Grand Chase (Korean: 그랜드체이스, lit. Grand Chase) was a free-to-play, two-dimensional side-scrolling MMORPGdeveloped by the South Korean company KOG Studios. Alternate names for Grand Chase include 3小俠 (Chinese: lit. Three Young Heroes) used on the Taiwan server; however, it has now been changed to 永恆冒險 (Eternal Adventures). Another name used previously was 彩虹骑士 (Rainbow Warriors) by the Chinese (Mainland) server. The reopening of the Chinese (Mainland) server will also use the name of the Taiwan and Hong Kong Server.

Gameplay

While gameplay in Grand Chase is primarily keyboard-driven, the game menu’s interface is, by contrast, primarily mouse-driven, although some in-game key commands may be user-defined. Due to the combos and special attacks, the game has a feel that is similar to side-scrolling fighting games such as Double Dragon, while the appearance and design of the backdrops, as well as the characters and monster, puts the game in an anime-esque setting. While it is an action game, the designers took care to not make a “button masher”. The game is free-to-play, where players need to earn currency known as Game Points (GP) from completing dungeon quests, individual missions, or defeating other players to buy better equipment and items, but there are some items that can only be purchased with real-world currency. In Grand Chase, players start off role-playing as one character of their choosing and can make three other characters. Players are able to make more than four characters but are required to buy additional character slots. However, the player may freely switch among the characters he or she has unlocked before entering combat, each with their own specific equipment, skills and experience level.

Experience

After each expedition into a dungeon, characters gain experience points. While the amount of experience gained is partially dependent on the player’s performance in a dungeon, and the player’s character’s level, every player will gain some experience. The player’s character is also given additional experience upon the completion of every mission. When sufficient experience is obtained, the player’s character will advance by one level. Higher levels improve statistics and grant access to better equipment. Experience can also be gained through player versus player.

Dungeon Mode and Parties

When entering a dungeon, a player may form a group of players, also known as a party, to complete it. When choosing a dungeon to play, the player is given the option to create a party of their own or join one created by another player. The creator of the game, known as the host, can regulate whoever joins his or her party by locking the game with a password, or otherwise leave it unprotected, allowing any user to join. He or she is also given the option to kick any player prior to or after the completion of a dungeon. Each dungeon consists of a certain number of floors, or levels, usually with a boss on the final floor. Items needed to complete quests will automatically be given to the player at a certain rate after the monster is defeated by any member of the party. All other items are distributed to different party members by a “dice” system. When an item is picked up by any party member, each member of the party rolls their own set of dice; the outcome ranged from 2 to 100. The player with the highest number wins the item. The player is unable to roll the dice for items if their inventory is full. The size of the inventory can be increased with +10, +30 and +60 Bags, which can be acquired by purchasing with Cash or through some Events. To encourage group play, there is a slight experience boost when working together. Because each party has a maximum limit of four players, and each player may freely choose whichever character he or she wants to use, there is a chance that two or more players will control the same playable character. However, they can be identified separately through their screen name.

Relay Dungeon

The Relay Dungeon can be entered the same way as a normal dungeon. Up to 4 players may form a party and attempt the Relay Dungeon together. In the Relay Dungeon the player fights through every boss on the Continent in order. The bosses in the Relay Dungeon have increased statistics, making them harder to defeat. After a boss is defeated, a chest opens, which contains many valuable items, including Cash items. Any boss that has been released in a dungeon can be chosen. This mode is only available during certain events.

Player versus Player

Players can also compete against each other in combat. There are two types of player versus player combat in Grand Chase, Team Battles and Survival, with additional options of choosing between Tag and Fight, No Item and Item Mode. Win/loss statistics are recorded for these matches. There is no time limit.

Modes

Team Battles

Team battles consist of two, four, or six players and can be played in one-, two-, and three-a-side formations. Each player is given the option to join either the Serdin Team or Kanavan Team, although they cannot change sides during a match. As such, it is theoretically possible for a Team Battle to be unbalanced in terms of the number of players per side; but this is only possible if one of the players disconnects during the loading or leaves in the middle of the game, otherwise the teams must be even in order for the host to start the match. Team battles encourage players to plan their attack strategies and co-operate with one another to defeat the opposing team. Players are unable to harm their teammates.

Survival

A mode where anywhere between two to six players battle with the other players until only one player is left alive. The surviving player, once a match is over, is given first place and then it is ordered based on whoever has the most kills. The top ranked half of the Players in the room will get a win (if there is an odd number of players then the number of winners is rounded down). This is done to encourage players to fight instead of hide and run from the others until he or she is the only player left alive aside from the actual winner (the person who fought and survived against all others (the winner in terms of fair play).

Smashing

This mode appears as a special event, usually centered around holidays like Halloween and Christmas. This mode is generally considered the same for all special events. The only difference in this event is the target of the “smashing”. For example at Christmas the target of the smashing might be a snowman and for Halloween the player might be asked to smash pumpkins. When smashing, two teams attempt to smash the special seasonal items that belong to the opposing team. The team who accomplishes this first wins the game. However, like Team Battles, the opposing teams can be unbalanced. Players are still allowed to kill other players in this mode. However, it should be noted that every player in a smashing event has unlimited lives during the event and if a player is killed he or she will respawn after a 3-second countdown.

Honor Guard

This mode is essentially a team battle where one member of each team is randomly selected as a ‘Warlord’ upon the start of the match, shown by a red/blue marker. The aim of the game is to successfully defeat the opposing team’s Warlord twice before your own is beaten. Warlords are given double regular stats to help defend themselves from the opposing team, while other players have stats equal to each other. Furthermore, a Warlord has only two lives, whereas other players can respawn after defeat endlessly. Should a Warlord be defeated once, the other team’s Warlord suffers from a drastically lowered level of defense for 10 seconds. As well, warlords cannot regenerate health. Similar to the Smashing modes, respawn time is increased to 5 seconds for all players.

Options

Tag Match

Tag Match allows players to play with two characters of their choice. By pressing a button, they can switch characters during the course of a fight. However, if one of the characters is killed, the player can no longer switch to that character. Then the player is automatically switched to their other character.^[3]

Item Mode

When Item Mode is turned on, power ups will be dropped onto the battlefield at regular intervals throughout the match and can be used by the player that picks them up. These power ups grant the player special abilities, such as invisibility or invincibility, for a short duration of time. Each player can store up to three power ups at any time and use them in any order they wish. If a player is killed while holding items, the items are dropped and available to be picked up by another player.

Characters

There are multiple playable characters to use and players can switch characters between dungeons. Each character is leveled and equipped separately. Equipment is character-specific, but not all accessories are character-specific and the choice of character is similar to class choice in most games. These are characters which the players may play, and advance their classes and develop their skills accordingly. Players are given four character slots in which they are able to make any character of their choosing. In order to make more characters, players must buy additional character slots. These slots can only be purchased through real-world currency. There are currently a total of 20 different characters available.