If you're hankering to let loose your inner Jet Li and get your kung-fu on, you're in luck. Snail Games announced that due to the popularity of the closed beta for its MMORPG Age of Wulin (Wushu, same thing), the live beta is now underway.
"Thanks so much to our European players for supporting Snail Game and WEBZEN" Said Shi Hai, chairman of Snail Game in a press release announcing the beta. "We're going to bring you a brand new Wuxia world, with true oriental elements and Chinese culture. In this Wuxia world, you'll find a whole new way to experience an MMO."
No epic mounts, no anthropomorphic pandas, no magic missiles. Age of Wulin takes players back into ancient Chinese history, immersing them in traditional daily life during a period when martial arts culture was at its peak. Instead of a linear level system, players can develop their character by obtaining skills in armed combat, or fists of fury.
Set in the early Ming Dynasty, the game takes place shortly after the death of the emperor, who wasn't the biggest fan of martial arts schools. With his passing, the schools have gone on to flourish, and some factions are looking to fill the power vaccum his death has left. All the while, a secret manual is rumored to be circulating in the lands, promising great power to any who can learn its secrets.
In the initial stages, players will select their path from eight different storylines and uncover a unique novel that accompanies each storyline in order to help build their character. By learning and training new skills each day, the player's character improves and they are offered new challenges with every step. Experienced characters will even be able to master "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" skills that enable them to run on water or even fly from one roof to another. Even when players log out, their in game avatar continues its life in the martial arts.
The open beta will help the development team polish up the game for a final launch. If you want to give the game a go, you can download it from the official website here.
