Emil Chronicle Online

Emil Chronicle Online, also know as EMO, is an anime inspired 3D fantasy MMORPG set in the world of Arconia. The game has several unique features including the ability to transform into a puppet to gain access to additional skill.

Publisher: Gravity
Type: MMORPG
Release Date: November 24, 2005
Closure Date: September 30, 2010 (English Server)
Pros: +Varied races and class options. +Strong emphasis on story. +Pet and Puppet system.
Cons: -Dated interface and game mechanics. -Small English speaking community.

Emil Chronicle Online shut down on September 30, 2010

Overview

Emil Chronicle Online Overview

Originally launched as subscription based MMORPG in Japan, Emil Chronicle Online went free to play with the Iris Update on May 28, 2009. The game has anime style graphics with a vague resemblance to the art style found in Mabinogi. Emil Chronicle Online only briefly had an official English language server available, but the main Japanese service has been running since the game's initial release in 2005. Some key feature in Emil Chronicle Online include pets, a Marionette system that allows players to morph into puppets to unlock special skills, and a possession system which allows players to possess a piece of equipment owned by another player.

Races - Emil, Titania, Dominion, DEM

Job Classes:

Swordsman -> Blade Master / Bounty Hunter Fencer -> Knight / Dark Stalker
Scout -> Assassin / Commander Archer -> Striker / Gunner
Wizard -> Sorcerer / Sage Shaman -> Elementalist / Enchanter
Vates -> Druid / Bard Warlock -> Cabalist / Necromancer
Miner -> Blacksmith / Engineer Farmer -> Alchemist / Marionettist
Ranger -> Explorer / Treasure Hunter Merchant -> Trader / Gambler

Emil Chronicle Online Screenshots

Emil Chronicle Online Featured Video

Emil Chronicle Online - 2015 Gameplay Trailer

Full Review

Emil Chronicle Online Review

By Kenneth Bodzak

Emil Chronicle Online is a free MMORPG that allows players to adventure as humans, angels, and demons in the far away land of Arconia. The game was developed by the same folks who made Ragnarok Online and Requiem – Gravity. The graphics and gameplay are largely derived from Japanese anime, and provide a wonderful surrealistic experience for the adventurer. The Japanese title was originally pay-to-play, but recently became a free-to-play MMO and was licensed out to various locations across the world. Run Up has rights to the game’s distribution in Singapore and Malaysia, and offers it free-to-play. A cash shop is available, but is not at all necessary to enjoy the game by any means. The locale of the servers (Singapore and Malaysia) does not affect the experience, as the game is available in English, and just about anybody can sign up and create a free account.

The game’s back-story is rooted in a devastating resource struggle that drives the Emil (humans) to desperately scavenge for their survival. People, places, and things were discovered that were never thought to have existed before. Unfortunately some of the places found were never meant for humans to experience, creating chaos and turmoil throughout the new world. Adventurers start in the world of Arconia and complete many of their operations out of the main city of Acropolis. Arconia is inhabited by the three playable races in the game, and also serves as a home to some of the deadliest enemies in the game.

Stepping into Arconia

When players first decide to adventure in Emil Chronicle Online, they are allowed to create a character and choose from one of the game’s three races. Character creation is very straightforward, and offers plenty of customization. Players can choose from various face types, hairstyles, and hair colors. Characters become much more distinct as equipment is acquired later in the game. However, one of most distinguishing characteristics about a character is their race.

The three playable races are the Emil, Titania, and Dominion. It is much easier to think of the three races as humans, angels, and demons (respectively). The Emil (humans) are courageous and determined adventurers. They are driven by their past struggles and explore Arconia with burning curiosities, a glowing pride, and steadfast courage. The Titania (angels) are messengers of fate, and inhabit the world believing their actions and future are all governed by destiny. The Titania both follow and preach the truths of the “Almighty God”, and every Titania sports a pair of angel wings and a halo to differentiate their character. Dominion (demons) are quick-witted vagabonds that often shroud themselves in anonymity. Very little is known about their history or motives. However, they can be identified by their long devilish tail.

Emil Chronicle Online is very friendly to new players just getting started with the game. The beginning tutorials are extremely informative and help explain the more complex parts of the game early on. Players get to experience airship transport, a ticket system, basic combat, and item collection in simple situations, and have plenty of NPCs to help guide them to Acropolis city. Acropolis city is the social and economic focal point of Arconia and the place to go to meet other players embarking on similar adventures.

Marionettes and More!

This title employs some unique features to help make the gameplay experience more unique and enjoyable than other free MMORPGs. Players can purchase “Marionettes” or puppets which their character can then transform into, allowing them to stay active the game world even when the user is logged off. This feature allows users to open up shops, and even possess items with their own character to enhance the items strength while a different character uses it. Features like these help the player stay involved in Emil Chronicle Online even while offline.

Emil Chronicle Online also features an item enhancement system that allows players to combine items and use them to enhance their own gear. This system helps players progress through the world and also individualize their characters to avoid having multiple people with the same characters and the same exact stats. The system is implemented in such a way that subsequent item enhancements are less effective than the original, and prevents players from abusing item enhancements to the point where acquiring a new piece of gear is not as effective as simply upgrading an older one. The item enhancement system provides for a steady and reliable path to character improvement, while not discouraging progress in other areas.

The game provides each character the ability to choose a job, and then later on advance and further distinguish that job multiple times as the character progresses in level. Characters level-up via killing NPCs and completing quests, much like most MMORPGs, and have a level cap of 100 in ECO. However, jobs can also gain levels, but only up to the cap at level 50. Each character makes an exclusive and permanent first job choice that decides how they will progress and what direction they will go throughout the rest of the game. Rest assured, the game thoroughly explains the paths and attributes of each job, if you care to read through the dialogues.

Transportation and Combat

Arconia itself is not exactly mind blowing in its size, but it does take quite a bit of time to get around. Teleportation-like travel is available through Airships. Airships are a form of combined player housing and transportation. The airship is a pseudo-item that allows the player to summon a ladder to their personal airship and visit it. While on an airship the player can travel to set, airship-friendly locations. In addition to airships, players can also purchase animals to ride on, which help them navigate Arconia (as well as lend them further bonuses).

Emil Chronicle Online takes advantage of the commonly used “auto-attack” system in many MMORPGs. The player can target and attack a monster, and for the most part the game will do the rest. ECO features a plethora of cute, anime-style, attack animations and combat messages that give the game a fun and cartoony feel. The combat does evolve slightly as players make progress in the game, and becomes more complex and more interesting as a character levels up and gains new abilities. Throw in a few fancy spells, cool weapons, some interesting looking enemies and Emil Chronicles Online does a great job making a reliable old combat system enjoyable.

Final Verdict: Good

Emil Chronicle Online is fun anime MMORPG, but it does not quite set itself apart from the rest of the free MMORPG universe. The graphics are effective and enjoyable, but the anime style is nothing players have not seen before. A basic combat system and linear game progression hold this MMO back. ECO is a free MMORPG that can stand on its own two feet, but unfortunately stands no taller than the rest.

Music

Emil Chronicle Online Music & Soundtrack


Additional Info

Emil Chronicle Online Additional Information

Developer: Headlock

Release Date: November 24, 2005 (Japan)
Closure Date: September 30, 2010 (Singapore, English Server)

Release Dates:

Japan: November 24, 2005 - GungHo
Global: November 2005 - Gravity
South East Asia/Oceania: December 18, 2006 - Infocomm Asia Holdings
China: January 17, 2007 - The9 (closed)
Malaysia/Singapore: September 30, 2009 - Run Up (English server, closed)
Indonesia: July 23, 2009 - WaveGame (closed)

Update History:

Major updates in Emil Chronicle Online are known as Sagas.

Saga 1-4: Introduced the major cities of Acroplis, Fareast, Iron South, Northern Kingdom, and Morg. Initial game features including marionette, job advancement, synthesis, and quests were added.

Saga 5: Tonka Island added. Tonka Island serves as the mechanical hub in EMO where players mechanical parts like Airships and Gatling Cannons are produced.

Saga 6-7: Added the Maimai Ruins and Water layer dungeons. Level 90 weapons and the Breeder Job were also added.

Saga 8: Granted access to the Dominion World. Players were able to assist the Dominion in their struggle against the DEM race invading their planet. The Gardener Job was also added.

Saga 9: A new tutorial and guide tool for beginners was introduced along with the town of ECO which uses e-coins as currency. Level 99 weapons and armor were also added.

Saga 10: The DEM race (Deus Ex Machina) were added along with dimensional dungeons. Saga 10 also added level 110 weapons.

Saga 11: Third job classes, called Chronicle Jobs were added.

Development History / Background:

Emil Chronicle Online was developed by the Japanese studio Headlock and published in Japan by GungHo. GungHo then sold the global licensing rights to ECO to its subsidiary, Gravity, which went on the find publishers across the world. The only official English language server Western gamers could access was the Malaysian/Singapore version run by Run Up. This server only lasted a year before closing and the game has not found a viable audience outside Japan.

Private Servers

Emil Chronicle Online Private Servers

While the official service for Emil Chronicle Online is no longer available in North America, there are several player-run servers still accessible. The software these servers use may be modified and may not be safe. Download and install files from these sites at your own risk.

Atomix Emil Chronicles