanks even controls like a shooter; you use the WASD keys for movement and the mouse to aim and shoot. There are some other controls used for things like enabling cruise control, locking your turret so that it doesn't follow your mouse as you look around, and switching between different shell types, but familiarizing yourself with these can wait until you're comfortable with the basics. You don't need to memorize any advanced controls or techniques before climbing into a tank and entering a battle for the first time because, unlike many online shooters, World of Tanks is a game that you can ease yourself into without repeatedly dying at the hands of experienced players. That's largely because when you enter a battle you're matched with players who are driving tanks comparable to your own. Go to war in the lightweight tier 1 tank that you start your career with, and you're unlikely to fight alongside or against even tanks from the slightly more powerful tier 2, much less the heavyweight beasts from tiers 7 through 10. Conversely, when you're driving one of the big boys after investing many hours (or perhaps many dollars) to unlock them, you don't get to steamroll the new kids.

One of the great things about World of Tanks is that even if you find a favorite tank and stick with it, you're never quite sure how your next battle is going to play out. Not only are maps randomly selected from a sizable and varied collection, but you might find that your tank is the most powerful on the field in one game and then among the weakest in the next. What you never find, though, is that one team obviously outclasses the other--at least not where the quality of their vehicles is concerned. Before any battle gets under way you get to see a list of all 30 players that details the vehicles they're using and makes it easy to tell, at a glance, whether one team has more tank destroyers or self-propelled guns (more commonly referred to as artillery or "arty") than the other. You and your teammates can plan your strategy accordingly, though in practice the chat window used to communicate with each other rarely gets a lot of use. On the other hand, the minimap--which you can click on to immediately highlight areas for your comrades--is a quick and effective way to coordinate and to draw attention to enemy locations. Not that you even need to do that a lot of the time; every vehicle in World of Tanks is equipped with a radio that automatically relays positions of sighted enemies to comrades who are in communication range. As a result, providing useful intel for your teammates requires almost zero effort on your part, which is great news for anyone using artillery.

You're free to try to fill any role on the battlefield regardless of your vehicle choice, but artillery are so lightly armored that job one when you're driving one is to stay far away from the enemy. Job two is to use your long-range gun to destroy enemies before they even have a chance to spot you. As the commander of an artillery unit, you can target enemies using a bird's-eye view of the battlefield on which you can see any enemies that your teammates have sighted. You can zip your targeting reticle around the screen as fast as your mouse will let you, but it generally takes your gun a while to catch up. Furthermore, even once you have an enemy in your gun's sights you'll notice that the target area has lots of room for error. Because the target area shrinks over time, the challenge comes from knowing when to shoot; click that left mouse button too early, and there's a good chance you'll miss, but wait too long, and the enemy you're homing in on might move or disappear from your map because he's no longer in visual range of your teammate who scouted him. Playing as artillery is a lot of fun when you're grouped with players who will both scout for and defend you, but that's not always the case, and as with all vehicles in World of Tanks, the map that you end up playing on has an impact on how effective you can be. Get stuck playing on one of the city maps, and buildings often obscure your shots, for example.

When you're not in the mood to play as artillery you can choose to drive either a regular tank or a tank destroyer. The choice might seem obvious given the names, but while tank destroyers undoubtedly hit hard enough to live up to their name, they also don't have nearly as much armor as tanks. If an enemy gets behind you or manages to attack you from the side, you're going to take a lot of damage, so when driving a tank destroyer, you need to think about staying unseen, which might mean equipping a camo net and/or remaining still for extended periods of time. The biggest disadvantage that the vast majority of tank destroyers have versus tanks is that their guns are fixed rather than mounted on turrets, so the only way to target an enemy off to one side of you is to turn your entire vehicle around. That can be a painfully slow process, and it can also make you visible to enemies who otherwise might not have had any idea that you were nearby. Driving a tank destroyer is perhaps the most challenging way to play World of Tanks, but it can also be the most satisfying. In a tank destroyer you're powerful enough to defend your base long after most of your teammates have been killed, and fast enough to then make a dash for the enemies' base if you'd rather win by capturing it than by completely eradicating the opposition.


Premium items give paying players a slight advantage in battle.
Regular light, medium, and heavy tanks come in dozens more flavors than artillery and tank destroyers do, and your role on the battlefield is at least partly determined by the capabilities of your vehicle. Fast, lightweight tanks make great scouts, while powerful tanks that take multiple minutes to get across a map are better suited to defense--at least early in a match. Your role often changes as a game plays out. There are no respawns in World of Tanks, so there's not much point trying to play as a scout if all of your team's artillery has already been destroyed, for example. There's only one game mode, but no two battles ever play out the same way, and since you're forced to choose your vehicle before you know which map you're going to be fighting on, you frequently have to contend with geography that works against you. Some maps incorporate or are set entirely in towns and cities, which offer plenty of hiding places for tanks and tank destroyers but make life difficult for artillery. Other maps feature elevated positions that teams often fight for control of early in a battle, but no game is ever over until a base has been captured or a team has been completely destroyed because it's entirely possible for just one player to turn the tide of a battle or, at the very least, to stick it out for the remainder of the 15-minute time limit so that it ends in a draw

For a game that's so easy to get into, World of Tanks boasts a great deal of depth, both on and off the battlefield. When in combat, there are different vehicles' weaknesses to consider, as well as techniques that are only possible because of the realistic manner in which the game deals with projectiles. Angle your vehicle correctly or reverse away from an enemy that's firing at you head-on, and you increase the chances of his shot being harmlessly deflected, for example. Back in the garage that you visit between battles, depth comes courtesy of a robust research and upgrades system that lets you improve your existing tanks as well as unlock those in higher tiers. Even your vehicles' respective crews gain experience as you play and can improve their rides' repair, firefighting, and camouflage capabilities as a result. It takes a long time to unlock new crew skills, vehicles, and part upgrades, and speeding up those processes is one of the many things that you can spend small amounts of money on if you wish.

Other premium offerings include a number of otherwise unavailable vehicles that sell for between $5 and $50 each, alternative ammo types, and consumable items that you can take into battle. Where elsewhere in World of Tanks you're paying merely to speed up your progress, here you can buy content that folks playing for free have no way of accessing. Few if any of the premium vehicles offer a noticeable advantage (especially since they can't be upgraded), but premium ammo types are slightly better than the free stuff (why else would anyone buy it?), and premium consumable items are superior to those that can be bought using in-game credits. "Wallet warriors" cruising around in premium vehicles are occasionally criticized by players who are enjoying the game free of charge, but the truth is that premium items afford the folks buying them only a small advantage (automatic fire extinguishers over manual fire extinguishers, 105-octane gasoline over 100-octane gasoline) and, when all is said and done, are a necessary evil because without them it's unlikely that anyone would get to play this great game for free. Premium options less likely to get you called names in the official forums include spending gold (that's premium currency) to convert research points earned on one of your tanks for use on another, paying to speed up your crew's training, and purchasing additional vehicle slots for your garage.

By default you can own only five different vehicles, which is more than enough if you're looking to sell off your low-level tanks as you acquire better ones. It can be hard to give up favorite tanks that you've already spent time and money upgrading, though, and it's fun to return to low-tier battles in small vehicles even once you own some of the endgame behemoths because those games play out quite differently. Regardless of what size garage you want, you should plan on owning at least two or three vehicles that you want to use regularly. That's because once your tank is destroyed in a game, it's not available for use elsewhere until that game ends. It's often fun to see how a battle unfolds after you die by viewing it from the perspectives of your still-alive teammates, but if you're killed in the first minute, you might be eager to jump into another battle instead. You can, but only if you have another vehicle available for you to use in it.

World of Tanks battles may last less than 15 minutes each, but this is a game that you're likely to lose hours, days, and weeks of your life to once you start playing. Don't be surprised if you're tempted to spend a little money on it at some point as well; you can absolutely have a great time playing for free indefinitely, but dropping a dollar here and there to train crew members or to transfer research points between tanks is money well spent. Also good value is the recently released retail copy of the game which, for $20, gets you $30 worth of in-game credits, gold, and a T2 tank. You should obviously check out the game for free before going out and buying that, but once you've decided that you want to play more of the game, the retail box is a good way to add to your in-game garage and bank balance early on. The important thing is that whether you're playing for free or spending a small fortune on premium projectiles, World of Tanks is a blast.

Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D

It's N64's greatest gift. Zelda: Ocarina of Time has been called, as Nintendo's television blitz rudely informed us during Corrie this weekend, "a masterpiece" (Edge), "pure undiluted genius" (GamesMaster) and, in the pre-skyscraper-advert magazine format of this very website, "the best game ever".

But let's face it, after years of technical and artistic advancement - plus a lot of lager - whenever this classic's been mentioned, we've probably been looking back with more than a morsel of nostalgia.

Or have we? Could it be that the game that wrote the rule book for open-world action games still casts its Miyamoto magic 12 years, two home consoles and three 3D series instalments after its release? After all, it and still holds the all-time crown on Metacritic with a stonking 99% score.

Having spent more than a week fixated with the remastered 3DS Director's Cut, we think we have the answer: we've fallen in love with Ocarina all over again...

HERO OF TIME

Ocarina of Time 3D is brilliant. We love it. Lots. If you're one of the seven people involved in the hobby of gaming not equated with Link's time travelling adventure, you'll love it too - and covet the envy of all those who've previously seen the credits roll. 

It feels a bit unfair to pour praise on a title so incredibly accomplished that even George Lucas would have trouble buggering up an update, but it's surprising how successful the 3DS version has turned out. Especially considering, as red-circled above, Ocarina has been succeeded three times by its own maker.

Let's be honest; Twilight Princess has the most inventive, surprising dungeons, Wind Waker holds a charm and sense of exploration beyond what was capable in 1998, while Majora's Mask's impressive persistent world surely would've improved the 64-biit opener. But somehow, Ocarina is still king.

When we picked up the N64 controller on that busy release day in December '98, the technical aspects - the framerate, blocky character models and robust game engine - never crossed our mind as we quickly became utterly engrossed by the memorable characters, deep, puzzling dungeons, massive boss fights and numerous sub-games.

All the elements for a pure, complete and (more importantly since) gimmick-free Zelda adventure are there: an origin story involving a boy, a princess and a mental bloke from the desert about to mess up a fantasy dynasty. A mythical Tri-Force, parallel game worlds and six sages hidden in the forest, on a mountain and over a vast river.

We still remember galloping through the desert on our noble steed Epona, navigating the eerie mazes of the Lost Woods, and fiddling with Link's awesome gadgets to make it to the intimidating boss fight in one piece.

The magic moments N64 veterans cherish dearly return with newfound clarity on 3ds; that drama when Link first gazes on the vast expanse of Hyrule field (though it feels more snug these days), the catchy, magical melodies and the puzzles they solve, and the emotion when Link first tip-toes from the Temple of Time to see his childhood stomping ground in ruins... 

Ocarina of Time is, even with the subsequent genre advancements by both third-parties and the Zelda series itself, all of Nintendo's creativity enriched in a single, series-defining quest.

A LINK TO THE PAST

For fans of the original the 3DS update has been intricately updated by Japanese developer Grezzo, with caverns that previously looked like blurrly, polygonal holes transformed into flaming, lava-filled beauties, in a colourful, charismatic and - pleasingly - immensely faithful update to the original art. The 3D effect arguably looks better in some environments than others (interiors look particularly striking), but returning adventurers will surely adore rediscovering the world of rock-eating Gorons and angry chickens all over again.

Beyond the visuals, the most impactful change in the handheld version comes via the addition of touch screen inventory management, which undoubtedly makes dungeon trekking more enjoyable. All the occasionally jarring pauses of the original, when you'd have no choice but to bring up the sluggish inventory screen to swap around items or (shudder) constantly equip and unequip the dreaded Iron Boots, are now a thing of the past. Simply tap away on the bottom screen and your equipment's swapped out in seconds. 

The added pixel space has also allowed Grezzo to make room for a permanent map, ocarina button and an extra two equipment hotkeys. The dreaded boots have also been reclassified as items rather than 'gear', making the oft-moaned-about Water Temple far more bearable with the ability to stick on new shoes at the press of a button.

And while we're on the subject of that awful Temple - the subject of many a 90's child's most upsetting nightmares - Grezzo's thankfully tinkered with that too, changing the colour scheme of its various levels and making water raise points more visible. Dare we say it, it's actually quite enjoyable on the 3DS.

That very welcome bit of house cleaning is one reason the 3DS edition is the best version of Ocarina of Time available, but there are more tangible additions to the handheld package. The new Boss Rush mode, Super Guide hints videos and GameCube port's Master Quest, which now also mirrors the entire world of Ocarina, are there to be discovered, even if they are clearly an afterthought of the core paint job.

Grezzo's also added new gyroscope controls for aiming ranged weapons, which is certainly a welcome addition. It doesn't always work smoothly when frantic arrow shooting demands you move the system away from your 3D 'sweet spot', but most would argue this is more a flaw of the console than the game itself.

It's clear that much of Ocarina of Time 3D's appeal comes from the opportunity to revive the nostalgia - and for N64 stalwarts this love letter to your childhood is a striking experience. The main quest, sans a few minor Easter eggs, is exactly how we remembered from the days of Rumble Paks and excessive Lens Flares, but we still absolutely adored returning to Hyrule, ogling at the detailed textures that would've seemed impossible on our old 17-inch telly.

Nintendo fans remember what it felt like when Hyrule field was the biggest virtual space ever seen, when the sun setting to reveal a glowing moon was a magical experience, and when Miyamoto's team demonstrated exactly how engrossing 3D game worlds could be - and that's why they'll adore the opportunity to experience it again.

For newcomers, much of the impact felt from the N64's original innovations could admittedly be lost, but Ocarina is none-the-less a true classic and just as rewarding to experience for the first time. In fact, we're jealous.


Twelve years on, Nintendo's veteran Zelda team is still looking to emulate, learn from and exceed the 3D entry that kicked off the revolution - but for those who hold a special place in their gaming hearts for Ocarina, the series will probably never make us feel the same again. Which is exactly why, to wheel out yet another old press quote, "years from now people will still be playing and enjoying this game". 


Rejoice. That's exactly what you've got the chance to do this weekend.

Grand Fantasia Review

Grand Fantasia is a neat 3D anime inspired fantasy MMORPG by Aeria Games. The game is set in the mystical ‘upbeat’ cute fantasy world called Saphael where players, called ‘Sprite Messengers’, have to train hard in order to defeat evil demons during the ‘Day of Destiny’. Basically, every millennium or two, Demons and Sprites battle it out.  If the demons win, the world ends. It’s your job to prepare for the ‘Day of Destiny’ by committing mass genocide against the cute creatures of Saphael in order to level up enough to fend off the evil demons. The whole ‘preparing for a massive battle’ thing definitely isn’t original.  In fact, it very closely resembles ‘Ragnarok’ from Norse Mythology. Sure – the story isn’t anything fantastic, but I applaud the developers for at least trying to create some sort of atmosphere around the game. Anyway, let’s dive right into Grand Fantasia, shall we?

Impressive Character Creation & Variety
When I first logged into Grand Fantasia I didn’t know what to expect as the game looked a lot like Fiesta Online, which had few customization options. I was pleasantly surprised upon hitting the character creation screen though – players can choose from one of seven different eyes, 10+ hairstyles, 8+ hair colors and 6+ skin tones. Unlike most games, players do not select their ‘class’ while making their character.  All players start off as a ‘novice’ and can advance to their first ‘job’ at level 5. On top of the regular character customization options, players can customize their ‘sprites’, which are basically cute little pets which play an important role in the game (explained below). These cute sprites can also be customized to a certain degree. Select from one of 12 classes for your sprite [determines sprite's starting skills] and start your adventure in the world of Saphael.

Sprite? Like the Soda?
No, not the soda. Sprites play an important role in Grand Fantasia – they help your character by crafting items, gathering resources and even picking up loot for you. Sprites gain experience and improve their skills by completing various tasks assigned by the player. Train a Sprite enough early on and he’ll be incredibly useful later on in crafting all sorts of items. As a Sprite is ordered to ‘forage’ – he’ll gain skill in foraging and as he’s ordered to ‘mine’ he’ll gain skill in mining. Sprites are really an additional layer of gameplay in Grand Fantasia – as players can even decorate their Sprite’s storage rooms.

From Newbie Island to Red Ridge
All players start off their adventure in Grand Fantasia on Siwa Island – the beginner area where players can quickly learn the ropes. The graphics in the game look very similar to the upbeat cartoony graphics of Luna Online and even Cloud Nine. Upon reaching level 6 players should be able to leave this zone by completing a short series of quests. Personally, I remained on Siwa Island up until level 10, but that was only because I didn’t know I could leave earlier. Upon reaching level 5 – make sure to complete your ‘job advancement’ quest as you won’t be able to gain any more experience until that’s finished. Siwa Island has plenty of quests – so leveling up early on won’t ever feel too ‘grindy’. The overall combat feels a bit too easy though – but it does get more challenging later. I guess I shouldn’t be complaining that the tutorial area which was designed to ease players into the game is too easy.

Upon reaching level 6 players will be able to leave Siwa Island by speaking with the ferryman near the docks. Players can choose from three different destinations: the Central City of Kaslow, Magic City of llya and the Machine City of Jale. Don’t think too much about which area you wish to start off at, as each area is pretty much equal in terms of quests available and variety of enemies. After completing all the quests nearby I ventured off into an area called Red Ridge [There’s a town in World of Warcraft also called Red Ridge! OMG!] where there are many… many more quests. One thing worth mentioning right away is that there are a LOT of quests in Grand Fantasia. I never had to go out and just ‘grind’ to gain experience because I always had at least one quest I needed to work on. The fact that there are so many quests also gives the game a lot of direction; something a lot of MMORPGs lack.

Core Gameplay Bits
Grand Fantasia looks and feels like many other generic fantasy MMORPGs, though the game does offer more content than most. It also has a few unique aspects worth mentioning. Unlike most games there are no finite amount of ‘skill points’ in Grand Fantasia. Instead, every class has access to every one of their skills so long as they meet the pre-requisites for that skill. Plays can learn their skills by simply purchasing them from a skill trainer in town. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of this system, as it sort of makes every mage practically the same as every other mage and every warrior the same as every other warrior, since they have the same set of skills. I find it silly that every warrior has access to every caster skill. To be fair, though, each class branches off into two more job advancements at level 30 – so there’s at least SOME skill variety.

The ‘talent’ system in Grand Fantasia is quite interesting and allows players to make their characters more unique. Players can learn ‘talents’ by combining items and these talents yield special bonuses when equipped. Players have a finite number of ‘talent’ spots – so mixing and matching talents is the best way to really ‘control’ the way your character grows in the game. Using the right combination of talents is important for both PvE and PvP. The PvP system in Grand Fantasia is fairly straight forward. Upon reaching level 31, players will be able to ‘queue’ up for the game’s PvP arena. It’s a shame that players need to reach level 31 before being able to even touch the PvP aspects of the game.

Zomg WoW Clone!
Like World of Warcraft and Runes of Magic, most of the items in Grand Fantasia are ‘Bind on Equip’.  This means that once a piece of equipment is worn it cannot be later unequipped and traded. Grand Fantasia also has a modern looking ‘clean’ interface that functions quite well. The ‘auto walk’ feature is perhaps my favorite little feature in the game. Simply open up the map and click on any of the NPC / Quest markers and your character will automatically walk to that spot!  Neat, huh?

Final Verdict – Great
Grand Fantasia is an incredibly fun anime inspired MMORPG. The game’s large game world and sheer quantity of quests should keep players engaged. The game’s ‘sprite’ system is also quite interesting and adds a unique feel to Grand Fantasia’s otherwise ‘generic’ gameplay. The game’s English translations and slightly buggy gameplay still need to be looked into, though. There are also still balance issues between the classes.

Grand Fantasia is a brightly themed 3D Fantasy MMORPG with anime-inspired graphics. The game is also called Dreamy Journey Online in other parts of the world. With a gorgeously designed game world and fluid gameplay, Grand Fantasia is well worth checking out.

GAME VIDEO DEMO
                OR
ONLINE LINKS LIST     CLICK HERE
                OR
       CHEAT CODE






Grand Fantasia Overview

Grand Fantasia is a 3D Fantasy MMORPG developed by EASYFUN Entertainment, the same folks who made HolyBeast Online. Like HolyBeast, Grand Fantasia is a brightly themed game with anime-inspired graphics. Perhaps the most unique aspect of the game is its detailed ‘Sprite’ pet system. Fans of cute anime inspired games like Luna Online and Fiesta Online should certainly be able to find something to like in Grand Fantasia – but even though the game has fluid gameplay and attractive graphics, it does little to push the genre forward. Even though the game doesn’t exactly revolutionize the genre, Grand Fantasia is still a high quality free MMO that’s well worth checking out. Players start off their journey in Grand Fantasia as a classless novice and can chose their first class at level 5. The game’s first four job advancements are:

Fighter - Fighters are all around capable melee characters with a large pool of hitpoints. They can use the heaviest armor in the game which makes them excellent for absorbing damage. Fighters become ‘Warriors’ at level 15 and can become either ‘Paladins’ or ‘Berserkers’ at level 30.

Hunters - Hunters are an agile damage dealing class. They can use both bows and dual weapons to defeat their enemies. Hunters become Archers at level 15 and can become either ‘Assassins’ or ‘Rangers’ at level 30.

Acolyte – Acolytes are the primary ‘supportive’ class in Grand Fantasia. They can cast both healing and buff type spells – which make them incredibly useful in any group. Acolytes become priests at level 15 and can become either ‘Clerics’ or ‘Sages’ at level 30.

Spellcaster - Spellcasters are the primary offensive magic users in the game. They can cast powerful spells to quickly defeat their enemies. They are also one of the most fragile classes in the game, as they tend to have the least hitpoints and defense in the game. Spellcasters become Mages at level 15 and can become either ‘Wizards’ or ‘Necromancers’ at level 30.

EDEN ETERNAL 3D GAME - FULL REVIEW

Eden Eternal is a 3D anime style fantasy MMORPG set on a war torn continent where players become mysterious beings with incredible magical powers. Heroes serve as Eternal Guardians fighting the evil consuming the once peaceful world. Complete challenging quests and explore while slowly discovering the true origin of the race that emerged from the blue crystals. Kill beasts lurking around local villages or battle other players in fierce duels. Conquer dungeons with friends. Slay hundreds of monsters and bosses. Players can use any weapon, spell, or combative move of their choice by unlocking all 15 distinct classes and swapping freely. Find a sweetheart or summon pets to assist in combat.




Becoming an Eternal Guardian, the Gameplay


Heroes or Eternal Guardians begin their adventure in a local village near Limestone Mountain. Most of the gameplay involves completing quests and fighting monsters. Similar to other MMOs like Grand Fantasia the storyline is somewhat generic. Quests are given by NPCs scattered throughout the towns. The tasks vary from battling troublesome Mushroids to relying messages back and forth to commanding officers. Many of the missions consist of some form of combat. Collecting raw gemstones might require destroying intimidating Limestone Golems in the process. To accomplish a specific task a particular item may be required. A hammer must be used while fighting certain beasts to gather materials. Blowing a whistle will summon dangerous boss creatures to wage war with. The duties of an Eternal Guardian are endless. Kill hordes of Forest Imps, defeat Rainbow Angelly swarms, eliminate Eagle Gang Assassins, or sneak into a bandits’ secret camp to destroy their supplies. Some quests are repeatable and aid in leveling. XP, coins, rare items, and occasionally fame or an achievement title is earned by completing quests. Players maneuver through the zones of Eden using their mouse, WASD keys, or the convenient auto-run feature by clicking on go from the quest log. Combat is fast-paced and surprisingly fun. Once initiated heroes use a mixture of physical and magical moves to conquer their opponent. Perform the Lightning Web, Fire Bomb, Perforation, Tornado, or Combat Cyclone. Depending on character’s class and skill set there’s a variety of mesmerizing spells that can be executed.

Warriors to Warlocks


Eden Eternal features a very unique class system. All players start out as warrior or mage with one heroic trait of their choice. There are 15 different unlockable classes with their own set of cool animated skills. The two meters at the bottom of the screen monitor experience. The first one gauges character XP while the second records class experience which is primarily gained through combat. Since class experience accumulates much faster players usually benefit by changing their hero from warrior to thief and so on. As a hero levels up new classes are unlocked. At any time except during combat Eternal Guardians can switch their current class. The requirements vary depending on a character’s level and their previous or related class level reached. Although there are just a handful of skills per class players have the ability to alternate freely between them. In most games users are limited to the battle skills in their specific class. It only takes a quick click on the transform button to change a class. The process of leveling up each class’s skills individually is relatively easy but involves a lot of grinding. Killing monsters, repeating quests, and clearing dungeons are necessary for a diverse hero. Players will have to devote a significant amount of time into building up their character. This option makes the game rather addicting. Class talents allow gamers who prefer one particular class over another to master it. Knowledge points are rewarded each time a character gain’s a level in their class. These points are used towards specialized talents in the skill window. Continually improve talents to become the most powerful Bard or Shaman around.

Battle Dogs & Sweethearts


Eternal Guardians do not have to face evil alone. There is a pet companion option that permits heroes to add a Battle Dog in the form of an adorable Pug or massive Tiger. Pets can be trained to heal, attack, or perform tricks once a character reaches level 25. The Soulmate feature allows players to form a relationship and become sweethearts. Unlike other MMOs in this virtual world same-sex soul mates is legal. Players can be sweethearts with guys or girls regardless of their character’s gender. It’s also free to initiate dating status another cool aspect rarely seen. Couples receive lovers skills for the duration they’re together. These skills vary like the Soulmate Instant Heal and give players an advantage during battles or difficult dungeon quests. Lovers can send each other special gifts, messages, and accumulate achievement points. The guild customization feature is also very impressive. Guild members can join their resources to construct their own town in Eden Eternal. Each town can have up to five established crafting structures. Set up farms, mines, altars, alchemy labs, foundries, and a magic pool. Build a monument in the town square. The polished anime-style graphics is similar to Kitsu Saga. There are breathtakingly beautiful backdrops and waterfalls. Guilds are able to create their own hangout spot within the game. Players can set up shops in their Guild Town to sell items to non-members as well.

Travelling Merchants


Items and accessories can be purchased at Merchant Shops or in the Item Mall. The weapons selection is decent. Purchase the Special Broadsword, Equilibrium Staff, Red Copper Bow, Scout Light Shield, Shell-Splitter Axe, Silver Scout Dagger, Versatile Mace, Highland Bow, Knight’s Shield, and the coveted Spell Wand. Weapons sold at shops are usable by all classes. Buy Tiger Fighter Tunics, Water Spirit Robes, Thorn Flower Hats, Gleam Vestments, Defender Helmets, and Sprinter Brigandine. Most of the armor is dull giving Eternal Guardians the same appearance. There are no outfits or costumes that stand out. Players do have the option of using dyes to add color to their apparel. Dyes are available in sage, orange, dark grey, yellow, eggplant, coral, pale blue, and lavender. Mixing color palettes can be amusing for a second or two but it doesn’t make up for the lack of garbs in the Merchant Shops. In the Item Mall gamers willing to spend real money can purchase rare pets and hard to acquire trinkets. The Razorback, little Labrador, and Shorthair Cat are available as companions. Adventure threads, Kimono, Eden Spectacles, the Legacy Bow, boosts, and more powerful health tonics are on sale. There’s also a cool Holy Seraph’s Wings that gives heroes an angelic appearance in the mall.

Final Verdict: Great


Comparable to other X-Legend titles like Grand Fantasia and Kitsu Saga there’s a nice variety innovative features that adds to its appeal. Eden Eternal is a fun and addicting game. Instantly transform into another class. Become a Ranger, Illusionist, Knight, Martial Artist, and more. Wage war with an assortment of monsters, clear out dungeons, and duel other heroes. Complete challenging quests in a party, with pet companion, or your sweetheart. If you’re one of those players that have a hard time choosing a class than Eden Eternal is definitely worth checking out. From its unique class system to the impressive Guild Town feature this game has a lot to offer MMO fans.