there is no simple explanation for it. i am hopelessly addicted to skyblade and i have no idea why. it's not the graphics, it's not the sound, it's not the gameplay, it's not the interaction... but there's an annoying little something that is absolutely keeping me hooked like i'm not starting work on monday.
ok let's dissect some of its aspects. starting the game, one has no choice but to rush into the fray of hacking/slashing in the novice field. there will be no other things to do, no matter how many ctrl keyboard combinations one pushes, except to left click at a noisy, whining (snorting farting belching) monster and grab the items it drops. good thing one doesn't have to frantically click the mouse button repeatedly for a continuous attack -- one neat click is enough to make the character into a mad, rampaging, sword-wielding, hair-being-whipped-by-the-wind martial artist. anyway, this is done until the character reaches level 15 or so.
within that span of 15 levels, the player is expected to learn some things already, like the pricing of some manufacturing items. (i once sold a chestnut for 200 gold pieces, finding out it actually costs 1,000 gold pieces.) and also some basic commands like how to bring up the trade window, private messaging, and creating and joining parties.
other than those, the player will also learn that one wouldn't be able to meditate until he is level 10, wouldn't be able to jump until he is level 20, wouldn't be able to fly until level 30, THE ACTUAL STORY* DOESN'T START UNTIL HE IS LEVEL 33, and one wouldn't be able to use his powers until he is in bloody level 55, and until then there is nothing to do but hack and fucking slash.
so why do i like this game? I HAVE NO IDEA.
now if you'll excuse me, i will be at the overlord server, smashing golems in the wilderness.
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*the story's quite neat actually, being derived from chinese (or korean) mythology. check out the story here.
