Page 20 - Games
P. 20
THE TIMES ®
AUSTRALIA
The Grind Experience
These games had the potential to set the bar even higher in terms of MMO quality, but fell short of the
mark because of the tedious amount of time required to reach max level and enjoy end-game content. If
grinding is your thing, however, these are defnitely a good place to start.
TERA
TERA was developed by Bluehole Studio and re-
leased worldwide with different publishers. A truly
great and innovative MMO both graphically and
gameplay-wise, TERA was the frst MMO to be run
on the UnrealEngine, and traded the point and
click tab-target system for a more action RPG ori-
ented aiming system.
Graphically, the game still holds up today and con-
tains large instanced zones, a wide array of class
and race customization options, and a new style
of gameplay with its aiming system, which forces
players to act and react much like they would in a
image source: Offcial game screenshot third-person shooter or action RPG.
AION Again, the game has a grind to max level (which
Aion, developed by NCsoft, was the company’s steadily increases as time goes on), but the dun-
frst MMO to be released to the Western world af- geons and boss fghts are executed well and ac-
ter becoming a smash hit in Korea. Boasting supe- companied with cinematic sequences to further
rior graphics to other MMOs at the time, the game break away from the mold.
garnered plenty of press and publicity around the
game’s advanced graphics, gameplay and its em- TERA is currently also Free-to-Play and is available
phasis on large scale PvP. via direct download.
Both critically acclaimed and boasting a large play-
erbase, the game has only one faw in the eyes of
many: the grind to max level is long and arduous.
Korean MMOs have always been designed this
way, and it was something that Western audiences
have not been able to adjust to, even to this day.
Over the years, however, the grinding aspect has
been toned down signifcantly and Aion still re-
ceives regular updates which have added various
features such as a higher level cap, new classes,
player housing, and new zones to explore.
Aion is currently Free-To-Play and is available via
direct download. image source: Offcial game screenshot
20 Independent Media Inspiring Minds
AUSTRALIA
The Grind Experience
These games had the potential to set the bar even higher in terms of MMO quality, but fell short of the
mark because of the tedious amount of time required to reach max level and enjoy end-game content. If
grinding is your thing, however, these are defnitely a good place to start.
TERA
TERA was developed by Bluehole Studio and re-
leased worldwide with different publishers. A truly
great and innovative MMO both graphically and
gameplay-wise, TERA was the frst MMO to be run
on the UnrealEngine, and traded the point and
click tab-target system for a more action RPG ori-
ented aiming system.
Graphically, the game still holds up today and con-
tains large instanced zones, a wide array of class
and race customization options, and a new style
of gameplay with its aiming system, which forces
players to act and react much like they would in a
image source: Offcial game screenshot third-person shooter or action RPG.
AION Again, the game has a grind to max level (which
Aion, developed by NCsoft, was the company’s steadily increases as time goes on), but the dun-
frst MMO to be released to the Western world af- geons and boss fghts are executed well and ac-
ter becoming a smash hit in Korea. Boasting supe- companied with cinematic sequences to further
rior graphics to other MMOs at the time, the game break away from the mold.
garnered plenty of press and publicity around the
game’s advanced graphics, gameplay and its em- TERA is currently also Free-to-Play and is available
phasis on large scale PvP. via direct download.
Both critically acclaimed and boasting a large play-
erbase, the game has only one faw in the eyes of
many: the grind to max level is long and arduous.
Korean MMOs have always been designed this
way, and it was something that Western audiences
have not been able to adjust to, even to this day.
Over the years, however, the grinding aspect has
been toned down signifcantly and Aion still re-
ceives regular updates which have added various
features such as a higher level cap, new classes,
player housing, and new zones to explore.
Aion is currently Free-To-Play and is available via
direct download. image source: Offcial game screenshot
20 Independent Media Inspiring Minds
