Amongst the plentiful destructible objects that make up each zone, there are also dynamic obstacles that need to be negotiated: swinging spiked logs, razor sharp wheels flying along tracks and the like.Ĭombat as you clear out the trash is sharp and very pleasing, but early on I accidentally discovered that there's only one true barometer for the quality of a boss takedown in the game. The first instanced area you'll take on gives you the basics of the combat system and, like many of Vindictus' areas, consists of a corridor run, taking on progressively more challenging enemies (in both wave size and strength) until you reach the final, toughest enemy. If heroic men are more your thing, I'm afraid you'll be the ghost at this particular 'feast', with a male population that's more commonly Father Jack than George Clooney. In keeping with the wonderfully daft artistic styling of the game, the majority of the female characters assume poses of the squealing, Playboy set-piece variety - all of which suggest that they'd run out immediately to sponge down the Mondeo in their panties if only they weren't quite so hypnotized by your presence.

In offering up those quests, Nexon has performed an elegant trick for a free-to-play title by rendering the taverns and forges in the world hubs as unexplorable, solo 3D spaces, while the characters of the world take the form of 2D portraits that pop up. The game is heavily hub-based and you'll make your preparations in town before heading out to complete quests in a variety of instanced locations. In structure, Vindictus borrows heavily from the core design of Monster Hunter, its significant departure being the hack-and-slash combat that replaces the tactical preparation and execution that added the meat to its obvious inspiration. He doesn't quite blow a kiss at you, but he's definitely thinking about it, the saucy little scamp. Tilt far to the left and he'll twist his hips, giving you the Blue Steel look as he arches his neck to look over his shoulder. In the character creation screen, your male heroic character will smile coquettishly at the camera as you rotate and inspect him from afar. There's a delightfully camp styling at the core of Vindictus. More are promised for the future, although whether these will be provided as part of the free-to-play model is uncertain. The opening cinematic, which sets the scene of a town under terror as its bestial protector goes mad, attacking people and buildings, is followed up with an incredibly stylish credit reel featuring the kind of silhouetted combat action you'll have enjoyed in Kill Bill.Įntering the game as a rookie amid this chaos, there are three archetype characters to choose from currently: Lann, a fast and furious dual-wielding swordsman Evie, the magical mischief-maker and Fiona, who uses swords and shields to block and counter enemy attacks. In terms of production values, Vindictus is certainly no ordinary free-to-play fantasy MMO. First of all, there's practicality - is there the time? Second, do my pencils need organising? Thirdly, there's acceptance as I'm told that this one is meant to actually be quite good. In the merry little avalanche of free-to-play titles that tumble into our inboxes these days, there are several stages of grief I associate with being offered a review.

Vindictus character creation download