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Aug 21st, 2009 at 20:41:08 - Gunz: The Duel (PC) |
SUMMARY
Gunz is game that is extremely rich in tradition, style, skill, and
community. Since it is an entirely online game, the player cannot play
unless they are connected to the server. The objective of the game
itself is heavily dependent on the mode that is being played. The game
can be played like a first person shooter but the skill of a player is
determined by how well he uses swords and gun combinations. Over the
years, many sword and gun fighting styles have been created by players.
Gunz is a game that sets itself apart from all other RPG's and FPS's.
In fact, it should have its own gaming category.
GAMEPLAY
When you first start playing Gunz, you aren't sure what to expect.
It is a totally free game and many private servers exist for it as well
as the main ijji server. Once you begin playing, you start out at level
1. Before you can join the main lobby where other players are, you must
select a class for your character. If you are new to the game this can
be deceptive because each "class" is actually the same person. There
are no classes. What you choose in the beginning just decides the
weapons that you start with. Every weapon can be equipped by anyone.
On the main ijji server, weapons and equipment cost bounty and
other items such as elements cost actual cash. However, on Gunz private
servers, weapons, equipment, and clothing items are often free- the
only restriction is level. The max level on Gunz is 99. Your level does
not make you a "Pro" because anyone could just use machine guns and
"spray" their way to level 99.
What makes you a pro at Gunz is your mastery of multiple sword and
gun styles and your ability in various game types. What is so unique
about Gunz is its uncanny ability to show a player's skill. For
example, a level 1 could kill or "drop" a level 99 depending on his or
her skill level. In order to be considered "pro" you must gain respect
among other players, display unique skill and talent, not limit
yourself to one style of fighting, keep an open mind, not show off, and
not use cheap or skill-free weaponry such as "spray"(anything that
spams bullets without you having to really aim).
True Gunz players use and apply styles of fighting such as K-style,
M-style, D-style, E-style, Psy Style, and more. Each style consists of
unique techniques, strategy, and combos. Simply put, if you don't know
a style, you cannot win. So it contributes heavily to gameplay.
Here is an outline of all styles known by me:
K-style: Stands for "Korean Style". It was the first style ever
invented since it was created by the Koreans who played the very first
beta of the game. It is also currently the most widely known and used
style. The primary moves of k-style are called "butterfly" techniques.
They go on to double butterfly, triple butterfly, insta-sword, meteor
fall, etc. All techniques in k-style involve block canceling. Block
canceling is the act of using block in order to cancel an animation and
perform another action immediately after with less delay.
M-style: Stands for "Monk Style". This style was named after the player
"Monk" who exploited the games glitches to achieve insane slashing and
blocking speed. Monk style consists of "Four Divine Gates". The motto
for Monk Style users is "Go beyond the limits." Each gate is used in
different fighting situations and represent the directions of a compass
North, South, East, and West. The Four Gates are "Tortoise
Gate"(Perfect blocking technique),"Dragon Gate"(triple butterfly with
insane speed),"Tiger Gate"(Traveling butterfly technique so fast dashes
are silent and the player barely leaves the ground), and "Phoenix
Gate"(Perfect ground slashing technique). All of the Monk Style
techniques involve moving so fast that your character animation
freezes.
D-style: Stands for "Dagger Style". This style uses dagger to its
maximum by spamming slash and dash as fast as possible because daggers
are very low delay weapons. The style also includes unique moves like
e-lunge(extended lunge) and hell climb(wall climbing technique).
E-style: Stand for "European Style". Apparently invented(or blamed on)
Europeans, this style involves running rolling and tumbling around
while spraying opponents with machine guns never using sword.
Psy Style: Stands for "PsyLight Style". Named after PsyLight(me) by my
students. This style only exists on private servers with Dual Giant
Swords. I created this style myself and many people use it today. It
focuses mainly on using hold & release timing, dashes, and jumps to
cancel out slashing animations on Dual Giant Swords. It allows people
to use the highest delay(slowest) swords on private servers. Giant
swords cannot block or flip like normal swords but can be used in
offensive and defensive situations with proper training. Also, since
the swords cannot block, without proper training, anyone using the
swords may find themselves knocked back or helpless. Psy style allows
giant swords to hit faster than butterfly techniques and never receive
knockback. When it comes to guns it mixes k-style gun techniques with
the slashing techniques of psy style.
There are more styles than just these few.
Aside from styles, there are also game types such as Deathmatch, Team
Deathmatch, Gladiator, Team Gladiator, Berserker, The Duel Match, and
Quest. Most of the time, people just quest for fun. After reaching a
"Pro" status, there is no need for questing.
Inside of the main game types there are also mini-games that people
play and traditions that are followed. Over time players learn the
traditions on Gunz. Typically, your skill is judged on how well you
perform in different game types & situations.
The Duel Match is a game mode that allows you to go 1 on 1 with any
opponent that joins the game. Within the 1 on 1 setting, rules are
traditionally declared before the fight begins. This is often stated by
typing one of the following: bnb, snb, b, s, is, or ig. The first b in
"bnb" and "b" stands for "Both" which means both sword and gun. The nb
in "bnb" and "snb" stands for "nonbow" which means the players do not
bow before fighting. In any other case, the players bow to each other
as a sign of respect.
The Terms "is" and "ig" refer to a mini-game that pros play. It is
called "insta" and it can be played with sword or gun. In order to
play, the opponents try and flip one another. Whoever gets flipped
first gets the first turn. When the first to go has been decided, they
flip their opponent and either try to slash them to death or shoot them
to death before they hit the ground depending on whether it is an
insta-sword or insta-gun game.
There are also mini-games that the Game Masters host. They include
games like Hide & Seek where the players are not allowed to wear any
armor or equipment and have to hide. The Game Master then kills off as
many people hiding as he or she can find until only one remains.
DESIGN
+Unique and innovative elements that make Gunz a good game
-Abilities
The structure of Gunz is so unique because of the ability of your
character to instantly execute moves that you command it to do. There
are delays set on animation so that the characters cannot abuse certain
aspects of the game as well but things like block animation canceling
were put in so that reflexes could be put to use. The controls are easy
to understand because they are logical. The idea to add dash by double
tapping a direction or the ability to wall run or flip off of a wall
using the jump key(space bar) was natural for players to use. Also, by
letting certain animations to be countered by other animations, MAIET
allowed room for styles of fighting and wall climbing to be developed.
Elements can also be purchased from the store that have various effects
on players that do damage over time or slow opponents down.
-Fighting
Gunz is an amazing game due to the unique capabilities of players
when in a fight. People have a chance to move out of the way of bullets
and switch between weapons quickly unlike other FPS's or RPG's. Also,
The game is extremely well balanced. The fact that a level 1 can take
out a level 99 is ingenious. When people play gunz, they play real
people most of the time instead of questing/grinding the whole time.
Everybody knows that grinding is the worst part of any RPG.
-Interface/Ranking
Another useful aspect of the design of the game itself is the easy
to use interface and ranking system. Text highlights when the mouse is
over a box. The lobby has a button that takes you to an item shop shop
and a place to equip purchased items. Items are easily equipped by
double clicking or dragging & dropping which makes it easy to use. Game
types are shown in the lobby along with your player stats so that you
know your level, experience, money, hit points, armor points, and what
type of games are available for you to play. There is also a ranking
system on the main website where you can see your standings with other
players.
+Levels
-Quest Levels
The levels of gunz link together by a teleport during quest mode.
When questing, the party must beat each level before progressing. Each
level shows a new part of the same themed map and spawns bigger,
tougher enemies as well as more smaller enemies.
-PVP Maps
Generally, different maps favor different game types. Bigger maps
favor sword matches and smaller maps favor people who use machine
guns and grenades. The Duel Match is held in a map called Hallway which
is just a great hall map which is perfect for dueling. Many of the
bigger maps have giant pitfalls which are fun to flip people into or
fight over by using wall cancel to stay in the air.
+Challenges
-Players
Since 90% of the game is multiplayer, it provides opportunities to
put yourself up against the pro's. However you aren't so great of a
player and you aren't looking for such a tough challenge, there are
beginner channels that allow you to play with other beginners.
-Maps
Some maps are difficult for new players because it is easy to fall
off of the map and commit suicide.
-Bosses
Quest mode allows you to sacrifice quest items earned in normal
quests in order to fight boss monsters.
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Aug 21st, 2009 at 16:45:52 - Gunz: The Duel (PC) |
SUMMARY
In Gunz: The Duel, the player you use is viewed from a third person
over-the-shoulder chase view. You start off as a person that has the
ability to run up walls, dash, wall run, flip people with a sword,
slash with a sword, or use a gun. The objective of the game is to get
as many kills as possible in order to gain experience. Games are hosted
by players on the Gunz server and a player can join any match they
want.
GAMEPLAY
Feelings while playing
During gameplay, I felt excited whenever I heard the satisfying
"beep" of my hit counter going off every time I landed a hit on an
enemy. Seeing the hit counter go off multiple times and forming combos
is exciting because if you're good, you can hit them so fast that they
cannot hit back due to the animation the enemy gets in once they are
hit. It's exciting to play because it takes a great deal of skill to
land successful hits. Opponents always know how to block as well as
dash, dodge, & tumble out of the way.
Storyline
Since the game is totally online, there is no actual storyline.
There is a quest mode that has various monsters for you to kill just
for fun or to test your skills against boss monsters. However, if you
are a true pro, there is no point in questing because quests are too
easy and you can level up purely off of other players. Quests do not
give much experience either.
Maps
The maps are well designed for the Gunz style of fighting. There
are lots of places to wall run or wall cancel, and lots of places to
fall to your death. If you're good enough, you can have midair fights
with other players over huge pitfalls.
Fun?
Gunz is fun to play from the get-go. There's almost no limit to
what you can do. Every player is given an equal chance and you always
have the opportunity to improve and test your skills against the pros.
Interesting?
Definitely. Gunz deserves its own gaming category for being a cross
between an RPG and an FPS with unique ways of fighting that involve
animation canceling.
Social interaction?
Since I've been playing a while, when I logged on, lots of people
were saying hello to me. I'm part of a clan and everyone just has fun
and socializes in clan chat. Other players that don't know me at all
and have just joined get fairly upset when I beat them though...
Pace?
The second I entered my first match today, I jumped right into the
action. The game is extremely fast paced and requires insane finger
speed and timing. Once you get into the flow of the gameplay, analyzing
opponents actions and taking proper measures to counter them, there's
nothing like it.
This entry has been edited 1 time. It was last edited on Aug 21st, 2009 at 20:36:40.
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