Elsword (Korean: 엘소드 Elsword) is a free-to-play, action-oriented massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by KOG Studios. It was first released at the end of 2007 in South Korea and later localized and made available to play in other regions. The game was originally developed as a spiritual successor to KOG Studios' other game, Grand Chase, specifically evolving the graphics from 2D to 3D. This MMORPG boasts a 2.5D side-scrolling gameplay with beat'em up combat, manga-inspired visuals, and an immersive fantasy world. The story of the game follows the title protagonist Elsword and the El Search Party as they travel across the world of Elrios to protect the El from the encroaching demonic forces.
Elsword | |
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Developer | KOG Studios |
Publishers | Nexon NHN Corporation (Hangame) File:Flag-tw.pngFile:Hk.png Gamania (TIC) Giant Interactive (ZT Game) KOG Games File:Europeanunion.png Gameforge Asiasoft (PlayPark) File:Flag of Indonesia.png Netmarble File:Bresil Flag.png Level UP! Games Garena Furizen Solutions (Gamemela) |
Platform | Microsoft Windows |
Release Dates | December 27, 2007 File:Flag-tw.png October 23, 2009 File:Hk.png November 9, 2009 March 17, 2010 December 9, 2010[1] March 23, 2011 November 11, 2011 2011? February 2, 2012[2] April 17, 2012[3] October 11, 2012 File:Flag of Indonesia.png December 4, 2012 File:Bresil Flag.png July 10, 2013 July 24, 2013 October 9, 2013 April 2, 2014 |
Ratings | GRAC (South Korea): All ? GSRR (Taiwan): 12 CERO (Japan): ? ERSB (North America): T ? USK (Germany): 12 PEGI (Europe): 12 OK (Thailand): 13 ClassInd (Brazil): L |
Genres | MMORPG, Action-Adventure, Fighting, Platformer, Side-scroller |
Mode | Multiplayer |
Input | Keyboard, Mouse, Gamepad |
“ | Play Your Manga!
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Story
In the land of Elrios, the world is given life thanks to the power of the El, a mystical gem that radiates energy. However, the harmony of Elrios was disrupted by one of the masters of the El, Solace, when he kidnaps the El Lady, the one chosen by the goddess Ishmael to watch over the El. This caused the El to become unstable and explode, leading to its current existence as numerous crystal shards of energy scattered across the continent. While the Nasod and human civilizations began to disappear, survivors could only prosper where larger El Shards were, as those shards hold great enough power to sustain the nature and civilization around it. Towns and villages were rebuilt around these large shards with the remaining El Masters protecting them to restore power to the El. But with the disruption came the rise of wicked beings who seek the power of the El for their own.
Our story begins with Elsword, a young boy continuing his knight training in the village of Ruben. He discovers the great, blue demon Berthe trying to take away the El Shard in Ruben, which is vital in maintaining life for the village and the surrounding forest. Elsword unleashes his anger and manages to force Berthe to retreat, with the help of the wandering magician, Aisha, who happened upon the battle. Meanwhile, the elven ranger Rena overhears a group of bandits also planning to steal Ruben's El Shard. She engages the leader, Banthus, but he is able to escape with the El Shard. Rena, Elsword, and Aisha resolve to work together to retrieve the stolen El Shard from Banthus and the bandits, thus forming the El Search Party. This would begin their adventure as the members of the El Search Party travel across the continent to track down the El, make new allies and friends, stop powerful and cunning foes, solve the mysteries surrounding the El and the El Lady, and protect Elrios from the growing evil that threatens to destroy it.
Gameplay
Players can choose to play as one of twelve playable characters, each with their own unique characteristics, abilities, and backstories. Players will traverse through diverse areas and villages, where they can talk to NPCs and accept quests or access the game's various shops and facilities. Players can venture into dungeons and fields, where they can defeat enemies and tough bosses using attack commands and special skills to string together powerful combos. Doing so will allow players to complete Epic Quests, which unfold the story though dialogue cutscenes and sometimes rendered videos. Defeating monsters and completing quests can reward items, equipment, and ED, the main in-game currency. ED can be used to purchase various items, equipment, and services. The game servers also generally have limited-time in-game events that players can participate in to earn special rewards and benefits. Players can choose to use real cash currency to purchase exclusive goods from the Item Mall. Some of the main types of items available in the Item Mall are costume pieces and customizations, which can be purchased to dress up and customize characters to make them personalized.
Players earn experience from defeating enemies, clearing dungeons, and completing quests to level up and advance their characters. Upon reaching level 15, players can upgrade their character along a specialized job path, each with their own fighting style and personality, which gives access to new skills and abilities. The player is then able to advance their characters further at level 35 and unlock more powers for their class with the Transcendence system at level 70. The final advancement sits at the current level cap of level 99, unlocking the Force Skill system and more abilities.
Upon reaching the level cap of 99 and completing a certain quest, players can continue to earn experience to earn points in the El Resonance system, which can be invested in various stat increases to specialize characters and make them even stronger.
Players can collect and use a variety of items found throughout their journey. Quests can reward items upon completions, and NPCs can sell some items to players. Dungeons and bosses can drop rare equipment and items as well. Equipment can be dismantled into materials, which can be used to craft even stronger equipment. Equipment can also be enhanced at blacksmiths to power up its main stats, socketed to give additional stats, or attributed at an alchemist to gain additional elemental effects. Special dungeons available at higher levels drop special materials and equipment that is needed to craft the strongest, endgame equipment. Other items such as consumables and elixirs can be crafted as well. Players can also own pet companions who can accompany them on their journey, as well as mounts to provide swift transportation.
Players can interact with each other by communicating via the chat window, forming parties either manually or through matchmaking, playing in the fields or dungeons together (PvE), sparring or dueling in player versus player (PvP) matches, becoming part of a guild, trading with one another and selling items on the market board, and combining forces to tackle giant Raid Bosses.
Characters
Characters | |||||
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File:ElboyTiny.png Knight Elsword is the titular swordsman who carries a great sword to slash and bash his enemies. He is an aspiring young knight who was trained under the guidance of his sister, Elesis. Ambitious and hotheaded, Elsword is always looking for a challenge, but he is good-natured at heart. Elsword begins his journey searching for the lost El that was stolen from the town of Ruben after he fends off the demon Berthe. He joins forces with Aisha and Rena, and they all depart on their journey together. Elsword's strength lies in his close-ranged skill with the sword, but he can also harness the power of fire to deal some explosive attacks. He can take a number of hits and strike right back. Elsword begins his adventure with a powerful frontal slash File:ElSkill1.png and a quick evasive dodge File:Rolling.png.
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In-Depth
Media
Manhwa
Webcomics
Light Novel
Mobile Game
Animation
Staff
Main
Role | Name | Notes |
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Director | 이동신 (Lee Dong Shin) | 2016~Current |
이승헌 (Lee Seung Heon) | 2015~2016 | |
권오당 (Kwon Oh Dang) | 2011~2015 | |
김창호 (Kim Chang Ho) | 2007~2011 | |
Voice Director | Michael Sorich | Directed KOG Games' Voice Over Project for NA server |
Character Modeler | Sylpie | Remodeled Aisha's, Rena's, and Raven's face in a model update patch. |
Artists
Name | Notes |
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RESS | Main Concept Designer, Illustrator (2006-2010) - Character Concepts: Elsword, Aisha, Rena, Raven, and Eve (base and first/second path 1st and 2nd jobs) |
흑주돈 | Concept Artist, Illustrator - Character Concept: Chung (base and first/second path 1st and 2nd jobs) |
문어인간 (OCTOMAN/Takoman) | Concept Artist, Illustrator - Character Concept: Sheath Knight, Trapping Ranger, Shelling Guardian, Infinity Sword, and Dimension Witch |
광견샤프트 | Concept Artist, Illustrator - Original Portraits: Veteran Commander and Saber Knight |
Sando | Concept Artist, Illustrator - Character Concept: Infinity Sword, Ara, Little Hsien, Sakra Devanam, Elesis, Pyro Knight, Arc Tracer, Little Specter, Crimson Rose, and Freyja |
즉흥환상 (hwansang) | Concept Artist, Official Illustrator (2013-2015); Freelance Illustrator (2016~) - Character Concept: Little Devil, Blazing Heart, Add (base and all 1st and 2nd jobs except for Arc Tracer), Lu/Ciel |
Sylpi | Concept Artist, Illustrator - Character Concept: Yama Raja and Grand Master |
Pixel | UI/UX Designer, Calligraphy and Icon Artist , Motion Graphics Designer (2013-2015) |
Voice Cast
Character | |||
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Elsword | 정유미 (Jeong Yu Mi) | 鈴村 健一 (Kenichi Suzumura) | Nicolas Roye |
Aisha | 이지영 (Yi Ji Yong) | 釘宮 理恵 (Kugimiya Rie) | Sandy Fox |
Rena | 정미숙 (Jeong Mi Sok) | 堀江 由衣 (Horie Yui) | Cristina Vee |
Raven | 박성태 (Bak Seong Tae) | 宮野 真守 (Miyano Mamoru) | Brian Beacock |
Eve | 우정신 (Woo Jeong Shin) | 能登 麻美子 (Noto Mamiko) | Brianna Knickerbocker |
Chung | 양정화 (Yang Jeong Hwa) | 沢城 みゆき (Sawashiro Miyuki) | ??? |
Ara | 여민정 (Yeo Min Jeong) | 佐藤 聡美 (Satomi Satō) | Dina Sherman |
Elesis | 윤여진 (Yoon Yuh Jin) | 井上 麻里奈 (Inoue Marina) | Erin Fitzgerald |
Add | 정재헌 (Jeong Jae-heon) | 釘宮 理恵 (Kugimiya Rie) | Bryce Papenbrook |
Lu | 김현지 (Kim Hyeonji) | 井口 裕香 (Yuka Iguchi) | ??? |
Ciel | 김영선 (Kim Yeongson) | 杉山 紀彰 (Noriaki Sugiyama) | JC Hyke |
Rose | 이용신 (Lee Yong Shin) | 小清水 亜美 (Ami Koshimizu) | Erica Lindbeck |
Ain | 김승준 (Kim Seung Jun) | 武内 駿輔 (Takeuchi Shunsuke) | ??? |
Trailers
Pre-release Trailer 1 (2007) Beginners Site Movie NA Promo Trailer (2015) NA Promo Trailer (2017) |
Animated Trailer (2007) JP Promo Trailer (2014) EU Promo Trailer "Playing with Fire" |
Gallery
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Elsword's Logo
Trivia
- The game originally featured the ability to charge MP up to a certain amount to trigger specific tier skills, much like in Grand Chase. The skill tiers that still exist today are a remnant of said feature, as it was replaced with Mana Break instead.
- The original mascot for the game was the Phoru enemy present early in the game. They have been overshadowed by the Baby Hedgehog pet in recent days however.
- While the game features a fully original Soundtrack up to and including Lanox, any music past that point is instead licenced stock music, potentially as a means to reduce production costs.
Alternative Names
Server | Name | Translation |
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South Korea | 엘소드 | Elsword |
Japan | エルソード | Elsword |
Taiwan (Traditional Chinese) | 艾索德 | Elsword |
China (Simplified Chinese) | 艾索德 | Elsword |
External Links
Server | Publisher | Official Link | Restrictions | |
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South Korea | Nexon | Elsword KR | Only Korean players (as of 03/01/2019) | |
Japan | KOG Games | Elsword JP Steam Store Page |
Only Japan players (has its own Steam version) | |
Taiwan | Gamania (TIC) | Elsword TW | Only Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan players | |
China | Giant Interactive (ZT Game) |
Elsword CN WeGame Store Page |
No IP block | |
North America | KOG Games | Elsword NA & International Steam Store Page |
Japanese, Taiwanese and Korean players excluded (as of 01/13/2021) Steam versions are not available in South Korea, Europe (Russia included), Greater China and Japan. (as of 08/29/2022) | |
International | English | |||
Brazilian Portuguese | KOG Games and Level UP! Games KOG Games | |||
Thai | KOG Games and Asiasoft (PlayPark) KOG Games |
Elsword TH | ||
Europe | Germany | Gameforge Steam Store Page |
Elsword DE | No IP Block |
Spain | Elsword ES | |||
France | Elsword FR | |||
Italy | Elsword IT | |||
Poland | Elsword PL | |||
United Kingdom | Elsword UK |