Ixion Saga is a new online game by Japanese game developer, Capcom. The company’s other hit online title will be the familiarly known Monster Hunter Frontier, which never made it outside of Japan and Korea (closed now). I posted a brief look at the game’s storyline previously, so have a look here (link).
The Alpha Test phase recently ended and Taiwanese gaming website, Bahamut Gamer, managed to join in the fun. Do note that this Alpha client is only 200MB, hence many features are not available.
↑↑ Character creation screen, with gender, name, basic clothing, hair etc.
↑↑ I think this is for the Alpha phase only, every players get 9 sets of different armors and 3 models for each of the 3 types of weapons.
↑↑ Sword and Shield. There is apparently no active block, since the right mouse button is to use the shield and knock back enemies. Players will get ranged skills as well, and pressing the “F” button changes the character to Defensive mode, where the block rate is higher. Players will also have AOE skills, and in the Alpha test, there are two, one bring a straight line AOE while the other a tornado skill launching players around into the sky.
↑↑ The gunblade, sort of the one seen in Final Fantasy which Cloud uses. Right click of this weapon will be using the blade to attack. Pressing the spacebar will allow players to auto-aim at a target (and left-click for gun of course). Pressing the “F” button allows players to retreat and roll back, avoiding contact from incoming enemies. There will be AOE skills as well, and the one above displays one where the player jumps into the sky and rain bullets down.
↑↑ Staff’s controls are quite similar to the gunblade’s. While having much lower attacks be it melee or projectiles, the staff grants players with a wide range of melee skills and magic spells, including AOE freeze, AOE energy balls and healing. By pressing “F”, the HP and AP (or MP) will be switched with each other.
↑↑ The mission NPC. Before I forget, Ixion Saga plays similar to DOTA and League of Legends. Players create mission rooms and wait for others to enter.
↑↑ There are various options to choose from when creating a room. Timing can be set from 5min to 10, 15 and 20min, while the maximum number of players can be adjusted between 8 (4 Vs 4), 12 (6 Vs 6) and 16 (8 Vs 8). There are currently 5 different maps available and players may enter an ongoing battle as well.
↑↑ The waiting room while waiting for players to join and get ready for the match.
↑↑ The match is starting!
↑↑ Own character and team members.
↑↑ The game controls play pretty much similar to online shooters, with special commands like the “E” button removing obstacles, Shift + W sprinting forward and the spacebar targeting and locking on enemies.
↑↑ Kneeling down.
↑↑ The “E” button helps players to climb up ledges as well.
↑↑ When team mates or enemies are about to die, this weird aura can be seen around him. If a team member goes within range and press “Q”, the dying team mate will be rescued. If any enemy press the “Q” button instead, a finishing move will be performed. Note that these 2 actions take 5 seconds, making the 2nd party vulnerable as well.
↑↑ Saving dying team mates.
↑↑ Dealing a stylish finishing blow to a dying enemy.
↑↑ Skills and spells require AP (the game has a special name for it, can’t translate). There will be these stones scattered around the map where players can recharge, but do take note that you will be vulnerable to enemies when absorbing!
↑↑ Apparently, these AP stones can be damaged. If explodes, everyone on the field will be damaged.
↑↑ The explosion!
↑↑ Players will gain class experience points and other rewards after winning. The experience points will be accumulated and level up classes and get players ready for job advancements.
↑↑ Well, the losing team gets much lesser rewards of course.
↑↑ The battle’s result showing all the stats.
↑↑ The main ranking window, showing players with the top kills in the server.
↑↑ Apparently a NPC item shop which has yet to open during the Alpha phase.
