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Joystiq

NCSoft summons its chi for martial arts MMO

by Randy Nelson on Aug 5th 2008 8:30PM

Forgoing super heroes and knights in shining armor, NCSoft is turning to martial arts and Korean mythology for its latest MMO entry, Blade and Soul. The game is being built on Unreal Engine 3, and while it's currently planned for release only in Korea, its visual style and unique gameplay could help it get a foothold in the States.

From the looks of the first video, the game appears to draw heavy influences from Capcom's online hack-'n-slasher, Monster Hunter, working in character designs which seem like they could have been created for the PS2 action title Bujingai. Interactive environments are also part of the mix. In other words, it's definitely not the MMO equivalent of Jade Empire, but maybe BioWare will get to that after its so-not-a-secret KOTOR MMO?

[Via Massively]

Source

Tags: blade-and-soul, ncsoft, PC, team-bloodlust, unreal-engine-3

Reader Comments (28)

I've never played an MMO game before, nor have I ever really been interested in playing one.

But that game looks fuckin tight.

I was completely thinking the same thing. Heck, I usually find almost all mmo's a bore (excpet for pso, but I won't pay), but this is looking very nice, esp. the combat.

The question is, how well will the game play with such high graphics online?

Guild Wars and Lord of the Rings Online both have fairly good graphics and both run fine online. Can't imagine that there being problems running this well.

Looks neat...

This looks incredible for an MMO.

Nice video... Now how much of that will be anything like the gameplay?

...what? That was the gameplay.

So it was, yay =)

So I guess in-game upskirt camera views can be expected.

We can only hope!

Wow, this looks incredibly fun. The combat looks like it actually requires a pulse to play.

Here is the high-quality version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtA1jSreK84

It looks amazing, and although I'm still a slave to FFXI, I would definitely check this title out.

erm, I don't see a difference in Quality. We need an HD version of this trailer ASAP!

Did you click on "high-quality" below the viewer? The difference is noticable.

Character design by Hyung-tae Kim who did character designs for style over substance RPG, Magna Carta.

Before watching this vid, I was gonna say, "Geez...just give us Guild Wars 2, already!" Now...damn...what's Guild Wars 2? Really, if this isn't released in the U.S. and doesn't catch on, then I'll be very, very disappointed.

Jordan Mechner weeps. Karateka MMO delay confirmed.

It has that shiny, plastic-y look typical of Unreal Engine 3 games, heh.

Oh yeah, but the game looks really good. I hope the gameplay is as action-based as this trailer makes it look, and that this game comes to North America.

Guild Wars 2 better use a similar engine for me to be sold on the sequel.

It looks worth upgrading my PC for.

Definitely looks fun to play!

Wow that looks awesome! May be my first venture into the world of monthly fees. Curse you NCSoft!

how will gameplay work? they should try using that engine and making a solo rpg...

you know even though it looks pretty and everything, I can't see past the ncSoft part. I doubt that the gameplay is going to be anything different from waiting for moves to finish before starting the next move and then using those game mechanics to grind down 100 monsters for an item. if on the other hand, this title shows us something new, like maybe a combo and hit system like in typical fighters (meaning then, you could button mash and beat mobs, but if you really want to be efficient, you'll string together live combo's, block and counter when necessary). That would enable a game like that to be truly fun, and not rely on the boring autoattack.

Looks really good!

I hate every mmo in existence, but that game looks awesome!!!

I think they should rename this to Blade & Boobs.

SOUL CALIBUR...ONLINE!

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NCSoft summons its chi for martial arts MMO

Reader Comments (28)

Posted: Aug 5th 2008 8:35PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 5th 2008 9:34PM Archerboy said

Posted: Aug 6th 2008 10:07AM Cal said

Posted: Aug 5th 2008 8:40PM Kamizar said

Posted: Aug 5th 2008 8:49PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 5th 2008 8:48PM Cal said

Posted: Aug 5th 2008 10:00PM Coldbrand said

Posted: Aug 6th 2008 10:05AM Cal said

Posted: Aug 5th 2008 10:23PM Skor said

Posted: Aug 6th 2008 1:31AM ultimateq said

Posted: Aug 5th 2008 9:04PM Coldbrand said

Posted: Aug 5th 2008 9:08PM Gaming 4 Jesus said

Posted: Aug 5th 2008 9:38PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 5th 2008 9:40PM Gaming 4 Jesus said

Posted: Aug 5th 2008 9:16PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 5th 2008 9:30PM kevinski said

Posted: Aug 5th 2008 9:31PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 5th 2008 10:06PM JoshMilewski said

Posted: Aug 5th 2008 10:35PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 5th 2008 10:51PM clevetheripper said

Posted: Aug 5th 2008 11:33PM Nytemare said

Posted: Aug 5th 2008 11:52PM NukeAssault said

Posted: Aug 6th 2008 12:20AM dapoktan said

Posted: Aug 6th 2008 2:13AM rhythmatix8 said

Posted: Aug 6th 2008 4:05AM Mic2000 said

Posted: Aug 6th 2008 7:21AM mundox said

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Posted: Aug 6th 2008 12:37PM (Unverified) said

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