MechQuest

Infobox VG
title = MechQuest


caption = The Logo of "MechQuest"
developer = Artix Entertainment, LLC
publisher = Artix Entertainment, LLC
distributor = Artix Entertainment, LLC
designer = Artix Entertainment, LLC
series =
engine =
version = 1.3.0
released = October 2007
genre = RPG
ratings = Not rated, website requires 13+
modes = Single-player
platforms = Macromedia Flash Player
media = Web
requirements = Web browser & Macromedia Flash Player 8.0+
input = Mouse

"MechQuest" (often abbreviated to "MQ") is a free online browser-based single-player sci-fan RPG developed by Artix Entertainment. The game is currently up and running. It is implemented in Adobe Flash and uses anime-style graphics, some of which are animated. The authors have described the game as a cross between: Star Wars, Robotech, Harry Potter, Escaflowne, Voltron, Gundam, and Evil Dead II.cite web |url=http://www.mechquest.com/ |title="MechQuest" main page |accessdate=2008-03-01]

Each account may have up to three characters, although Star Captains (paying players) may have up to six. The game allows players to engage in turn-based combat against mechas or humanoids to accumulate experience points and credits (in-game currency). Characters have a combat level and six stats to train. Players may use credits to purchase upgrades for their mecha or new mechas.

The story revolves around the player's mecha pilot, flown in to attend G.E.A.R.S. University - a rigorous but prestigious university founded to help students improve in combat skills. It takes place in the same planet or galaxy as Lore, the locale of Artix Entertainment's other two games.

Relation to other Artix Entertainment games

"MechQuest" is set 5,000 years before the storyline in "AdventureQuest" (or 4,995 years before "DragonFable"). The characters in "MechQuest" are presumed to be all new, unlike in Artix Entertainment's other two games. However, some have similar names and appearances, and many players believe they are actually the same characters as in "DragonFable" and "AdventureQuest", only in different bodies, due to a mysterious event called the Reset between "MechQuest" and "DragonFable". A good example of this is Dean Warlic who, though sharing the same name as the mage Warlic - a character in "AdventureQuest" and "DragonFable" - does not resemble him much. Moglins are also present in "MechQuest".

Gameplay

"MechQuest" is played with a mouse and, unlike many other online RPGs, it uses Macromedia Flash Player instead of software located on the player's computer. The player controls a custom made character who pilots a mecha that can be equipped with various weapons. The character can take classes at the university and get jobs at various businesses.

Customization

Every player can buy new mechs and new weapons to outfit their mechs with to increase damage output. The weapons each have a unique look, and unique damage ranges and effects. Currently, weapons can be mounted on the head, back arm, front arm, back shoulder, and front shoulder, and, in a few mechs, the body. Also, the starter mecha does not have a front shoulder slot. The color of the mecha body can also be customized when a player creates a character.

The player must create a character before starting the game. This character can be changed at hairdresser HAL (Haircut And Lobotomy) in Soluna City for a fee. Various professions will unlock uniforms that the character can wear.

Economy

All buying and selling are done with a virtual currency, known in-game as credits. There is no limit to the number of credits players can have. Credits can be acquired by the player by completing various missions and defeating enemies in battle. Nova Gems can only be purchased outside the game and used in the game to buy more powerful mecha upgrades.

Professions

The player can do jobs at many places throughout both Lore and Westion. All places of employment offer mechs and weapons for sale as a reward to players who have reached a high enough level in the profession scale. Most professions use a dice roll after a successful completion of a mission to determine whether the character levels up.

Most jobs involve the player defeating one or more enemies for an NPC, usually in a mech, although some quests include energy blade battles as well. A few have side storylines, such as the discovery of the Shadowscythe Virus at the Soluna City Hospital. Minigames and longer quests are also a part of some jobs.

Combat

Mecha combat basics

"MechQuest"'s battle system is currently only one-on-one - the player versus one computer-controlled opponent at a time. At the beginning of every battle, the game rolls a virtual (unshown) die to determine which mecha goes first. While the roll is already weighed in the player's favor, the reflexes and luck stats will further increase the players chance of going first. Both of the combatants have 3 attributes used in battle:

* Health - the capability to continue fighting. Once either of the mechs' health reaches zero, the mecha will explode, the pilot will eject, and the battle will end. If the player loses the fight, they will be restored with one health point.

* Energy - the capability to use weapons to damage an opponent. Each weapon equipped on the mecha has a predefined energy usage amount. When the player uses that weapon, the energy usage is subtracted from the mecha's energy meter, whether or not the attack is successful. When a mecha's energy count is too low to operate any equipped weapons, the player must skip their turn and wait until their energy regenerates enough to use weapons.

* Regeneration - how fast a mecha can recover from energy usage. After every turn the player makes, the mecha's regeneration amount will be added to its energy meter. Better mechs can usually regenerate energy faster allowing the player to use more energy dependent weapons.

Melee combat

In certain situations, the player can engage in a hand-to-hand battle. In such battles, the character uses an energy blade to fight with instead of the usual mech. The character will use the standard energy blade unless equipped with a better blade. Several basic energy weapons are available through the energy blades class, including three Star Captain-only ones, but the new Light's Sabers shop offers a selection of new energy blades for both free and upgraded players. Blades, like mech weapons, can also be saved for Star Captains through the Tek's Mechs shop.

As in mecha combat, melee combat is one-on-one, and both of the combatants have a health bar and an energy bar. However, in melee combat, the character's energy does not recharge during the battle. The player can choose from three choices each turn: Attack, the basic move, uses no energy and hits within the energy blades specified damage range; Strong Attack increases the damage by 50%; Defend makes it easier to block enemy attacks. Strong Attack and Defend use 20% of the character's energy per use. The battle is over when one of the combatants runs out of health points.

Player vs. player

Players can engage in player versus player (PvP) combat via the Assault Mecha machine - an in-game arcade game. PvP allows players to combat other players' mechs by entering a character identification number; however, the mechs are controlled by the computer and not by another actual player.

Stat points

Stat points affect how a character's mecha performs in battle. The G.E.A.R.S. University class Mecha Piloting 101 allows players to raise their character's stats. Free players may train up to 5 points total per their character's level and Star Captains may train up to 6 points per level. In order to raise a character's stats, the player first win a battle between their mecha and a training mecha. The six statistics are:

* Luck - increases the likelihood of the player going first in a battle.It also increases the chance of doing specials and critical hits.
* Reflex - increases the likelihood of dodging an attack.
* Power - increases the amount of damage done to an opponent.
* Accuracy - increase the likelihood of an attack hitting.
* Efficiency - lowers the amount of energy a mecha uses to attack with.
* Perception - lowers the amount of damage taken from a hit.

Synopsis

Setting

* Lore - Lore is the capital planet of the Solaris system, the solar system in which the game is set. The largest city here is Soluna City, renowned for the highly acclaimed university, G.E.A.R.S. University, that is located there. The White Castle, the residence of Lore's rulers, is located outside the city. The other accessible city on Lore is Tibattleonia, destroyed by the Shadowscythe when they defeated the Soluna Defense Force. The planet has two moons, one of which has a base set up by the rebels before Slugwrath's defeat.

* Westion - Westion is a large desert planet with valuable deposits of crystallized dragon's breath, which is used as starship fuel. Mines in its two principal towns, Khaeldron and Alamonia, export this resource. Alamonia is inhabited by a horse-like race called the Equins, while Khaeldron, a science-oriented town, is populated by reptilian creatures known as Drakels (which also appear in "Adventure Quest"). EvilCorp tried to start a war between the towns by stealing from the mines and kidnapping their ambassadors, but was defeated by the player. The vast desert that covers the planet is known as the Sandsea, and it is inhabited by a vulture-like race called the Vul'kharim.

* Zargon - Zargon is a more developed planet in relation to Westion that features hot-rod like and colorful mechs that are spoofs of some well-known superheroes in a tattered, urban landscape. Its existence was announced in the Design Notes September 17th, and has been available for all players since September 24th. It is populated entirely, except for one 'almost-super-intelligent' person, by super-humans. Some battles on Zargon are unique, as the player has a random chance to damage buildings to cause damage to the enemy, or vice-versa.

G.E.A.R.S. University

G.E.A.R.S. University is the school the player's character is attending. In the story, Dean Warlic is the head of G.E.A.R.S. University, which is located in Soluna City. The university offers classes which allow players to increase their abilities. Currently, the only classes available are the Energy Blades class, the Mecha Combat class, and the Mecha Piloting class.

G.E.A.R.S. Houses

Players can choose one of the G.E.A.R.S. University's three houses for their character.

* Wolfblade - Wolfblade members value honor and bravery above other characteristics. The house leader is Xaria.
* Runehawk - Members of Runehawk are interested in learning and knowledge. They research dragons and magic. Their leader is Jaania.
* Mystraven - Mystraven is the house for pranksters. Its members like to play tricks on and stir up controversy between Runehawk and Wolfblade. The Mystraven leader is Casca.

Each house has a mecha and weapons available for purchase by house members only. All house members can upgrade their mechs. Free players can just buy a new version of the mech while Nova Gem holders and Star Captains may purchase upgrade kits and upgrade their current house mecha. In addition, house members also have their own house uniforms and hairstyles that can be equipped or purchased. Joining a house is permanent, although the staff has said they will develop "betrayal" quests in the future, allowing players to switch houses.cite web |url=http://www.mechquest.com/mq-designnotes.asp |title="MechQuest" Design Notes September 10, 2008 |accessdate=2008-09-11] Much about the houses is still under development by the "MechQuest" staff.

There is an annual inter-house competition called the "G.E.A.R.S. Games", where house members can scrimmage against each other. The winning house is presented with a trophy, which Wolfblade currently has. Each house has different rewards that players can purchase in the house shops.

The Shadowscythe

The Shadowscythe are an alien race that is trying to invade the planet of Lore on which Soluna City is located. They are a union of races being controlled through a brain manipulating virus that causes the host to be transformed into the shape of the Shadowscythe. Their leader is known as Lord Valoth, but beyond this little is known. A new cutscene implies that Evilcorp, a shadowy company that seems to have their hand in producing everything in Lore, may control or work with the Shadowscythe.

The Soluna Defense Force

Once the elite guard of the Kingadent, the Soluna Defense Force (also known as the SDF) was double-crossed and sabotaged by former Kingadent Slugwrath, causing them to crash on the moon. He then tried to wipe them out by labeling them rebels and sending the player's character to defeat them, but is found out when the player meets Odessa Pureheart, their leader. After Slugwrath's defeat, the Soluna Defense Force returned to its ordinary duties.

Evil Corp

EvilCorp is a shadowy corporation that fabricates nearly everything on Lore, and is presumed to have a alliance with the Shadowscythe. EvilCorp hired Sheriff Broncho of Alamonia to kill the player, launched the army of bugs that attacked Alamonia, and is responsible for the attack against the Mines of Khaeldron.

It had a space station orbiting the planet Westion and was taking the crystallized dragon's breath. They also kidnapped the two ambassadors from Alamonia and Khaeldron in an attempt to start a war on Westion. Currently it is controlled by the two towns on Westion, if the player defeats Mr. Z, the CEO of EvilCorp.

Characters

*Broncho - Sheriff of Alamonia
*Casca - leader of House Mystraven
*Chief Duncan - chief of Soluna Police Department
*Clyde - constable of Alamonia
*Nurse Helia - a skilled nurse cross-trained in magical healing for humans, mecha, and aliens.
*J6- Thief of the Crystalized Dragon Breath in the trains.
*Jaania - leader of House Runehawk
*Queenadent Odessa Pureheart - new leader of Soluna. She led the Soluna Defense Force until they were stranded on the moon by Slugwrath and labelled rebels. She and Warlic led the fight against Slugwrath, ultimately leading to his downfall.
*Kingadent Slugwrath - Kingadent of Soluna, until his secret alliance with the Shadowscythe was revealed and he was overthrown.
*The student - the character designed and controlled by the player. The student can be male or female according to the player's preference.
*Sys-Zero - ace fighter pilot instructor and captain of the starship in the prologue. He can normally be found in the third floor of the Star Captain's Club. He is under the influence of the Shadowscythe Virus, until the player completes the "Find a Cure" mission.
*Tek - runs Tek's Mechs, the main place to get new weapons or mechs.
*Lord Valoth - the presumed leader of the Shadowscythe. Although he is yet to make a physical appearance, a picture of him was shown at the end of the Second Westion War.
*Dean Warlic - the head and dean of G.E.A.R.S. University.
*Xaria - leader of House Wolfblade
*Mr. Z - CEO of EvilCorpcite web |url=http://www.onrpg.com/games_articles/view/1020 |title=DragonFable and MechQuest interview at Onrpg |accessdate=2008-08-19]

Plot

The game begins with a young student (controlled by the player) travelling to Soluna City to attend G.E.A.R.S. University. Shortly after arriving in the city, the Shadowscythe attack and the university students are called upon to defend the city. They win the battle, but the Shadowscythe soon attack again. It is during this time that the respected fighter pilot Sys-Zero disappears while on a spy mission.

The player tracks him to Tibattleonia, where the Soluna Defense Forces were overwhelmed by the Shadowscythe. He is found in the hills surrounding the city, but he has been infected with the dangerous Shadowscythe Virus. Through several quests at the Soluna hospital, the player learns that the Shadowscythe have infected all of their hostages with this virus, which takes over their body so they can be controlled by the Shadowscythe.

Meanwhile, Kingadent Slugwrath sends the player to the moon to wipe out a group of rebels based there. While on the moon, however, the player battles Odessa, the leader of the "rebels", who reveals that they are actually members of the Soluna Defense Forces whose starship was sabotaged by Slugwrath. When the Shadowscythe attack Soluna again, the SDF and G.E.A.R.S students work together to defeat them. The student then goes to the White Castle to challenge the Kingadent to a fight. After the student defeats Slugwrath, Dean Warlic nominates Odessa for Queenadent in Slugwrath's place.

The student then travels to another planet called Westion in the hopes of gaining support for the continuing struggle with the Shadowscythe. Westion is inhabited by the horse-like race of Equins and the reptilian race of Drakels. The two races are having troubled relations when the player arrives and requests help. The desert planet contains many mines to collect the crystallized dragon's breath buried under the its surface, which is a valuable fuel source. The Equins' mines have been experiencing strange shortages, and they blame it on the Drakels.

When the player explores the mines, however, they discover mysterious happenings. Finally, after delving deep into an old mine, they come across a Shadowscythe starship that crashed on Westion centuries before. While trying to access its computers, the player accidentally activates the ship's distress signal, alerting Lord Valoth to its presence, who makes clear his intention to attack Westion. Evidence the EvilCorp is connected is also found at the starship.

Mayor Roy Silver of Alamonia sends the player to arrest Firemane, presumably because she and J6 were stealing the crystallized dragon's breath. However, he only wanted the player to deliver a love letter to the bandit. She then asks the player to deliver some dragon's breath to the Vul'kharim, a birdlike race that lives in the Sandsea. The route to the Vul'kharim is also the route the missing ambassadors were on. While making the delivery, the player is inadvertently beamed up to Station 13, a space station controlled by EvilCorp. The player must defeat Maria 13, then Mr. Z, who escapes after being defeated by the player. However, the missing ambassadors are also found. They tell the player that EvilCorp stole the dragon's breath and kidnapped them to start a war between Alamonia and Khaeldron. The space station is then taken over by the Equins and the Drakels, to be used against the Shadowscythe.

Upgrades

Star Captain

Star Captains are the upgraded mecha pilots of "MechQuest". A Star Captain is a paid account that allows the player to use more mechas and equipment and access the Mission Room and the starship which is used to travel to other planets. Customizable starships have been released, in which Star Captains can purchase furniture for their ships. Star Captains can also view other Captains' ships. Characters that are not Star Captains can also "ride" on the starships as passengers for a fee, but they are unable to customize or command the ship. Players who upgraded prior to November 2007 are known as "Founders". They can access a Founder-only mecha known as the Knightron SE and can access the Founder Ceremony event.

Nova Gems

All players may purchase Nova Gems, a form of elite in-game currency, with real money. Nova Gems can be used in the game to purchase more powerful weapons and mechs. Nova Gems cannot be exchanged for credits.

Death From Above

Artix Entertainment released a video titled "Death From Above" (D.F.A.) on March 26, 2008. It was created by Artix Entertainment animator J6, and can be viewed in the Cinemech in the MechQuest game. [http://www.mechquest.com/mq-designnotes.asp "MechQuest" Design Notes. Retrieved on 2008-04-10] It shows a unit of Soluna Armed Forces being attacked, and possibly entirely destroyed by a creature revealed in the game as a Doom Harvester.

References

External links

* [http://www.mechquest.com/ "MechQuest"]
* [http://www.mechquest.com/mq-designnotes.asp "MechQuest" Design Notes]
* [http://forums2.battleon.com/f/tt.asp?forumid=183 "MechQuest" section in the Artix Entertainment forum]
* [http://www.mqwiki.com/index.php?title=Main_Page "MechQuest" Wiki] - A Wiki for "MechQuest".