Soul of the Ultimate Nation

Infobox VG| title = Soul of the Ultimate Nation


developer = Webzen
publisher = Webzen (Korea), The9 (China)
designer =
engine =
released = April 19, 2007 (Taiwan).
May 24, 2007 (China)
genre = Fantasy MMORPG
modes = MMO
ratings =
platforms = Windows
media =
requirements = Windows
* Windows 2000 or Windows XP
* Pentium 4 1.8GHz CPU
* 512 MB or more of RAM
* 3GB Hard disk space
* GeForce TI4200 or ATI RADEON 9200 GPU (128 MB Video memory)
* DirectX 9.0c or above
input = Keyboard, Mouse

Soul of the Ultimate Nation (often abbreviated as SUN) is a fantasy-based massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) produced by Webzen, a Korean-based company. It is operated in Korea by WebZen and in mainland China by The9. The game was launched in Taiwan on April 19, and in China on May 24, 2007 as a paid online service. [cite web| url = http://www.webzengames.com/pr/prView.asp?cPage=1&PrsIdx=30& | title= WEBZEN Announces the Launch of 'Soul of the Ultimate Nation' in China |accessdate=2007-05-31 |date=2007-05-23 |publisher=Webzen Inc]

In December 2005, WebZen sold an export contract for the game to The9 for $13 million USD in total, which at the time was the largest single export transaction in Korea’s online game history. [cite web|title=Webzen Sells China Rights to Soul of the Ultimate Nation | url = http://www.gamespot.com/news/6141182.html = date=2005-12-13 |accessdate=2007-05-31] In 2006, SUN was selected as the most anticipated online game at the 2nd Annual ‘Best Online Game Selection’ in China. [cite web| url = http://www.webzengames.com/pr/prView.asp?cPage=1&PrsIdx=20& | story=| title = SUN Voted ‘Most Anticipated Online Game’ at China’s ‘Best Online Game Selection| accessdate = 2007-03-15| last = | first = | date = 2006-04-25| work = | publisher = Webzen Inc.| language = English] . In a survey by Gametrics, the largest Internet cafe survey website in Korea, SUN was ranked among the top 10 games in Korean Internet cafes. [cite web| url = http://news.mmosite.com/content/2006-07-07/20060707012504077.shtml | story=| title = SUN ranked among top 10 games in Korea| accessdate = 2007-03-25| last = | first = | date = 2006-06-18| work = | publisher = Gametrics| language = English] . Also, SUN received the Award at the Digital Contents Awards by Ministry of Information and Communication and SK Telecom [cite web| url = http://news.mmosite.com/content/2006-07-11/20060711223900983.shtml | story=| title = SUN receives Award at Digital Contents Awards| accessdate = 2007-03-15| last = | first = | date = 2006-07-11| work = | publisher = Webzen Inc.| language = English] in 2006.

Like some other MMORPGs, SUN utilizes the "hack and slash" way. Players are part of a rebel group known as "The Guidance". Items can be strengthened and upgraded throughout the game play of SUN. For large-scale combat such as siege warfare, Soul of the Ultimate Nation utilizes a combat map with partitions that divides players into multiple fields each containing 20-40 characters; the outcome each battle having direct affects on the combat occurring on other fields. SUN also allows players to strategically set the stage for battles by choosing different types of maps, entry numbers, degrees of difficulty and types of monsters for a customized game play experience. SUN has three types of specified maps using a zone map system. Players start the game in a city and have to create zones to play the game. In terms of maps, the mission maps are the primary places where players can solve missions. The hunting maps are for tracking down monsters to level up characters, gather items and acquire in-game money. The quest maps are used to fulfill quests and to help users better understand the overall scenario of the game.

The game has already undergone four stages of beta from September 2005 to May 2006 in South Korea, and received high marks from gamers. SUN Taiwan moved from closed beta to open beta on 20th December, 2006. [cite web| url = http://news.mmosite.com/content/2006-12-17/20061217185017645.shtml | story=| title = SUN to change from Closed Beta to Open Beta| accessdate = 2007-03-15| last = | first = | date = 2006-12-18| work = | publisher = Webzen Inc.| language = English] The current open beta is allowing the game developers to improve the field maps, add a competitive hunting system and a mission ranking system.

SUN Korea adopted F2P mode and item mall model on November 14, 2006. [cite web| url = http://news.mmosite.com/content/2006-11-07/20061107231050448.shtml | story=| title = Korean SUN to go F2P| accessdate = 2007-03-15| last = | first = | date = 2006-11-08| work = | publisher = Webzen Inc.| language = English] Webzen America Inc., the publisher for SUN in North America has not decided whether or not they will adopt the same model.

SUN was slated for distribution and operation in North America in the first half of 2007.

Battle Zone System

Under the Battle Zone System, players can create "rooms" for battles, be it against monsters or other players. Players will have to talk with a specific non-playing character, (also called NPC's) in each town to create such rooms. They can select different types of maps, set the entry numbers, degree of difficulty and types of monsters within the map. For a players vs. monsters map, players will form a party and usually have to proceed through the map to complete certain map objectives, such as killing the boss monster. At the end of the stage, experience and loot are shared among the participants.

More quests and missions will be added to SUN to continue the ongoing story. Additionally, when a mission is near completion, tips will appear for readers to unlock hidden missions.

Character Classes

Like Webzen's highly successful MMORPG, MU Online, players have a selection of four different characters: Dragon Knight, Berserker, Valkyrie, Elementalist and Shadow. The character's height and hairstyles/colours/face may be modified to the player's liking.
* Dragon Knight - A Knight who uses swords and spears. There are two different builds of the Dragon Knight: Dragon and Battle.
* Berserker - He is skilled in melee range attack. He can use swords or axes. Additionally, he is capable of using all kinds of swords. If necessary, he can go into a crazy state to cause more damage, but this will expose him to lethal danger.
* Valkyrie - She can use two small crossbows simultaneously, or a large one. She is also skilled in swordplay and many other kinds of combat skills, having a perfect command of range and melee attack.
* Elementalist - She uses a variety of long and short ranged magical attacks. She can also use the staff to attack her enemies, although this is far weaker than her magic attacks.

History of The Geist Empire

Under the reign of the Immortal Emperor, the Geist Empire has ruled the Brakion continent for half a millennium. Possessing the power of Ether, the Emperor uses dark energy to maintain control over the continent and his formidable armies.

The Emperor recruited the four commanders of his army from the tribes of his domain. These Commanders of the Imperial Army united the strongest powers on the continent: Demons, Dragons, Dark Knights, and the Undead. With the power of Ether to support them, no force can stand against the Emperor's Army.

Over time, the continued extraction of Ether impoverished the lands of Brakion, forcing the Emperor to turn his eyes to the rich lands of neighboring nations to continue his supremacy.

With insurrection inevitable, a rebel leader, Ignis, has formed an elite force called the Guidance, which has declared war against the Empire.

Music

Academy Award winning composer Howard Shore was hired to compose an original soundtrack for SUN. The soundtrack is also the first game soundtrack featuring renowned soloist Lydia Kavina on the theremin.

References

External links

; Official sites
* [http://www.sunonline.co.kr/ SUN Official Korean website]
* [http://www.soulultimatenation.com.tw/ SUN Official Taiwan website]
* [http://sun.the9.com/ SUN Official China website]
* [http://www.webzengames.com/ Webzengame's Official English website]

; Unofficial links
* [http://sun.popreg.com/en/ SUN Database Fansite]
* [http://sun.mmosite.com/ SUN MMOsite]
* [http://www.sun--online.de/ German Fansite]
* [http://www.tracksounds.com/reviews/soul_ultimate_nation.htm Soundtrack Review]