I must admit Star Wars: The Old Republic is one of my must-buy MMOs for the future. Not long ago I was a bit disappointed with what Bioware was showing to the public, but slowly as new data comes out, I have a feeling about this game that is growing strong: success.

It’s well known that a key part for almost every Star Wars MMO should be how it manages the Jedi class. In my oppinion, how it manages smuggler class could be even more important, cause let’s face it, Han Solo was a smuggler and he is probably the best character in the Star Wars franchise. In a universe  marked by the eternal fight between good and evil, a concept so common in practically every game, the rogue touch is critical if you want to attract all kind of players to the game. Is not as easy as to give players a choice between light and shadow, cause many of them like to stay apart, to look from a prudent distance, to take advantage of neutrality. How’s neutrality possible if you have to choose between Alliance and Empire? Is the Star Wars universe represented as just a poor duality in SWTOR? Smugglers are clearly the rogue class in this MMO, but just for the skills, not for their natural role.

Anyway, every screenshot, video, trailer, teaser, etc. looks so good that makes me want to see  SWTOR launch right tomorrow. If  this MMO  is to be a standart but so shiny and polished game, I’m sure is going to be a huge success. Bioware has always made very good games, I truly think they deserve our trust. I just hope Star Wars finally gets the MMORPG it deserves.

Looking at this new video you’ll see some pretty amazing actions smugglers can do. You can taste the flavor of this class for Star Wars: The Old Republic in it. Enjoy.

More at the MMOCrunch Youtube channel. Follow us.

◄ Back

Next ►

Picture 1 of 12

SOE has released a new batch of screenshots for DC Universe Online, featuring new locations, more “play as iconic” action and PVP combat.

Locations:

• Ace O’ Clubs Bar – The Ace of Clubs is a pub located in the New Troy district of Metropolis. The pub is owned and operated by Superman’s number one fan, Bibbo Bibbowski.

• Steelworks – The Steelworks is the home and laboratory for one John Henry Irons, a.k.a.  “Steel.”  (The good one, not the horrible Shaquille O’Neal one.)

• Amusement Mile – Located in Gotham City, Amusement Mile is the location for the Joker’s Fun House.

Play As Iconic:
The Dark Knight, plus one, takes on Bane in the Burnley Freight Yards.  Bane has the distinction of being the one man who broke Batman’s back in the “Knightfall” storyline (May – October 1993).

PvP Combat:
These new screens show off some killer action at the JLA Watchtower.

The game continues improving its graphic appeal, giving the impression they’re getting closer to the final result. Remember the launch date is set for next November 2 2010, soon we’ll see DC Universe Online birth, being able to check if Superhero MMOs finally get a major title rocking the market.

Nowadays, the MMO market is so complete. You have hundreds of games to choose from, including monthly subscription or F2P ones, that will take you through many ways of playing, including hardcore, casual, violent, crafting and social styles. Among all those games you’ll find another Star Wars franchise one, the Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures MMO from SOE. This game is rated E10+ but everyone can enjoy playing this F2P title. Keep in mind though, you’ll find this game to be similar to the Free Realms style.

Continued…

MMOCrunch is happy to introduce a new section called Other Worlds. We have designed this section to let you, our readers, be a part of our website. For that, we would love you to send your best MMO landscapes screenshots to us. Every few days, we’ll choose the best picture we receive and publish it, including any commentaries you send attached to the pic. To do so, please follow these instructions:

1. Send a landscape screenshot to hecteron@gmail.com in JPG format.

2. Write a brief description of the screenshot, explaining in which MMO was taken as well.

3. Only landscapes will be published.

Today we start with a pic sent by Delinor, taken in Lord of the Rings Online.

“I was heading east, out of Moria, in a effort to reach Lorien’s safety among the elven kind. The path was dangerous as it was infested with orcs, so i had to step aside the road and then I stumbled across this pond and the marvelous statue of the lady. My fears vanished quickly, protected by the shadows of ancient trees and the calm flow of those crystalline waters.”

Thanks Delinor for this wonderful Lord of Rings Online pic.

So, what are you waiting for? Send us your little pieces of art and luckily you’ll see them published in MMOCrunch’s new section: Other Worlds.

This game is living a thunderstorm activity lately. Vindictus closed beta will last for another week, giving players testing it a chance to master their grappling skills.

We’re all familiar with the hack and slash action, to hit things is old as mankind, but what about all those cool combat movements we usually see in martial arts games? In Vindictus you can do finishing moves using grappling skills, punching, kicking and throwing your enemies. This, despite the cool combat animations, let you implement high-damage grappling moves that will reward you with various drops.

Check it out, grappling is good.

More videos at the MMOCrunch Youtube channel. Subscribe and follow us.

Trion Worlds released new information for the upcoming MMORPG Rift: Planes of Telara.  This info is on the Life Rift, which you can get a glimpse of with the trailer above.

Continued…

If you want to add your special flavor of writing to MMOCrunch, we are looking for volunteers interested in helping keep the site on top of the news going on in the MMO space.  We cover everything from free-to-play to pay-to-play MMOs, from traditonal MMORPGs to all the genre breaking games.  If you can put a sentence together fairly well and have plenty of spare time on your hands, email me at staci (at) mmocrunch.com and get started!

DC Universe Online launches a new cinematic trailer, explaining the influx of super-heroes and super-villains in DC Comics universe. The famous Jim Lee tells us of the creative process behind the video, accompanied by Tim Miller. They also give us more details of the original script serving as background for DCUO. You can see them as well pointing out several iconic characters, speaking about hidden details in the environments and discussing the actions of the characters in the video.

So have a look at the new trailer for DC Universe Online.

More at the MMOCrunch Youtube channel.

Digital Reality and Twisted Tribe, have announced Nadirim closed beta for next October 12 2010. This beta phase is to last up to three months and during it, the devs are planning to test the game features, including the ranking system, the achievements and the minion system. The top goal, otherwise, will be gameplay balancing, focusing particularly in combat and PVP systems.

Continued…

UPDATE 10/4:  We’ve received another 500 keys, so get em while they are hot!

Have you been waiting for Legend of Edda closed beta to arrive? The wait is going to be over next week, as the official LOE site’s countdown clock marks. For the occasion, MMOCrunch is pleased to announce the giveaway of beta-keys for the next closed beta phase of this game.

Legend of Edda is another MMO from GamesCampus, based on the myth of Olympus and focused on PVP action. Labeled as cute and hardcore LOE mixes the manga appeal with some brutal action, allowing players to cooperate in guild battles, single duels and party skirmishes.

Have a look at the trailer.

If you’re game for it, go ahead and grab one of the giveaway beta-keys we have here for you, on MMOCrunch. Hurry up or maybe you won’t count yourself in for the next Legend of Edda closed beta phase.