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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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