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MMORPGs of 2005 - Part 2 Jean Roc (JRM) Morreale, 2005-02-01
In
spite of the fact that the big names we saw in part 1 take the
majority of the public's attention, many other games continue to appear - some proposing an alternative in terms of gameplay and features, some
using good ol'methods.
But a reality remains true year after year: unfortunately it is
mostly in this category that we have the biggest cancellations like
Wish, Dragon Empires and many others. A game released is the exception
- not the average destiny, and even rarer are those which succeed in
capturing and keeping players after that.
Here is our selection of the
"small" MMORPGs of 2005 we are hoping to
see released this year:
Hero's
Journey
RPGDot
Database Entry
Official
Site
Developer:
Simutronics
Publisher:
Unknown
Release Date:
2005
Simutronics is not new to MMORPGs having behind them
GemStone IV and DragonRealms, both text-based, but Hero's Journey is
going to be their first graphical game. Hero's Journey
takes place in the post-apocalyptic world of
Elanthia,
where several civilizations, under the Triumvirate, try to raise from
its ruins. Not much has been revealed about the gameplay except that
one of the races, the Ilvaris, have pointy ears
(That must be the First Law of a fantasy setting). The devs have made
it clear that they are not aiming for the same audience as their previous
games, concentrating their efforts this time round on action.
Citizen
Zero
RPGDot
Database Entry
Official
Site
Developer:
Bigworld
Publisher:
Micro Forté
Release Date:
Late 2005
You're a "Zero", an amnesic* prisoner of the penal colony of Typhron.
When all the contacts with Earth stopped, your memory was wiped out and
the doors of your cell opened wide. You now have to survive in a
hostile world where the remaining enclaves are under the control of opposite
factions. Citizen-Zero
uses a third-person view associated with a crosshair, giving to the game a gameplay close to an FPS where your Unreal Tournament' "über-skillz" could actually give you an advantage on your opponent. The game consists mostly of Player Vs Environment and exploration with many instanced missions for teams. A PC player
will have the opportunity to team up with players around the world
using Xbox-Live.
(* and there is the Second Law)
Face
of Mankind
RPGDot
Database Entry
Official
Site
Developer:
Duplex Systems
Publisher:
Jolt
Release Date:
Q1 2005
In the 24th century, mankind has reached the stars and has to fight
against aggressive aliens. On Earth, the situation isn't much better
with corruption and the clans' conflicts. You can join ten different
organizations in which you will have to gain rank via promotion as
there is no level up. Face
of Mankind will also put the
players in charge of the entire chain of production, from the mines to
the manufacturing companies. You can get your own opinion as the open beta has started.
Mourning
RPGDot
Database Entry
Official
Site
Developer:
Newrosoft
Publisher:
Limitless Horizons
Release Date:
Q3 2005
Mourning
is a medieval fantasy game with the usual orcs, elves and the rest; the
game tries to disassociate itself from Everquest and the like on other
points. Your character isn't immortal - the passing time or the anger
of the gods will sooner or later bring him to his tomb for good. All isn't
lost as you have the possibility to raise a heir who will inherit your
possessions, your fame and has faster rates to get skills. A
similar bloodline system was announced for Ryzom but
Mourning
should be the first to use it. The traditional class system does not
exist here and is replaced by a skill tree system (called "skill
rings"). Mourning
seems to be a title that those allergic to the power-leveling race are waiting
for.
ROSE
Online
RPGDot
Database Entry
Official
Site
Developer:
Triggersoft
Publisher:
Gravity
Release Date:
2005
After Ragnarok,
the cute wave strikes back with ROSE
Online, this time with a 3D engine . Previously know as Seven Hearts Online, ROSE
offers you the opportunity to explore the 7 planets of the "Sea of
Souls" as a Visitor, created by the goddess Arua to fight Hebarn, the god of malice. You'll be able to take part in wars to take control of the 7 kingdoms,
the winner becoming the political and economical leader of the world.
Continuing the Ragnarok tradition, the actual open beta should be
here for months if not years.
Auto
Assault
RPGDot
Database Entry
Official
Site
Developer:
NetDevil
Publisher:
NCsoft
Release Date:
2005
Post-Apocalyptic future, mutants, humans, and mechs - that's the
background of Auto Assault. NetDevil is aiming to provide a 100% action
title, putting your character in a customizable vehicle, ready to
spread havoc around him. Auto Assault is really different from what we have
been accustomed to see in the MMOG area.
Roma
Victor
RPGDot
Database Entry
Official
Site
Developer:
RedBedlam
Publisher:
Jolt
Release Date:
2005
Roma Victor plunges the player into the Roman Empire under the reign of Commodus; you start as a slave and have to make your way to citizenship by working or fighting in the Legion or in the arena. Once done you'll be able to run businesses,
become a political actor and climb the hierarchical system to the
Emperor's throne. There will not be any monthly fees to play, instead
Redbedlam will sell in-game services and features, which could raise
some questions about the possible advantages of the "paying" customer
over the "ordinary" one.
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