As someone who loves a good Arcade "beat 'em up" game, this game definetly doesn't disappoint. Though...I feel like it could use more.
The Good:
The game has a intriguing cast of characters for the most part; the Male Slayer and Knight being two of my favorites. The storytelling is okay for the most part, not particularly exciting, but it's still decent. I remember back when this game was under Nexon's thumb...hooo lordy, this game got real boring, real quick. But thanks to the Metastasis plot, it's gotten alot more exciting. Granted it's just text you read but...hey...it's like a book.
Gameplay wise, I gotta give credit where it's due; the combat system is fun to use and if you play your cards right, you can land some sick combos much like you would in a game like Dynasty Warriors. I mean essentially that's kinda what DFO is; Dynasty Warriors mashed with sidescrolling beat 'em up mechanics and I love it for that. Pure Dealer classes are basically just for dealing damage, but if you want combos? Stick with Synergy.
And the customization items in the game are sick. Just cannot get enough of them. Hell, sometimes based on the subclass you pick? They come with some nice aesthetic changes too (the Blade Master being my favorite given how he works to suppress his ghost arm).
The Bad:
Overall, yeah, it has the feel of a beat 'em up...but not much else. I mean, I get it's a 2D MMO but also...like, maybe throw in some non-combat activities? I mean really the game feels flat due to this. It's not exactly what I'd call an "open world" game, so to speak.
And while I praise it for the customization options...this game has you spend alot, and the fact that some of the coolest ones are only there for a limited time really sucks; especially if they are a one-and-done sort of deal where they're never released again. Big mistake on their part since keeping them would mean more incentive to spend, but then again, that's every Allegedly Free Game ever sadly.
My biggest issue, however, is the lack of grouping and just how broken the system is; the whole main story pretty much kills any incentive behind grouping up with other players since it literally just levels you up to 100 and has NPCs aid you, and most areas are locked until you complete the main story...honestly seems like a bad move on Neople's part and really takes the joy and incentive of grouping with others.
Conclusion:
It's a decent game for what its worth. On a scale of 10, I'd give it a 6.5. If not for the blatant cashgrabs this game makes at players who likes to customize their characters and lack of activities besides dungeons, I'd give it higher. I specifically recommend it to players who've a thing for nostalgia and have money to spend.
A classic that could use so much more
As someone who loves a good Arcade "beat 'em up" game, this game definetly doesn't disappoint. Though...I feel like it could use more.
The Good:
The game has a intriguing cast of characters for the most part; the Male Slayer and Knight being two of my favorites. The storytelling is okay for the most part, not particularly exciting, but it's still decent. I remember back when this game was under Nexon's thumb...hooo lordy, this game got real boring, real quick. But thanks to the Metastasis plot, it's gotten alot more exciting. Granted it's just text you read but...hey...it's like a book.
Gameplay wise, I gotta give credit where it's due; the combat system is fun to use and if you play your cards right, you can land some sick combos much like you would in a game like Dynasty Warriors. I mean essentially that's kinda what DFO is; Dynasty Warriors mashed with sidescrolling beat 'em up mechanics and I love it for that. Pure Dealer classes are basically just for dealing damage, but if you want combos? Stick with Synergy.
And the customization items in the game are sick. Just cannot get enough of them. Hell, sometimes based on the subclass you pick? They come with some nice aesthetic changes too (the Blade Master being my favorite given how he works to suppress his ghost arm).
The Bad:
Overall, yeah, it has the feel of a beat 'em up...but not much else. I mean, I get it's a 2D MMO but also...like, maybe throw in some non-combat activities? I mean really the game feels flat due to this. It's not exactly what I'd call an "open world" game, so to speak.
And while I praise it for the customization options...this game has you spend alot, and the fact that some of the coolest ones are only there for a limited time really sucks; especially if they are a one-and-done sort of deal where they're never released again. Big mistake on their part since keeping them would mean more incentive to spend, but then again, that's every Allegedly Free Game ever sadly.
My biggest issue, however, is the lack of grouping and just how broken the system is; the whole main story pretty much kills any incentive behind grouping up with other players since it literally just levels you up to 100 and has NPCs aid you, and most areas are locked until you complete the main story...honestly seems like a bad move on Neople's part and really takes the joy and incentive of grouping with others.
Conclusion:
It's a decent game for what its worth. On a scale of 10, I'd give it a 6.5. If not for the blatant cashgrabs this game makes at players who likes to customize their characters and lack of activities besides dungeons, I'd give it higher. I specifically recommend it to players who've a thing for nostalgia and have money to spend.