[Review] Excalibur

[L U C Y]

Excalibur is a 2D mobile action MMORPG (Massively multiplayer online game) developed by R2Games for iOS and Android devices. The game allows player to choose from 3 unique character classes and send them on a medieval adventure alone or with friends, battling Knights, Goblins and Dragons in order to retrieve the legendary sword of heroes, Excalibur.

Story
Set in Medieval Europe, Excalibur lets players to set out on an original adventure in search of the legendary sword Excalibur, in order to rid the land of the evil that transpires to pillage and corrupt it. Players will receive help and quests from a number of characters, such as the legendary wizard Merlin, and will do battling Knights, Wizards and a myriad of mythical creatures in order to save the land from ruin. The story is simple to grasp and open enough for personal interpretation, allowing players to create their own unique experience whilst they play.

Gameplay
Upon starting Excalibur, players will be able to choose from 3 distinct character classes、ranging from a powerful Knight, a speedy Assassin, and Wizard who specialises in long range attacks. You control your character of choice on a 2D field, but will also be able to move them on a 3D plain, this allows you to move up, down, left, right and diagonally.

The first area you encounter is the castle, which is essentially the games hub world. Here you’ll be able to customise your character with items and equipment they have brought, or received while on a quest. You can also upgrade your equipment through the use of special blue gems, and can upgrade special skills that you acquire when you achieve a predetermined level. Players can access quests in the hub by talking to certain key NPCs, these quests are then made accessible on the map.Once you’ve set out on a quest you’ll be thrown into battle with multiple opponents, here you’ll need to make use of your unique characters special abilities in order to succeed, but be warned, each of your attacks have a cool down timer meaning that if you over use one you will need to wait a few seconds before you can use that skill again.

 

Enemies grow in strength and variety as you progress through each section, meaning that you will often need to grind for levels and occasionally return to the hub to equip new armour and weapons, as well as assigning new special skills.If you should ever grow tired of the the story section of the game, the hub area provides an Arena, where players can battle one another online, with up to 2 on 2. A Multiplayer Crusade is also available where you can fight alongside a friend, as well as a Slot Machine and Legion Battle, to name just a few.

Excalibur Review – Conclusion
Excalibur is a online mobile adventure game done right. It’s short mission based level structure, timed events and cool down timers for level ups, all help highlight the fact that the game was built from the ground up with short, pick-up-and-play sessions in mind. Hardcore gamers may be put off with the the more slow paced and restrictive experience, but mobile gamers are sure to find plenty to do and enjoy, in the the world of Excalibur.

Positives
Easy to pick up and play
Fun and engaging
Battle area difficulty can be increased for those looking for a challenge
Negatives
The game can become repetitive
Some menu screens and status upgrades could be better explained