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Fun fighting game with extensive multiplayer options

Fun fighting game with extensive multiplayer options

Vote: (287 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Softnyx

Version: 8.15

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(287 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

Softnyx

8.15

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • A fresh take on the MMO genre that puts action front and center
  • A variety of classes that each feel distinct from one another

Cons

  • Small number of gameplay modes can become repetitive quickly

Rakion: Chaos Force trades the typical standard practices of MMORPGs to take a more action oriented approach to gameplay, but it still makes use of the grinding and leveling systems that keep users engaged for the long term. It's a smart approach to finding a niche in the MMO space, but it leans perhaps too heavily on long accepted standards to be considered truly revolutionary. But by folding in elements more common in player vs. player action and shooter games, Rakion manages to carve out an identity of its own.

While there are many components that veteran MMORPG players may not be used to, the basics of the game should bring them a basic level of comfort. That's apparent in the class system, which creates five different styles of play that reflect the expectations of the genre. Archers serve as long range DPS, mages fill the position of crowd control and serves as something of a glass cannon, blacksmiths offer short range DPS, swordsmen operate as tanks, and ninjas offer speedy strikes that find a middle ground between short and long ranged damage. While these may be archetypes that are standard in the genre, the presence of a more action oriented combat style breathes some fresh life into them. There's a level of engagement and skill that's not required in many of the more traditional MMOs on the market, and that's rewarded generously. Succeeding in combat and racking up long combos will unlock Chaos Mode, which allows you to power up your attacks and devastate the opposition for a short period of time.

Where most MMORPGs operate on a series of quests that are split between instanced spaces and dedicated maps and dungeons, Rakion largely ditches these for the sake of short sessions. The four modes on display draw more from games like Call of Duty than they do from Rakion's siblings in the MMO space. Solo and team deathmatch serve as the meat and potatoes of the experience, but there's also an asynchronous mode in the form of Golem Wars. Users can win by either wiping out the enemy team or destroying the computer controlled golem on the map, and that lends a higher level of strategy to the mode since both teams will be working to chip down the health of the opposing golem. Rounding out the game modes are the Clan Wars which operate similarly to Team Deathmatch but draws on the clan based alliances that add a social element to the game.

While combat serves as the core of the Rakion experience, summoned creatures known as Cells play an important role as well. Similar to familiars and pets used in MMORPGs, up to three Cells can be carried into battle at a time, and each can be leveled up independent of the player.

Pros

  • A fresh take on the MMO genre that puts action front and center
  • A variety of classes that each feel distinct from one another

Cons

  • Small number of gameplay modes can become repetitive quickly