Arctic Combat - Review

With FPS titles running very rampant in the F2P market, it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to find a unique one that stands out for the rest. Many of these titles claim to be unique in one form or fashion, but ultimately end up feeling like nothing more than a rehash of titles that inspired them.

Take Artic Combat (AC) by Webzen for example: On the outside: It looks a lot like a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare clone with some slight tweaks, but on the inside:

  

…It’s a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare clone with some slight tweaks. AC feels and plays like CoD: MW and it certainly does not try to hide it.

Previously: I got to try AC out during some early closed beta impressions, and I was surprised by how much the game kept a pacing similar to CoD: Modern Warfare games while keeping the tactical tension of Counter-Strike, but with my extended time playing in the Open Beta, the tactical tension started to wear thin, and AC revealed itself to be nothing more than an another imitator, rather than an innovator.

Arctic Combat - CBT Impressions

New to Webzen’s upcoming titles for 2012 comes Arctic Combat (also known as Battle Territory: Battery), a multiplayer online first person shooter. Set in the not-to-distant future, U.S.A. and Russia are fighting for resources in what is shaping up to be the beginning of World War III.

My initial reaction to the game was: “Oh great, another modern war shooter… Yawn.” I was expecting this game to be nothing more than a complete Call of Duty: Modern Warfare clone…

I was in for a big surprise.

Arctic Combat (CBT) - Quick Look

So I downloaded Arctic Combat today, expecting this game to be nothing more than a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare clone.

I was in for a big shock. It actually plays like a mix between COD4 and Counter-Strike, since soliders aren't total bullet sponges and can get picked off and killed easily if you're not careful. Trying to run through maps like Rambo is an easy way to get yourself killed. It has a similar perk system like COD:MW, but none of the perks are completely abusive or overpowered like in recent MW games.

Also: The game (initally) doesn't have regenerating health. Players will have to pick up health packs which are dropped randomly from players in order to regain their health, adding a small layer of strategy as in "should I pick it up now or later? Should I used it as bait while I wait for enemy players to try and take it? Is their any players around that could use it instead of me?" (This IS a skill/perk that gives players some regenerating health, but it only fills up 50% and it only happens randomly)

Overall: I'm really surprised by this one. Will be giving full impressions on the game soon.

Play Log - C9 - 2/3

One more day in the C9 VVIP Test... One more day to fool around all by myself! Today, I took the time to make use of the game's video record function. Even though many games like C9 have record functions built in, I never seem to make use of them. Maybe be cause I'm too lazy to wait for them to upload on YouTube.

But anyway: I took a couple more screenshots around town, increased my hunter's level to 15 and got a chance to ask the GMs some extra questions:

Play Log - C9 - 2/1 to 2/2

Webzen is currently hosting a press only event for C9. Me, JamesBlone and DizzyPW got around to trying the game out yesterday to see what it was like, and so far I'd have to say that it's pretty decent.

If I would have to describe it in a short sentence: C9 is sort of a mix between the vibe ofVindictus and the fast action of Dragon Nest. I only managed to get around level 8 during my first few hours.

Character customization is solid. There's a good amount of options available allowing you to tweak body sizes and face styles. Soooo many tattoo options, as well. I spent a good 20 minutes alone on deciding on how I wanted my face tattoo to look.

After a quick solo tutorial, I dropped into the starting town. It's a nice and quaint little village with a shipping dock on the beach. Has all the NPCs and store areas you would expect (Weapon/armor sellers, storage, etc.), plus a few NPCs that teach player professions like blacksmithing and tailoring, so this game won't just be all about hacking and slashing.

 

Continent of the Ninth Seal - Interview

It’s been a long time coming, but the waiting is almost over. C9, a new fast action MMO will be launching for the global market very soon, along with a closed beta test that will be happening next month. While few online games can currently boast of a system even comparable to the impressive action oriented combat system C9 offers, it still has a lot to prove to players that it’s been well worth the wait. Eager and excited, I asked the guys at Webzen a few questions…

OnRPG: Hello there! Before we begin, would you care to introduce yourself for the readers?

Denis Kim and Chung Gil Yu: Hello, it is an honor to introduce our C9-Global team to the readers of OnRPG. Hope you enjoy our interview. Let me introduce myself and the producer of C9. My name is Dennis Kim, I am the Product Manager in C9-Global service, and Chung Gil Yu is the producer of Cloud9Studio. Our team consists of several different parts which are marketing, localizing, operating and service team, etc. 50 on-site and outside members are supporting the launch of C9-Global.