Given the popularity of MMORPGs on the PC and Mac, it’s surprising we haven’t seen similar success for iOS. It’s the ideal genre to hook players, much like social games. Set to be released, later this month, comes Armed Heroes Online, the latest title hoping to be a huge MMO hit.

Armed Heroes Online describes itself as a real-time 3D Massively Multiplayer Online Action & Role Playing Game (or MMOARPG for short) and the trailer we’ve been sent is clearly demonstrating the action side of things.

Looking a lot like a Diablo style game, Armed Heroes Online gives players the choice of four classes to play as they explore dungeons, solo or with a group, as well as compete in PvP arenas. It should prove to keep RPG fans of all types happy, given its focus on collecting tons of loot and facing up against many monsters along the way.

Have a look at the gameplay trailer below. We’ll be sure to keep you up to date on any further developments.

I’m not being sarcastic when I say that I wish more browser-based games made their way onto iOS. A lot of them are fantastic, but due to various software/hardware constraints they typically don’t function on handheld Apple devices. It’s a shame, really. But what isn’t a shame is that another browser MMO is coming to iOS. And it’s going to be playable across all (read: iOS, Android, HTML 5) platforms.

Dragon Eternity affords players many of the luxuries they expect in their MMOs; more than 1,000 quests, loot drops, 200+ crafting recipes, mounts, powerful bosses, crafting professions, pets, over 500 monsters to fight, custom character development, and five different PvP modes. So yeah, there’s a lot on offer here. The beta version is already sporting over a million registered users, so I think it’s safe to say that it won’t be one of those Massively Multiplayer Ghost Towns that some of these games tend to be when they first launch.

It’s still in open beta via the browser version, but once Dragon Eternity is complete it will be available for iOS (most likely iPad) and Android devices as well. It’s also going to be free-to-play so there’s no need to start saving up for the eventual release.

Gameloft’s juggernaut of a mobile phone MMO has just hit the 1 year-old mark. While celebrating the occasion with a huge update isn’t exactly out of the ordinary it’s still certainly something worth talking about. Especially because it includes a number of additions as well as one particular feature players have been clamoring for over the past twelve months.

The list of new stuff is fairly extensive. Various bug fixes are to be expected, as well as some new quests. Players will also receive a free gift box, a special Thank You letter, access to new items and pets, and will be able to mess around with the new Lottery system. Those who have been playing for over three months will also get a special Anniversary pet. And it wouldn’t be a proper celebration without some flagrant fashions (i.e. new clothes for NPCs) and fireworks that can be purchased as well as simply viewed in all their explosive glory. Last but certainly not least, Gameloft has given the fans what they want and included 3G support. So now Order and Chaos can be enjoyed pretty much anywhere.

The festivities have already begun, so make sure to get on that downloading. Everyone else who isn’t already playing can download it now for $6.99, which includes a free 3 months of play ($0.99/month after that).

$6.99

Order & Chaos© Online

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-04-27 :: Category: Games

So those folks over at Spacetime Studios, they’re alright. After releasing two more than a little successful iOS MMOs (Pocket Legends, Star Legends), they’ve gone and put out a third. But what’s left after anthropomorphic woodland creatures and space-faring explorers? Vampires, natch.

Taking a page or two from the modern day vampire handbook, Dark Legends puts players in control of a young (as in recently turned) vampire simply trying to survive in a world that knows they exist and wants them gone. It takes a slightly different approach to the player’s interactions with the world this time around. Some missions put the player in direct control of their character as they cut a bloody swath through their enemies while others simply take real time to complete automatically at the cost of a little energy. Both provide experience and the like, of course. As expected, avatars can be customized with a number of special weapons and clothing items, as well as proudly displayed to others when playing together in a group or with guild mates.

Dark Legends is lurking on the App Store right now. Joining the ranks of the Undead is completely free, too. Typical micro-transactions and in-app-purchases are available those who want to show their support with money or pick up a few vanity items, though.

FREE!

Dark Legends

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-05-03 :: Category: Games

Spacetime Studios’ long-awaited new MMO, Dark Legends, has finally released on Android and Google Chrome. Spacetime claims that this is the first simultaneous cross-platform launch of an MMORPG; while their previous games were all playable cross-platform via iOS, Android, and Chrome, this is the first title to launch with support for multiple platforms.

I spoke recently with Cinco Barnes at Spacetime Studios, and he remarked on how this entry in the series is designed to have a different appeal than other games in the series. This is designed to be more like classical vampire legends versus ‘modern’ vampires like the Twilight series. Vampires are designed to be powerful, and their attacks are meant to have a brutality to them. The game overall is designed to appeal to an older audience, with buckets of blood, darker environments, and vampires that aren’t afraid to show some skin.

The game uses a new structure, with story events that can be viewed to advance the story and collect rewards. The combat missions are still there, and it’s of course possible to play both online and solo in these missions. New outfits can be bought, other players can be interacted with in the game’s overworld, and there’s also player-vs-player combat available through this overworld.

Combat has been modified to add charge attacks, which deal extra damage; it’s possible to even charge up special attacks for extra effects. Note that special attacks draw from the same blood meter as health does. However, it’s also possible to feed on enemies’ blood, refilling that meter.

The game is available now on Google Play for Android, and from the Chrome Web Store. The iOS version is expected to release after a two-week exclusivity period with Google, but player accounts will transfer between platforms by logging into the same account; it currently works between the Chrome and Android versions, just as it worked with Pocket Legends and Star Legends.

As a bonus to our loyal readers, stay tuned to @148Apps, @AndroidRundown, and our 148Apps and Android Rundown Facebook pages for info on a contest to get an exclusive in-game weapon.

Clear the calendar and kiss those loved ones goodbye, celebrated iOS MMO Pocket Legends is turning 2 years-old. But this isn’t any old birthday party, no sir. Spacetime Studios is doing it backwards by giving gifts to the party-goers, not the guest of honor.

What this means is that the developer has made all premium areas free to access. Now anyone can quest, loot grind, or pointlessly emote in each of the six exclusive zones (Sandstone Caves, Skeller’s Return, Croc Feud, Frozen Nightmares, Shadow Caves, and Wyldwood). Those who’ve dropped some cash to access these areas already have no need to fret. All players who have paid to unlock these environments will be getting a special in-game vanity helm (the Frozen Crown of Gratitude) to lord over all those plebeians who didn’t show their support monetarily. Similarly, everyone will be able to purchase a special 2012 Anniversary hat during the event which can bestow tiny clones of itself atop the heads of those who wave to the original wearer.

Star Legends users haven’t been forgotten either. Bird, Elf, and Bear “Bobble Head” masks will be available throughout the week-long celebration. Anyone curious to see what all the fuss is about, get back to a game they might have been absent from for a while, or might just be between marathon sessions can check out both MMOs for absolutely free. Just act fast if oddball hats are a priority. The festivities will only last through the end of next week.

FREE!

Pocket Legends

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-04-08 :: Category: Games

FREE!

Star Legends

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-08-25 :: Category: Games

It’s a little bit dark, it’s a little bit sexy, it’s the first teaser trailer for the upcoming MMORPG, Dark Legends. This MMMORPG (mobile massively multiplayer online role playing game – you heard it here first, folks –Ed.) centers on secret factions of vampires, werewolves, demons, and the humans trying to exterminate these undead threats. The player plays a recently awakened vampire under the direction of the vampire that turned them in a fight for survival against the human mobs that have recently been alerted to the existence of the undead.

The trailer doesn’t reveal much in the way of gameplay, but it does set a certain tone for the upcoming game. Dark Legends is being developed by Spacetime Studios, who also developed the critically acclaimed MMOs Star Legends and Pocket Legends. Dark Legends is set for release sometime in the first quarter of this year for iOS, Android, and Chrome. Take a look at the teaser trailer below to get an idea of what’s in store.

Remember how Spacetime Studios announced Dark Legends, and how we had zero information to go on except the title and some imagination? Well things are different now. Or rather, we know a bit more about it.

Dark Legends is set in a world ripe with conflict. The existence of vampires has only recently been acknowledged and the vast majority of humanity is rather… displeased upon hearing the news. This isn’t one of those “trying to find a peaceful coexistence” kind of scenarios; the non-vampire population is aiming to wipe out the blood-sucking “menace.” It’s kind of like True Blood, only if the majority of the human population was as quick to judge as that weirdo church/cult.

Players take control of a newly raised child of the night as they attempt to survive in this hostile new world and unravel its mysteries. And when I say “unravel its mysteries,” I mean exactly that. Dark Legends will be much more story-focused than Spacetime’s previous offerings, allowing players a more personal look into the narrative along with some Quick-Time Events during some cutscenes. That’s not to say that the combat hasn’t been tweaked as well. Fighting is definitely action-oriented, giving players some new abilities such as draining enemies (a given) and charge attacks.

Dark Legends is still missing a concrete release date, but it’s penned for the “first quarter of 2012.” So soon. Soon-ish, anyway. It’s also going to be available for Android, Google Chrome and (of course) iOS users right from the get-go.

With not one but two popular MMORPGs under their belt already, one would think that Spacetime Studios might be interested in taking a little break. Nope. DroidGamers have discovered that, rather than simply being content with resounding success they’ve decided it’s time to make yet another one. It’s planned for mobile devices, it’s going to be “… a bit of a departure from the formula that Pocket Legends established,” and its called Dark Legends.

I wish I had more info to share about it, but after checking the initial forum announcement, their official Facebook page and the completely unhelpful teaser site (I know, what else could I expect from a teaser site?) I’ve come up with zip. Well okay, that’s not entirely true. It’s fair to assume that it’ll probably have a somewhat darker theme than either of the developer’s previous titles. It’s also looking like Spacetime will be refining their Massively Multiplayer craft even further, and given the leap in quality from Pocket Legends to Star Legends it’s certainly something to be excited about.

148apps will no doubt be keeping an eye out for further developments. In the meantime, I’d advise being patient. Or possibly keeping busy with one (or both) of those other mobile MMOs while waiting. Patiently.

[Via DroidGamers]

The hype for the first free to play mobile MMO, Conquer Online, continues to build. Not content with there being just one sneak preview trailer, a new trailer detailing more information about the gameplay within Conquer Online has been released.

Gameplay looks like it’s been optimized pretty well for the iPad with touch based controls working well and keeping action easy to get to grips with. Hopefully the graphics will remain as fast paced and lag free as depicted here. The social features have also been expanded upon with the potential to dance, chat, hug and kiss other players in order to develop friendships, love or even marriage in the game world.

Only time will tell how Conquer Online fares on the iPad but with the promise of being the first free to play MMO and the already solid userbase of 10 million fans of the game, it’s looking pretty good.

Conquer Online will be released later this Fall.

Having been available on the PC/Mac since 2003, popular MMORPG Conquer Online is set to make its debut on the iPad this fall.

Offering some pretty conventional but no doubt fun MMO features, Conquer Online comes with numerous original classes and skills, guilds and clans, a mentor system and even the ability to get married and divorced within the game. There will be six playable classes in all including the Monk, Ninja, Warrior, Archer, Trojan and Taoist, plus a plethora of different skills to pursue. Players will be able to build and furnish their own in-game house and there’s PvP available for the more aggressive gamer. Presumably some in-app purchases will feature somewhere to help out those who want to progress faster.

What’s not to love about this combination? It’s difficult to not be pleased with anything that’s free after all. Check out the trailer below. We’ll be sure to keep up to date with all the relevant information nearer to Conquer Online‘s release.

The massively multiplayer online RPG marketplace has yet to really take off on mobile platforms, especially as established players in the MMO space have yet to really attack mobile devices at all, allowing newcomers to unleash their ideas on these platforms. Spacetime Studios have explored the mobile MMORPG market themselves with the crossplatform Pocket Legends, a fantasy MMORPG that was launched on iOS, and later found its way to Android. However, Spacetime Studios are now setting their eyes on the stars, with a very cool new project: launching their sci-fi MMORPG Blackstar on iOS and Android later this year.

Based on Spacetime Studios’ crossplatform Spacetime Engine that they’ve been working on with Pocket Legends, Blackstar is described as a “3D, real-time, persistent MMO,” that was originally designed as a PC title that was in development for PC before funding ran out in 2008. The story of Blackstar takes place in the 41st century between three distinct races, the alien Riven, the cybernetic Scorn, and the human Mode. The game promises to lose very little from its original incarnation in this transition to mobile, promising thousands of items to collect, and a robust set of social features to chat and team up with people in game. Spacetime Studios’ CEO, Gary Gattis says ““Blackstar’s production design and overall polish will be unmatched in mobile gaming. We were able to nurture the IP to its maximum potential through years of development – a luxury never before seen in Mobile gaming.” Spacetime Studios has provided a screenshot of the game, still in development:

The game will be fully 3D, support both iOS devices and Android (including tablet-sized devices), and will be playable over EDGE, 3G, 4G, and of course Wi-Fi connections. With the game not only launching on both Android and iOS sometime in Q2 2011, but also being based on a fully-fledged MMORPG once in development for PC, the traditional home of these games, Blackstar shows a lot of promise. Due to the speed that the mobile market moves at, developers often don’t have the time to nurture and develop an idea like how Spacetime Studios has had with Blackstar – and they have also had the time to work on and perfect their mobile technology with Pocket Legends. With both the impressive and developed concept, along with proven technology, Blackstar could prove to be huge when it launches later this year on iOS and Android.

FREE!

Pocket Legends

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-04-08 :: Category: Games

Say goodbye to your free time, MMO fans. Empire Online, the iPhone MMORPG that’s been taking Asia by storm is now available Stateside. We predict a forecast of dropping battery life and too much time spent in the bathroom, because this Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game is free.

And it’s huge. Fans will find exceptional graphics, over 300 maps, 1000 quests, 5000 items and 6 million avatars. There’s more to do here than we could even begin to comprehend. Moreover, it’s likely that the game’s developer, Lakoo, has even more in store for their gargantuan product.

This next crazy fact almost blew our minds. The app description lists that players will be able to interact with over 5 million people. For perspective: that’s nearly twice the population of Chicago, IL and more than the entire population of New Zealand.

The game itself centers around questing, turn-based combat and PVP action. And all of it, like the game’s vast presentation, is done with huge presence in mind. You’ll be able to group together with other avatars, or even take part in 20 person battlefields.

The action happens over great looking maps in front of well created NPCs. The presentation has this nice 32-bit feel of rich color and simplistic design. Players will be able to change their equipment constantly, and the new equipment will alter the look of their avatar. This gives each player a unique feel and fashion.

The folks from Lakoo are obviously excited about the further expansion of their title. In the press release, Kin Ko, CEO of Lakoo, offers that “the Lakoo team has been anxiously awaiting Empire Online’s expansion into the North American market. Now English-language players have the keys to the kingdom, and you won’t believe how many MMO elements we can fit on a smartphone.”

If the screenshots, factsheet and trailer are to be trusted, then no, we won’t believe how many MMO elements Lakoo can fit on a smartphone. This game seems humongous, and RPG fans better be salivating over what’s being offered here.

Empire Online released on Saturday, January 11th 2011 and is slated to be free for good.

FREE!

Empire Online (Classic MMO)

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2011-01-15 :: Category: Games

It’s really quite amazing how powerful the iPhone has become since the original model came out. In many respects it is a more powerful handheld game device than the current generation of dedicated gaming handhelds, even outdoing the specs of Nintendo’s latest incarnation, the DSi 3D (albeit not with the awesome 3D tech).

Spacetime Studios (Pocket Legends), realizing the vast gaming potential of the iOS, is expanding (and soon licensing) the Spacetime 3D MMO game engine to support different devices interacting on the same server. The devices aren’t limited to the iPhone/Android sphere though – they plan to make it possible for mobile users to play simultaneously with PC users.

“The Spacetime Engine offers seamless global multiplayer gameplay to anyone with an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch over 3G, Edge, and wireless networks. We plan to add Android and PC users to the mix.” said Anthony L. Sommers, co-founder and CTO of Spacetime Studios. “In the near future, it will be possible to be on the bus in California with your iPhone, playing with someone in a park in France on their Android device, and both be playing in the same server set with someone in South Korea on their PC.”

The Spacetime 3D Engine should be available for developers sometime in 2011, and Pocket Legends should be getting the multi platform treatment soon. Beware though, the world is now one day closer to being able to play World of Warcraft-like games on the go. Our collective productivity is in trouble.

FREE!

Pocket Legends

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-04-08 :: Category: Games

Com2uS is the developer behind many titles, but they are perhaps best known for Inotia and Inotia 2: A Wanderer of Luone. It was with excitement, therefore, that I opened a recent email containing a beta testing invite for their newest project…a “fully-featured MMORPG on the iPhone.”

Yes, that’s right: a real MMO, not that Epic Pet Wars or Zombies Live nonsense. The game is titled IMO: World of Magic, and the feature list includes guilds, a party system, a friends list, and chatting as well as the inclusion of three character classes, 50+ skills, and a trading shop. I grabbed the beta build early this week and have spent some time wandering through IMO’s thirty zones. The game is indeed much like a “real” MMORPG. You’ve got guilds, skills, and monsters to kill. The game world has a cute Maple Story-like vibe and lag wasn’t bad at all, though only the real launch will reveal Com2uS’s server’s capabilities. (Also note that I was on WiFi.)

The game so far has been a mixed bag. There are translation errors, the “pick up items” button seems superfluous, and chatting is hampered by both an absurdly short text limit and a clunky in-game keyboard. On the other hand, combat works quite well; you can play as a warrior, ranged fighter, or mage, and each class comes with its own unique talents. Teaming up with other random player to hunt piggies and moving bushes is fun, and the world itself is very cheerful. Even with its flaws, it’s an impressive title simply because we haven’t seen a “real” MMORPG on the App Store. I can see this being a great pick-up-and-play title: killing a few monsters in those five-minute breaks that populate our lives is both easy and fun.

Strangely, there isn’t much of a story. Fetch quests from the villagers sort of give you an objective, but they’re hardly exciting and there’s no quest log to keep track of things. For now, IMO is mostly a grind: kill monsters, level up, gain skills and items, and kill some more monsters. Grind-fests are typical of Korean RPGs, but they certainly aren’t my favorite feature, and there’s little else to do right now.

IMO has a ton of potential, and this beta build is very impressive, especially from a technical standpoint. I’m still worried about the lack of a narrative, though. Once the revised version hits the App Store, rest assured that we’ll be giving it a full review!