Follow the Leader

Alex Handy

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PvP is bolstered by NPC ships that appear at regular intervals depending on how many control points each side owns.

Developer EvStream
http://www.armada-online.com

Admit it, World of WarCraft players: Wouldn’t it be easier just to type “/follow partyleader” and have the computer do everything for you? When you get right down to it, most of the gameplay in MMOs is formulaic, and it could easily be taken care of by an automatic enemy targeter and a well-heeled party leader.

While Armada Online is only in alpha, it’s already the only MMO you don’t have to be near to play. This space RPG is controlled with the mouse, and the venerable right mouse button is your best friend. That’s the one that starts you following a target. Right-click on someone who’s exploring the outer reaches of space, and you’ve become another ship in their armada. All of the attacks can be automatically triggered, and they focus on whatever baddies are nearby. So the game can basically play itself without your input.

Of course, Armada Online is also a straight MMO played from an overhead perspective, with levels, special powers, upgrades, and PvP. And it’s the last one that’s the real draw. Needless to say, going zombie in PvP isn’t exactly advisable, and it’s the only real reason to leave your computer running Armada all day while you’re at work. Its PvP is similar to that of the classic WarCraft III mod Defense of the Ancients. Play revolves around control points that dot the map. Players conquer control points and buy upgrades that dramatically improve their performance, if only for the rest of the PvP round. These upgrades mean that a level 1 player can compete with level 36 ships after some well-placed upgrades.

At this stage of its development, Armada only has a few starter areas. But there are always players online and exploring, so you can chase down space crabs as the member of an armada today.

This article originally appeared in MMO Games Magazine 1.03

Issue 1.03-2

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