Sword of the New World: Granado Espada Preview (PC)

The Korean massively multiplayer online (MMO) game, Sword of the New World: Granado Espada seeks to win over audiences with its unique gameplay. Unlike most MMOs, Sword of the New World lets players control up to three characters simultaneously. Being freed from the constraints of leveling up one character at a time opens up a list of new possibilities. For example, players will no longer have to look for a healer to join their team, since any given player may have one on hand. At the start of the game, players can create up to five characters in a "family," who all reside in a barracks. As the game progresses, the family size limit goes up to 36.

Inspired by the European exploration of the Americas, Granado Espada has artwork heavily influenced by Europe's Baroque Period. This style sets the game apart from its competitors visually, but it still includes plenty of sword and spell action. Players will take characters from their families into dungeons in search of fame, glory and valuable loot. The ability to control multiple characters also makes Granado Espada an easy game to explore solo, in both the player vs. environment (PvE) or player vs. player (PvP) modes. Player combat can range form straightforward family vs. family duels, to all out city vs. city conflicts. However, even with multiple characters in-tow, players still need to seek out alliances and form teams to defeat the powerful monsters lurking in the dark dungeons.

Its unique crafting system also deserves a mention. Players can continuously upgrade their favorite weapons using enchantments. This system extends the life of weapons, reducing the need to replace them as characters progress. Additionally, monsters drop plenty of raw materials that players use to construct traps and other useful items.

Granado Espada also employs a system of Unique Player Classes (UPC), which adds some variety to the age-old roleplaying formula. Similar to other games, Sword of the New World uses traditional fighting, magic and healing classes. However, characters learn stances that enable specific skills, abilities and weapon options. Wizard classes mainly focus on stances that maximize spell usage, but that means they must forego swords or shields. Fighters, on the other hand, use stances to equip themselves with a variety of swords, daggers or guns.

In some cases, unique stances can be picked up, making it possible for a fighter to access a wizard's elemental shielding. A stance may also be specific to the character, like one that allows use of a bayonet, giving a fighter a ranged weapon that doubles as an impaling one. When used together, these stances offer nearly unlimited potential for setting up devastating combos.

All the talk of multi-character control and stances might seem a little intimidating, but audiences can relax. Although Sword of the New World was designed with veteran MMO players in mind, the game won't have a death penalty. Once defeated, players either can be resurrected, or wait for the character to come back to life. No penalties in experience, money or durability will be deducted. If an entire party gets wiped out, players can restart in town, but risk losing all the progress they've made in their quest. However, the benefits end once players reach the maximum level of 90, where there will no longer be a time-out or automatic resurrection. Level 90 characters only have the option of returning to town or being resurrected by another player. Lastly, the most enticing feature will be the subscription-free (yes, FREE) gameplay, with different service options to suit various needs.

Being able to control multiple characters allows players a much broader experience, since they will not have to start new characters and repeat old content to experience gameplay from different classes. Combined with the unique character design and crafting system, Sword of the New World: Granado Espada will boldly stand out from the rest.