Helbreath
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| Helbreath | |
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| Developer(s) | Siementech. Co., LTD |
| Publisher(s) | Siementech, iEnt |
| Platform(s) | Windows, Linux |
| Release date(s) | KOR August 1, 1999 [1]Private servers: 2002 NA February 2, 2003 |
| Genre(s) | MMORPG |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | PG13+ |
| Media | Download, CD [2][3] |
| System requirements | Windows
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| Input methods | Keyboard, mouse |
Helbreath is a MMORPG developed by Siementech Co. Ltd and launched first in South Korea in 1999. An International version and an USA version were introduced in the subsequent years and were both met with moderate success. The game was previously pay to play, but is now a free-to-play cash-shop game.
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[edit] Gameplay
The basics of Helbreath include player versus player (PvP) combat, leveling, questing and socializing.
New players begin as a neutral traveler in the Beginner Zone allowing them to familiarize themselves with core mechanics of gameplay. A player may not exceed level 19 until obtaining citizenship in either Aresden or Elvine. Once a player has gained citizenship, they may choose between status as either a Civilian (enemy town members can not attack you however monsters can attack), or Combatant (enemy and monsters can attack you). This choice will reflect their PvP status amongst other players in the world.
For the first 19 levels, a character is given gold to help them out. Each level gained allows the character to increase their stat points, which determine their skill levels. Upon reaching the maximum level of 180, it is traditional that the player will receive a special-issue set of gear, otherwise known as Dark Knight or Dark Wizard equipment. This gear can only be equipped by the player that earns it. The character is also given a weapon or wand depending on their stats, this item can be upgraded with Majestic Points. Majestic Points also allow the person to get other items and change their stats.
Helbreath's standard chat filter is affected by the Scunthorpe problem.
Helbreath has an open player versus player setting, allowing and encouraging enemy Combatants to attack at-will. When a player kills an enemy combatant, an Enemy Kill point is gained. These points may be eventually exchanged for Hero Armor. Like Dark Knight or Wizard items, Hero armor may also only be equipped by the one that earned it. It is also optional for combatants of the same nation to attack each other. However, if a friendly player actually goes through with killing another friendly player, a penalty is incurred by the offending character being given a "criminal count" and being made an enemy to everyone until their criminal kill count is 0. Killing people from the same town gives "negative rep" which has an impact on righteous and kloness weapons.
"Civilians" are players that will not be afflicted by PvP attacks, "Combatants" may openly engage in PvP with any enemy combatant and fellow town members. "Heroes" are players which have killed a great number of enemies. They receive special armors as a reward.
"Crusades" are full-scale wars between every player of both nations. Some servers such as Helbreath USA do this weekly. The objective is to destroy the shields protecting the enemy town while building a base in the Middlelands (map) to create a "meteor storm" that attacks the enemy town. The winner is determined by the town that successfully destroys the enemy’s town.
"Castle Sieges" consist of 3 battle grounds that alternate. Battlefield, where both towns are against each other and have to destroy the enemy’s buildings before the other town. Castle, where the winning town from the previous week has to defend the Castle map form the attacking town.
[edit] Setting
Game locations include two hostile countries, Aresden and Elvine, and between them Middleland and Promiseland. Aresden is the country which is built by people who worship the mighty god of creation, Aresien. The colour that identifies Aresden is Red. The nation of Aresden is composed of the town of Aresden, a farm, the Eternal Field, the Silent Woods, and the Aresden Garden. Elvine is the country which is built by people who worship the powerful god of equalibrium, Eldiniel. The colour that identifies Elvine is Blue. The nation of Elvine is composed of the town of Elvine, a farm, the Rocky Highland, the Death Valley, and the Elvine Garden. The Middleland is a perpetual battlefield for both nations. Promiseland is located between the farm of Elvine and the farm of Aresden. Both towns are connected underground by the Dungeons, which extends four levels into the earth.
[edit] Items and economy
The economy of Helbreath varies from server to server. In general, all items may be freely exchanged between all players, allowing for a great level of diversity. The only exceptions to trading are Dark Knight, Dark Wizard, and Hero items. Many items that are dropped by monsters include both a primary and secondary attribute, allowing for a variety of uses. Whether a player can equip an item depends on its weight or its stat (skill points) requirements.
Barter is primarily used for rare objects. However, gold is used for common items and items purchased from NPC's (Non-Player Character). Gold can be earned in many ways; completing quests, killing monsters, mining, fishing, alchemy or farming.
[edit] History
The level cap of Helbreath was not always set to 180. For example, when Helbreath International offered free gameplay via beta-testing the level cap was set to 120, then successively raised to 130 and 140.[citation needed]
At this time, "hero armor" did not exist and players simply killed one another for the prized "hero capes", drops and zem stones. "Battle mages" were not unheard of at the time, but they were quite weak until they reached high levels or unless they had powerful items.[citation needed]
Since 140 was a difficult level to attain, and PvP was the main highlight of the game, many people killed one another in what was known as "North Dungeon" or "Noob Dungeon".[citation needed] Players had to be over level 19 and under level 80 in order to enter at that time. "Energy Strike" or "ES" was one of the main spells the majority of mages used offensively.[citation needed] Spells such as "Blizzard" and "Earth Shockwave", which, together with hammers, greatly disrupted gameplay later on, did not exist.
Level caps went up to 160, and then to 180. The servers also changed to Pay to Play.
Private servers were introduced in 2002, with the leak of server files to the public, by an ex-employee. iEntertainment with the support of Siementech has issued cease and desist letters directly to the ISPs and web hosts of these servers.[citation needed]
[edit] Critical reception
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This section requires expansion. |
