Runescape Review

Game play: (7.5) The game play is ok but definitely not outstanding. The battle system is very simple. The players and/or mobs just attack each other successively with no skills available. It’s just a hit or miss type of battle in which your attack can either do some damage or miss. There are no hot keys available since there are no skills. Unfortunately, it also doesn’t offer hot keys for the menus like inventory, quest log, equipments, etc. Everything needs to be clicked, which may be a bit more demanding with the mouse and very much less with the keyboard. Keyboard usage is limited to typing messages and camera rotation. The game mechanics can go either way since everything, literally everything, needs to be leveled. On the one hand, this can be addicting since you really have to spend time chopping trees, cooking, smithing, lighting fire, and all sorts of activities since most of these are essential. On the other hand, this can be boring since you are forced to level even the basic things like the ones mentioned above. It is up to you whether you are into this kind of game play.

Characters: (8.0) The new Runescape offers a LOT of different class types. The funny thing, however, is that it won’t affect you in any way, except the costume. And since you will be wearing equipments, it will most of the time, be covered anyway. Other customizations are also available like color, face features, and others. Since the class really doesn’t affect game play, your real “class” is determined by your weapon. You can either be a melee fighter (equipped with sword, knife, mace, etc), a ranged fighter (equipped with bow, crossbow, sling, etc.), or a magician (staff, runes). As such, you can level one of these three, or a combination. Although I don’t recommend a mix as I will explain now. Your battle level, is based on the total level of your battle attributes like defense, constitution (life) and battle attack (either melee, ranged, or magic). As such, you will be level 40 if you have 10 def, 15 constitution, and 5 of each attack. Compare that to a level 40 with 10 def, 15 constitution and 15 melee. Both of you are of the same level but the 15 melee would most likely win since he’s specialized. If you fight using a sword with a mix of stats, your other attributes in ranged and magic won’t help you in battle.

Graphics: (6.5) To give some credit, Runescape is a browser game. However, this doesn’t mean that I should give it a higher score than this because the graphics really isn’t good. Compared to the old Runescape, it is better, but still not good.

Community: (8.0) The population is big since Runescape is really one of the most popular F2P MMORPGs. When it comes to help, it depends. There are people who are good enough to help you in some quests, or in answering your questions. However, it is sometimes hard to get help since most people are busy doing their own quests or leveling up their skills.

Story: (6.5) The story is mediocre, if I can even call it story. The new Runescape has this new Objective tab where you can generate “objectives” with no reward after completing it. Usually, it’s just leveling up a certain skill. On some occasions, there are quest-like objectives. Nonetheless, these objectives are pretty random. On the other hand, the real quests usually are not chronological since you can choose to skip some in your quest list. Doing these may be the “story,” but like I said, it’s mediocre.

PVP: (8.0) There’s a feature in Runescape where you can PK people almost anywhere in the map. Although the main PVP is centered in an arena where you will combat or challenge a person. The rules can be changed like no armor, no food, or no loot, among others. This gives a little flexibility and also allows some players to PVP even if they’re not willing to lose their items when they lose. PVP is generally just click the opponent and watch the fight. You can run around, change equipments, or eat food, but that’s generally it.

Features: (7.5) As mentioned, one of the features which can be considered here is the level up system in which you will have to spend time to level up basic activities like fishing, crafting, mining, etc. This can make the game more addicting or more boring, depending on what you like about MMORPGs. Also, although this is not a feature, I would like to point out that dying in this game is pretty costly. When you die, you will lose everything in your inventory. Although there are banks available in the different towns, it is still a hassle. Furthermore, with activities like chopping woods, mining, etc. you may have to buy or craft those axes and picks again if you die when you still have them. The inventory is also quite limited. Most of the things are not stackable so it will really take space in your inventory. As such, this system requires some inventory management.

Overall: (7.0) I am well aware that many people love this game and it is even currently considered as one of the best F2P MMORPGs. Indeed it is good since it is relatively simple, it can be quite addicting, and it requires no download so it can be played almost anywhere. But considering other aspects which make good MMOPRPGs like graphics, rewards, game play, and story, Runescape is mediocre. It really depends on what the player wants from an MMORPG, but in my opinion, Runescape does not satisfy my qualifications.

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Aika Global Review

Game play: (9.0) The game is rather simple with a user-friendly interface. Battles follow the same mouse and hot key system as most other MMORPGs. Travelling doesn’t take that long because the maps and quests aren’t so much separated. Save points are scattered throughout the important points of the map, and you will get a fair amount of teleport and return scrolls when killing monsters. It is also a quest-based MMORPG, in which the quests give good amount of experience and gold. As such, you don’t need to do a lot of grinding.

Chatacters: (8.0) The game has a total of 6 characters: two melee classes, two ranged classes, and two magicians. These classes are very distinct which have different strengths and weaknesses. They also fill in different roles, especially during PVP and dungeons. Character customization is ok. The armors during the start of the game are more generic-looking but will start to look better and more diversified at higher levels. What some people are complaining about is the gender-lock. Although I really don’t care much about it, I am forced to lower its score a bit since most other MMORPGs offer players a choice. Some games also have more character class or race.

Graphics: (9) Aika Global is an F2P MMORPG but its graphics is pretty impressive. The characters, background, and mobs are very detailed. What is more impressive is that the client is small. Many people, including myself, are in awe on how Hanbitsoft was able to deliver decent graphics for a relatively low-spec requirement MMORPG.

Community: (9.5) In my opinion, Aika Global has one of the best communities. First of all, the GMs are very friendly and are willing to help people who have questions. They are also always present unlike other games where you can barely feel the presence of the GMs. With respect to the players, Aika Global has a fair number of players worldwide. As such, you will be able to meet and find friends from different countries. There are also a lot of players who are willing to help other lower-level players. When you shout out for help with a boss, there will be people who will come to help. When you need a party for dungeons, it is not that hard to get people unlike in other games. Camaraderie is very much present. At the same time, competitiveness is also there. When a nation raids another nation, many players will participate and help their respective nations.

Story: (9.0) The story is pretty decent and you will somehow feel the progression as you clear one stage after another. More often, they are done chronologically as well, except on a few occasions where you may accidentally finish a different quest first since you weren’t able to follow the story.

PVP: (9.5) This should be no surprise since Aika has always been boasting its PVP. Of course there is the usual farming for honor points which happens across nations. But the most exciting of all is the massive warfare or the 1000 vs 1000. Nations will raid another nation for the relic of another. This system allows up to 1000 players per side to participate. This is obviously one of the most unique features of Aika. Although the level and gears matter, the massive number of players significantly decreases its importance. Truly, Aika is a real MMORPG.

Features: (9.5) Besides the massive warfare which is a big plus for the game, Aika also boasts of the Pran system. It is a daughter system in which you will have a Pran companion who will cheer you and aid you in battle. Prans grow into different stages after reaching certain levels. What is interesting about Prans, however, is their personality. Every now and then, she will ask for a chat with you. Depending on how you answer these questions and how you feed your Pran, her personality will change. This makes the usual “pet” system a little more dynamic and unique. It also features relics which give buffs to the entire nation that owns them. As such, nations are at constant war for these relics.

Overall: (9.5) Aika global can be considered as one of the best F2P MMORPGs out there. Despite other setbacks like the gender-lock, a few bugs, and a relatively low level cap, its good features far outweigh the bad. With the unique Pran system, massive warfare, good customer service, and outstanding community, Aika Global is definitely a must-play. Being a newly released MMORPG, content updates and patches should be expected in the future.