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irst I must say I’m not normally very big number of companions right now is five plus on MMORPGs…normally because I a C2 unit that stays on your ship). Every Star grow bored very quickly from repetitive Wars™ hero needs a companion. Han had combat and I have a very low tolerance for Chewie, Luke had R2-D2 — even Jabba ignorant players. I do however play games... had the cackling monkey lizard Salacious often-ish.So here we go with my very first B. Crumb. These characters complement a game review. player’s strengths or weaknesses, and provide I must say SWTOR is the new WOW company for the epic journey you will inevi(World of warcraft ) in my eyes. Many users tably undertake. Whether they’re combative, have ditched WOW for SWTOR in the last friendly, flirtatious, or even just good for a few weeks. The top level for the game is 50 laugh, companions always contribute to your as it stands right now but the game play is so adventure. unique that you’d have much to still do even In Star Wars™: The Old Republic™, a variety after you reach the top level. of these Companion Characters will join At the start of the game you have a choice your cause. Some will join you for adventure, as to whether you wish to be pledge alligence some for greed, and some for motivations to the Empire (Evil Sith lords and such) or that will remain hidden until much further the Republic (Jedis and all of their glory). along in your adventure. The Companions his past summer, nerd was bombarded so tomany Each alligence comes with four the classes right culture run the gamut from intelligentby droids now. Asthings a member of the republic you can bizarre aliens, from an honorable princess to a going on even with the heat. Popular conventions had chooe Jedi Knight, Jedi Consular, Trooper, or roguish pirate, and each class has a completely taken place like AM2 Manga Music Convention), Smuggler. Members of the Empire can (Anime, choose unique set of and Companions. Sith Inquisitor, Warrior, Agent, San While traveling galaxy,one your after CompanAnime ExpoSith (AX), andImperial Comic-Con Diego thatthewere anBounty Hunter. ion Characters will provide commentary, other within just one month time. The next was the popular multi mass As a player on the Lord Ieldis server, which information on plots and directions to online role playing (MMORPG), III that people is a RP-PvE server, I play agame Jedi Consular pointsDiablo of interest–all from their ownstood uniquein named MichiruAoi and a Sith Inquisitor perspectives. Companion Characters may line for days and skipped work the next day calling in sick because named Hitomi. They are virtually the same act as your conscience, and try to influence theyonplayed all day night. The your lastdecisions. big thing thatyouhappened class different sides. Onlyand difference In turn, will influenceis a between Jedianime classes and the is Sith classes MMORPG them, and change how called they develop as the Art brand the new that about gamers Sword is that you level much faster as a sith than you story progresses. Based on your choices, some Online (S.A.O.). This new and action packed anime is this summer’s do with a Jedi. My friend (who’s game I play) Companions will become your closest friends, anime pick.why this might occur, we and I discussed others may become your lovers, and a few may arrived at the conclusion that Sith are forced even become your enemies!* As Kirito and Klein stepped story is abouttype the of new MMORPG, to This survive in hostile territory from the Your first companion will be outside recievedof the town and into open Kirito Sword or “S.A.O.” thatspend takesaplace get go.Art TheOnline Jedi pretty much just lot somewhere around levelfields, 10; you don’tstarts have teaching theif basics. fighting system in the year 2022.so This is “THE” that is of time traveling whatever theygame run into to be levelKlein 10 but you’re aThe Sith, I highly in the gamelevel is based like fighting in realyour life gamers weretoanticipating for because of the on the way something else. reccomend 10 since you do battle with a weapon like their a sword, spear, arrow, hype andclass the new of playing onlineis Every has away storyline questanwhich companion to gain favor. Moving onetc. There was only one way to game to play uniqueintoa virtual the classworld. choseInatorder the start of the your second companion willgive be an theenemy C2 unit full and your that isship. finding out how your this game need the there specialhave equipment, game. All you players from a choice a thatdamage comes with weapon charges a fatal attack. wired helmet connected a computer of running instances andtoside quests as with they You gain yourfor ship around levelAfter 14 or 15. Klein learned hisisown fightingbystyle, began an internal battery. Only 10,000 these travel through the galaxy. You canofalso Join Your ship’s type influenced yourhe class of getting hungry and told Kirito was helmets and more were being groups towere runproduced side quests and instances, for character. Jedi Counslar recievethat thehe Corvette going to leave toDefender, eat and come As they made. helmet wassocial the only gateway which This you will recieve points whichto Class Corellian Sithback. Inquisitor were about part imperial ways, Klein notices that he get connected the virtual game and play. at certain levelsinto allows you to buy certain recieve FurytoClass interceptor. I can’t could not leave Kiritoclasses checks,seeing only to The hero enters virtuala social world level. of weapons andwho outfits thatthe require really speak for and the other as find I that theplayed “Log Out” is missing. S.A.O. is galaxy namedisKirito Note the some (Kazuto 500 yearsKirigaya). before haven’t thembutton and love my jedi and sith Kleininto go back the town they Kirito a young boytaking who has a secret the stariswars movies place so chances tooKirito muchand to stray moreto characters. started after a message from the administraamongst thenot other the virtual are you will runnew intoplayers Darth in Vader or STARSHIPS world, he was a beta tester. As soon as he tor. The creator projects a large image of Obi-Wan. Though travelingin the gotAs into he knew whatalmost to do first himself andstarships explainshave to allbeen the players thisthe is game, a BioWare wonder, all hyperspace for millennia, the technology and where to go; start leveling up as as game that the “Log Out” function is gone of your interactions have an effect onfast wether propelling these always evolving. Adhe certain areas andinfluenced. try to survive. and the only wayships to getisout is getting to the youcan areinlight or dark side You As vanced shielding and weaponry must also be he started leaving the town square, 100th floor and defeating the Boss. The last cannot really be neutral as to whichthe sidefirst of outfitted for any starships venturing outside place a new character goes toAs when starting, information the creator leaves is “If you die the Force you lean towards. the game hyperlanes. of the Great he was another player notices secured in the game, you die In in the realyears life too.” Also, no goes on,stopped you willbyrecieve armor andwho weapons War, shipbuilders crafted a new generation him, Klein.your Kleinforce was influence. observant My andSith saw is only one in the real world can interfere or removeof that reflect starships. and the Kirito going other the helmetRepublic because they willImperial also die.engiSo, with dark side andout myalone Jedi iswhile morethe light, butplayers does neers developed a variety of unique were still indark shock ofpoints. entering the game, Klein this hard hitting information given designs to all the have some side Throughout the for official use,asks but some advanced knew was a betacompanions tester and wanted to players, Klein Kiritooftothe joinmost together but game, Kirito you will recieve (maximum models have surfaced on the black market, learn how to play. Klein needs to find his friends first. Kirito 78
where Bounty Hunters, Smugglers, and pirates pay high prices to acquire the most advanced technologies available.* I hope more people enjoy the game play seeing as you have so many options and there isn’t an expansion out yet. You can play up to eight chracters on any server and you can be on as many servers as you choose seeing as my friend and I play on two different servers on the same account. I actually am influenced to buy a new computer, the software and time cared just so that I can play with my friend at the same time. Seeing as we play at different times we do help each other a lot as to where to find all the parts of certain quest. I can honestly say that this is game of the year and it came out right at the end of the 2011. Seeing it’s emmense success in uch a short priod of time is amazing and I hope to see the game grow far far past WOW ever did. So from my I send my best wishes from my laptop to yours. Happy gaming~!! v Hinata Aoi
SWORD ART ONL
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decides to go solo and leaves the town. How are all the people stuck in the game going to get out? What will be the fate of all the players? This anime is still in the beginnings of the story and seems very interesting where people cannot get out. This series was first put out in manga and is far ahead from this point. So, if you get a chance, watch the anime it is only 25 episodes, it may jump forward and miss some parts. If you want the full story, then read the manga. It is an exciting anime and I am looking forward to seeing what happens. v Seiichi Yukimura
Genki Life Magazine • Autumn 2012