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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Blade &amp; Soul closed beta phase reviewed]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/blade-and-soul-closed-beta-phase-reviewed/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/blade-and-soul-closed-beta-phase-reviewed/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/blade-and-soul-closed-beta-phase-reviewed/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/trailers/" rel="tag">Trailers</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/new-titles/" rel="tag">New titles</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/blade-and-soul/" rel="tag">Blade &amp; Soul</a></p><div style="text-align: center;">
	<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/blade-and-soul-closed-beta-phase-reviewed/"><img alt="Blade and Soul - cutscene" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2011/09/bladeandsoulgunkata.jpg" /></a></div>
If you weren't fortunate enough to get into <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/blade-and-soul"><em>Blade &amp; Soul's</em></a> recently concluded Korean closed beta event, Steparu has the next best thing in the form of a lengthy review supplemented by several hi-definition gameplay videos.<br />
<br />
While it's worth noting that some of this information may change prior to release -- to say nothing of the differences between the Korean client and what we're assuming will be a localized Western version -- there's still lots of interesting info to digest. There's the good (visuals, combat), and the not-so-good (linear exploration and lots of zoning), and the review is one of the more comprehensive hands-on pieces covering <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/ncsoft">NCsoft's</a> upcoming martial arts MMO. Head past the cut for a couple of videos and then click over to Steparu to read the author's impressions.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/blade-and-soul-closed-beta-phase-reviewed/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Blade &amp; Soul closed beta phase reviewed</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/blade-and-soul-closed-beta-phase-reviewed/">Blade &amp; Soul closed beta phase reviewed</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/blade-and-soul-closed-beta-phase-reviewed/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20047687/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/blade-and-soul-closed-beta-phase-reviewed/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>blade-and-soul</category><category>cbt2</category><category>closed-beta-test</category><category>closed-beta-test-2</category><category>cutscenes</category><category>fantasy</category><category>gameplay</category><category>impressions</category><category>korean-beta</category><category>martial-arts</category><category>ncsoft</category><category>preview</category><category>video</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jef Reahard]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Blade &amp; Soul interview talks Summoner class, customization]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/blade-and-soul-interview-talks-summoner-class-customization/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/blade-and-soul-interview-talks-summoner-class-customization/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/blade-and-soul-interview-talks-summoner-class-customization/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/classes/" rel="tag">Classes</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/interviews/" rel="tag">Interviews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/new-titles/" rel="tag">New titles</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/blade-and-soul/" rel="tag">Blade &amp; Soul</a></p><div style="text-align: center;">
	<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/blade-and-soul-interview-talks-summoner-class-customization/"><img alt="Blade &amp; Soul - combat screenshot" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2011/09/2011090816035083603840.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/blade-and-soul"><em>Blade &amp; Soul's</em></a> second Korean closed beta test is winding down, and ThisIsGame.com has cornered a couple of <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/ncsoft">NCsoft</a> devs for a quick interview about the upcoming martial arts MMORPG. Project director <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/jae-hyun-bae">Jae Hyun Bae</a> and director of system design <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/sung-jin-hwang">Sung Jin Hwang</a> talk about everything from the latest class reveal (the Summoner) to mobile platform and social networking tie-ins to the game's extensive character customization.<br />
<br />
Said customization is "almost unlimited. NPCs in the game are actually made by not modeling but customizing each. <em>Blade &amp; Soul</em> will provide the most free customizing system ever so far," according to the devs. It's somewhat unclear as to whether this customization will take the form of character skills and abilities or physical differentiation via body types and personalization options.<br />
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It's also worth noting that some of the article's information may have been lost in translation, and if your Korean language skills are up to the task, you can read the full original text on ThisIsGame's main site.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/blade-and-soul-interview-talks-summoner-class-customization/">Blade &amp; Soul interview talks Summoner class, customization</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/blade-and-soul-interview-talks-summoner-class-customization/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20038723/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/blade-and-soul-interview-talks-summoner-class-customization/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>beta</category><category>blade-and-soul</category><category>cbt2</category><category>character-customization</category><category>class-reveal</category><category>classes</category><category>customization</category><category>fantasy</category><category>game-mechanics</category><category>interview</category><category>jae-hyun-bae</category><category>korean-beta</category><category>korean-cbt2</category><category>martial-arts</category><category>ncsoft</category><category>summoner</category><category>sung-jin-hwang</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jef Reahard]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Blade &amp; Soul adds new zone for Korean CBT2]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/blade-and-soul-adds-new-zone-for-korean-cbt2/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/blade-and-soul-adds-new-zone-for-korean-cbt2/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/blade-and-soul-adds-new-zone-for-korean-cbt2/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/lore/" rel="tag">Lore</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/new-titles/" rel="tag">New titles</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/blade-and-soul/" rel="tag">Blade &amp; Soul</a></p><div style="text-align: center;">
	<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/blade-and-soul-adds-new-zone-for-korean-cbt2/"><img alt="Blade and Soul - new poster" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2011/08/20110822153328dc66938e.jpg" /></a></div>
We haven't heard much about <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/blade-and-soul"><em>Blade &amp; Soul</em></a> of late, but the Korean martial arts MMORPG from <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/ncsoft">NCsoft</a> is still alive and kicking. The game's second closed beta phase starts August 29th, and according to ThisIsGame.com, the invite-only testers will have a new zone to explore.<br />
<br />
The Great Desert looks to be the primary stomping ground for CBT2, as the dastardly villain who killed your master at the beginning of <em>Blade &amp; Soul's</em> story has fled to the region and is leading players on a merry chase through the game world. In terms of gameplay proper, the Great Desert is said to feature 10 instanced dungeons, but beyond that we don't know much about it as of yet.<br />
<br />
We'll bring you more info on the new testing phase as soon as it becomes available.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/blade-and-soul-adds-new-zone-for-korean-cbt2/">Blade &amp; Soul adds new zone for Korean CBT2</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/blade-and-soul-adds-new-zone-for-korean-cbt2/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20023389/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/blade-and-soul-adds-new-zone-for-korean-cbt2/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>blade-and-soul</category><category>cbt2</category><category>closed-beta-test-2</category><category>fantasy</category><category>great-desert</category><category>korean-beta</category><category>korean-closed-beta</category><category>martial-arts</category><category>mmo-industry</category><category>ncsoft</category><category>seoyun-jin</category><category>story</category><category>testing</category><category>the-great-desert</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jef Reahard]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Huxley's closed beta now open to everyone via Fileplanet]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/huxleys-closed-beta-now-open-to-everyone-via-fileplanet/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/huxleys-closed-beta-now-open-to-everyone-via-fileplanet/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/huxleys-closed-beta-now-open-to-everyone-via-fileplanet/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sci-fi/" rel="tag">Sci-fi</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/huxley/" rel="tag">Huxley</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmofps/" rel="tag">MMOFPS</a></p><div align="center">
	<a href="http://www.fileplanet.com/promotions/huxley/beta/?_cmpid=fp191"><img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2009/08/huxleyfpopen.jpg" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 4px; height: 178px; width: 530px;" /></a></div>
Yes, we know, that title sounded like a complete oxymoron. How can a closed beta be open to everybody? It just doesn't make any sense!<br />
<br />
We understand your confusion, but it's best not to question it. <a href="http://www.fileplanet.com">Fileplanet</a> is giving out <em><a href="http://huxley.ijji.com">Huxley: The Dystopia</a></em> closed beta keys to all account holders now, not just their subscribers. <a href="http://www.fileplanet.com/promotions/huxley/beta/?_cmpid=fp191">A couple quick button presses</a> is now all it takes to find yourself braving the lunar apocalypse with all of your friends!<br />
<br />
A small note of instruction: if you get your beta key from Fileplanet, you will have to still make an <a href="http://member.ijji.com/register.nhn?signupFrom=IGN">ijji.com account</a> for the closed beta test. You can do that right over at the <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/huxley"><em>Huxley</em></a> <a href="http://huxley.ijji.com/cbt.nhn">closed beta page</a> without much fuss at all. Now go forth and kick those Sapiens all the way back to the early days of evolution.<br />
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<strong>Update:</strong> As so many commenters have pointed out, this offer is only available for the US and Canada. European gamers, it appears, are locked out of this promotion being offered by Fileplanet.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/huxleys-closed-beta-now-open-to-everyone-via-fileplanet/">Huxley's closed beta now open to everyone via Fileplanet</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.fileplanet.com/promotions/huxley/beta/?_cmpid=fp191>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/huxleys-closed-beta-now-open-to-everyone-via-fileplanet/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/19118712/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/huxleys-closed-beta-now-open-to-everyone-via-fileplanet/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>beta</category><category>cbt2</category><category>closed-beta</category><category>closed-beta-phase-2</category><category>fileplanet</category><category>first-person-shooter</category><category>fps</category><category>huxley</category><category>huxley-the-dystopia</category><category>ijji.com</category><category>mmofps</category><category>webzen</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Seraphina Brennan]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST</pubDate></item></channel></rss>
