Dragonica is a massively multiplayer online casual game developed by Barunson Interactive Co, based in Korea. Dragonica is free-to-play and players may choose to pay for additional content and features on a micro-transaction basis. Barunson Interactive spent seven years developing Dragonica, which brings cartoon side-scrolling action online games to a new peak. The game’s totally 3D rendering design, fresh cartoon characters and scenery modeling, create a new visual perception of side-scrolling games. Dragonica skillfully mixes the elements of action and arcade, and creates various ultimate skills to enhance playability.

Dragonica offers features that will surely capture your gaming senses. The game offers a whole new level of combat system wherein you can perform chain attack combinations paired up with humorous skills that are easy to learn but difficult to master. Community functions such as guilds, parties, marriage system and a lot more will encourage interaction between players. You can also acquire different pets that can be used as mounts or battle assistants and have your own house which you can furnish and decorate. A crafting system will also be available to all 4 character classes which will further evolve into more than 28 different classes. Nominated as “The most anticipated game” by Gamespot Korea after the GStar 2007 convention, Dragonica combines fun, humor, extensive content and innovative gameplay.

“Dragonica Online is our first online offering, and it’s critical to ensure our players have a seamless experience right from the start,” says Eddie Chen, CEO of THQ*ICE. “As a premier leader in MMO games hosting, Hypernia and its flexible hosting solutions is an ideal partner for us.”

Adds James Vallord-Costa, CEO and co-founder of Hypernia: “We are proud to partner with THQ*ICE and look forward to supporting Dragonica Online. The joint venture of THQ and ICE Entertainment creates an exciting foundation for new MMO experiences, and we look forward to supporting future titles.”

Dragonica’s communications system includes a variety of ways to get your message across to other players. The game’s Postal System allows you to send messages to letterboxes scattered throughout Dragonica. This is ideal for getting messages to people to organise events and parties when players are offline. It can also be used as a method for distributing items between players. Send it free or set a charge for the player receiving your item if you want to use the system to trade. Friend lists let you quickly see which of your friends are online and start chatting with them, join their party and get straight into the action.

Trading in Dragonica is quick and easy to do. After a simple click on the Open Market menu, you can open your own shop and put your items on the market for other players to view and purchase. This allows you to earn gold towards other items in the Open Market that you want to buy, as well as offload any loot that your character doesn’t need. If you run into someone on your adventures, you can quickly start a transaction, chat and trade for items you both want to exchange. There are many characters scattered throughout Dragonica who have items that you can trade. Players can also open a bank vault to keep their favourite items safe. These are available in the larger cities in Dragonica.

Dragonica recognises that players often have a friend that they regularly go on adventures with. The Couple System allows two players to make it official and known to other players. After forming a couple, when both players are close together in combat or in travel, they are granted additional skills and a buff to their attacking speed. This is combined with the ability to immediately warp to your partner should you be apart and they be in need. And with a little red heart beside your name, everyone will know you’re taken.

Another recognition of friendship in the game is through Friend Points, which are earned as you play through the game in a party. After a long battle, you can trade your Friend Points with an in-game character and get a lump sum of bonus experience just for fighting with your friends. This is particularly handy if you’re close to levelling up. Parties also allow players to distribute collected loot evenly, or let everyone go free for all after the best items.

Dragonica Online, developed by Barunson Interactive, is scheduled for this fall. Fans looking to get a sneak peek of the game can register for the Preview Beta Test, currently scheduled for May 29.