Mythica Preview

For years now, game designers and publishers have endeavored to capture the hearts of gamers worldwide. These days, it seems that no genre is more popular than the MMORPG. Sony Online Entertainment leads the world in online gaming with its vast assortment of MMORPG games, most of which receive constant support from their ever-growing community. But, look out Sony - Microsoft Game Studios, Sony's number one competitor on the game market, has kicked off a MMO project, called Mythica. Pulling an original concept from the unwavering and always inspirational tales of the Norse mythology, Microsoft Games Studios conjured up an infinite new MMORPG world. Hey, if it's not out of Lord of the Rings or D&D, it's gotta come from Valhalla, right? All the characters and realms of the ancient Norse mythology turn out to be the perfect and solid corner stone for Microsoft's upcoming game. The Valkyries, Asgard, Valhalla, Odin, Thor, Loki, Skadi, and other names all have a place in Mythica (readers of Marvel's comic "Thor" are most likely already familiar with these mythic figures [and for those of you who are not, know that - Thor Will Kick Your Ass. - Ed]).

Hey fellas, the camera’s this way: "Hi ma!!"

Ready to set sail!

Rather than setting players into a living world of heroism and combat, Mythica triggers a unique idea and gives you the opportunity to take your character through an epic tale of an intense after-life experiences in the world of the Viking gods - a sort of a single-player/MMO journey if you will. As a great Viking warrior who fought valiantly and died during a huge battle, you are brought to Asgard before the mighty Odin. Upon your arrival you learn that the prophesied cataclysm of Ragnarok threatens to jeopardize the living world. The main villains in this scenario are the malevolent Fire Giants. After your heroic death, you were summoned by Odin to take part in this massive conflict and be one of the many immortal heroes that fights to help prevent this foretold catastrophe. Your first duty, before you set out of Asgard, will be to select one of the 12 patron gods to be your guide and protector throughout your quest. Each one of these bestows your character with power and energy. There are four energies altogether: Physical, Magical, Order, and Chaos - every character class possesses two of these energies.

For now, four player classes and their main characteristics have been uncovered - among these are Berserker, Pyromancer, StormWright, and Huntress. The Berserker has Thor for the patron god and is a powerful offensive class, largely draining Physical and Order energies. As you progress with a Berserker class you gain symbols and tattoos, both of which have their innate powers. Players who choose to follow the ways of the Pyromancer receive support form the god Holla. As you probably guessed by now, this class uses fire as a main source of power; casting heat-based incantations and spells that can be a very effective weapons during sieges. Magical and Chaos are the energies you get to use with this class. Also, in order to stand up successfully against the mighty Fire Giants, this particular race can work to enhance their skills in fire-vs.-fire duels. If you happen to select the path of a StormWright (an equivalent to the original Storm Druid), you'll have Frey as your god of protection and you'll have the ability to manipulate various elements - i.e. cold, wind, and rain, all of which can cause crowd control damage. StromWrights use Magical and Order energies. And, finally, when there's a goddess named Skadi (Goddess of Winter and the Winter Hunt) looking after you, that must mean you're walking down the path of the Huntress class. Your main energy resources are Physical and Chaos, which offer you a chance to use spells and critical shots (such as stealth attacks, backstabs, and poisons).

As you can plainly see, the developers haven't missed a thing. The Norse mythology provides near-infinite resources for characters, classes, magic, and skills. Gaining experience and many different skills doesn't involve simple run-of-the-mill stuff like icing low-level lizards and spiders. Instead you already have the opportunity to summon great incantations from your patron god. For instance, you can rely on, say, Holla to help you cast a destructive fire-based spell, therefore offering a great advantage over weaker opponents. Some classes can combine all four energies thereby performing a variety of deadly and powerful spells.

Being an immortal hero, one of the most vital quests before you is to head down to protect the world of mortals that's being besieged by the evil Fire Giants. During your ventures through mortal realms, you are required to gain respect and admiration of mortals. This may be achieved by visiting various fractions and carrying out diverse deeds. Heroic achievements may increase the number of your followers and could easily bring you fame and honor. It's a rather simple conception - as you spread your esteem among mortals, your power will grow stronger. This delightful new MMORPG world we call Mythica, also introduces an inventive character advancement system. While you're enhancing your skills and improving your status among certain mortal races, the appearance of your hero (or avatar) will gradually begin to change, matching the common look and features of that particular race. Which means that everything from your skin color, height, weight, and other characteristics will inevitably alter making you look like a human, elf, or dwarf. Logically, the character's overall performance and feats may also change, and that brings on new-fangled skills and abilities that can be attributed to the race you chooses to mingle with.

Oh Lord, please grant me bigger... err... fireballs.

Who dares defy the mighty Fenris wolf?

We're not quite sure how many regions you'll be venturing in. It's certain, on the other hand, that Mythica takes all avatars through an assortment of mortal and immortal realms. At this time, Microsoft wasn't reluctant to unveil three mortal dominions; which include Midgard, Vanaheim, and Nidavellir. In addition, you may stroll through huge regions and kingdoms of immortals, you'll be able to pay a visit to Jotunheim, Niflheim, and Muspellheim (more realms are likely to be revealed once the E3 hubbub ends). One of the unavoidable locations, which players get to travel often to, is the famed city of Asgard. Here players may relax, have fun, and enjoy games, or take the time to view other realms and plan out their next quest. Asgard is also a place where you can visit guilds (so yeah, that means the game will have guilds). Next to all of these areas, you may get to build or join private realms that are controlled and by other players. In these private realms, players can form groups and merge their strengths to continue their quests (a realm can contain approximately 10 players - depending on the size of the module). So, collaboration with other avatars is something you can look forward to in Mythica. But, the developers have devised several NPC-controlled and AI fractions as well, which offers more opportunities for new quests, challenges, and experience. Hm, it's not a small world after all, huh?

The development process of Mythica has already lasted for two years, but we still haven't received any detailed info on how the developers mean to incorporate classic MMORPG features - such as, spawning, PvP, guilds, looting, player death, monthly fee, etc. It's almost certain that death will be treated according to the principles and traditions of the Norse mythology. For instance, Asgard is likely to be the main respawning area, where players can muster their strength, enjoy themselves, and recuperate from a hard battle down in the mortal domain. This is not official data though, so we're waiting to hear more on such details at the upcoming E3. Anyway, other issues have been revealed. You'll be happy to know that the transition between realms won't be including any load sections, so players don't have to worry about wasting their time and money. On the other hand, occasional cintematics will occur once players enter their own realms, but that's about it.

Throughout the game, players are going to have a lot to do. Mythica emphasizes unique items, equipment, crafting, loot, and similar traits that are the key of any MMO game nowadays. In other words, searching for special and unique items are your main concern as you travel through the mortal and immortal worlds of Mythica. Numerous similar RPG-like facets will all be part of the gameplay; there will be crafters (professional and amateur), slotted weapons, living weapons, quest uniques, class uniques, suits, etc. Naturally, combining equipment could be essential to forming a powerful and durable character with unique capabilities. Be warned though, acquiring items is going to be an expensive and tricky endeavor, so you best use you abilities and god-like powers wisely. That's not saying items are rare. Quite the opposite in fact. The game was designed to underline the significance of collection and crafting items, as well as searching for them, so there will be a plenty of stuff around for everybody.

Sad to say though, that we haven't been able to dig up any info on the technical details. The recently launched media is scarce and doesn't feature too much of actual in-game action (we have a few special shots for our readers though - Ed), therefore we must hold on a bit longer to find out more about the visual effects, characteristics of the engine, the GUI, and so on. Two or three shots have popped-up along with the press release however, and they display a few nice and highly-detailed character models. Some of the info we have also showed us that the game includes massive attacks, environment destruction, and sieges. Therefore, it's likely that various structures and other objects in the surroundings will be susceptible to damage. Another commendable thing is that the artist team obviously invested a lot of time and hard work into character creation and concept art. Which is indeed praiseworthy.

On an overall note, I think that Microsoft are off to a pretty good start here. There goal is to, basically, allow gamers to dive deep into a fantasy-driven MMO game, while highlighting the features that make Mythica feel like a single-player experience (which is also why the concept of private realms was insisted on). Any single-player oriented RPG takes you to a world where environments and characters react to your deeds; where as in Mythica the challenge was bringing such a sensation to a massively multiplayer ambiance. Also, Norse legends and myths happen to be a terrific basis for a complex and inviting MMORPG. Just how complex is it? Well, some preliminary details on the game indicated that there will be a support for 3,000 hooked-up simultaneously and that certain open areas of Mythica extend from 12-20 kilometers wide to 12-15 kilometers deep. Doesn't sound too bad now does it? Personally, I can't wait to get out there and face Fire Giants with those mighty Viking gods by my side... Lo! I shall smite thee with my huge mallet and beat thou down like a dog!