Requiem: Memento Mori

Requiem: Memento Mori is a Free-To-Play and Pay-To-Play darkly themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game created by GRAVITY.

Story
In the Ancient Times, the 8 Original Races left no record of times for our history books, only relics and pictures found in Ruins outside of Ethergia. Of those original races, only four have survived to this day.

During the Multi-Race Era, the cultures had kept their own ways, while either working with others or conflicting against them. Eventually, the racial conflicts between Humans and Demihumans led to a monstrous war.

The Nachs, creatures of the night, believed themselves better than the other races and strived for domination. The Xenoa and Turan, of course, fought back. Although the Demihumans dominated at the beginning of the war, the Bartuk (whose appearance looks closer to humans than monsters) abruptly changed sides.

They abandoned their Ohrg and Khuns brothers and joined the Human race, giving the Xenoa and Turan the upper hand. The Eonay, although neutral and hateful of meddling and chaos, took the opportunity to gain power, by tapping the strength of Science Mana during the war.

The Nachs, attempting to turn the war in their favor, created the Kruxena from mixing their breed with the remaining Bartuk on their side. However, when the Natsu touched 'Noxxion' their source of the Luahn Mana¡¦ a horrible mistake occurred, and they ended up locked in a dimensional gap, leaving the Kruxena lost and scattered across the corners of the world. The Humans then easily became victorious, wiping out the Ohrg and Khun, and making apparent peace with the Bartuk. After the war, the Eonay achieved ultimate prosperity with their Science Mana on Exekion and eventually decided to go beyond this dimension and disappeared to unknown places.

In Medieval Times, the Xenoa, Turan, and Bartuk united to form the Holy Xenon Empire. During this time, the Xenoa absorbed what was left of the Eonay's Science Mana and took the Turan and the Bartuk under their domain, forcing every race to serve The God. At this time, the Kruxena still led their own culture, but their existence had become known to the Humans, as there were some who had left to join them. Different political parties arose within the HXE and opened hostilities between them.

The Radical Party (under the leadership of Antius III) took absolute control and proclaimed that studying science was paganism¡¦ and the Dark Era began, in which all magic inherited from the Eonay and the Nachs became prohibited. During the Dark Era, the Xenoa treated the Turan and Bartuk as lower forms of life, resulting in the rebellion known as Bloody Tuesday, in which Bartuk children were massacred in public.

The Kruxena joined the Marze Wars that break out to help their blood clan, the Bartuk. When the Xenoa faced their destruction, they executed the 'Thanatos Project', which involved the forbidden materializing of the Nachs' Luahn Mana and the Science Mana of the Eonays; resulting in an explosive combination, that tore Ethergia's continents apart.

In Modern Times, the few remaining Human survivors took a long time to pull together and start living again on the Continent of Change. During the Segregation Era, the separated settlers formed a City State, which also bore the name of the Holy Xenon Empire. The unstable magic power took civilization backward and caused a decline in the standard of living; as mutated creatures began to appear in the damaged ecosystem. The leader of the Liberal Party became the Priest of the Xenon Order and put all efforts into rebuilding the Order as the greatest religion by trying to fix all the wrongs of the past.

One day, the 'Ioxenic' appeared in Rozen City. They supplied the blueprints for a power station that would use Ion energy; the main source of energy on Ethergia, and the element of the Eonay's Dark Science.

Ioxenic would take civilization to the next level, during the Prosperous Era. With better means to supply energy, it became a household name. Then, another organization appeared.

The 'Guildenstein Merchant Guild' made something possible that wasn't available before, the ability to trade to other continents. And the whole of Ethergia would now be connected by the same destiny. By this time, Ioxenic began studies to develop a 'Temperion' prototype, to supplement the Thanatos¡¦ in secret. The prototypes, code-named 'Naothes' (traveler, adventurer), were placed in the Zudekha Continent to discover the old relics that races like Ohrg and Khun had left there. An Ioxenic researcher, Ilkes, found out about the Order's secrets and used completed Temperions to form the 'Fenrir Canine' and reveal Ioxenic's corruption and hidden conspiracy.

In the Present Time, mutant creatures threaten the existence of mankind. Dark Creatures have also begun to appear mysteriously, during the night. During this Chaotic Era we live in, Ioxenic has announced that they would release their finalized versions of the Temperions, 'Humanoids' that can fight the mutated creatures and evil spirits of the night! Now, Ioxenic is being called the Savior of the World (its only opponents, the Fenrir Canine); and we have started our fight, yet again, for Humanity's existence...

Physics
Requiem uses the Havok  physics engine for ragdoll physics in its animated death sequences for each enemy, with effects such as decapitation and limb removal in keeping with its horror-oriented theme.

Nightmare Monsters
Certain monsters appear at night in certain areas during the "in-game" hours of 23:00 and 2:00, these 'Nightmare Monsters' are far stronger than the local mobs and yield increased experience along with higher chances of "rare" item drops. These monsters are usually fought in groups.

Weapon Enhancements
With several different item enhancement systems, players can create new items or upgrade and customize existing ones. These upgraded items are created through the use of compounding and reinforcing by using various 'xeons'. There are numerous xeons throughout the game and the variety is nearly limitless. There are so many enhancements that can be applied to any item that it makes it worthwhile.

Possession Beast System
A player can transform his or her character into a ferocious creature known as a Possession Beast. By leveling Possession Beasts, players can equip it with an even deadlier selection of various skills, abilities and equipment. However, players are required to fill a 'Hardcore Bar' up by killing monsters to a minimum of at least 90% before one can use his or her Possession Beast. In September 27, 2009, Possession Beasts were removed from the game, but in January 20 they were implemented again with 2 new Beasts.

PVP/PlayerKill
Requiem features battlefields meant for team-based player-versus-player combat. Only the victorious are rewarded with special items used for obtaining the rare weapons and armors. While the game's scope allows team battles of up to 96 players per side, as of now only 8-vs-8 battles are functional.

Player-Killing is a function of server; on some servers, it is restricted to the aforementioned battlefields, whereas others allow PK at any time. However, killing another player results in restrictions being imposed on the player's character, such as not being able to buy from vendors for a while. These effects wear off while fighting monsters that are stronger than you.

DNA System
DNA is a game mechanic that allows you to passively enhance certain aspects of skills. Each individual DNA is designed to complement one particular skill.

Group Zones/Raids/Town Raids
Certain areas in the game require a party of 4 or more. These dungeon areas are filled with strong enemies to increase the difficulty (and, theoretically, the excitement) of the raid. Typically each dungeon concludes with a "raid boss," enemies that are far superior to any other character; these bosses require groups of 15 or more to defeat. However, such dungeons give access to the most powerful items in the game. Finally, "town raids" may occur when a random raid boss enters a town (which is normally a non-combat zone) and players are given the option to engage it.

Races
Requiem: Memento Mori currently features 4 races to choose from. They are the Turan, Bartuk, Kruxena, and the Xenoa.

Each race has their own unique jobs to choose from.

Turan
The Turan resemble humans the most. They feature Balanced Strength, Agility, and Intelligence. Their downfall is they have low resistance against magic. They can choose to become either a Templar or Defender.

Bartuk
The Bartuk are exceptionally strong at the cost of very low spiritual ability. They can be easily angered during combat, which tends to be exploited to make them lose control.

Bartuk have racial tensions with Turan and Xenoa, and are neutral (leaning friendly) with their cousin race, the Kruxena. They can choose to be either Shaman or Warriors. In 2nd Job of Shaman class they can choose to be Forsakers or Mystics, and in Warrior class Berserker or Warlord.

Kruxena
The Kruxena are a darker race whom don't get along well with the other races. They are Physically and Spiritually Superior, yet at the same time uncooperative, lacking compassion and tenacity, and inhumane. They may choose to become either a Rogue or Soul Hunter. In 2nd Job of Rogue class they can choose Shadow Runner or Assassin. In Soul Hunter class Defiler or Dominator.

Xenoa
The Xenoas have an unmatched high intelligence. In spite of their low physical power, they have good hand-skills and eyesight. To make up for their weakness, they have upgraded their long-distance attacks and knowledge-based magic. Xenoa can choose to become a Hunter or Battle Magician to start.

Closed Beta
The North American site officially launched on February 26, 2008

Fileplanet began offering Closed Beta account keys for the NA/International Server at 7:00PM PST on February 26, 2008, with MMORPG.com and MMOSITE.com set to offer beta keys on Friday, February 29. The Game is no longer in closed beta.

Closed Beta ended at 10am PST on April 17, 2008. It was extended from March 24.

Open Beta
The Open Beta phase started on May 15, 2008 at 7 PM PDT.

Open Beta ended as of June 12, 2008.

Release
Pre-release started on June 16 for those who had purchased a subscription.

Requiem: Bloodymare was released on June 19, 2008 at 12 AM PDT.

Requiem: Memento Mori/Alive was released on September 25, 2009 at 1 AM PDT. The Games Official title has switched from Requiem: Bloodymare to Requiem: Memento Mori (USA) and Requiem: Alive (Korean).
 * Memento mori is a Latin phrase meaning "Remember you will die"

Reception
Requiem: Bloodymare received a 3 out of 5 from X-Play and 70% from PC Gamer.