First of, if you're not a fan of games with VIP systems and P2W (pay 2 win), better stop reading now (or not, it's your choice). I'm honestly one of those. But a friend of mine told me that the publisher of the game, Game Dreamer Limited has a loose way of using the VIP system and isn't that harsh on non paying or casual paying players. Now that info is out of the way, lets continue with my review of GUARDIANS OF FANTASY.
LOOKS:
TREE OF SAVIOR. That's the first thing that will come to mind when you look at the game's graphics and overall feel. Characters are rendered in 3D while the environment is isometric, non moving top view. 50% of the screen is covered with controls, interfaces and buttons. All common in a Chinese developed mobile game. To be honest, it actually looks really good if you can ignore all the buttons that liters the screen (which I seriously doubt you can). Character designs, NPCs, and monsters are very well designed.
GAMEPLAY:
Another common thing in Chinese developed mobile games is auto-gaming. Everything just needs one click to accomplish. From quests, equipment enhancing, casting skills / spells, grinding, instances, moving from point A to point B. Makes you wonder why there's even a virtual joystick and skill buttons when everything is auto.
There are 3 basic classes: WARRIOR, MAGE, ARCHER. Each of them can branch off to two different advanced jobs.
WARRIOR: A spear wielder or a shield / sword user.
MAGE: 2 handed staff or a shield / wand (or scepter) user.
ARCHER: Crossbow (that looks more like a rifle) or bow user.
Character customization is only limited to gender BUT in my opinion this is better than having a gender locked class which is becoming a common trend in mobile games and which I personally really dislike. Thankfully there's a FASHION shop where you can buy different costumes to make your character look unique to some degree. Game progress is quite simple.
Take on a quest > finish a quest > get better gear > enhance gears > finish instances > complete daily quests > take on special dungeons > contribute to faction and guild > repeat.
One would think that's quite a lot, but in the game EVERYTHING is laid out for you so if you don't know what to do next, there are menus in the game that will let you view what are the stuff you haven't done yet.
Guardians of Fantasy also has a FACTION. When you reach a certain level, you'll be given a choice to join either the FREE ALLIANCE (red) or the ROYAL GUARDS (blue). Once you chose a faction, you can't change it so choose wisely. In your faction you'll get to vote a player that will become the leader of your entire faction. And of course, because there are two opposing factions, there's a FACTION WAR that happens every 5 days (subject to change).
Another unique thing about this game is the MOUNTS. Usually in other RPG games, mounts are there for transport and that's pretty much the only use for them aside for bragging rights. In Guardians of Fantasy, your mounts are used in the entirety of the game. You'll use them for travelling AND in combat. There are different kinds of mounts but some of them are for VIP members only. Go figure.
There's a bunch of INSTANCES in the game. If you're not familiar with Instances, these are game modes inside the game like gold dungeons, experience dungeons, etc. Aside from those 2, there's also gem dungeons, gear hunting dungeons, treasure hunts, and many many more.
GUILDS in Guardians of Fantasy are called FAMILY. The family levels up from member contributions and can gain special buffs. Getting these buffs requires items that allows a member to train that buff. Aside from that it also has a MARRIAGE system for couples. I have seen screenshots of the game that there may be a guild tavern. A personal space for guild members to mingle. I'm not sure just yet if it's really there. I'll update this post if it does have it.
VIP SYSTEM:
Like I said at the start of this post, the game has a VIP system. Players who are already familiar with this will tell you games with VIP systems are PAY 2 WIN. And I agree. The more you spend, the more powerful your character will get. One can argue that you can always grind to get good items, but a VIP system eliminates that by making really good equipment, mounts, items, etc become exclusive.
CONCLUSION:
Would I recommend playing it? As much as I hate games with VIP system, yes play it. Only if you just want to enjoy the game with your friends and you're not bothered with rankings. But if you're a competitive player and wants to dominate and come out number one, better get ready to spend a lot on this game.
I'm still currently playing the game so if you guys are wondering who am I in-game (not its not my usual IGN, Cylux):
IGN: Unspoken
Server: Faith
Guild: Dustiness
