SoulReaper
Active member
Heard about Lunia? Yeah, that top-down 3d beat-em-up game with a story and stages?
Throw all that junk away, add cartoonish graphics, a REALLY responsive attack-skill combination button control, and a lag-free server that doesn't have you warp from one place to another, and you get...
Throw all that junk away, add cartoonish graphics, a REALLY responsive attack-skill combination button control, and a lag-free server that doesn't have you warp from one place to another, and you get...
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Dragonica Online, a 3d platforming combo based game, will have you dancing on your toes... well... fingers... as you pummel on the keyboard, REAL arcade style. There're no cutscenes or chapters here (save for the opening flash and some quest scenes), all you really need to do is quest, talk, buy/sell, and the best part, BEAT YOUR ENEMIES TO A PULP.
Testing the waters
Let's move to the basic stuff. This is the Character Creation screen:-
Testing the waters
Let's move to the basic stuff. This is the Character Creation screen:-
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You have four jobs to choose from - Warrior, Magician, Archer, and Thief. Warriors specialize in close-range, melee attacks, Magicians use magic (their normal attacks involve shooting fireballs(?) from their wands, Archers deliver hell from afar, and Thieves are the faster versions of Warriors (with defense and strength lowered, of course)
When you're done choosing your hairstyle and eyes, (the hair color chooser isn't working yet), you pick your character, and head off into Dragonica!
When you're done choosing your hairstyle and eyes, (the hair color chooser isn't working yet), you pick your character, and head off into Dragonica!
Gameplay
I played a Warrior only, so I can only comment on the way I played the Warrior. :SThe controls are with your keyboard - Arrow keys for moving, letters for the quickslots, attacks, and menu shortcuts. Mouse is for clicking on NPCs (but you can always use space-bar).
Every job has two basic attacks - a Normal attack and a Secondary attack. In the case of the Warrior, Normal attacks does a slashing combo with your sword, while the Secondary attack shoots a huge amout of concentrated... Energy?! O_O... to your target. While being initially USELESS, once combined with your super warrior hammer skills you will get to... lets say own instead of r**e today all your enemies xD
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Chaining attacks is key to victory in this game (as in any other combo-based game), and if you want to be better than the rest, you have to learn all the tricks you have up your sleeve. The most common ace up a Warrior?s sleeve is the Upper Launch + Crazy Tornado Skill spam. It works wonders, PLUS it racks up the EXP gauge.
Of course, we have the requisite quests here - kill monsters, deliver items, collect this item, talk to another NPC, yada yada.
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You also have repairing, refining, and yes, cooking.
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Graphically
Honestly, there is nothing new about the graphics in Dragonica - it simply looks like MapleStory got 3D-fied and more bling was added to the game. Skill animations are smooth, but some of the interface is choppy (accessing some of the buttons would hang the program for a moment). Still, its standard fare for a platformer, and a fun one at that.
CURRENT VERDICT
Pros: Excellent combo/combat system, Graphics/Artwork that look like they were from FFTA, No lag jumping!
Cons: Client crashes (Recent Open Beta so you can expect that), You've seen this graphics before, Interface lag problem
TRY IT OUT IF: You want MapleStory to be in 3D. You've played Melty Blood: Act Cadenza. You're an arcade junkie.
AVOID IF: You want a point and click game. 3D makes you nauseous. You have motion sickness.
Honestly, there is nothing new about the graphics in Dragonica - it simply looks like MapleStory got 3D-fied and more bling was added to the game. Skill animations are smooth, but some of the interface is choppy (accessing some of the buttons would hang the program for a moment). Still, its standard fare for a platformer, and a fun one at that.
CURRENT VERDICT
Pros: Excellent combo/combat system, Graphics/Artwork that look like they were from FFTA, No lag jumping!
Cons: Client crashes (Recent Open Beta so you can expect that), You've seen this graphics before, Interface lag problem
TRY IT OUT IF: You want MapleStory to be in 3D. You've played Melty Blood: Act Cadenza. You're an arcade junkie.
AVOID IF: You want a point and click game. 3D makes you nauseous. You have motion sickness.
Next Issue of the preview (too lazy atm) I will talk about one of the most interesting features of this game... PvP and Guild VS Guild!
