Happy Wars

Happy Wars is a free-to-play, online multiplayer, action tactical role-playing video game developed by Toylogic, available for Xbox One. It was originally released for the Xbox 360 on October 12, 2012 on the Xbox Live Arcade as its very first free-to-play title,[2][3][4] and additionally for Microsoft Windows on May 28, 2014, but availability on the online marketplaces of these platforms and service to these platforms has since been discontinued as of December 17, 2018.[5] The Xbox One version was released on April 24, 2015, and is now the only platform the game can be played on.

Happy Wars
Happy Wars cover
Developer(s)Toylogic
Publisher(s)Toylogic
Director(s)Yoichi Take
Yusuke Ochiai
Designer(s)Daichi Kurumiya (Lead)
Yui Terao
Takumi Kudo
Masafumi Nukita
Artist(s)Go Takahashi (Art Director)
Chisato End (3D Lead)
Satoko Tsushima (2D Lead)
Platform(s)Xbox One
ReleaseXbox Live Arcade
October 12, 2012
Microsoft Windows
May 28, 2014
Xbox One
April 24, 2015[1]
Genre(s)Action, tactical role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay

Happy Wars is a multiplayer online game, defined as a role-playing strategy game, although it also has a short story-driven single player campaign mode.[6] The multiplayer mode consists of two teams of up to 15 players attempting to destroy the other team's castle while also defending their own.[7]

As of September 3, 2014, an Xbox Live Gold account was required to play the game online; due to recent updates, the game now accepts regular Xbox Live members as well.

The players choose from one of three classes: the warrior, the mage, and the cleric. There are also subclasses, although the only ones implemented at the moment are the Warrior-type Berserker, the Mage-type Zephyr, and the Cleric-type Engineer. Each class has a base attack and other unique abilities that are available as the player gains new levels.[8] Each class also has a unique "Team Skill", where players can gather teammates together to allow the casting player to use more powerful skills. The more players that aid in the use of the team skill, the more powerful the ability becomes.[9]

The game also had items that can be purchased either through playing the game[7] or through microtransactions that allow in-game items to be purchased with Microsoft Points.[10] There are items in Happy Wars that can only be purchased with Microsoft Points. They are usually powerful items that can allow players to get a head start in the game.[8]

Reception

The Xbox 360 version of Happy Wars received "mixed" reviews, while the Xbox One version received "unfavorable" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[11][12] IGN cited lack of players as a concern with the Xbox 360 version and that "Happy Wars went too far in the direction of accessibility with its few classes, lack of distinctive weaponry, and simple game modes."[14] Official Xbox Magazine UK compared said console version to Awesomenauts, but noted that players who pay for additional content appear to have an advantage over other players.[16]

Jason Venter of GameSpot said that the same console version was "difficult to recommend because of the game's matchmaking and connection issues."[13] A content update was released in November that attempted to fix the connection issues and other small game fixes.[17]

References
  1. Barnes, Ken (April 21, 2015). "Smile! Happy Wars Xbox One Release Date Finally Locked In". Pure Xbox. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on September 15, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  2. Fletcher, JC (October 4, 2012). "Happy Wars' free-for-all is free for Xbox Live Gold starting October 12". Engadget (Joystiq). Oath Inc. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  3. Evans-Thirlwell, Edwin (October 24, 2012). "Happy Wars updates and DLC planned 'every 1-2 months', ToyLogic hoping to run game for years". Official Xbox Magazine UK. Future plc. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  4. Johnson, Stephen (August 24, 2012). "Happy Wars Announced: First Xbox Live Arcade Free-To-Play Game". G4. G4 Media. Archived from the original on January 14, 2013. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  5. Good, Owen S. (March 8, 2018). "Happy Wars is shutting down on PC and Xbox 360". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  6. Wehner, Mike (October 16, 2012). "Happy Wars Review (X360)". The Escapist. Enthusiast Gaming. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  7. Barsanti, Sam (October 15, 2012). "Happy Wars brings free-to-play gaming to Xbox 360, and it's worth every penny (review)". VentureBeat. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  8. Mian, Bilal (October 29, 2012). "Happy Wars Review (XBLA): No Reason Not To Enlist!". Poptimal. Poptimal LLC. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  9. Grill, Scott (October 22, 2012). "'Happy Wars' Interview: The real show has just begun". Video Game Writers. Archived from the original on November 1, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  10. Carter, Grey (October 11, 2012). "Happy Wars Dev Predicts AAA Games Will Shift Towards F2P". The Escapist. Enthusiast Gaming. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  11. "Happy Wars for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  12. "Happy Wars for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  13. Venter, Jason (October 24, 2012). "Happy Wars Review (X360)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  14. Cocke, Taylor (October 19, 2012). "Happy Wars Review (X360)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  15. Vanyr (May 27, 2013). "Test: Happy Wars (360)". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  16. Schilling, Chris (October 19, 2012). "Happy Wars Review (X360)". Official Xbox Magazine UK. Future plc. Archived from the original on October 24, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  17. Nunneley, Stephany (November 10, 2012). "Happy Wars receives small update to help combat lag, connection issues". VG247. Gamer Network. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
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