What makes Karos Online so special and a cut above the rest? For starters, the game is dependent on a certain energy called “Fletta.” First, it’s an alternate character progression system. Your character’s stats do not increase as you level; add that to the absence of a stat point distribution too. Instead, Fletta is spent to modify certain attributes, similar to how certain items give stat bonuses. But unlike a full stat distribution, Fletta modifications only provide partial bonuses. Players still have to rely on equip bonuses to realize the character’s full potential. Second, a certain amount of Fletta can also boost experience points. Third, in connection with the first, Fletta gems are fused with equips for more bonuses. Fourth, Fletta energy is spent in executing high-level skills. Fifth, Fletta mines are the reason for conflicts in guild wars. Technically, this energy is the source of everything in the game. It’s your reason for existence in Karos Online. And instead of focusing on Karos’s story, you’ll be more hooked at gathering enough Fletta to build your character. I can actually foresee huge guild conflicts with Fletta mine takeovers. Plus, it opens a new window for imbalancing characters at higher levels. How NHN and GalaxyGate will handle these problems may be answered once this game goes commercial. So far, the Fletta system is an innovative way for gamers to revolve around the world.

Another winning feature of Karos Online is the dungeon system. The game divides the dungeons into three different kinds: Normal, Event and Maze. Normal dungeons have nothing special in them, though. The place is not instanced, making it a free-for-all monster-killing frenzy. The game shines with the event and maze dungeons. Event dungeons are instanced and are dependent on player actions. The dungeon changes to what the players trigger during the course of the event. The dungeon paths, difficulty, and loot options change dynamically with player decisions. Maze dungeons are also instanced and also have changing paths. Just as the name implies, the dungeon is a maze with changing walls, making it a chore and a challenge to get to the end-boss. The variety of dungeons and the dynamism gives players more control over the challenge. It would’ve been nice to escalate the dungeon run into a raid type too.

Karos Online has impressive graphics. With keen observation, the environment and character models are at par with Perfect World or Soul of the Ultimate Nation. There are minor collision problems though, such as players or items getting stuck at precarious places. Sounds are nothing close to Howard Stone’s masterpiece in Soul of the Ultimate Nation, but it’s definitely blending in with the environment. However, it falls silent every once in a while. These are minor quirks, but overall, the game looks and feels amazing.

The low system requirements and relatively small client size makes up the final set of Karos Online’s package. Bundled together, the game overshadows the features it lacks. With a little more polish, Karos Online will shine like the luminous Fletta gem. It did generate a lot of hype before the testing days, and surely, the game lived up to that hype. If the lacking features turn you off, then wait out a bit for further updates before taking the game for a spin. Nonetheless, Karos Online should be on your “to-play” list.  

Review Mister Sieg
November 1, 2009