So after going on hiatus yet again from this game I have discovered that it has continued to live on in my absence! Usually most games I try to revisit get shutdown but not this one! It has however had a server merge and only has one server now. The prices for some of the more necessary cash shop items has gone through the roof and some of the players are complaining that the prices are way too expensive! I agree but that is what happens when two servers merge! The thing to notice though is that the population is more decent than it was before. More players are running around doing their quests and things of that nature while others are simply talking in the center of Kaslow and other cities! This is a plus considering it may be easier to find groups to do dungeons with!
Aside from the server merge the level cap has increased to 100 and there have been new class advancements added as well as new equipment and the usual cash shop items! Recently a mentor and apprentice system has been added and,although useless,it does provide apprentices with a decent exp and drop boost if in a party with the master! This may(but probably won't) encourage veteran players to assist the lowbies in leveling and getting the hang of the game! Check out more info on this forum post: Master and Apprentice FAQ
Nothing else has changed though. PvP is still dominated by players covered in +14-+20 equipment,finding a group is not as bad but still a pain,and they seem to focus on cash shop events with the exception of a loyalty reward for players that do not buy cash shop items. This game is still fun for players that just want something to kill time and the sprite crafting system is really cool and not as time consuming as most other games where you have to actually craft items yourself and get the mats. Being a lazy crafter has its perks! :D
I have received requests to make a post specifying which mmorpgs are suited for couples or friends that would like to use a couples system to reap the benefits.After researching and downloading many mmos due to my horrible memory I have finally been able to release a list of just that!I will be updating this so be sure to check back every once in a while!This list is in no general order so don't think they are listed from best to worst.Just watch out for those people that pretend to be girls to get stuff as well as those nasty divorces that leave you with almost nothing! :c
The first game I would like to mention is Grand Fantasia.Having played this with my girlfriend I know first hand what the couples system can do.Aside from getting bonus experience while around your couple you also gain a currency conveniently named "Lover Coins" every week based on the total level of the the two lovebirds divided by ten.These coins can be used to purchase many goodies from special buffs to bigger bags and even items that you would normally have to purchase from the cash shop such as chisels to make sockets in your gear as well as exp buffs.If that isn't enough to convince you to join hands with someone couples also gain buffs to apply to each other which is especially helpful during dungeon runs or pvp.If you want more info just stop by the official Grand Fantasia Wiki.
As if being able to switch your character class at any time wasn't reason enough to play this or being able to build your own guild town if you work hard enough Aeria Games has also included a couple system!Much like Grand Fantasia when on the same map as your other half you receive CP and EXP +10% as well as being able to see the position of your lover(the pretty pink heart on the map).You also obtain "Luv Coins" to buy nice potions that will be life savers in the future and any serious player should have them!You also get couple specific skills that can be activated by using a "Heart".I have not been able to find a lover on Eden Eternal(Forever alone) but I am sure Hearts are obtained passively.You can check out the official Eden Eternal Wiki
Yes as if Mabinogi weren't addictive enough as it is they also have the nerve to add a couples system!Players can get married at there respective race towns and can hold a huge wedding to show off to the rest of the people that will never find another lover!After holding the ceremony of chaining yourselves together for all eternity you can choose to create a family.Yeah Nexon just make us not want to leave our chairs....*ahem* this is interesting for those people who want to add friends to a family tree the more people you add the more exp bonus you receive!That's right you also get a max of 40% exp bonus after having EIGHT family members!For more info on the marriage and family systems check it out here:MarriageFamily
Yes your favorite cutesy 2d mmo made it to this list! Unfortunately it will cost you money just like in real life granted though that it isn't as much.When I say money I mean both mesos and nexon points!Yes you read correctly as if it weren't enough to take your actual money they are also taking your in game currency!The bastards!Aside from costing an arm and a leg for it to happen you get some pretty neat bonuses.The rings for example have set stats as well as upgrade slots as well as a neat effect when the couple is close.Since they don't really give much I may as well include the divorce...it costs 500,000 mesos and will also more than likely generate in game drama.You have been warned!Check out the wiki for more info The Expensive Wedding
Forsaken World...well I may as well add the Perfect World Entertainment logo and summarize this post...but that's just no fun.As like most PWE mmos Forsaken World also has a marriage system that,as most of you guessed,you need to pay real cash for.Sure you can argue that you could just earn in game gold to trade for it in the auction house but let's not forget this has the "Soul" currency that is soul bound and only good for buying skills or other items from the several npcs.Making it that much harder to get hitched in this game...also there are no benefits to being married.Except getting a title that says you are the property of [insert name here that has xX at beginning and end].More info here.Awesome Wedding and Divorce
Dragonica Online is a 3d action mmorpg that is compatible with your joypad/game controllers.The addictiveness of running dungeons and getting SSS ranking as well as competing to beat the times of previous players adds on to the entertainment value!To make it even more awesome you get a couples system as well as a marriage system!As a couple you have access to passive and active buffs to make running through dungeons a breeze as well as couple only actions such as making out in front of other strangers like most twelve year old kids do to be cool!But after you get married by doing a few quests you gain access to couple only dungeons that can be tackled together or seperatly....no idea why you would do it alone though!Read more at the official Dragonica Online website! CouplesMarriageCouple Goodies
Fiesta has always been an mmo that I never really enjoyed but that is just me.For those of you out there that may like it you will be glad to know that it also has a couples system!Aside from the usual buffs that are given you actually get to hold your own wedding and invite people to join in on the celebration!If that isn't enough you also get a wedding pet as well as bonus exp when the two of you are partied up together!You can also summon your wife or husband to you in case someone is putting the moves on them!Quite handy if you ask me.More info at the wiki.Marriage Guide
RIFT is one of my all time favorite mmorpgs!From invasions to the fun and fast paced pvp this game is sure to have what you are looking for!Having the ability to spread your skill points into any of three same type classes you are capable of creating your very own class unique to your playing style!The new expansion added more goodies to do as well as more classes for you to use to further perfect your unique class.A marriage system is in place and although I never personally got hitched I have heard that it is somewhat expensive using in game coins (I believe 5 platinum?) so be sure to have enough left over for the honey moon!More info at the official wiki Marriage
Asda 2 is also one of the games I personally played and liked.The community was helpful and close knit unlike some games where no one ever talks at all.Featuring a faction system and arena pvp this game is filled with things to do as well as instance for gears!One of these is finding a "Soul Mate" and enjoying all the buffs and the exp bonus that you will receive from finding one!Some of these buffs will be essential when boss hunting,pvping,or for making yourself just that much more badass!Here is the link to the official wiki describing the skills you can use as well as how to get one and get rid of one! Soul Mates
Grand Fantasia is a anime themed fantasy mmorpg that is published by Aeria Games.Now I reached level 50 with my berserker and had my talents maxed so I am doing this review based on what I saw during my time playing and what I think about the game.Please be advised this is my opinion and some of you may not agree on certain aspects.If anything you see isn't true or is false please comment below.Now on with the review.
After logging in and reaching the character creation you will see a fair amount of character customization from eyes,hair,hair color,eye shape,and eye color.Also you will be able to customize your sprite.You can choose what its gathering and crafting skill is,color,and hair as well as the name.You will also be able to preview the advanced classes and what they look like.But you start off as a novice until level 10!After choosing your class and getting into the game world you are going to spend levels 1-10 on a newbie island that will give you sprite items,equipment,beginner skills,and your first class advancement.During my time here I saw many players running around doing quests and murdering innocent bunnies so the game has a nice community for beginners.
I said earlier in the review that your sprite can be assigned certain crafting and gathering skills.Well your sprite is going to be doing ALL of your crafting!On occasion you will have to gather certain ingredients that drop from monsters but other than that it will get the rest on it's own for the beginner equipment.Now the most important thing to remember is this: A happy sprite works more efficiently than a normal or upset sprite.
The sprites mood will affect the outcome of gathering rare ingredients and also if it fails or succeeds at crafting equipment!So keep that sprite fed and happy!You can also add furniture to the room it lives in to increase certain attributes like gathering time,success rate,and increasing the amount of items it gathers.Also you can equip it with gear to give you bonuses when you summon it.My time overall with the sprite was relatively painless and it was nice to have something to do other than level and run instances all day.So for those of you that want more to an mmorpg you should try this out.
Now the first 30 levels were a snap and at this point you should have advanced class and gotten new shiny skills.But after a while you begin to notice you are running out of the main quests and are left wondering what to do next.Well you have two choices!Either do bounty quests and run instances to get exp OR do rep quests for money and exp.The rep quests will always be the same.Kill x monster and collect x amount of item from them.Though the payout is good you may find yourself bored of doing the same thing over and over.And it won't change as you hit higher levels.There is always a rep quest to be done!This may be a turn off for most people but it's easy money and exp and you can farm the quest items until you feel you have enough. Through most of my levels never once did I encounter a world boss much less know of one.During a normal instance run I was asked by a fellow guild member to help him with a guild quest involving the killing of a monster called Xerxes a.k.a "Mr.Whiskers".I said yes and after the instance I went straight to him and asked where this monster was?It was a stupid question of course seeing as the lumbering beast was twice the size of a player and it looked like the type of monster anyone would need help killing.After a long battle with the beast I managed to kill it and got a blue named item for it!But these world bosses are not pushovers and even though they reward greatly...are a pain in the ass! Grand Fantasia has introduced me to many things I enjoyed...but it's cash shop was not one of them!Yes this is the thorn on the beautiful rose.Even though cash shop items can be bought with gold the useful ones will range anywhere from 100g-2000g or more depending on the items.Legacy sets are very useful and cost 2000g or around 10 bucks in the cash shop.These sets level with you and gain more stats the higher level you are.The best players have these sets and they also sell items that guarantee an upgrade from +1-+9.At a point of view this game is very much pay to win and no matter how you look at it...it will still be the same.If you can look past this or are determined to be the best then good luck.
UPDATE:Level cap has been increased as well as new class advancements!Check it out if you are interested!
Final Review:
Graphics:10/10
Combat:8/10
Crafting:9/10
Population:9/10
Cash Shop:1/10
