Grand Chase

The story centers around the adventures of the Grand Chase team. Grand Chase is a free-to-play, two-dimensional side-scrolling MMORPG developed by the Korean company KOG Studios. Grand Chase has servers in Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Brazil, Southeast Asia, the Philippines and the United States. The Taiwan and Hong Kong server calls the game as Three Young Heroes, whereas in Southeast Asia, it is called GrandChase.

Story

While Grand Chase is primarily a sandbox game, it also has a short back-story for each character, as well as one for the continent of Bermesiah, which is the player’s starting point. A continuing story of the Grand Chase universe may be revealed through visiting all the dungeons in the game in the order they are listed.

While the back-story for each character is the same throughout all servers, the back-story of Bermesiah, as well as the spelling of certain places, may differ across servers, although the events which took place are more or less similar.

Storyline

The Kingdoms of Serdin and Kanavan have always thrived side-by-side on Bermesiah in peace for as long as anyone could remember, until the Queen of Darkness, Kaze’aze, infiltrated Kanavan, killed the ruling queen’s most trusted advisor, disguised herself as him, and manipulated the Queen of Kanavan to wage a full-scale war with Serdin which lasted for five years. Many lives were lost in battle and much of the continent was levelled until either queen discovered who the culprit was. By then, it was too late, for Kaze’aze had fled. The Queen of Kanavan dispatched a group of elite warriors, known as Trackers, to find Kaze’aze, but all of them disappeared mysteriously.

The Queen of Serdin was determined to prevent another war of such devastating magnitude from taking place on Bermesiah again. To this effect, she created an army of warriors who are aligned to no one, and will fight for the tranquility of the entire continent. She named this army “Grand Chase”.

Gameplay
An in-game screenshot of the player’s selected character attacking a boss monster.

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 Street Fighter 2 or 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”.[4]

The game is free-to-play, where players need to earn currency known as Game Points from completing quests, individual missions, or defeating other players to buy better equipments or items, but there are some items that can only be purchased with real-world currency. In Grand Chase, players start off and role-play as one of three main heroines, and will be able to unlock more playable characters by completing specific missions. However, the player may freely switch among the characters he or she has unlocked between missions, each with their own specific equipment and experience level.[5]

Leveling up

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, and the amount of experience gained through this game mode is significantly higher than the amount awarded through the completion of dungeons at higher level.[4]

Party

When entering dungeons, it is advisable to form a party. The game’s interface makes it easy to create a party or join one created by another player. Friends can lock their party with a password or leave it open to everyone. The items that are found in the dungeons are shared by the party. 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 chooses 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 the player’s screen name.

Player versus Player

Players can also compete against one another in combat. There are various modes of player versus player combat:Team battles and Survival, with the option for Tag Match and Item Mode. Teams can be played in a 2vs2 or 3vs3 formation while Survival can have up to six players. Win/loss statistics are tracked for these matches. Team matches encourage players to plan their attack strategies and team up using their skills to annihilate the opposition. Six player free-for-all is a survival of the fittest, players who earn the number 1 and 2 spot count as winners as long as there are more than three players in this match. Tag Match allows players to play Teams or Survival with two characters of their choice. By pressing a button they can switch characters mid fight. However if one of the characters is killed the player can no longer switch to that character.[6] When Item Mode is on players can pick up from several power ups that randomly appear during the match. They can store these power ups 3 at a time or they can use them. Using them grants beneficial abilities for a short duration such as invincibility or invisibility.

Characters

There are eight playable characters to play and players may switch characters between dungeons. Each character is leveled and equipped separately. Most equipment is character-specific, and the choice of character is similar to class choice in most MMORPGs.[7] Players are given the first three girls as their starting characters, and will have to unlock other characters through quests. These quests can either be purchased through GP or cash. Cash is noticeably easier.

Elesis

Elesis is a Kanavan Knight and daughter of a Kanavan Tracker who never returned after he was dispatched to find Kaze’aze. Her reason for joining Grand Chase is to find her missing father whom she loved. Elesis has the most defense out of all characters, and specializes in close- and medium-ranged combat. She is also notable for her ability to reflect arrows, and her ability to “Berserk”, which causes all enemies within her range to levitate and drop onto the ground, receiving considerable damage.There is a skill tree for Elesis at Korea,Hong Kong,Brazil and Taiwan server only.

Job tree: Swordsman > Spearman > Sword Master > Savior (Not implemented in Grand Chase USA/SEA)

Arme

Arme is a cheerful mage form the Kingdom of Serdin, the Kingdom of Magic. Her Natural Talent with Magic has earned her a membership to the Violet Magic Guild, the greatest guild in the Serdin Kingdom at an early age. She has mastered both black and white magic, but her curiosity about magic is insatiable. Arme decided to join the Grand Chase, hoping to find KazeAze and study the Queen of Darkness’ powerful magic. There is a skill tree for Arme only at Korea,Hong Kong,Brazil and Taiwan server.

Job tree: Mage > Combat Alchemist > Warlock > Battle Mage (Not implemented in Grand Chase USA/SEA)

Lire

Lire hails from from Eryuell Island, an elf community residing on Bermesiah who are famous for their combat skills, although they are pacifistic by nature and try to avoid becoming involved in conflicts. She was sent to join Grand Chase to stop Kaze’aze, whose evil plans threaten their island. Lire has excellent mobility and specializes in ranged attacks allowing her to barrage her opponents from afar. Her heel stomp and grabs also make her a formidable foe in close combat.

Job tree: Archer > Crossbowman > Arch Ranger > Nova (Not implemented in Grand Chase USA/SEA)

Lass

Lass is a mysterious young man who was possessed by Kaze’aze and was released from her grasp by Grand Chase. He joined the Grand Chase to atone for his sins caused by his hands under the control of Kaze’aze, which still lingers in his mind. Lass is skilled in quick attacks and speedy movement, but he lacks attack power and defense. Lass is currently available as an unlockable character on all servers except for Philippines server.

Job tree: Thief > Assassin > Dark Assassin (Not implemented in Grand Chase USA) > Striper (Not implemented in Grand Chase USA/SEA)

Ryan

Ryan is a forest elf from Eryuell Island living peacefully with animals, but after the war on Bermesiah, most of the place was destroyed and his beings are almost extinct. Subsequently, he trained with the spirit of his ancestors and joined Grand Chase to protect the forests. Ryan is skilled in delivering attacks in combinations, and has the ability to transform into a certain creature. Ryan is currently available as an unlockable character on all servers except for Philippines server.

Job tree: Druid > Sentinel > Viken (Not implemented in Grand Chase USA/SEA) > Xenocider (Not implemented in Grand Chase USA/SEA)

Ronan

Ronan is a descendant of the Erudon Family, the legendary family of Spell Knights in Kanavan. He was a Royal Guard Master whose duty was to protect the Royal Family of Kanavan. His mind was controlled by Kaze’aze when he invaded the kingdom, but broke free from her control when Grand Chase intervened. Seeing all that had happened, he decided to join Grand Chase to investigate Xenia. He uses knowledge of magic and his sword wielding attacks to quickly defeat foes. Ronan is currently available as an unlockable character on all servers.

Job tree: Spell Knight > Dragon Knight > Aegis Knight (Not implemented in Grand Chase SEA)> Abyss Knight (Not implemented in Grand Chase USA/SEA)

Amy

Amy is Xenia continent’s dancer and temple priestess. After the war between gods, she joined the Silver Knights, whose sole purpose is to oppose the gods controlled by darkness, but they are destroyed by the gods instead. She goes on a journey to persuade the controlled gods. Seeing that the Grand Chase defeated the god of Cuatal, she joins them in their adventure in Xenia. She can switch from attacking to dancing, which allows her to do both ally support and attack. Being the character with the most mobility, she has the weakest defense and vitality. She is currently available as an unlockable character on every server except for the Philippines server. [8]

Job tree: Dancer > Muse(Not implemented in Grand Chase SEA) > Siren (Not implemented in Grand Chase USA/SEA)

Jin

Jin is the 8th character of Grand Chase. He fights with his fists and appears to have a second charge bar which seems to power up his physical attacks. He is currently only available as an unlockable character on the Korean server.

Bosses

In Grand Chase, each stage has a boss, in which you must defeat to complete the stage.

These are from the Bermesiah Continent

Trial Forest - Treant

The Treant is a giant, tree-like monster which can entangle a player in grass or throw an apple.

Trial Tower - Wendy

Wendy is a large yeti who rolls on the ground and can send players airborne with her earthquake. She helps with the Grand Chase’s training.

Outer Wall of Serdin - Orc Warrior

This large orc much stronger than an average orc. But like the other orc warriors, he sends earthquakes, and knocks players into the air with a sledgehammer.

Kerrie Beach - Harpy Queen

The Harpy Queen is the intimidating leader of the Harpies, knocking out players with her talons and throwing razor sharp feathers at players. She will frequently fall if you hit her in the right position.

Orc Temple - Orc Lord

Unlike the Orc Warrior boss, the Orc Lord has an earthquake attack with a shorter delay time, and a fissure attack. He also has more HP than the Orc Warrior.

Gorgos’ Dungeon - Red Gorgos

This giant red reptilian creature is strong and agile. It can summon smaller/lesser gorgos called gorgons, jump to produce an earthquake, and breath a stream of fire to burn players in a line.

Elven Forest - Troll

A large gorilla-like creature which has giant metal pillars on its left hand and left shoulder. It jumps to deliver earthquakes or smashes players using its left hand.

Gorge of Oath - Giant DrillMon

A drillmon is a muscular creature with a drill for a tail. The Giant DrillMon has a more developed drill and wings. It can send rocks flying with its drill or launch a fireball.

Forgotten City - Paradom

It is a non-organic creature in the shape of an octahedron. It has jewels inside it (mechanisms) which helps it make lasers in various parts of it’s bodies.

Marsh of Oblivion - Elizabeth

She is a large, toad like creature in which Elesis describes, has a very strong smell. Like Wendy, she rolls to knock players and jump to make earthquakes. She can also ram her stick to the ground, launching rocks everywhere.

Forsaken Barrows - Lich

The Lich is the leader of the Undead, capable of holding players using zombies, summon zombie orcs, and launch lightning bolts.

Gaikoz’s Castle - Gaikoz

The ghost knight, Gaikoz, is an undead samurai who seems to live in an old castle. He teleports in short distances and slashes the ground to hurl boulders and can go into a rage in which is slashes everything in range.

Releases

Grand Chase was officially released in Korea sometime in August 2003, and Brazil on June 28, 2006.[3] There was also a Japanese version of the game that commenced beta testing on August 10, 2005, and went gold three months later. However, the Japanese servers have been taken down as of June 22, 2007.[9]

Beta testing for the SEA server commenced on November 21, 2007 and ended on December 28, 2007, whereupon it was officially released to the public. Patches are released almost weekly, usually to add or remove region-specific game events.[10]

In North America, the game was officially released on January 31, 2008.[11] There are few known bugs and the designers seem to be focused on adding new content to bring the game to the full release that they desire.[12]

A server has been set up in the Philippines sometime in 2008. It is already in commercial release as of November 18, 2008.[13] A Canadian server is planned for early 2009.

Expansions

In its initial release on all servers, Grand Chase only includes Elesis, Lire and Arme as playable characters, Bermesiah as a playable continent, and all the various game modes, albeit being restricted to areas on Bermesiah only, with additional content and bug fixes added into the game through patches.

In January 2008, KOG Studios released an expansion titled Grand Chase Season 2, which is essentially a patch featuring a plethora of new features and content, such as playable continents, into the game.[14] As of October 26, 2008, all servers (except the Philippines) have officially incorporated Grand Chase Season 2.