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Sword Of The New World: Granado Espada

EMAIL PRINT pc

8.0 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 18 critic reviews
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Based on 41 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: K2 Network, Inc. / HanbitSoft

Developer: imcGames

Genre(s): Massively-Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game

Players: Thousands

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: July 10, 2007

Summary

A fantasy MMORPG whose story is modeled after Europe's exploration of the New World, this original title allows players to create and simultaneously control a family of characters utilizing the excusive Multiple Character Control (MCC) system. This fantasy adventure unfolds its luscious graphical style through a story comprised of thrilling missions and quests. Swept by an exotic New World fever in the 17th century, this fictional yet historical exploration of the new found continent includes features that are all-new and exclusive to the U.S. version of the game. K2 Network's version offers a new character customization feature with hundreds of costume options, while an improved control scheme and in-game tutorial makes controlling multiple characters familiar and comfortable (for MMO players). In addition, the game includes an all-new story with hundreds of new quests. Control three characters simultaneously - While most games allow you to level just one character at a time, Sword of the New World allows players to develop, mix and match a team of three distinct characters simultaneously. Get the best of both types of MMO worlds with Player vs. Environment (PvE) and Player vs. Player (PvP) combat fully integrated into gameplay. Sword of the New World also includes additional combat options, Family vs. Family (FvF) dueling and City vs. City (CvC) in specific arenas. Character classes include the traditional melee champ Fighter; the spell-casting Wizard, and the dual-purpose assassin and healing Scout, with more classes to be announced later. Each class can learn and perform unique stances and unlock advanced skills. [K2 Network]

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

PC Gamer

If you're tired of the grind, make your way to Granado Espada, where life is exciting, convenient, and most importantly, fun. [Nov 2007, p.70]

GamingExcellence

Overall, Sword of the New World was a fantastically fun MMO to play. While not as intricate as some other MMOs, the dynamic of having three characters to control instead of just one is a lot of fun and definitely gives the player a lot of things to do and learn throughout his/her experience.

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G4 TV

A compellingly good MMO at an amazingly attractive price.

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Hardcore Gamer Magazine

It's like candy for your eyes. [Vol 3, Issue 2, p.56]

Worth Playing

Those who aren't wired for the Korean MMO experience of heavy grinding and repetition will probably find that level 1 to 20 is just enough to sate the urge to try something new. I personally think Sword of the New World is very well done for what it is, but I don't quite gel with the style of gameplay.

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2404.org

As MMO launches go, this one was pretty smooth. Yes, there are bugs and crashes and little twitchy things that can be annoying, but for the most part everything runs well enough to enjoy.

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PC Format

An elaborately realised world, with too little interaction to be truly great. [Oct 2007, p.60]

PC Gamer UK

The dark addictiveness of levelling is as strong here as anywhere. [Oct 2007, p.85]

Game Chronicles

My biggest issues with the game are the plodding pace in which your characters advance combined with the fact that you must be high level to truly partake in faction PVP. Flaws aside, the free-to-play model makes it easy to trade in your Arcanite reaper for pistol and cutlass, even if you plan on only vacationing for a short time in sunny Granado Espada.

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AceGamez

It contains some well-crafted elements, while the refined and altogether very usable MCC system makes controlling three characters a breeze, yet still manages to retain an incredible amount of depth, thus scaling exceptionally well with player ability.

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GameDaily

This game offers a beautiful, highly stylized, world to explore, but sacrifices meaningful interaction.

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Games Radar (in-house)

Even though the game is a bit rough around the edges, Sword of the New World: Granado Espada oozes with quirky personality that will appeal to fans of Asian-born titles, presenting a visual mash-up of anime and Baroque influences.

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PC Zone UK

Something about Granado Espada is fiendishly addictive. What stops it from being truly great is the fact that it's both simple and rather boring at times. [Oct 2007, p.83]

Gamers Europe

You’ll need a very forgiving attitude to begin playing Sword of the New World, because it still needs quite a bit of work.

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IGN

The story is engaging and the dialogue is casual, often goofy, but when you get down to it, so much time is spent in a monotonous grind that deep down you'll probably know there is more fun to be had elsewhere.

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GameSpot

Tedious quests and little payoff make this Korean massively multiplayer online game a real grind.

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1UP

Only a revisit after about six months will reveal whether or not Sword of the New World manages to reach its potential...if anyone's willing to wait that long.

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Eurogamer

This is thoroughly disappointing in some respects - not least because Sword of the New World is one of the most beautiful MMORPGs we've ever clapped eyes upon.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.0 (out of 10) based on 41 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

S Spark gave it a9:
A very refreshing game that is rather unique from most MMO's. You can control 3 charaters at once and the game offers a total of over 40 character classes to play. The afk leveling system and the fast xp rates also make the game a much less of a grind than others. The gameplay is dinamic, the leveling curve is pretty easy to learn and the game has many many things to try. Combined with great graphics and music, this game can be a very fun and diverse experience.

Nikolaus B. gave it a7:
This game has so much potential. The art is fantastic, and the multi character control can lead to tactical movement which could keep this game interesting for a long time; however the world falls short in it's quests. The quests are so bland and generic. (95% of the quests I have seen thus far have all been of the "Go kill this many of this" variety.) Simply writing in interesting quests would perk this game up so much. The other problem is the enemy re-spawn rate. The enemies respawn so fast that most tactical maneuvers will result in you getting flanked of ambushed by monsters you killed mere seconds ago. The character costume options present a nice variety, but there are no options in physical features. I feel like I MUST own a hat to hide the fact that my hair looks exactly the same as every other character of the same class. This game has so very much potential, and all of it's issues could be fixed in a simple patch, I'm ready to give it a 10 in a moment's notice. It's so frustrating when a game comes this close to being great. Atleast it's worth the $0 it costs to play.

Nick B. gave it a6:
This is a game which is utterly beautiful but falls flat on so many levels for the American audience. Not a bad game in some respects, but suffers because it will be judged relative to the competition:very limited character customization, but what few options you have are very nice looking (unless you want a heterosexual, masculine-looking hero, in which case look elsewhere); gameplay: a terrible grind, but if you are accustomed to such, or enjoy it, then that's not a problem. Gameplay at low levels is almost autopilot, but it does get more complex later on. The multi-character control system is neat, but the characters themselves lack distinction and it's not very easy to manage multiple characters. Storyline hints at greatness but falls flat all too often, and some quests are enigmatic and poorly localized. Music is purely awesome one minute and the worst Asian pop music the next. Overall, this is not a bad game by any stretch, it just looks worse in comparison to other titles. Worth checking out for an idea of what Diablo would be like with multi-character MMO play.

Meestyk gave it a6:
Dull! Very Dull! Can you say repetitive over and over again? That's killing things that keep respawning right in front of you over and over. One another thing reminds me of Evercamp (tm). They claim they ban BOTs users, but there must be plenty of them playing this sort of game. This is the kind of game you can go to sleep and wake up and your guys are still there grinding like there's no tomorrow! Slow grind you bet! Play this only if you're a boring person who enjoys boring games. Graphics don't make a game. A good story, gameplay variety and choices. About choices, you only have about 4 different toons faces (male/female) for the 4 classes. That's it. Utterly boring. The only upside is that you can play 3 toons at once instead of the usual solo toon, your alter ego. Those who gives it a higher score than what I give are truly desperate.

Kevin Y. gave it a9:
An amazing MMORPG that has a very unique gameplay style, along with incredible graphics and music. Also, it is now free to play, which makes it even more incredible.

Joni S. gave it a7:
Brilliant graphics, brilliant music, decent effects. Gameplay is rather straightforward, multi-character control or no, and despite a glowing beginning to this game, the game eventually degenerates into the level grind typical of most Korean MMOs. Some of the most annoying things about this game include a cumbersome chat interface and a decreased need for other people to party with since you have the three members of your family to control, this game is more for the power-leveler rather than the social RPer. Also (as of this comment at least), the horrible translations. I play the North American version, and in it, most of the higher level NPCs have some of the most annoying Chingrish I have ever seen in an MMO. Not to mention what I personally affectionately dub the "Scout-lag".

Curt G. gave it an8:
I have only been playing On-line for about 4 years. Most time spent on WoW (3 years) So my perspective is limited. Having said that, I came to play for a change of pace. I found the game delightfull in just a bit spartan. I would have enjoyed a bit more virsatility in charicter and clothing selection. But my overall opinion is that of satisfaction. It is well worth the vaey small price they charge for the game.

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Sword Of The New World: Granado Espada

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

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