Sep 17, 2015

Comment Mobile game publisher 4:33 Creative Lab has announced the release of Blade: Sword of Elysion on mobile devices. Developed by ActionSquare, the free-to-play hack-n-slash RPG was previously released in Korea, and challenges players to free the world from darkness by completing level-based dungeons. Now available on iOS, and coming to Android later this year, Blade: Sword of Elysion allows players to choose from three heroes: a warrior, mage or assassin. Once players create their character, they can complete dungeons using a virtual joystick for movement and buttons for a main attack and secondary abilities. While players can rapidly tap the main attack button to attack enemies, they can also tap and hold on this button to trigger automatic attack combos. As players complete dungeons, their hero will earn experience points and level up. As the hero levels up, gamers earn SP, which can be spent to upgrade their hero’s skills. Gamers will also collect new gear while playing. As players collect lesser items, these can either be sold or used as fusion material to upgrade the items they’d like to keep. After players complete each dungeon normally, they can replay the level on a higher difficulty, or on a cleared difficulty with auto combat in effect. Gamers can also spend premium currency to instantly clear a dungeon and receive additional rewards. Both auto combat and auto clear allow players to earn the rewards (including experience points) from a level without actually playing it, but the latter takes less time. In addition to single-player dungeons, gamers can compete against other players in multiplayer matches or arenas, or take their hero into infinity dungeons containing wave-based battles. In a recent interview, Won Cho, executive vice president of global publishing at 4:33 Creative Lab, told SocialTimes more about Blade: Sword of Elysion. SocialTimes: How does Blade: Sword of Elysion differ from other mobile hack-n-slash RPGs? Won Cho: Blade: Sword of Elysion was made with a prime focus on action and to bring a complete RPG experience on mobile. One key differentiation factor is a real-time one-on-one PvP, and a colosseum-style PvP Arena where multiple players can combat against each other. ST: When creating a mobile game for a ‘hardcore’ audience, how did you overcome or address the stereotype that mobile games are inferior to traditional console titles? WC: We used the Unreal Engine to bring a console-like experience into the mobile scope. Not only that, Blade offers many different modes from single player, multiplayer and even a town hub to enhance community experience that most hardcore players are used to getting from console or PC. ST: What sorts of changes or updates have been made to the game for its Western release? WC: The core mechanic of the game is a very familiar style like most western hack-n-slash games out there. However, for the changes that needed to be made, we worked closely with our western UI/UX experts, localization companies and creative writers to cater to the Western audience. ST: How will players be able to spend money in Blade: Sword of Elysion? WC: The game is free-to-play, but users are given the option of purchasing in-game hard currency and special bundle packages. Both soft and hard currency can be used to purchase items ranging from weapons, armor, accessories and costumes. ST: What sorts of updates can players expect in the game after launch? WC: We will be providing regular content updates with new modes and features to constantly engage existing and new players. Our ultimate goal is to bring a console and online RPG experience to mobile device. ST: Are there plans to release the game on additional platforms, after the game comes to Android? WC: Not as of current, but if there is a demand, we’ll be ready to supply regardless of the platform. ST: Is there anything else you’d like to add? WC: We are very excited about the U.S. release of Blade: Sword of Elysion. We hope that the success reaped in the East can translate across to the West, and RPG fans will be able to enjoy an action packed RPG on their mobile devices.