NEStalgia was a massively multiplayer online role-playing game for Microsoft Windows created by American indie developer Silk Games.[1][2][3] NEStalgia was launched on February 23, 2011,[3][4] then released for Steam on April 15, 2014.[5][6] The core gameplay follows the classic Japanese role-playing game format (particularly Dragon Quest)[1] with turn-based battles, random encounters, and explorable towns and dungeons.
| NEStalgia | |
|---|---|
 Title screen | |
| Developer(s) | Silk Games |
| Publisher(s) | Silk Games |
| Designer(s) | Ben Mallahan |
| Engine | BYOND |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release | February 23, 2011 Steam: April 15, 2014 |
| Genre(s) | Role-playing game |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
Gameplay
editThere are eight character classes in total. The focus of NEStalgia is a cooperative party system in which players join up to battle monsters and complete quests together.[2][3][7][8]
In addition to the classic elements, the game has world chat, a guild system, Player versus player combat, rare items and gear to find, a quest log, and a player auction house for item trading.[9][10][11]
Development
editThe game was designed by Ben Mallahan, who has been creating online games using the BYOND game creation system since 2001.[12][13] NEStalgia was in development for two years, which included an 11-month public beta period. The game was launched on February 23, 2011.[4]
Since release, NEStalgia has undergone many changes. Notable changes include improved framerate, graphical and interface upgrades, and a "companion" system that allows solo players to recruit and fight alongside most monsters in the game.[14][15] Although NEStalgia was developed and powered using BYOND, it became downloadable as a standalone game in June 2012.[16]
NEStalgia was submitted to Steam Greenlight in August 2012.[16][17] It was Greenlit on August 28, 2013, then launched on Steam on April 15, 2014.[6][18]
The last update for the MMO was in September 2016.[19] All official game servers have been offline since October 2018.[20] The official forum has been offline since December 2019.[21]
References
edit- ^ a b McElroy, Griffin (2011-02-24). "NEStalgia mixes old school RPGs with new school MMOs". Joystiq. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
- ^ a b North, Dale (2011-02-24). "8-bit MMORPG NEStalgia launches". Destructoid. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
- ^ a b c Rose, Michael (2011-02-23). "Online Multiplayer RPG NEStalgia Launches". Indie Games. Archived from the original on 2011-02-27. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
- ^ a b Mallahan, Ben (2011-02-25). "Information & answers for new NEStalgia players". Silk Games. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
- ^ Mallahan, Ben (2014-04-06). "NEStalgia v1.68 Released, Steam Coming Soon". Silk Games. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
- ^ a b "NEStalgia on Steam". Silk Games. 2014-04-15. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
- ^ Goldman, Tom (2011-02-24). "NEStalgia Takes 8-Bit RPGs Online". The Escapist. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
- ^ Tarason, Dominic (2011-11-22). "Freeware Game Pick – NEStalgia: The Retro MORPG". DIY Gamer. Archived from the original on 2013-01-21. Retrieved 2012-09-04.
- ^ Kollar, Phil (2011-02-23). "If World Of Warcraft Was An NES Game, It Might Work Something Like This". Game Informer. Archived from the original on February 27, 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
- ^ Bobleanta, Vlad (2011-02-24). "NEStalgia is a retro-tastic 8-bit multiplayer online RPG". Download Squad. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
- ^ Harac, Ian (2011-11-01). "NEStalgia". PC World. Retrieved 2012-09-04.
- ^ Zivalich, Nikole (2011-02-23). "NEStalgia, The Retro MORPG -- MMO And Classic RPG Elements Together At Last". G4tv. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
- ^ "About Silk Games". Silk Games. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
- ^ "Top Ten Previously Unannounced v1.52 Changes". Silk Games. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^ Sloka-Frey, Kyle (2012-08-20). "Interview With Ben Mallahan, Lead Designer of NEStalgia". Indie Game Magazine. Retrieved 2012-09-04.
- ^ a b Sloka-Frey, Kyle (2012-08-15). "NEStalgia Looks to Broaden its Horizons". Indie Game Magazine. Retrieved 2012-09-04.
- ^ Valentaten, Daav (2012-08-31). "Top 10 Indie Picks For Steam Greenlight". Gamesta. Retrieved 2012-09-04.
- ^ "Steam Workshop::August 28th Batch of Greenlit Titles".
- ^ "NEStalgia - Steam News Hub".
- ^ "NEStalgia".
- ^ "Silk Games Forums - Information".