It's an "evil" raccoon! (One of the critters
you'll encounter in Luminary).
Website: (Click here)
Developer: NDoors
You might think that a simplistic art style means a simplistic gameplay. With NDoors - creators of Atlantica - this is not so. Luminary: Rise of the GoonZu has cute 2.5D graphics, but also a very deep and involved politics and game system.
So what exactly IS a GoonZu? It is, quite simply, the leader of the entire world. The Luminary world is one which has learned the hard way that free will and democracy are essential to a healthy and thriving world. Luminary presents a more optimistic view of a post-apocalyptic world where people have learned to live together in a functioning community, with a strong and involved political and economic system.
This said, you DO run around and kill monsters a lot. However, thanks to the incredibly expansive world, there are many opportunities and options.
User-friendliness: 4.5/5
Luminary retains the noob friendly system of Atlantica, presenting you with a series of quests in the beginning to get you accustomed to the basic gameplay and various features of the game. These quests are helpful, but a bit tedious if you've played any MMOs before.
Unlike in most other MMOs, you get the option to redistribute your skill points when you reach level 10 - an extremely useful feature in case you mess up your build because you are unfamiliar with the game (you have no idea how many times I've had to restart games because of this).
Finding things and information in this game is incredibly easy - there are databases in the game which allow you to browse through or search for any town, item, monster, resource, etc.
Graphics: 4/5
As I said before, the graphics are 2.5D (by that I mean it's not quite 3D, but not entirely 2D either..). There are only three avatars to choose from when you start out, but these are fully customizable both skill-wise and image-wise: your equipment shows up on your avatar, allowing you to have a unique look, weapon, and even mount, pet, or summon.
The environments are simple but intricate, containing many cute monsters, but also some pretty impressive looking creatures and areas.
Originality: 5/5
Here is where NDoors really shines.
There are no classes in Luminary. Instead, the way you distribute your skill points determines which weapons you can use. The weapons themselves cannot be found: you have to make them (or buy them). In fact, everything in the game can be manufactured. Equipment, items, food, you name it.
There is a hunger and health system, which are unique to Luminary. Your character must be kept healthy and not too full or too hungry using - you've got it - medicine and food.
But above all, one of the most interesting and original aspects to Luminary is the politics of the game. The political and economic structure of Rise of the Goonzu is extremely well developed. Every person in this game can have shares, own warehouses, run for town chief, and much more. Every town is governed by a chief, who is elected into office every month by the people who have invested in the town and those who own shares. Every farm, mine, warehouse, storage house, are owned by people. Everything is thought out, and everyone has a chance.
The top possible position is the Goonzu, the leader of the Luminary world. The Goonzu, in turn, elects five people to five different positions, each with his or her own power. This elected government is then in charge of hosting various events, overseeing things, and just making sure people are having fun, until the next Goonzu is elected.
What level of involvement you choose is up to you. You can be an "activist" of sorts, or instead choose simply to play the game for the monsters and leveling up. However, the politics should not be overlooked. Luminary successfully creates a small scale model of what might happen to the world if we all decided to unite in an international system of democracy and capitalism. This makes it a uniquely communal experience, far deeper than the typical partying and guild systems of most MMORPG's. For just these things alone, Luminary is worth playing, and possibly even studying a government and social experiment.
Fun Factor: 5/5
With so much to do, there is never a dull moment in Luminary. Kill monsters, visit dungeons, create equipment or call up faithful summons... or even have parties in your local town Party House. When you get bored of one thing, just turn your attention to something else.
Overall Score: 18.5/20
Download the game HERE.
Comments