Dragonica

Dragonica :

Dragonica (Dragon Saga Online in the U.S.) is a 3D action side-scrolling MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) developed by Barunson Interactive. Development has been ongoing since March 2006. Operation of Dragonica is relegated to different publishers for their respective regions. It is a free-to-play game which includes a cash shop that allows for unique customization of player's characters. The game has been in Open Beta across Europe since June 10, 2009, has implemented the Kundara Content Update during August 2009 and has announced that the "Tales of the Damned" expansion will be introduced during October 2009. The North American Open Beta Test began on August 18, 2009. Characters created during the Open Beta Test will carry over to the commercial release.

GAMEPLAY:

Players control a character in a three-dimensional plane but the scope of movement is mainly focused on the horizontal axis with limited vertical movement, much like the arcade style side-scrolling classics. In its current state, players can progress through 65 levels in the North American release with the level cap reaching as high as 80 on servers in Asia.

Combat is action-based with moves performed in real-time. All combat is centered around the use of special skill sets on cooldowns. Players can also perform ground and aerial combos by utilizing certain skills in order to render enemies unable to retaliate but can also play the role of a healer or supporter when necessary.

There is also a large number of missions and scenarios for a player to complete co-operatively with others. Each individual dungeon has one to four separate modes for advancement, each increasing in difficulty and not being accessible until the previous instance has been cleared. At the end of every mission sequence is a scenario that advances your character to the next stage of the game.

Classes:

At the beginning of the game, players are allowed to choose from one of four basic classes and accumulate levels in order to advance into deeper specialties with more abilities and skills. Classes include the warrior, thief, archer, and the magician. Each class has a diverse skill tree in which players may place points into to acquire new skills or enhance ones that have already been obtained.

The warrior is a melee-oriented class which focuses mainly on performing various air combos and ground techniques to keep enemies immobilized and weakened. In groups the warrior assumes the role of a "tank" though not in the conventional sense; the warrior is in charge of keeping enemies from reaching the mid-lines where the healers and ranged classes are ideally situated. Against bosses the warrior will often bear the brunt of the attacks due to the lack of ranged attacks. The warrior class can advance to become either a gladiator or knight.

The thief class employs swift attacks and combos to annihilate waves of enemies. Focused around the use of claws, the thief is often seen on the frontlines alongside the warriors dealing damage and debuffing enemies at will. In group situations, the thief makes use of attacking from behind the enemy in order to increase the ranking score on mission maps. They specialize in and speed to tear down lines of enemies as quickly as possible. Oftentimes they are utilized as "cleaners" or "sweepers" in missions to pick up any enemies the frontline may have missed. The thief class can advance to become either a jester or assassin.

The archer class wields bows, crossbows, and even gatling guns to lay waste to any enemies from afar. They are seen mainly in the mid-line in-between the healers and the melee classes. They capitalize on wreaking havoc on enemies by spamming one button to keep the enemy in midair to obtain as high of a ranking as possible in groups. Although their attack power is weaker than that of a warrior's, their attack speed and movement speed is among the fastest in the game. Archers can advance to become either a ranger or a hunter.

The magician is the game's token caster class. Seen very often in the frontlines, the magician is occupied with either healing and buffing the group or dealing massive amounts of area of effect damage to enemies. In groups the magician becomes one of the most valuable assets as they are able to heal the wounds of damaged allies and offer support from a distance, without ever getting caught up in the action itself. Magicians can advance to become either an acolyte or a battlemage.

Class Guides 1st Class 2nd Class 3rd Class 4th Class Warrior  Magician  Thief  Archer Knight  Gladiator Acolyte  Battle Mage Jester  Assassin Hunter  Ranger Paladin  Myrmidon Oracle  Warmage Harlequin  Ninja Trapper  Sniper Dragoon  Destroyer Cleric  Archmage Gambit  Shadow Sentinel  Howitzer

MISSIONS:

Dragonica features instances that allow players to gain access to items, experience, and currency as well as serve to advance the overall storyline in the game. These instances are known as "missions" and must be completed sequentially in order to unlock the final scenario that advances the plot. Each step in the mission becomes significantly more difficult than the previous and oftentimes requires a group to complete.

Missions are often composed of four main mission modes (increasing in difficulty) and a fifth scenario (unlocked when the previous modes have been completed). Each step in the mission also features a grading system that attempts to rank players based on how a player has performed during that step. The grading system allows the player to obtain higher quality and quantity loot based on that individual's performance and group contribution.

Players will often be sent into these missions to complete important quests, such as those needed to change class. Although many of these missions can be done by oneself, the benefits of tackling these missions with others far outweigh that of taking them on alone. Players in groups gain bonus experience and, with the right group composition, will find it much easier to progress through the game.

Development:

ICEE's Chinese Dragonica released their and no but yes Version 6 Open Beta on April 24, 2009. Publisher of the North American version, THQ*ICE, has started the official service on October 15, 2009. As of August 31, THQ*ICE will be shutting down their services and Gravity Interactive will continue North American publishing in mid October. Gravity Interactive changed the name of "Dragonica" to "Dragon Saga", but the same game is present (with their changes, of course.) They will be opening their Phase 1 beta testing on October 14, 2010.

IAH and 8interactive's Dragonica for the SEA-ANZ region is currently in Open Beta. gPotato Europe's EU English, French and German services began on June 10, 2009. 

In North America Dragonica is now called: "Dragon Saga".
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