Rappelz: Free, 3D, MMORPG

[Mozgus]

Introduction
I got hooked on an MMORPG last week called Rappelz. The game is completely free, and they say it will remain free forever. It has all the standard mechanics which make the genre unique. It is indeed a true MMORPG, and not a scaled down type like Phantasy Star Online or Guild Wars. For a free game, the product is highly professional. The soundtrack is powerful, the graphics are modern, and the community is huge. You have nothing to lose by trying it out, except the time it takes to download. If you ever have been curious about the genre, this is your safest bet. Here is a feature overview.

Just register an account, download the game, let it auto-update, and play. It's that easy.

A couple things that I think make this MMORPG so worthy, are the stamina and immorality systems. Stamina encourages you to play only a little bit each day, whereas most other MMOs need constant attention. It does this by rewarding you with a 50% EXP and JP bonus for as long as you have stamina. You gain stamina primarily by being logged off. You lose stamina by fighting. This makes it so that those of you with real-world lives can still keep up with those who play the game all day. Stamina has been changed as of Dec 2006. Unfortunately, we don't gain stamina for not playing unless we are paying customers. You can simply pay 50 cents for the 7 day tent item now, and your stamina will charge at 120% rate online and offline, no matter your position, and your max raises to 12000. I think it's worth it.

The immorality system keeps a great balance on PvP combat. Anytime you attack a player who did not attack you first, you gain immorality. If you gain enough of it, your name becomes red, and everyone can see that you've got a criminal record. Those players are then encouraged to kill you as a result, whenever they see you. You gain MAJOR immorality by killing much weaker players. You lose some by dying or killing monsters. If you gain an insane amount, your statistics begin to drop and you become weak.

Important Links
Official Site
Download Page (I suggest using the FileFront mirror!)
Official FAQ
Interface Guide
Controls Guide
Additional Basic Gameplay Guides
Starting Tips & Information
Pantera PvP Server Rules & Information
Class Skillset Information
In-Depth Creature Guide
Patch Notes
Rappelz Wikipedia Entry
The best fansite I have seen. It covers a WIDE range of useful info, with a slick layout.

I removed the info on the guild, because it is now gone.

[Lan-Di]

I'll have to try that out sometime!

[arion]

The game also feels like a bit of a rushed translation, because you often come across typos and text formatting errors. Everything is still readable though. It's just a little annoying.

Most free 3d mmorpgs have that problem.

[Mozgus]

It's looking like I will be into this game for a long while, til it exits the beta phase and becomes commercial. Nevermind. The FAQ says it will remain free forever. I was leading a good party of 6 today plus my cat, and we were taking on critters twice our level. Forgive my MMO newbie-ness, but this is the first game in the genre to capture me. And the stamina system is great. I dont feel like I need to be on here all the time, thanks to that.

Problem is, the entire friends list and messenger still isnt implemented. It would be hard for us to connect together except through guilds, until they get it running. Hope they do soon...

[Mozgus]

I probably will be making a guild this week when I hit lvl 20, if only for the sake of creating a list of people in the game I can tolerate, and knowing when they are online. Since there is no friends list yet, this is the only way to do such. I'll probably just called it RetroGamers, unless that's taken.

Once that is done, anyone in this forum can leave their Rappelz name, and I'll invite you to the guild and we can get this thing going. Even while you're in the training island, you could ask me questions in-game when stuck.

[Jakanden]

I am going to be on vacation this week - but when I come back, I will sign up for this =)

[Cerulean]

goddamit, why do all the cool games have a friggin 1gb+ download?

[Mozgus]

goddamit, why do all the cool games have a friggin 1gb+ download?

The world is a very large map. I would guess that it would take at least 12 solid hours of running just to go from the north end to the south end. That is probably what takes up the majority of the space. The OGG music only takes 104MB, and the game doesn't yet have sound effects for all the unimportant actions, like foot steps, so thats not it either. I figure by the time the game is as solid and finished as a commercial monthly-fee MMORPG, it will be 2GB or more.

Like I said, use the FileFront mirror. It has great speed and no lines. And don't even dream of playing on 56k, if that's your issue.

[Mozgus]

Haha, I just had my first taste of PvP bloodshed. I was busy attacking some turtles, and some dude randomly comes up and fights me, so I run away since I had little life left. 60 second later, I slowly stealth my way back to the field and see him fighting some turtles this time. I keep my distance, and then attack right when he's weakest and totally rape him. He almost got away but I blasted him with my best wind spell and took his ass out.

60 second later, I see him come up over the hill, and pause; staring at me. I give him a warning. (white text in the text box is local conversations)


Before I know it, 2 of his guild members come to his sides. I start running past them before they can dismount, and begin heading for the town for safety.


When we all arive in town where we cant fight, I plop down and discuss matters with them. I reject their bloodthirsty invitation and they storm off. Again, white text is us, and when you curse, the game replaces it with "LOVE".


Looks like I'm developing rivalries before I even make my own clan. Fantastic!




A GM was spotted in town today. Everyone was oogling over his pet fairy.

[Cerulean]

I lol'd. You need your own squad for that MPVP tho. If I can ever free up enough space.......(which is hopefully soon) Ill join up.