9Dragons review

Lougarou · November 2006

Hey folks, since the NDA is kinda lifted thanks to the EU publisher not caring about it (they recently started their CB), I'd like to give my 2 cents about the game.

Graphics : decent for a free game if you turn the bloom on, not so good otherwise. I'd say it's between Hero Online and Silkroad Online. Major problem though is you can't select a higher screen resolution than 1024*768 so if you have a 19" or bigger monitor like me, you are stuck with a horrible resolution.

Story : There's a nice background available on Acclaim 9D website but honestly, you don't see much of it ingame and you'll be busy grinding on mobs anyway.

Quests : About 1 per level, the exp gain from them is just ridiculous (something like 5%), you have to grind the other 95%. Their content is the usual Kill x mobs, FedEx x item with a few exceptions and sometime a timer.

Translation : Usually Korean MMOs are poorly translated, this one is ok.

UI / Interface : as usual with Korean MMOs UI, it's very frustating, you can't customize anything, you're stuck with the default settings, can't add more shortcut bars (only switch to 2nd and 3rd with a key but it's not very practical), can't customize keys either...

Clans / Guilds : You can form a guild (called Hero Band) but only with people from the same clan. You can group with people of the same alliance (black/white), you can trade and talk with opposite faction members in a Neutral area (Hefei).

Party system : You can create a party up to 9 people (you'll get an exp bonus if it reaches this limit), item share/individual and exp share/individual are available options. Note that you still get exp bonus in individual (non-share) mode, as long as the 9 people are in the same map.

Community : Not much to say, Closed Beta communities are always nice altough there weren't that much people around, I'm sure this will change in OB.

Skills system : You increase your skills level by using them (up to 10) and honestly, it's very grindy. If you want to level up a buff or heal, you have to AFK spam it (this will be a macro'ers fest I tell you). Some skills increase by 0.01% EXP per cast at level 1 (Hybrid damage reflect buff), most of other heals of buffs become 0.01% EXP per cast at level 4 or 5.

Gameplay / Battle system : Honestly, you don't have as much freedom as the press reviews say with your Martial Art. Skill system is very linear. Battle is your usual auto-target auto-attack and throw a few skills. It's hard to explain but most of you who excepted a battle system with huge freedom/possibilities, combo etc... will be heavily disappointed. To tell you the truth, I found Hero Online battle system much more fun and dynamic.

Classes balance : Simply put, Caster classes are broken (I mean really broken) and I doubt this will be fixed any time soon (if at all). Just don't roll a caster if you don't really know what class to choose. Most players will roll a Warrior anyway, they are imba in PvP (1 shot people).

Crafting : none so far.

Upgrading : Weaposn upgrading system similar to Ragnarok Online, just replace Oridecons with Blood Essence. You need one to +3 your weapon, 2 to +4 it, 3 to +5 etc... with a chance to fail and lose both.

Overall, this game is nowhere near P2P quality, that's good since it'll be F2P and I'm sure it'll be as popular as HO or SRO. I myself won't be playing it though.

zanada · November 2006

keep in mind that this game is still in closed beta and that when open beta comes out and then final release it will be much more polished and then there will be TONS of quests, plus if u check one of ur menus ull find a few "scavenger hunt quests" in which certain npc's r looking for items, remember those seemingly useless items from mob drops, such as fox skin, or wolf tooth, and also the combat will get much more advanced as u progress and later on ull get aoe attacks and be able to "combo" up ur skills dont judge this game too harshly just yet it has a lot of potential and I believe that it is a lot better than grind online I mean hero online where over there the devs dont bother to properly fix problems they just add item mall crap and only care about money which is y a lot of ppl r quitting that game give it some time Ninedragons will really surprise u

Lougarou · November 2006

Originally posted by zanada
keep in mind that this game is still in closed beta and that when open beta comes out and then final release it will be much more polished and then there will be TONS of quests, plus if u check one of ur menus ull find a few "scavenger hunt quests" in which certain npc's r looking for items, remember those seemingly useless items from mob drops, such as fox skin, or wolf tooth, and also the combat will get much more advanced as u progress and later on ull get aoe attacks and be able to "combo" up ur skills dont judge this game too harshly just yet it has a lot of potential and I believe that it is a lot better than grind online I mean hero online where over there the devs dont bother to properly fix problems they just add item mall crap and only care about money which is y a lot of ppl r quitting that game give it some time Ninedragons will really surprise u

Are you working for Acclaim or something ?
My char was at Raising Light levels (= around level 50) so I know that already. Plus the fact it's in closed beta doesn't mean much for a translated MMO that's been out for several years in Korea, gameplay is the same so is the grind in their version. I did enough beta tests to know the core gameplay don't really change from Closed Beta to OB/ release. This game is just another average Korean MMO.

kishe · November 2006

Well, the grind is less than that of Lineage2 so im ok with it.

The crafting part and the advanced clans are not translated yet so they're not in yet...

zanada · November 2006

Originally posted by Lougarou

Originally posted by zanada
keep in mind that this game is still in closed beta and that when open beta comes out and then final release it will be much more polished and then there will be TONS of quests, plus if u check one of ur menus ull find a few "scavenger hunt quests" in which certain npc's r looking for items, remember those seemingly useless items from mob drops, such as fox skin, or wolf tooth, and also the combat will get much more advanced as u progress and later on ull get aoe attacks and be able to "combo" up ur skills dont judge this game too harshly just yet it has a lot of potential and I believe that it is a lot better than grind online I mean hero online where over there the devs dont bother to properly fix problems they just add item mall crap and only care about money which is y a lot of ppl r quitting that game give it some time Ninedragons will really surprise u

Are you working for Acclaim or something ?
My char was at Raising Light levels (= around level 50) so I know that already. Plus the fact it's in closed beta doesn't mean much for a translated MMO that's been out for several years in Korea, gameplay is the same so is the grind in their version. I did enough beta tests to know the core gameplay don't really change from Closed Beta to OB/ release. This game is just another average Korean MMO.

Yes, you caught me I work for Acclaim and I spend a lot of time just pretending to be a normal person who really loves this game. That was a joke by the way or sarcasm(watever u want it to be) but seriously though Im in closed beta too even though Im not at lvl 50 yet my highest char is lvl 30 I still love this game and it shows promise and besides the devs here r doing more than simply just translating the game, theyre working on their own features, and I dont know how bad it is at the higher levels but the grind isnt THAT bad yet and yes closed beta does mean something. It is simply getting a rough draft out to test for bugs. Sure they won't add a whole lot of content right away but theyll add more quests and features. Some of the vietnam testers enjoyed the game. Simply put, Im not saying that you're wrong and the game will be awesome, Im simply saying that you should at least wait till open beta comes out to judge it. The games still incomplete and weve got nothing to lose by playing it when it comes out. But IMO I see a lot of potential in this game and Im hoping that it wont end up like Grindroad Online I mean Silkroad which is a bot infested grindfest. But whether or not you want to stay and test it some more is ultimately your decision Im just giving my opinion here.

Loxinator · November 2006

Ive only recently registered here (although ive been watching the site for a while and been playing MMO's for several years). So first of all, hi to everyone

Ive been in the CB for 9Dragons and at the moment I am enjoying it. Its isnt anything earth shatteringly new but for some reason it has grabbed my attention (for the time being at least).

The resolution can be run up to 1280x1024 @ 32bit (not sure if this has been changed since CB was first released or not), the option is on the initial splash screen.

Im going to keep playing around with this for now and see how it pans out (in between playing EVE lol).

The comment about macroers is definately true, very much the same as other games like Martial Heros etc. Any game that requires casting of spells, skills and buffs etc to level them will always entice macroers, unless of course you dont have to cast them that much in which case why even bother having that feature ?

Vistaan · November 2006

Originally posted by Lougarou
Hey folks, since the NDA is kinda lifted thanks to the EU publisher not caring about it (they recently started their CB), I'd like to give my 2 cents about the game.

Graphics : decent for a free game if you turn the bloom on, not so good otherwise. I'd say it's between Hero Online and Silkroad Online. Major problem though is you can't select a higher screen resolution than 1024*768 so if you have a 19" or bigger monitor like me, you are stuck with a horrible resolution.

Story : There's a nice background available on Acclaim 9D website but honestly, you don't see much of it ingame and you'll be busy grinding on mobs anyway.

Quests : About 1 per level, the exp gain from them is just ridiculous (something like 5%), you have to grind the other 95%. Their content is the usual Kill x mobs, FedEx x item with a few exceptions and sometime a timer.

Translation : Usually Korean MMOs are poorly translated, this one is ok.

UI / Interface : as usual with Korean MMOs UI, it's very frustating, you can't customize anything, you're stuck with the default settings, can't add more shortcut bars (only switch to 2nd and 3rd with a key but it's not very practical), can't customize keys either...

Clans / Guilds : You can form a guild (called Hero Band) but only with people from the same clan. You can group with people of the same alliance (black/white), you can trade and talk with opposite faction members in a Neutral area (Hefei).

Party system : You can create a party up to 9 people (you'll get an exp bonus if it reaches this limit), item share/individual and exp share/individual are available options. Note that you still get exp bonus in individual (non-share) mode, as long as the 9 people are in the same map.

Community : Not much to say, Closed Beta communities are always nice altough there weren't that much people around, I'm sure this will change in OB.

Skills system : You increase your skills level by using them (up to 10) and honestly, it's very grindy. If you want to level up a buff or heal, you have to AFK spam it (this will be a macro'ers fest I tell you). Some skills increase by 0.01% EXP per cast at level 1 (Hybrid damage reflect buff), most of other heals of buffs become 0.01% EXP per cast at level 4 or 5.

Gameplay / Battle system : Honestly, you don't have as much freedom as the press reviews say with your Martial Art. Skill system is very linear. Battle is your usual auto-target auto-attack and throw a few skills. It's hard to explain but most of you who excepted a battle system with huge freedom/possibilities, combo etc... will be heavily disappointed. To tell you the truth, I found Hero Online battle system much more fun and dynamic.

Classes balance : Simply put, Caster classes are broken (I mean really broken) and I doubt this will be fixed any time soon (if at all). Just don't roll a caster if you don't really know what class to choose. Most players will roll a Warrior anyway, they are imba in PvP (1 shot people).

Crafting : none so far.

Upgrading : Weaposn upgrading system similar to Ragnarok Online, just replace Oridecons with Blood Essence. You need one to +3 your weapon, 2 to +4 it, 3 to +5 etc... with a chance to fail and lose both.

Overall, this game is nowhere near P2P quality, that's good since it'll be F2P and I'm sure it'll be as popular as HO or SRO. I myself won't be playing it though.

Hey boy U must ve joking when write this review. ppl only write review when they finish it and u write review when u finish the tutorials. RL is about lv 50 but is it high enough since this game have 216 lv ? Read ur review and i must tell u know nothing about the game so far.

I myself is a VNese player who have a char about lv 90 i dont know what call in acclaim's 9D but just count on lv it is 92. and now i dont wanna play in VN's server coz of some law and personal problem i still waiting for acclaim open its 9D. Till then i have some recorect ur review , i'm not sure my view is corect but i sure it is better than urs.

About guild yeah we can only form heroband with clanmates. Why is it ? coz the Clan war will happen soon if a guilds with many clan mamber what will happen ? break the guild for the war ? and beisde guild will need to upgrade to be a branch of a clan so when many clan member join a guild which clan will that guilds belong ?

About pt yeah we cant form pt or speak with other alliance and that is no problem since the only word u need to say to enemy is "U r history taste my spear" ( i am a BoT member ) we r enemies and u want us break the rule of clan to be friend of Clan's enemy ?

Skill of buff is need a grind i agree but hope acclaim will put it is in reasonable skill exp and exp. BTW stay still and keep pushing skill is a shortway to master it shorter way harder it is u can train by join a pt and buff for ppl it is lvling ur skill as well and u can have exp sound like longer but longer way easier u r and this is a CB that change is not so hard anyway.

GameBlance u should join VN server it is OB now and nucker is as good as warrior on battleground and train alots faster than warrior in lv 70+

Crafting : only one word u r unlucky and have never get an items have slot to socket that all.

Gameplay and battle system is ur biggest mistake u can learn more than 20 skill to fight till RL but how many u use . that is the problem i only use 4skill in my whole time trainning and 6 skill in battle ground , that i call combo and other have another combo in that 20 skill may be dont like me that is free to chose or u want free just like in real life u can thurts or smash in ur own way ? lol and u say it is auto tagret ? i wonder if u join a battle groud yet.

Some words to recorect this review hope u guy can play more and get a better view in this game.RL is only finish the tutorials a very long and interested way ahead in this game. I havent finish it so cant say how it is in the end but at least till now i see it is very good game and i am waiting for OB , the only complain of mine is look like i must wait 4ever lolzzzzzz

zanada · November 2006

Originally posted by Vistaan
Originally posted by Lougarou
Hey folks, since the NDA is kinda lifted thanks to the EU publisher not caring about it (they recently started their CB), I'd like to give my 2 cents about the game.

Graphics : decent for a free game if you turn the bloom on, not so good otherwise. I'd say it's between Hero Online and Silkroad Online. Major problem though is you can't select a higher screen resolution than 1024*768 so if you have a 19" or bigger monitor like me, you are stuck with a horrible resolution.

Story : There's a nice background available on Acclaim 9D website but honestly, you don't see much of it ingame and you'll be busy grinding on mobs anyway.

Quests : About 1 per level, the exp gain from them is just ridiculous (something like 5%), you have to grind the other 95%. Their content is the usual Kill x mobs, FedEx x item with a few exceptions and sometime a timer.

Translation : Usually Korean MMOs are poorly translated, this one is ok.

UI / Interface : as usual with Korean MMOs UI, it's very frustating, you can't customize anything, you're stuck with the default settings, can't add more shortcut bars (only switch to 2nd and 3rd with a key but it's not very practical), can't customize keys either...

Clans / Guilds : You can form a guild (called Hero Band) but only with people from the same clan. You can group with people of the same alliance (black/white), you can trade and talk with opposite faction members in a Neutral area (Hefei).

Party system : You can create a party up to 9 people (you'll get an exp bonus if it reaches this limit), item share/individual and exp share/individual are available options. Note that you still get exp bonus in individual (non-share) mode, as long as the 9 people are in the same map.

Community : Not much to say, Closed Beta communities are always nice altough there weren't that much people around, I'm sure this will change in OB.

Skills system : You increase your skills level by using them (up to 10) and honestly, it's very grindy. If you want to level up a buff or heal, you have to AFK spam it (this will be a macro'ers fest I tell you). Some skills increase by 0.01% EXP per cast at level 1 (Hybrid damage reflect buff), most of other heals of buffs become 0.01% EXP per cast at level 4 or 5.

Gameplay / Battle system : Honestly, you don't have as much freedom as the press reviews say with your Martial Art. Skill system is very linear. Battle is your usual auto-target auto-attack and throw a few skills. It's hard to explain but most of you who excepted a battle system with huge freedom/possibilities, combo etc... will be heavily disappointed. To tell you the truth, I found Hero Online battle system much more fun and dynamic.

Classes balance : Simply put, Caster classes are broken (I mean really broken) and I doubt this will be fixed any time soon (if at all). Just don't roll a caster if you don't really know what class to choose. Most players will roll a Warrior anyway, they are imba in PvP (1 shot people).

Crafting : none so far.

Upgrading : Weaposn upgrading system similar to Ragnarok Online, just replace Oridecons with Blood Essence. You need one to +3 your weapon, 2 to +4 it, 3 to +5 etc... with a chance to fail and lose both.

Overall, this game is nowhere near P2P quality, that's good since it'll be F2P and I'm sure it'll be as popular as HO or SRO. I myself won't be playing it though.