Dragon Nest CBT Review

I. Game Backdrop

In comparison with classical World of Warcraft and EVE Online, Dragon Nest developed by EyeDentity Games doesn't have a completed and vivid background story, as it doesn't pay much attention to that aspect, which is similar to other Korean games. However, the game quality hasn't been affected by its poor background.

II. System Requirements

Minimum:
CPU: PentiumIII 1.6Ghz
Memory: 512MB
Graphics Card: Geforce 5700
(Radeon 9550)

Recommended:
CPU: Intel Core 1.66Ghz or better
Memory: 1GB or better
Graphics Card: Geforce 6600 or better
(Radeon X1300 or better)
From the above list and players' responses, Dragon Nest doesn't have high system requirements and it can run smoothly in most computers.

III. Character Creation and Class Introduction

When creating a character, newbie and junior players can choose a class fit for them according to the class introduction. The gender of a character is determined by its class.
Totally, Dragon Nest's classes are classified into three types: Tank (Warrior), Attack (Sorceress, Archer) and Health (Cleric).

Warrior
Class Intro: Warriors' high defense and HP ensure their survival. They are a class easy for newbies to master. Dazzling skills, simple operation, good attack speed, all of these allow newbies to enjoy the attacks made by warriors. In the beginning phase, warriors are the best tank class.

Sorceress
Class Intro: In possession of magical AOE skills, sorceresses bear the strong attack ability but the worst living ability.

Archer
Class Intro: Archers can be called movable turrets with the use of long bows, short bows and crossbows. Meanwhile, they have a better living ability than sorceresses. Although their shooting accuracy is affected by parabola and character movements etc, players may gain a real sense given by archers.

Cleric
Clerics are an imbalanced class capable of attacking, resisting and healing. Just like paladins in World of Warcraft, clerics know almost everything but specialize in nothing.

There are only four classes in Dragon Nest, but they have covered necessary classes of melee, long-range, physical attack, magical attack and healing. Warriors are favored by hot-blooded men, charming sorceresses are popular with females and veteran players prefer challenging archers to show off their Hit-Run-Hit techniques while PVP fans love clerics who have high HP and powerful assistant abilities. Here, it is expected that the proportion of players choosing warriors, sorceresses, archers and clerics will be 6:4:5:4. Because of few clerics, the cleric class is highly recommended to players who are still hesitant about the class selection. In this way, players can team up in the future advanced instances and have enough fun.

IV. Graphics and Music

Dragon Nest inherits the traditionally delicate graphics of Korean games. Against the background music, its bright colors, cute and lovely characters, bustling and crowded towns, stirring and exciting outdoor battles create a pretty pleasing game environment.

From the screenshot, it can be seen that Dragon Nest adopts dynamic shadows, lights and lightmaps. Generally, distant things don't need to be rendered, they should look hazy. But in Dragon Nest, players can see the distance clearly. It means that the distant rendering effects haven't been activated.

Proper music and real combat audio effects add much color to the whole game battle. It is pity that the game is dubbed in Korean when characters cast skills. If it is an English version, together with 3D exquisite graphics, players will be certain to enjoy wonderful audio effects.

V. Quest System

Dragon Nest provides the distance between Quest NPCs and players and Quest NPCs can even guide players to find their correct way.

In view of the whole quest system, it is not perfect for newbies and need improvements.

There are few quests for players who are below level 24. It is hoped that more quests will be added to help players level up in a reasonable way.
The rewards for mainline quests are not good, what players get is disproportionate to their devotion. It is suggested that the reward quality of mainline quests should be improved.
Decrease the fatigue loss in instances and increase Exp reward when players haven't reached level 24 so as to help them grow up quickly.

VI. Interior Economy System

Dragon Nest's economy system is simple but has lots of problems.

Players earn little Gold in the developmental process, which will discourage players to try enhancing and crafting systems. It is advised to increase the Gold earnings in the initial playtime and enrich the equipment rewards of mainline quests.
The high failure rates of enhancing and crafting systems in the beginning frustrates many players. Raise the success rate to encourage more players to experience such systems.
The new-added auction system can indeed enhance the item exchange among players, but players are only able to bid for 3 items at a time. It is very unreasonable! It is advised to cancel the limitation or increase the upper limit of auction items.

VII. Creative Combat Mode

Different from mainstream 3D MMORPGs with targeting mode, Dragon Nest employs the FPS control mode so that players can launch attacks with the help of the central cursor and 3D free controls. Thus, fighting is an interesting thing in Dragon Nest.

In current 3D MMOs, players have to use Tab or mouse to lock a monster and then cast skills. However, in Dragon Nest, how to bear down monsters around depends on a player's reaction and manual operation. “Move, Alert and Control” has become the key gameplay of Dragon Nest.

Usually, the game perspective is 360 degree while it will become a fixed one when players are engaging in battle. At that time, players must use the left hand to control movements and unleash skills and the right hand to change perspective and initiate attacks. Players who are familiar with Counter-Strike's controls may get accustomed to Dragon Nest quickly and always undergo intense and breathtaking battles.
VIA
VIII. Instance and Arena Systems

Dragon Nest's anti-addiction system is also human-friendly. Aside from daily 700 fatigue points, there are 1000 points for weekends, considering that peoples should have more free time to play and make good relaxation on weekends.

How many fatigue points will be consumed is decided by a player's performance in an instance. After conquering an instance, the game will automatically give a mark to individuals instead of a whole group. To a great extent, it may prevent players from training their new characters or gaining more Exp in a team. Whereas, some people think this mark mode will make the strong become stronger and the weak become weaker. As far as I am concerned, it is a more scientific scoring system which can boost personal progress effectively.

In Dragon Nest, the Arena system also maintains a balance. As soon as players enter the arena, their HP, attack and defense will be balanced. Techniques will play an important role in PK rather than equipment level. A multiplayer battle mode allowing for 8 vs. 8 players is bound to win PVP fans' love.

IX. Cheating Programs Appeared in Korean Server

During the test period, a Korean site released a video about the cheating program in Dragon Nest. From the video, players with full HP could be killed in a minute for many times in a PK contest.

Some testers reported that that cheating program was made in China. Although illegal programs haven't been found in other countries at present, it is crucial to take measures to stop them at any time, as problems caused by cheating programs in AION are still remembred clearly. I hope Dragon Nest doesn't follow the same old road.

As a leading 3D action adventure game published by Shanda in the year of 2010, Dragon Nest features high-quality, brilliant graphics, magnificent world, diverse gameplay, smooth controls, fast-paced PK, simple quests and much more outstanding highlights. In those testing days, I was immersed in the fantastic world unconsciously. Its unfriendly quest system and other flaws cannot throw mud at Dragon Nest, for it has so many shining characteristics. In the age full of masterpiece MMOs, Dragon Nest will definitely stand out with its special charm.

How to find the invisible thief in Dragon Nest?

Follow the quest errow, then you'll go to the tent, but still can't find the thief.
Where is him?
Just jump on the cases, then the tent, you'll find him finally.

Welcome to new instances of Dragon Nest CN

New instance of Chinese Dragon Nest will be released on August 26.

Let's explore the new features:
1. Low level players are easier to play with high level players, even differed by 8 levels.
2. More exp would be rewarded for grouping, the max is 15% plus.
3. More free gifts will be offered, go to the shop to pick up yours.
4. More featured items will be released: dazzling wings, fashion dress...

Dragon Nest Introduction

As an action mmorpg, Dragon Nest features well-designed graphics and fast-paced action comparable with console games. The characters' movements, monsters' response and the interaction between landforms and player activities are all designed realistically. When a monster is attacked, it will crash into a stone or another type of obstacle. If you team up with other players, there will be even more combat styles available.