For about a year or so know we have known that NCSoft is working on a massive online game involving mechs called Exteel, the free to play online game where huge warrior robots fight against one another for supremacy. The action is fast and furious, where only the most competitive of player will dominate and improve their Mech for future engagements.

Ok so here's a massive load of information from a developer diary along with some screenshots I dug up. Honestly there's nothing cooler than giant fighting robots and a free-to-play game...well except maybe real giant fighting robots!! 

One of the reasons why Exteel is so easy to play and master is that it contains a comprehensive tutorial system that all players can access, complete and even run through again if they wish. Not only do the extensive and interactive tutorials give you a full sense on how to play Exteel, they grant extra in-game credits and other bonuses that will prove extremely beneficial almost immediately.

Exteel features nine tutorial missions altogether, five of which are “beginner”-type missions, built around teaching basic movement, using the booster, jumping, using weapons, overheating and swapping (exchanging) weapons. You won’t get any bonuses or extra goods for finishing these tutorial missions, but they’ll give you a good understanding on how Exteel plays at its basic level.

The four “advanced”-level missions delve into using specific types of weapons in Exteel. For instance, the first mission, “Rifle Training”, deals with proper use of rifles and destroying the enemy at range. “Sword and Shield Training” describes how to use melee weapons as well as defensive shields. These missions usually require the player to kill a certain number of opponents within a time limit. Advanced tutorials, once completed, also give a reward to the player, depending on the mission. For finishing “Cannon Training”, the player will receive a giant cannon. Completing the tutorial “SMG Training” will reward the player two decent SMGs and a nice credit bonus.

Here’s a listing of the tutorials and associated rewards:

• Beginner Training 1: Movement

• Beginner Training 2: Booster Movement

• Beginner Training 3: Jump Movement

• Beginner Training 4: Aiming and Attacking

• Beginner Training 5: Overheating and Weapon Swapping

• Advanced Training 1: Rifle Training
Reward: 2 Marauder-C rifles

• Advanced Training 2: Cannon Training
Reward: Poseidon-C cannon

• Advanced Training 3: SMG Training
Reward: 2 Planet Eagle-C SMGs and 5,000 credits

• Advanced Training 4: Sword and Shield Training
Reward: 10,000 credits

You can stop playing any of the tutorials at any time, and come back to finish them off later. However, you can only receive the reward for completing an advanced tutorial mission only once.

The Pinkett
All players also start out with the Pinkett, also known as “Old Reliable”, the standard all-around multi-purpose Mechanaught. The Pinkett is a decent light Mechanaught valuable for new recruits; equipped with the p-booster backpack, it can perform well in a combat environment and can even be deadly at the hands of an expert pilot.

Pinketts come equipped with two sets of weapons, a pair of Tommy Striker-C SMGs for short-distance ranged combat, and a Crimson Edge-C blade with a Defender-C shield for melee combat. The SMG is a very basic, rapid-fire close-in weapon. It doesn’t overheat quickly and can easily hit targets without requiring exact aim. In other words, it’s perfect for a beginner. The blade and shield combo is typical of a second set of weapons; when the SMGs eventually overheat, switching to this set will you move in close for some sword fighting. The shield, when in use, will block a portion of the damage received from incoming fire.

Another benefit of the Pinkett (and the sets of weapons it comes with) is that it doesn’t degrade through usage. Most Mechanaught parts and weapons have a durability rating, and you must repair each item (by purchasing repair points in the store) before they become useless. Because the Pinkett or its weapons won’t wear out, new pilots don’t have to worry about buying repair points just yet. Note that you cannot scrap these items for credits like they can with regular items (like the weapons rewarded from advanced tutorial missions).

About Exteel 
Test your mettle in Exteel, a fully loaded, futuristic shooter that puts you in control of a heavily armored, completely customizable robotic Mechanaught. Playing a mercenary pilot, you'll charge into combat, destroy your opponents, and compete for total domination. You’ll battle over dozens of futuristic battlegrounds where these giant robots are the key to ultimate victory.

Choose a high-speed, lightweight model, wielding dual-blades, or choose a lumbering hulking behemoth, armed with a devastating siege cannon. Create your own devastating Mechanaught using hundreds of parts and weapons in thousands of combinations! Stamp out the competition as you progress through intense player-versus-player (PvP) battles, then learn devastating special maneuvers, upgrade vital parts, and equip deadly assault weapons.

Best of all, Exteel is free to play. Lock onto the enemy - the next generation of mechanized warfare is here!

Key Features

• Exteel is free to play! All you need to do is download the game, create an account, and get into the action.

• Customize your Mechanaught for your own play style. Choose from an extensive selection of parts and arm it from a large arsenal of lethal weapons.

• Create a persistent mercenary pilot who grows in experience and rank through PvP battles.

• Combat is an adrenaline-fueled blend of high-speed gunplay, melee combat and think fast or die tactics.

• A micro-payment called NCcoin allows you to purchase more powerful weapons, skills, and parts for your Mechanaught via PlayNC.com.

• Decide on one of five battle modes: Death Match, Team Death Match, Territory Control, Last Stand or Capture the Flag.

• Purchase Skills that allow you to perform wild, devastating combination attacks.

• A forthcoming detailed ranking system allows players to compare their victories, assists, and defeats.

• Blends the immersive thrill of an FPS with the furious and brutal intensity of Hong Kong gun-play mixed with the feel of classic robot anime.

Did you enjoy this article? Please bookmark it onto: