Atlantica Online: First Look Preview

Stradden

MMORPG.com Atlantica Online Correspondent Matt Plourde gives us this first look preview of the new strategy-based MMORPG from NDoors.

Strategy RPGs have always held a special place in my heart - Fantasy General on the PC and Shining Force on the SEGA Genesis being the first two games to really capture my attention in this genre. Traditionally a single player affair, these games have carved a niche market for themselves through the years. There have been a few attempts recently to bring the StratRPG to the MMO market, but these games have fallen short (in some significant ways) of their single-player ancestors.

Until now.

If you are a StratRPG fan, Atlantica Online could be the best tactical online game you've never heard of. Available in the U.S. via NDoors Interactive, Atlantica Online is a free-to-play online game currently in open beta. They hope to get your money through microtransactions at NDoors' website (this feature is yet to be implemented).

Read the Atlantica Online First Look Preview.

Netspook

And battle is where this game shines.

I disagree.

Battle seems like a dumbed down version of old console RPGs (Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, etc), but with much better animations and graphics.

I have a good first impression of this game, especially since I like both the art style and the sound/music. But I'm pretty sure I'll get tired of it very soon. Mostly because of the battle system, but also because of how dumbed down and linear it is. And the "auto-run to the exact quest location" crap, that's nothing less than retarded.

Isikari

I appreciate this reviewers attempt to stay positive, but I have to disagree as well. Atlantica Online isn't even remotely competitive compared to the MMO's out today. The graphics are poor, the character customization is pathetic, and the battle system isn't enough to redeem it. When I saw an open beta for this MMO I jumped on the chance, but what the reviewer should keep in mind is your hyping a product we can all play, trying to jazz it up by emphasizing the one area in which it isn't terrible (Yes, terrible) will just annoy us after we spend an hour downloading it to find ourselves in a world devoid of entertainment.

 

On a five star scale, this gets a two. I know the game is in beta, but the way it feels it should be thrown back to alpha. Show us some polish.

IIRL

It's obvious that both of you have barely played this game. Dumb and linear? You are quick to judge when you probaly haven't even gotten anywhere. Linear? Depends on how you play any MMO, there is versitility in this game like in everyother MMO.

"I disagree.

Battle seems like a dumbed down version of old console RPGs (Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, etc), but with much better animations and graphics."

Seems? As you self said, you have barely experienced this game, in which MMO's do you get thrown into action where a few mistakes will get you killed? Battle gets more intense and challenging. You've probaly just done the first couple of dungeons and experienced PvP on a beginner basis.

Isikari, why even comment on this when all you bring is a shallow first impression? I guess you barely touched the game. But I must admit I got a similiar notion as you in the beginning but the game really opens up more and more as further down the road you get.

Unlike any other F2P game this offers 100 times more, it's even better than many P2P games out there.

"On a five star scale, this gets a two. I know the game is in beta, but the way it feels it should be thrown back to alpha. Show us some polish."

Given you spent basically no time with this game I find your "review" void.

This game is not BAD, OK nor EXCELLENT, it is GOOD. I would give it 75/100. I've experienced over 200 PvP battles, reached well over level 80. The crafting, the market is very well done for being that simplistic, the game actually have an economy that is rather dynamic compared to most MMO's.

The guild system is better than most game, you can easily acquire a town and start building structures, persuading travelers to move there. Guild crafting, which is required for buildings but you can also craft everything else this way, where everyone in the guild who is not active with a personal craft will chip in on the workload.

You can establish a Nation relatively quick /Guild level 30) and start wars with other Nations which is a neat and fun feature.

There is several things you can do to gain points in several categories aswell which you can trade for items.

Mercenaries? You can customize your party in many ways, some take skill and strategy to pull off some takes no thought at all. Archer, Gunner, Artilleryman, Cannoneer, Shaman, Monk, Witch, Princess, Beast Trainer, Spearman, Swordsman, Viking, Inventor, Janissary, Spartan, Lady Knight, Excorcist, Prophet, Oracle... I might have missed some/one. There are several builds which you can make up - Some might make you weak in PvP but strong in PvE and vice versa.

There are alot of people who tend to whine alot, but they don't understand the mechanics of combat in this game, you have to move, plan ahead, try to "outdraw" your opponents in PvP battles.

Titles? There are alot of them, some are very time consuming, costly and will have you make sacrifices to achieve.

There is more that just this that I haven't covered here. This game is good, this game is very good given the fact it's free.

There is much to be improved, there is alot of potential, hopefully nDoors will turn around and get to shine with this if executed properly.

Torak

I agree, its not great but its worth fiddling with if you are looking for something to do. (that 75 seems like a reasonable score) best of all, it cost nothing to just mess around with. No total overhaul of your PC, no 50 dollar box, no monthly sub ...in other words no outlay of hundreds of dollars just to find out it sucks.

I don't know where many of the traditionalist get these delussions that nothing can compare to the pay to play model games. Someone please point me at one of these mythical high quality AAA western made miracle games. It sure wasn't AoC, TR, Hellgate, Vanguard or any number of other burning wrecks of MMO's out there that either don't run, are only half finished or both and most of them have deserted servers by the time they hit a playable state.

IMHO the time has come for MMO players to start being more open minded because the P2P model has done nothing but f**k us in the a*s over and over for years now.

I say if you are bored, give it try. You have nothing to lose.

 

Netspook

Originally posted by IIRL


It's obvious that both of you have barely played this game. Dumb and linear? You are quick to judge when you probaly haven't even gotten anywhere. Linear? Depends on how you play any MMO, there is versitility in this game like in everyother MMO.
"I disagree.
Battle seems like a dumbed down version of old console RPGs (Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, etc), but with much better animations and graphics."
Seems? As you self said, you have barely experienced this game, in which MMO's do you get thrown into action where a few mistakes will get you killed? Battle gets more intense and challenging. You've probaly just done the first couple of dungeons and experienced PvP on a beginner basis.
Isikari, why even comment on this when all you bring is a shallow first impression? I guess you barely touched the game. But I must admit I got a similiar notion as you in the beginning but the game really opens up more and more as further down the road you get.
Unlike any other F2P game this offers 100 times more, it's even better than many P2P games out there.
"On a five star scale, this gets a two. I know the game is in beta, but the way it feels it should be thrown back to alpha. Show us some polish."
Given you spent basically no time with this game I find your "review" void.
This game is not BAD, OK nor EXCELLENT, it is GOOD. I would give it 75/100. I've experienced over 200 PvP battles, reached well over level 80. The crafting, the market is very well done for being that simplistic, the game actually have an economy that is rather dynamic compared to most MMO's.
The guild system is better than most game, you can easily acquire a town and start building structures, persuading travelers to move there. Guild crafting, which is required for buildings but you can also craft everything else this way, where everyone in the guild who is not active with a personal craft will chip in on the workload.
You can establish a Nation relatively quick /Guild level 30) and start wars with other Nations which is a neat and fun feature.
There is several things you can do to gain points in several categories aswell which you can trade for items.
Mercenaries? You can customize your party in many ways, some take skill and strategy to pull off some takes no thought at all. Archer, Gunner, Artilleryman, Cannoneer, Shaman, Monk, Witch, Princess, Beast Trainer, Spearman, Swordsman, Viking, Inventor, Janissary, Spartan, Lady Knight, Excorcist, Prophet, Oracle... I might have missed some/one. There are several builds which you can make up - Some might make you weak in PvP but strong in PvE and vice versa.
There are alot of people who tend to whine alot, but they don't understand the mechanics of combat in this game, you have to move, plan ahead, try to "outdraw" your opponents in PvP battles.
Titles? There are alot of them, some are very time consuming, costly and will have you make sacrifices to achieve.
There is more that just this that I haven't covered here. This game is good, this game is very good given the fact it's free.
There is much to be improved, there is alot of potential, hopefully nDoors will turn around and get to shine with this if executed properly.

 

You are completely forgetting what kind of thread this is. Hint: FIRST LOOK Preview.

Coming here attacking us for our opinions based on our FIRST IMPRESSIONS, because we haven't played for 100s of hours, that's incredibly stupid.

PalmTrees

I got to my mid 30s in the last closed beta. During the week or so  between the end of closed and open I had unistalled to make room for other things.

It's a decent enough game, typical fantasy mmog with level grind, the turn based combat being the main distinguishing feature.

It is a very linear game, you must finish all the level 10-19 quests to be introduced to the level 20-29 quest guy to be introduced to the level 30-39 guy. Each set of quests takes place in a different dungeon, but has the same plotline: Something strange is going on, a peaceful place has turned dangerous, oh there's this ancient Atlantis technology corrupting them. Go beat the boss to turn it off. Heh, one of the quest steps was 'join a guild', so you're stuck on the quest chain until you join up.

Cities are disappointing. You access the market, bank, etc through a window. You don't actually walk through the city to a npc. Consequently , peope zone into a city, just sit there and open their city window. This leads to a slow zone-in since there's a huge crowd at the zone in point. Oh, and only one city in the world, Rome, has a bank with inventory slots. The rest just store money with a withdrawl fee.

Loot comes in boxes, click the box get a random piece of equipment. Same with skill books. Got very annoying.

Crafting was ok, ton of materials to keep track of with not much inventory space, though. Buy a auto-craft license so you can just click the make this button and sit while the progress bar fills up or you can go fight., as fighting also fills up the crafting progress bar. Craft stuff to earn crafting xp, once that's full you either pay an npc to level your skill, or find a player with a higher crafting skill to lvl you. Oh, yeah, the crafting npcs (one for each tradeskill) wander the entire world map. Want to find them? Pay another npc 1,000 to get their current loc, then go chase after them.

Ozmodan

First off, my impressions of the game is, it is not a bad game, but it is also in beta too.  I would give it at best a 5 on a 10 point scale.  There were several things that I did not like about it. 

The stamina system drains stamina really fast , after so many fights you are out of stamina and have to sit. 

I also did not like the crafting system, but will admit it is better than some of the other f2p games.   

I always liked stratgy games and have played my share of them, but I found the battle system to be not to my liking.

And yes the cities are a joke.    

bigmacka

Its not a bad game, its different and that makes it stand out amongst 90% of the game out there.

The stamina system is not really an issue until after lvl 50. Even then its still difficult to run low.

Serebren

This is one of those games that you won't know if you like it until you have played a few levels (at least to level 20).  Starting out it looks a lot like all the other Asian F2Ps.  Lots of mobs grouped in some area, wandering around and hardly aggro at all.  It's the actual battles that make this game unique. 

Battles are sort of like the Disciples:Sacred Lands strategy game.  When you fight a mob, you are segwayed to a battle screen (and you no longer see the other mobs around you, or other players).  You and your mercs are arranged in 3 ranks of 3 rows (usually only 2 ranks are used at low level, but a 9x9 pattern is the foundation).  The mob also is a group, so you will face 4 to 9 mobs in ranks and rows of their own.

Some mercs and mobs can only attack the front rank, some can attack any other foe, and some can attack a row of 2 or even 3 at a time.   Add to this each of the mercs (and mobs) special attacks, the ability to change ranks and rows in battle, the ability to rez and loot in battle (one of the earliest foes you face can rez their comrades during a fight), and scrolls that can be looted and used in battle, and things start to get interesting.

The story's linearity (and some of the NPC content) is typically asian.  Some variety would be nice.  Every 10 levels or so the storyline has you face a boss mob, which is normally a challenge but is only one battle.

Crafting is simple, but inventory intensive as is enchanting items to get those nice +4 and better weapons and armor.  Unique is the idea of starting a crafting job and fighting to get them done (one or two fights will do it early on).  That lets you farm and craft at the same time.  Crafting weapons also usually ends up with a +1-4 item, so it ends up being better than trying to enchant from all the no + drops you get.

Without buying the inventory license (a pay item) you have little inventory space (something like 10 slots per mercenary, plus the same from your character).  So until you get to level 20 and can go to Rome, you will need to manage it carefully.  At low levels, if you do not craft or open boxes, you will be fine.  Of course, then you don't get items, and won't be making or enchanting those + items and armor, so....

Atlantica is billed as a strategy game, and it does somewhat succeed as one.  It is more a roleplaying low level strategy game.  For F2P, it's good, so it is hard to go wrong there.  Chat could be better (mainly local, "peer" or shout to all that are around your level, and whisper (tell)).  The advertisement bar for players to ad their goods and training, or to request same, is a nice idea.  So is the guild ad button/window.  The game has a lot of unique and unusual features, and unique ideas.  That alone makes it worth checking out.

konrad16660

Game looks pretty fun for a free one!  I can't believe that such high quality games are made for free, we are very lucky!  I am downloading it right now.  I played Rohan earlier this year and I enjoyed that as well!

Ozmodan

Originally posted by konrad16660


Game looks pretty fun for a free one!  I can't believe that such high quality games are made for free, we are very lucky!  I am downloading it right now.  I played Rohan earlier this year and I enjoyed that as well!

 

Let's get real here.  The free implication is strictly a come on.  You don't play these games for free.  Trying to get anywhere without using the item shop is made to be very hard and it is in this game as any other of the so called f2p games.  In the long run you will end up spending more money on the free to play games than a subscription game.

Personally the subscription games offer so much more content, you are just missing out on a bunch of them.  Now if you have tried them all and are bored, nothing wrong with these so called f2p, just as you are aware you will be sinking money into the item shops, it is inevitable and once you start it is hard to stop. 

Isikari

IIRL, I read about half your post before the vitriol in it turned me off. I did however get to the part where you said I barely played the game, which is an interesting insight seeing as I never mentioned how long I played, and all my comments have been mimicked to some degree by various other posters (Some of whom explicitly stated they've played it a significant amount. I actually spent about 10 hours in the game, yeah thats not a bunch, but its also not the five minutes you apparently assumed.

Take your fanboy rage elsewhere, I demand polish  and this game simply dosen't have it, not anywhere close.

Finally, I know my opinion is just that, an opinion. Everyone here, but you, is stating their opinions, and mine happens to be the same as several others. You on the other hand state your opinion as fact, even bolding it, nice.

cmancman

Nice frist look. I mostly agree.

I have played only as much as this review and I already find enough to decide continue play and see what else they can show me. At least it is not the same old types of battle system in mmo. I appreciate trying to be diffrent.

I am some what visual orientied player so its graphic and animation is good thing to start with and I do like what they do with camera when I trevel with auto-move around big monument like the great wall. I guess it was my first time that camera autometical move to show dramatic scenery from f2p mmo.  (sure seen a lot but not in this type of game)

It's battle system is well falling into my type of strategy game. It is not same but the nortion of the merc and jobs remind me my favorite orga battel or FFT. Sure it is not same but it does have fill of console strategy.

Other interesting part is that this game is using somewhat real world map. Start from asia and travel to west. (the other way from my point of view) Seems they have regional, historical merc to hire. It would be interesting if I set up roman army or spartans.

I will sink my weekend into it and see. f2p nothing to lose and looks promising for now.

 

repapupa

I find atlantica online is one of the good mmorpg nowadays... I mean the game is great, I think we should not compare atlantica online from the like of final fantasy series, simply because they are both totally different to each other... their only similarities is that they both use the turn based combat system... nothing to take away from final fatasy series... we all know that final fantasy is a legend in the turn base system and one of the leading games in rpg... they dominate the market and the gaming world... but final fantasy series always concentrate on a single player mode... they have a linear story which you have to follow while atlantica online is an mmorpg... which means it has no linear story, you can do the quest or not you can still enjoy the game without doing your quest.. do you get m point?? don't get me wrong... what i'm trying to say is that we should not compare final fantasy series from atlantica online because they have their own identities, final fantasy is for single player and atlantica is for multiplayer..

Netspook

Originally posted by repapupa


I find atlantica online is one of the good mmorpg nowadays... I mean the game is great, I think we should not compare atlantica online from the like of final fantasy series, simply because they are both totally different to each other... their only similarities is that they both use the turn based combat system... nothing to take away from final fatasy series... we all know that final fantasy is a legend in the turn base system and one of the leading games in rpg... they dominate the market and the gaming world... but final fantasy series always concentrate on a single player mode... they have a linear story which you have to follow while atlantica online is an mmorpg... which means it has no linear story, you can do the quest or not you can still enjoy the game without doing your quest.. do you get m point?? don't get me wrong... what i'm trying to say is that we should not compare final fantasy series from atlantica online because they have their own identities, final fantasy is for single player and atlantica is for multiplayer..

All that text, and the only thing you're really saying, is that we shouldn't compare with FF. Undoubtly directed towards me, since I was the one doing that.

Feel free to post YOUR opinions, they are most welcome, but my opinions are MINE, and it's up to me if I want to compare with other games or not.

fherdz

The review was good... it is not that biased or against the game.. One thing he didn't mention that is how atlantica differs to other f2p mmorpg... there are so many mmorpg are out in the market so the question is what makes atlantica special or differ to other f2p mmorpg???

I have 3 points why atlantica is differ from the other mmorpg:

1. The turn based battle system- I know turn based is very old and tradional way in a battle system. but having it in a mmorpg brings new to the game... It is my first time to encounter turn based mmorpg.. so it is quite fresh for me..

2. Economy/ Market system- In atlantica the economy is very fast pace... you can get rich in an instant.. by having observing their market, the prices there are very flexible there are times that the items there are so cheap but there are times that it so expensive.. if you observe these trends you can get rich easily.

3. Side quest/ Side events- There's a point in the mmorpg that you will feel grrinding  in leveling up.. in atlantica there are side events like the arena betting something like that to ease away the ain of leveling up.. you can bet there or you can always to the league and test your team if it is strong enough...

 

Not to be biased about the game... what is lacking about the game is the character classes.. i feel atlantica should add atleast 2 to 3 character classes... I can't comment about the graphics because i run the game in low details to avoid lag and delays...

Samuraisword

It's another item shop grinder. Don't waste your time.

txtmsg

That's what you think... Atlantica doesn't focus on item mall... it is one of the distinct features of atlantica that other f2p doesn't have....

Item mall in atlantica offers item only for the convenience of he player not for the game changing or making the game imbalance...

I'd say for players convenience because the items that are being sell in atlantica are those items who can make your character have an easy time playing.. for example you can play and the game is still balance even if you dont have teleport.. there's always an auto move in the game.. so if you want some convenience you can purchase a tele license...

Atlantica Online is not always an item mall game... just trry the game and you will see what im talking about...

Joeybano

I don't see the similarities of this game with old-style console RPGs. The only thing common between them is that they are both turn-based. I think it's a misconception that all turn based combat-systems are alike. If there is a single game that the combat system compares to, it would probably be Heroes of Might and Magic. I suggest users give it a try before saying that it is a simple clone of old-school MMORPGs. It isn't a perfect game, but I find a whole lot more fun than simple grinding, etc. Leveling mercenaries and changing formations are what I find fun.

dt1984

I downloaded this game out of curiosity about a month ago. Reason as to why is because my friends are playing this and they keep on asking me to try it out. As they say, "You won't loose anything anyways since it's free."

Huh, why does people always start with that when it comes to F2P MMOs. Why won't they start introducing the game with what makes it different compared to other MMOs or why they are drawn into the game.

My friends started by comparing it to other games both online, console, pc and all but it turns out,(honestly speaking) it just added confusion to me. And so i told myself, "Why not try it?" Not that i'm badgering anyone here but Final Fantasy, Disciples, Heroes of Might and Magic, Titan Quest and all the others being compared to this is all different in there own way. In anyway i try, they differ in a lot of ways and is only similar due to the turn based system.

So, a few weeks ago, i installed it, created a character that uses a bow and tried to understand the story which is what i love aout RPGs. Now, I am at level52 with an upgraded weapon with full 8 mercenarie in my party all upgraded to their second upgraded and is kicking ***. I am still enjoying the game and i would just want to share my own opinion why this game differs from the rest.

The battle system is new in an MMORPG environmetn since it is turn based. Some claim that it is similar to this and that, and it might be true but the devs and the publisher of this had already a solid outlook as to how things work. I read in there official forum that this game was 15 years in the making and i do believe that. Why do i say so?

Well, basically, comparing this to other F2P MMOs, this is by far one of the best among them. That is of course how i see it. I am a bit graphical as well, same as one of the posts above and i like the way they created the animation and how the world will look like.

The economy system of the game makes use of the basic rule of economics which is the supply and demand and there is also a fixed price integrated to it as the balance curve for an item. This i believe is unique and well done.

The customization is a bit lacking but most probably more will be added soon. As to the main storyline, it maybe linear to some but the way they integrated the fantasy stories with historical characters is quite nice and gives an additional plus on how it coincides with the overall feel the game promotes. Another feature that i like in this game is the side mini events added such as the gambling of boxes for a better one and even the arena betting which is fun once in a while.

Crafting is added as a side job which of course adds to the way toons become unique form each other.

On top of it all, i like the way the game promotes a community that can thrive on its own. I like the way the game also promotes strategy in different aspects, which should be since this is considered as a tacticalgame as the first review states.

As for the item mall, it is still closed for the international version where i play and which the author is referring to, but what i've notice is that everything's all good.

Overall, it is a game that may remind us of several other games but is a new and different flavor overall.

 

wapepe

I saw this game on an advertisement on a manga site, and it got me interested. I think it has pretty nice graphics, and from what I saw in the youtube videos, the combat system seems good. I think NDOORS did well in polishing this game, even if there are still some things that need to be fixed. I just recently downloaded the game and I am excited to try it out. Hopefully, it will turn out to be an excellent game that I will play for some time... I need a new game anyway.

babyburnik

For me, this game has a lot of potential. Even in its early stages, it has proven itself as something “different” compared to other mmorpg’s. I’ve been playing for quite sometime now, and I’m still enjoying the game. I like the battle system, as I’m tired of the hack and slash system that most mmorpg’s offer. Here, it’s all about the right tactics and the right mercenaries to hire. You are also able to do lots of sidequest and crafting, also guild quests. When you’re in a party here, experience isn’t split to member. Instead, it promotes partying by giving extra items/stamina/experience. I can’t wait to try joining guilds or nation wars  hope the item shop won’t destroy the balance in this game.

kamui0714

Nice review on this one. I checked as well the subforum just to make sure if it's worth trying and all i can say is this game do have a lot of things to offer for a F2P MMO. I tried to check as well on the vids and the world looks great. The battle video samples of a few players as well are ok. There were a few bugs that people complain about but i guess, it is worth a try.I can't wait to be able to join the community and help out and share observations and guilds and find new friends. Knowing how this has grown into such a hype just in beta, it is promising enough for me.

Ozmodan

 

Originally posted by txtmsg


That's what you think... Atlantica doesn't focus on item mall... it is one of the distinct features of atlantica that other f2p doesn't have....
Item mall in atlantica offers item only for the convenience of he player not for the game changing or making the game imbalance...
I'd say for players convenience because the items that are being sell in atlantica are those items who can make your character have an easy time playing.. for example you can play and the game is still balance even if you dont have teleport.. there's always an auto move in the game.. so if you want some convenience you can purchase a tele license...
Atlantica Online is not always an item mall game... just trry the game and you will see what im talking about...

 

So says the guy who has only played at the lower levels, get above 50 and tell me you don't need the item malls.   Believe me, Atlantica is exactly like every other item maul game, once you get to the higher levels you almost have to buy from it if you want any decent advancement.

I am glad you are enjoying the game, but don't try to come here and try to bamboozle us with what it is not.  it is an item maul and they intend for you to need it once they get you hooked on the game, just like every other f2p.  Like I said before it is not a bad game, but once you compare it to the subscription games it just is second rate at best.

washimaro

Originally posted by Ozmodan


 So says the guy who has only played at the lower levels, get above 50 and tell me you don't need the item malls.   Believe me, Atlantica is exactly like every other item maul game, once you get to the higher levels you almost have to buy from it if you want any decent advancement.
I am glad you are enjoying the game, but don't try to come here and try to bamboozle us with what it is not.  it is an item maul and they intend for you to need it once they get you hooked on the game, just like every other f2p.  Like I said before it is not a bad game, but once you compare it to the subscription games it just is second rate at best.

 

 i'm at level 54, and there's not one time in this game i felt "grinding".. this game is pro-questing, so you basically go through quest after quest as you enjoy upgrading weapons and mercenaries.. there are even quests for summoning higher classes of mercs like the exorcist or the witch or the beast trainer which is really exciting as you party with other players when going at it..

and as the title says itself, first look preview. the item mall isn't even out yet, who knows what items will be sold?? i am VERY willing to see how atlantica will fair, so don't go "bad-mouthing" the game for other players (and potential ones) while it's still in its early stages.. alright?