Rappelz Review: Free MMO

This is a review I wrote for MMOsite.com. Please visit them.

Game Title: Rappelz
Genre: MMORPG
Status: Open Beta
Developer: Gpotato
Official Website: http://rappelz.gpotato.com/
Client size: 1.024 GB
Client Download: http://www.download.com/Rappelz/3000-7541_4-10588393.html?tag=lst-0-1

System Requirements
CPU: Pentium Pentium-III 800MHz
RAM: 512 MB RAM
Video Card: Nvidia 128 MB 3D accelerator VGA card

Rappelz is another in a spate of Korean MMO betas, all which follow similar trends, and apply simple, predictable formulas with little innovation. It seems that these games are an epidemic that is never ceasing, with dozens of nearly identical games with different graphics saturating the market. Is it possible for a free MMO to set itself apart from the pa crowd, when there players options are practically unlimited in this genre?

Graphics: 9/10

One department that Rappelz executes flawlessly, and delivers extremely well is the visuals. The game takes a unique art direction, and combines it with some great looking character design and superb enemy models to give the world of Rappelz a consistent, sleek aesthetic style. The GUI is clean and easy to navigate, as well. However, in vast areas with a lot of foliage and grass, I did experience some frame rate issues, but these instances were sparse. Also, some of the environment textures aren’t as high-quality as the textures on the characters.

Sound: 7/10

Although there was actually some enjoyable music in the soundtrack (a first for me in an MMORPG) it was a limited set of songs, so I found myself hearing the same beats several times as I quested. It got quite repetitive, so as I often do, I switched on my own MP3 software. The sound effects as are to be expected from the genre.

Gameplay: 8/10

I found the combat system to be one of my favorite features of the game. It wasn’t the combat alone that enthralled me, actually; it was more the character progression system that drives the mechanics of conflict in Rappelz. First, the skill system was open-ended, customizable and best of all, simple. You simply concurrently earn skill experience as you fight. You can spend this to purchase passive and active abilities, as well as increase your job level to unlock more options on the skill tree. The great range of skills adds a decisive edge to the warfare. Also, there are special items called Boost Chips; these are battle items which can be essential to victory. You can purchase Boost Chips by trading in Laks, which are special points earned through battle. These can weaken monsters to the point that defeating them becomes a matter of only a few bludgeons with your mace. You can also have you’re creatures use abilities to support you during battles.

The quests are, as to be expected, simple “kill x monster” quests for the most part. Unfortunately, the free MMO genre is plagued by tired mission design, which basically boils down to bashing monsters. Rappelz does little to rectify this situation, or curb this worrying trend. Not only this, the early quests are long and tedious; while they may serve to better acquaint new players with the game system, it can be a long time before you earn that first Lak point.

The range of weapons, items and armor is diverse enough to maintain interest throughout the game, and the character customization options leaves plenty of room for individuality in your character.

Community 6/10

What I experienced of the community is a mostly unfriendly, unwilling bunch. Initial impressions were excellent, when a player volunteered to give me a tour of the local camp, but when I really needed players I was starved for company. As is often the problem, if there are too few players at the same point in the game as you’re character, no ones really willing to help you complete a quest.

Unique Features

Boost chips, creatures; Skill trees, non-traditional character classes; unique setting.

Here is a video of Rappelz I found on Youtube.