Vindictus

Developer(s) devCAT
Publisher(s) Nexon
TianCity (China)
Garena (Thailand)
Engine Source
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
Release date(s)
  • KOR 2010-01-21
  • NA 2010-10-13
  • EU 2011-10-05
  • JP 2011-11-30
  • TW 2011-12-23
  • AUS 2012-11-15
  • THA 2015-12-02
Genre(s) Action MMORPG
Mode(s) Multiplayer

Vindictus is an action MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) created by devCAT, an internal studio of Korean free-to-play game publisher Nexon. Vindictus is a prequel to the popular MMORPG Mabinogi and is known as Mabinogi Heroes (Korean: 마비노기 영웅전) in Asia.

Vindictus takes place in the same setting used in Mabinogi, but is placed chronologically several hundred years prior to the first game during a period of war and strife. Vindictus follows Nexon's traditional free-to-play model. The game itself is free to download and play and charges no purchase price. The game contains a virtual item shop to purchase in-game items with Nexon's virtual currency called NX (or Karma Koin) to enhance the player's character's appearance and abilities.

Gameplay

In Vindictus, "classes" and "characters" are one and the same. When beginning the game, players will have a choice to play as one of ten characters, each of which has different combat skills and abilities. Players are free to alter certain aspects of their character's appearance, but basic abilities and combat styles are set at character creation. All characters are gender-locked. Though the game was originally intended to have five characters, there are now currently ten.

Vindictus is particularly combat-intensive when compared to many other Action MMORPGs. The combat is very fast-paced and rewarding; it uses more combo-based combat than timing of activate-able skills (or 'Active's as labeled in-game on the skill chart). The combat is very rewarding because of its dodge/counter/block or die mentality while in combat as opposed to the typical 'out dps the boss' mentality.

There is a dyeing system that allows players to dye clothing and weapons for an entirely unique appearance. At character creation, people may customize eye and hair color, hair style, height (which affects gameplay) etc. There are some customizations that require NX (in-game cash), but they do not use Premium character cards; instead, the player must buy them during customization. These customizations give players a boost in the LUK, or Luck stat, which increases the chances of dropping more Evil Cores.

Each playable character has unique skills making game-play different across each character. In addition, most characters have two sets of skills for their main and alternative weapons (I.E. Lann has Sword specific skills that are only usable when the player equips swords and Spear specific skills that are only usable when the player equips spears). Skills can be upgraded by using AP points which are rewarded by completing battles and overtime, even while offline.

One can only go to instanced dungeons to gain Experience or complete quests (although quests can be sometimes be completed just by talking to NPCs). One can do either venture to dungeons alone or go with some other people. If one goes in a party with other people, monsters will become stronger, but there is more chance to survive a battle with a friend. Also, when in a party, the health capacity of bosses will increase. One can do dungeons on Normal, Hard, or Hero modes. Hero mode can only be unlocked from lvl 50.

Characters / Roles / Classes

Transformations are special skills that allows players to take on the form of a Paladin or Dark Knight, each of which gives significant boosts to stats. Transformations can only be activated once on the hour and resets every hour (i.e., a player can transform at 09:58 and again at 10:00). However, a player cannot transform more than once during a battle run. When battling in transformation mode, transformation experience is rewarded to the player in which they can increase their transformation level and put points into specific transformation skills. However, not all skills can be attained thus each player can vary in transformation abilities whether it be a supportive or offensive play style. Both transformations increases Health, Stamina, Defense, Physical and Magical Attack Power, SP Gain, Knock-down Resistance, Strength, Intelligence, Willpower, and Agility. Paladins tend to focus on Defense while Dark Knights possess higher Physical and Magical Attack Power. Players can achieve a higher degree of transformation completely changing the appearance of the character as well as abilities. Players attain a more powerful arsenal of abilities and stat boosts when undergoing this second transformation. However, this second transformation costs at least 10 AP and 2 SP Bars (500 SP) to activate. Transformations last for two minutes, while the second transformation lasts for one minute. However, if the first transformation's time goes beyond the second transformation's time, the remaining time for the second transformation will be that during the first transformation (i.e., engaging second transformation with thirty seconds left will have the second transformation lasting thirty seconds).

Titles can be attained by completing stories and battles, defeating specific enemies, collecting items, or performing specific actions. Some titles (previously all titles did) offer bonus statistics to enhance a player's character in the following categories: STR, AGI, INT, WIL, and HP. Titles are automatically accumulated and stacked on the character; all increase statistics are automatic. Players can choose which title they want to appear above their heads to show off to other users. Selecting a title does not earn one the specified statistic increase as it has already been permanently added the moment the player earned the title; having the title appear and having no title appear gives the same effect and is true to all titles.

A token system was implemented as a means of preventing people from playing excessively. Higher leveled or excessive battles cost "tokens" to enter, which gradually increases as more battles are performed. Tokens are restocked on certain days of the week. Alternatively, special tokens may be purchased from the cash shop which provides slightly better benefits than normal tokens. The token system was eventually phased out in the North American version, was not released directly in the European version, and had been replaced with a Fatigue system in the Korean version.

Plot

Season 1

The time period of Vindictus is set several hundred years before the era of Mabinogi: Fantasy Life. In this war-torn world, the Humans believe that if they can destroy the Fomors —monstrous humanoids— they will be brought by their black-winged goddess, Morrighan, into the land of Erinn and be enriched in paradise. As a result, the land has suffered under endless war for hundreds of years, and many people are beginning to give up hope that the legend of Erinn is real.

Through the ten "episodes" of Season 1, the player, commonly referred to as the "Rookie" by various NPCs, tries to carry on Humanity's goal of bringing forth Erinn's descent. They battle numerous Fomorian forces, but also encounter severe conflicts with their own kind as well as themselves.

Season 2

Season 2 is an alternative storyline that branches off from Season 1 and requires the player to first complete Season 1 in order to start. The player must restart the game in order to begin Season 2. The player is told of a distant island named Malina, where they can relax in luxury. However, this relaxation isn't so relaxing as it seems, for they must rummage through pirates and new bands of monsters.

Season 3

The third season follows the events after Season 1 and 2. Due to the memory loss induced in the previous seasons, the Rookie must reacquaint themselves with their allies, but unexpected twists occur.

Development

The name was changed from Mabinogi Heroes to Vindictus in North America and Europe. Vindictus is said to be derived from two words: "Vindicate" (maintain, uphold, or defend, or clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting proof) and "Vindictive" (having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge). Nexon America, Nexon's North American division, announced the new name on March 12, 2010, at the Game Developers' Conference.[1]

Originally, the game was named Invictus, but due to an error from an intern, it became Vindictus.

Vindictus uses the Source engine to allow players to interact extensively with the environment. Environmental objects can be destroyed or picked up and wielded as weapons. Networking for game play involves using ProudNet. Combat was described as "kind of brutal, like a bullfight, or Monster Hunter" and requiring a lot of teamwork.[2]

Release

On July 19, 2009, a Mabinogi Heroes Open Beta promotional video was released in South Korea, followed by the release of Mabinogi Heroes itself. The Mabinogi Heroes open release page has been launched and the game itself was "premiere launched" (e.g. accessible to the Internet café users only) on December 16, 2009. The game was opened to the home user/player on January 21, 2010.

North America

Promotion at E3 2010
Promotion at E3 2011

During the Penny Arcade Expo 2009, it was announced that Mabinogi Heroes, along with Dragon Nest and Crazy Arcade will be released by Nexon America in 2010.[3] In early March 2010, Nexon America officially revealed the North American release of Mabinogi Heroes at the Game Developers' Conference in San Francisco. According to the announcement, the name of the game had been changed to Vindictus in North America. The game was scheduled for a Q4 2010 release (October–December). On April 28, 2010, the Vindictus teaser website was launched on the Nexon America portal site. An updated game trailer as well as summaries of the game's story, characters and gameplay were available. In April 2010, the game's revised logo for the North American release was revealed on the game's official Facebook page.[4] The logo consisted of a stylized "V" done in a Celtic knot pattern over the word "Vindictus". The artwork for the logo is distinctive from the original Mabinogi Heroes and to date has not been used outside the North American market. The company also launched a "teaser" website that included updated information on aspects of the game including story characters, screenshots and various marketing materials.[5] Closed beta applications from Vindictus began on July 1 and ended on July 19, 2010. Closed beta began on August 10 and ended on August 24, 2010. Early access open beta began on September 15 and lasted until October 5. Previous closed beta testers have been granted early access to open beta. Closed beta testers have also been sent two early access beta keys to distribute and spread the word about Vindictus. Full open beta began on October 13, 2010.[6] The full launch of Vindictus occurred on October 27, 2010 which introduced the mage character Evie to the roster. As of October 2010, North American Vindictus has changed its Token System from a total of 100 tokens per week to 150 tokens per week due to complaints from the players. This change was brought out from meetings the Nexon Staff hosted in which players from Los Angeles were able to discuss the issues pertaining to the issue.[7] In April 2011, the token system was removed for a month and promised another token-free month if the Vindictus Facebook page reached 100,000 fans by May 25.[8][9] On May 27, the token system was removed "permanently – effective immediately" due to high game content and stable economy.[10]

Other regions

It was initially announced that Vindictus Europe (informal title) would be first released in Q4 2010, however the launch date has been postponed several times because of site management issues, insufficient funding and mainly because Nexon Europe did not have enough time to manage, maintain and update the game. It was finally revealed via a trailer at the official Vindictus Europe website in August 2011. Nexon Europe has stated that Europe would be receiving the eXtreme Edition of the game.[11] Europe is the first region to not receive the Premiere Edition of the game, with a high percentage of European voters favouring the eXtreme edition shown during a poll set up on the official Facebook page of Vindictus Europe. The service area of Vindictus Europe covers all European countries except Russia, as was stated in the note of closed beta news.[12] During September 2, 2011, closed beta keys were released on the Vindictus Europe Facebook page, which granted access to the Vindictus Europe Closed Beta Test. Closed Beta Test ran from September 16 to September 19, 2011. "Pre-Launch" of Vindictus began on 28 September. The game was officially launched on October 5, 2011. In October 2011, the game's Item Shop (also known as Depot) has opened. Players are now able to charge their accounts with Nexon Cash and buy useful things which help in the game.[13]

The game is also available for China and Taiwan as Mabinogi Heroes, as it is originally in Korea. As of November 2012, the North American server opened to Australia and Mexico.[14] There is no global English server, and people who are not in North America and Europe are IP blocked.

eXtreme Edition

On July 15, 2010, an alternative version of Mabinogi Heroes was announced for Korea. It is known as the eXtreme Edition, and often referred to as Mabinogi Heroes XE and abbreviated MHXE. Based on existing high-quality movements in Mabinogi: Heroes Premiere, Mabinogi: Heroes XE presents splendid and unrestrained movements more in line with the public's taste.

Starting from April 24, 2014, Nexon Korea merged XE and Premiere servers and remove XE features, due to underpopulation of XE server and unstable connection on both.

Only the Chinese and European versions have XE.

Compared with Mabinogi Heroes Premiere, Mabinogi Heroes XE has the following major differences:[15] a combo system has been added: if players succeed in attacking the enemy continuously without being interrupted, they will gain combo points; on normal difficulty, Bosses are slower and are a lot easier to dodge; "hero" mobs appear in all difficulties; boss HP can be viewed in all difficulties as opposed to normal only in Premiere; players have a lot more stamina; players will automatically sprint with no stamina costs; normal attacks will use stamina as opposed to halting stamina regain; and certain skills had their function changed.

Reception

Vindictus was nominated for best MMO at E3 2010 that was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 14 to 17. IGN awarded Vindictus Best Free-to-Play MMO Game of 2010.[16]

References

  1. "Vindictus to Release in North America in Q4 2010". MMOHuts. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
  2. "GDC10: Nexon's Vindictus revealed". Massively. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
  3. "Mabinogi: Heroes Comes to NA in 2010". MMO News. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
  4. "Official Vindictus Facebook page". Facebook. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
  5. "Official Vindictus Teaser Website". Website. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  6. "Open Beta Begins October 13!". Nexon America. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  7. "Changes to the Vindictus Token System". Vindictus.nexon.net. 2010-10-26. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  8. "The 100,000 Facebook Fan Challenge!". Nexon America. Retrieved 2011-03-30.
  9. "Token Takedown Part II: 100,000 Fans Strong!". Nexon America. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
  10. "Bon Voyage, Tokens!". Nexon America. Retrieved 2011-05-27.
  11. "The most frequently asked questions are answered here: FAQ on Vindictus Europe Released". Facebook.com. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  12. "Vindictus Europe > News > Notice". Vindictus.nexoneu.com. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  13. "Today’s the Day – we’re officially... - Vindictus Europe". Facebook. 2011-11-02. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  14. "Vindictus now open to Australia and Mexico!". Vindictus.nexon.net. 2012-11-15. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  15. Vindictus(KR) XE Unveiled: Splendid + Unrestrained Movements, MMOsite.com, 2010-07-19
  16. "Best Free-to-Play MMO Game 2010 - Vindictus - Free-to-Play - IGN". Bestof.ign.com. Retrieved 2013-08-02.

External links

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