Vindictus

Vindictus features hack and slash combat where players can perform a variety of attacks, combos, and specials moves while dodging or blocking enemy attacks. The combat also has a physics system where players can pickup and attack with various objects, grapple and throw enemies, and destroy parts of the environment. Unlike other MMORPGs, Vindictus does not have an open world. Instead, players start in a central hub town, and can select combat missions from a list.

New missions are unlocked as the player levels up and progresses through the story. Missions will typically have the player progress through several rooms of a themed dungeon fighting monsters and avoiding traps, and then end with a boss fight. Most missions can be played in a group of 1-4 players, with some raid missions allowing groups of 8 or more players. In the hub town between missions players can upgrade their equipment, learn new skills, and complete side quests for NPCs.

Vindictus is a prequel to Mabinogi, set in the same world several hundred years earlier. The lore is inspired by Celtic mythology. The story is primarily told through visual novel segments with the player character talking to different NPCs in the game's towns to progress the plot. Some major story moments also have animated cutscenes and voice acting.

The story of Vindictus is released episodically with new content being added over time. These episodes are grouped into larger seasons. In season 1 the player character is a new member of the crimson blade mercenaries, who get caught up in a war between humans and fomors. Season 2 has the player travel to the island town of Malina and join a group of treasure hunters called the coffer chasers.

Vindictus was developed and published by Nexon. It was developed in the Source engine. Director Eun-Seok Yi explained in an interview that they chose the Source physics engine in order to make the entire world more realistic and interactive. Vindictus is a prequel to the MMORPG Mabinogi which was also developed by devCAT. A third game in the series titled Mabinogi II: Arena was also in development, but canceled in 2014.

In 2015 an update was released for Vindictus containing artwork from Diablo III: Reaper of Souls. Nexon removed the image and apologized.

Vindictus received "generally favorable" reception, according to review aggregator Metacritic.

John Bedford of Eurogamer rated Vindictus 7/10 praising the game's graphics, combat, and controls, but criticized its microtransactions. Mike Splechta from GameZone also praised the combat and called Vindictus "a huge advancement" in free-to-play MMOs but complained about repetition in the dungeons which "constantly recycle rooms from previous areas".