A few of you will recall this being mentioned in an ambiguous post very recently, however I decided I would give the game a whirl and see what all the hub bub was about.
Throughout the review please keep in mind this game is still in 'closed beta' so anything is subject to change. Anyways, as the title states, the game is called Grand Fantasia and is being developed by aeria games (some Korean company).
The game is a cartoon-like MMORPG and if you don't know what that means, that's ok. Just bare with me.
There are other MMORPG's out there with this type of 'art and graphic' style, one most notable that you may recognize is Mabinogi, but what makes Grand Fantasia stand out from the rest is not only the graphics but how quickly it draws you into the game and with the addition of sprites (these round blob things that follow you around performing various tasks) there is quite a bit to do from keeping you feeling like it's just another run of the mill RPG
Anyways let's get started, so once you are in game you are presented with a neat login screen
You will need to have an account with Aeria games, but that's ok!
Just click the Official Webpage button and you will be on your
way to logging in.
Once logged in you will have a list of Servers and Channels
to choose from, right now there is only one server and four channels so there isn't too much going on here at the moment.
The character creation screen is pretty decent and offers just enough to make your character suit your personality or persona (along with high level armour suits and weapons of special classes you can preview) you may be going for, the less obvious selections is the bottom left window.
Earlier I mentioned sprites, well what you are exactly, are 'Sprite Messengers' chosen from some higher power or whatever to save this world that is losing power for whatever reason. You raise your little sprite buddies and once you get them to a high enough potential, you release them, or you don't. It's up to you really. You can choose their style, which basically means what sort of appendages they have on their head.
Because we are on the topic of sprites, I might as well tell you their use and benefits to you. Depending on the type of sprite you have and skill set it uses, you can send out commands to the sprite to hunt for pelts, ore, and plants. You use these etc. items as ingredients to basically craft whatever it is that sprite can make be it armor, weapons, or potions. (So it's a good idea to pick a sprite with a skill set that will benefit the class you want to be, I.E Paladin class might want a sprite with a skill set that has the ability to craft weapons for said class.)
Salvaging items is basically taking an item apart and gaining another item from it. The only things I'm aware that can be salvaged are armor's and weapons.
As you use your sprite more often it becomes more proficient in what it has been doing. You could also use the training option to level up your sprite faster, however you do not gain any items out of doing so. let's not forget that you can also purchase some furniture to up the sprites proficiency as well as improve the look of the sprites "cabin".
Lastly Sprites can level up 3 times which are represented as stars in the detail tab. When you max out the stats on your sprite, it is able to level up or 'evolve' into it's next form taking on a new shape, and also allowing you to further progress your sprite. Keep in mind you can have up to a total of three sprites and sprites found cannot evolve into their next state, which is why you may want to release it back into nature.
From what I understand there is no real skill tree, you just pick a class and purchase your skills as you level and they are available for immediate use. Because of this aspect there is no need to worry or take caution of "messing up" a player. One characteristic I would like to take attention to is the Talents tab.
Here you can learn 'talents' that can add physical and defensive properties depending on the talent you acquire and apply. This is really neat because it makes it available for you to be proficient in more than one weapon if your class let's you.
The 'Adventure Log' is practical and pretty much speaks for itself, but just to clarify things.. The log sorts all the quests you accept into regions where you took on the quest. Quests that are in a yellow text represent repeatable quests or "chain" quests.
A chain quest is a number of quests an NPC sends you out to do to gain a specific quests, so far it's just been to fight bosses but I'm sure that's bound to change. Having the Tracker checked will apply certain quest progress that you select to be displayed on the HUD.
This just tells you your 'status' with whatever group you've been helping out, the more 'rep' you have with a certain group may unlock Titles that you can set to be displayed over your characters name.
You've probably been wondering how the friends system works. I myself find it a little clunky and it still needs some touching up but it certainly gets the job done. Invite a friend, they will be prompted to accept or deny your request, I might add this game is best played in parties. The people in this game are friendly and will help you out if you ask politely. I myself was impressed with the community and enjoy the players in it.
Ok so we covered quite a lot of ground and the last thing you're thinking is what's going to keep this game afloat? Well if you've ever played in a 'free' game you'll know they will have some sort of store that will enhance your gameplay and makes things generally easier on you. Thankfully everything in the "use money from your wallet" shop isn't necessary for you to enjoy the game. Everything being sold in it can be found in game at a reasonable sales price and although it probably won't stay this way but aria games gives you 100 free 'aeria points' to use the items in this shop. They have been pretty careful so far as on what to add and I'm very satisfied with that.
The rest of the pictures are just screen shots of my adventure so far. I'm quite taken with the game and feel free to add me to your friends list. Keep in mind that although you can download and play the game, it's still in closed beta so nothing is definite.
Thank you for reading my take on 'Grand Fantasia' and I hope it answered some questions for those curious, and interested for those unaware of this MMO. Thanks to those that mentioned it in the topic.
Panty shots and mounts for all.
