Dawn of Isles arrives on our shores with a Kumamon cross-over event
NetEase’s latest MMORPG hosts Japan’s famously kawaii bear mascot – for one month only
Tall swaying palms, white sandy beaches and sparkling blue ocean… No, this isn’t a holiday brochure for the Maldives — this is the world of NetEase’s new MMORPG. Dawn of Isles swaps the genre’s typical mediaeval-fantasy setting for something a little more tropical and easy on the eye. Recently released on iOS and Android, this vibrant game is sure to be a hit with anyone seeking a light-hearted adventure on exotic shores. And there’s an unusual cross-over event to tempt you to these idyllic isles…
Ordinarily more at home in the forests of Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture, the iconic mascot Kumamon has wound up on these far-flung islands for one month only. The rosy-cheeked black bear, dreamt up in 2011, will appear in several in-game events including Greedy Glutton, Hide and Seek, and Banana Frenzy. You can unlock all this content by completing the special Kumamon quests, and – for the true fans – there are themed emojis, balloons and more to collect.
Although Kumamon will be safely home in Japan this time next month, there are plenty more reasons to explore Dawn of Isles – not least the gorgeous graphics. The world is as pretty as a picture, with cell-shaded, 3D environments, charming customisable character designs and pleasingly slick animations. Although visually it bucks the Diablo-clone trend, all your favourite RPG elements are present and correct, including questing, battling, crafting and some fun dialogue exchanges too. You can even capture, train and evolve your very own pets.
Make the most of this time-limited Kumamon cross-over event and dive into Dawn of Isles (don’t forget your snorkel). Download it for free on Android and iOS.