History VideoGame / Vindictus

* DarkWorld: The entire game takes place in [[spoiler:what ''Mabinogi'' refers to as Tir Na Nog]]. The game focuses on the struggle to escape this hellish world and reach the promised land of [[spoiler:Erinn, where the original game takes place.]]

* ThePromisedLand: [[Spoiler: Erinn, Mabinogi's original setting,]] is this to the people of this particular setting. It's a Type C cynical example though, because of the war against the Fomors in order to reach it.

** Crafting skills (known as "Expertise" in-game) used a similar mechanic prior to the Season 2 release. Aside from the grinding required to earn sufficient experience and [[RandomlyDrops randomly dropped items]] to level the skill, certain special items (known as "finishes") were required for the final "test" crafting. These items were available only from specific NPCs, who provided a maximum of 2 per real-time day, and only in exchange for a number of quest items. 20 of these special items were required for the first level alone, with higher levels requiring more. This was dropped in favour of a simple "recipe" unlock system.

** The Catacombs copy Ainle. This is justified, as plotwise, you're supposed to be heading back to Ainle during the day.

* EverythingsWorseWithBears: "Dethrone the White Tyrant." [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EqDmxwIlWo That is all.]]
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnqrspmncbQ It only gets more terrifying]]
** "White Tyrant Challenge", an unlockable mission in Hoarfrost Hollow, turns this UpToEleven.
** "Appearance of a Small Bear" in Hoarfrost Depths pits the players against ''two'' (albeit smaller) bears, plus a Kobold boss.
*** With the Armies of Colhen update, Stribog has entered the fray in a 24 player raid.

** Subverted with Karok and Kai. They aren't technically human, but are close enough to fight on the same side as the goddess.

* YouAreAlreadyDead: A Scythe-using Evie's two most powerful special attacks, Death Spike and Invisible Loom, can tag multiple monsters with Mark of Death and Bloody Thread, respectively, that allow Evie to then snap her fingers later and deal a huge amount of damage to everything that was tagged. If done while standing still, she will take a regal pose and lift up her left hand to snap her fingers with her eyes closed. Mark of Death is weaker and can only tag 3 enemies of the same type, while Bloody Thread is [[MoreDakka at least twice as powerful and can tag 4 enemies of any type]].

* PaletteSwap: Although common in ''Mabiniogi'', it is mostly averted in ''Vindictus''. Low level mooks in Perilous Ruins and Hoarfrost Hollow are divided mainly into melee, strong melee, and ranged damage types, but there are significant differences in their AI patterns. From Ainle onward, additional mook types are added, with substantially different attack styles (including suicide bombers). By contrast, spiders and wisps are essentially identical throughout the game.

* ThePromisedLand: Erinn, Mabinogi's original setting, is this to the people of this particular setting. It's a Type C cynical example though, because of the war against the Fomors in order to reach it.

* TransformationIsAFreeAction: Unlike {{Mabinogi}}, you're given an invulnerability buff during transformation sequences that extends to roughly two or three seconds after you regain mobility.

* TheSmurfettePrinciple: Notable aversion: the first three characters released include two female and one male, so there were more female than male characters in the game. Further averted by the fact that the two female characters consist of a mage who is easily the most powerful character at low levels, and a ''tank''.

* SuperMode: The Dark Knight and Paladin transformations give you more stamina for pulling off skills, and massively increases your defense (for Paladin) or damage (for Dark Knight).

* FragileSpeedster: Lann starts out as the GlassCannon version of this, having the highest DPS in the game, but he relies almost entirely on his dodge skill for defense, as he only gets [[WithAHerring weak cloth armour]]. He can develop the ability to wear heavier armour fairly quickly, becoming more resilient, but still remaining fairly fragile. With the right skill build, can develop into a LightningBruiser at high levels.

* GiantSpider: Your tutorial fight is against one of these, and you also fight another big spider in Ruins of Sanctity in order to [[spoiler:find a replacement for the original one]]. After that one, you fight '''two giant spiders at the same time''' in the same region. Also as of Episode 5 there is yet another spider boss, the Weeping Queen. She's likely to make you weep without a good party however.

** The White Tyrant, mentioned above, has a single [[GlowingEyesOfDoom Glowing Eye of Doom.]] ([[EyeScream Which you can poke out]] and craft into a ring.)

** You can create golems made out of lose items around the area you are in, and if a piece of them gets destroyed they will just pick up another item if they can. So you make another weapon out of improvised weapons.

** As the story progresses, other [=NPCs=] start calling Gallagher on his JerkAss behaviour, and effectively start treating him as TheScrappy in-universe, to the point that [[spoiler:your choice to become a Dark Knight or a Paladin depends on whether or not you choose to kill him (Dark Knight) or spare him (Paladin) (either way, you don't actually kill him.)]].

* CallForward: Being a prequel to ''MabinogiFantasyLife'', there are quite a few of these, such as blacksmith [[ContinuityNod Fergus]]. Players of the first game will also recognize Tieve's Oracle dress as [[spoiler: the goddess Morrighan's dress]].

** Lann and Fiona gain simple versions with their alternate weapons (spear and hammer, respectively). Activating the charge infuses their weapons with additional damage-dealing capability for limited time.

** Most of Kai's moveset involves the use of smash attacks, resulting in an increased SP gain for him (with SP loss over time for balance purposes).

* ChargedAttack: All characters receive "Special Points" ([=SP=]) skills which can be used to use powerful attacks caled SP skills (or smash attacks). These are of the "Collect" type, and require damaging enemies and stealing their life-force to fill up an [[ChargeMeter SP gauge]], either partially or completely. Once the gauge has been filled to a certain level, SP skills become available. Using a SP skill depletes a certain portion of the gauge, requiring it to be re-filled. Evie, Fiona, and Lann also can also aquire skills that give them "Hold" type charged attacks.

* {{Bishonen}}: All Lann characters. Kai is also expected to fit this trope when released.

** Vella: The HotterAndSexier dual-wielding girl who can counterattack projectiles even Fiona can't block, and has an attack style reminiscent of a cross between Lann and Fiona, where she dash attacks around the enemy. A bit slower and more durable than Lann, Vella is still ax GlassCannon [=DPSer=]. In some future update she will also be gaining a pair of push daggers called "Dual Blades".

** Fiona: A versatile warrior type, heavily to very heavily armoured, wielding a sword and [[LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe shield]]. Essentially a Paladin without the healing ability, and a strong counterattack skill. Fiona eventually develops the ability to wield a [[DropTheHammer warhammer]] instead of a sword. Her shield remains extremely important regardless of what weapon you choose. Can emphasize damage and CounterAttack skills (Jack), or defensive skills (Tank). With the Karok update, the Hammer Fiona (Jack) can almost match Spear Lanns in DPS.

** Evie (Evy in the Korean version): Probably the most flexible character. A mage who barely escapes being a SquishyWizard by virtue of a strong magical shield. Although theoretically capable of heavy armor, building the necessary skills is quite difficult, and she is typically barely to lightly armored. Evie starts out wielding a [[SimpleStaff staff]], and later on has the option to wield a SinisterScythe. Depending on skill build, typically functions as a Nuker and Healer (staff-wielding and emphasis on magic skills), or a Jack (scythe-wielding and emphasis on damage and defense skills). As of the "Labyrinth" expansion, Evie's staff powers were changed, putting more emphasis on magic attack and defense, and somewhat nerfing her healing ability.
** Karok (Kalok in the Korean version): Karok is a [[OurGiantsAreBigger large humanoid]], who functions as a Tank. He prefers very-heavy armor, and wields a ''[[TelephonePolearm battle pillar]]''. Slow, but capable of absorbing a great deal of damage, and is a badass when it comes to grappling attacks, even putting the moves on bosses! Skill builds can emphasize [[MightyGlacier damage-dealing abilities]], or grappling and defense. Word is that some of his flashier skills are [[AwesomeButImpractical rather weak]].
** Kai (Kay in the Korean version): Kai is a lightly to heavily armored Ranger wielding a bow. He starts with a fast, low-powered, short-range short bow, but can alter it to longer-range, higher-powered, but slower long bow. His arsenal consists of multiple-arrow-firing, rapid-firing, and power-damage skills similar to certain bosses (Jagged Tooth and Singleshot).
** Vella: The HotterAndSexier dual-wielding girl who can counterattack projectiles even Fiona can't block, and has an attack style reminiscent of a cross between Lann and Fiona, where she dash attacks around the enemy. A bit slower and more durable than Lann, Vella is still ax GlassCannon [=DPSer=].

* GrievousHarmWithABody: You pretty much can pick up the the [[TakenForGranite petrified corpses]] of your fallen enemies and use them as a weapon against other enemies if you don't feel like your current weapon or magic is doing enough.

While set in the same world, this is a [[DarkerAndEdgier darker]] and [[BloodierAndGorier bloodier]] version, using [[Creator/ValveSoftware Valve]]'s Source [[GameEngine engine]]. Although it maintains some of the original's skill-based system and titles, gameplay is far more combat-oriented -- it is being promoted as an "[=Action RPG=]" -- and the game mechanics are simplified. The gameplay is like a mix of ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors'' and ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'', with just a pinch of ''VideoGame/DemonsSouls''. Also differing from ''Mabinogi'', ''Vindictus'' is far more story-driven, and at least half of the missions advance the main story. There is almost none of the WideOpenSandbox quality that dominated the original game, and most of the side missions are in some way related to the main storyline, typically providing more detail, character development, or a different perspective.

* AprilFoolsDay: The April Fools 2011 event involved a MassiveMultiplayerCrossover with various {{Valve}} series such as VideoGame/TeamFortress2 and VideoGame/{{Portal}}. Event rewards included equips and titles featuring those games.

* BarrierMaiden: Tieve is initially set up to be this. After all, she is an oracle maiden from the starting town who greets you after passing out, and is worried about the fact that she has never heard the goddess's voice. However, in Chapter 7, we learn that another oracle by the name of Seanna is supposed to be the chosen maiden, who we rescue from the AbsurdlySpaciousSewers. [[spoiler: This is a DoubleSubversion, as it seems the clergy are working against the prophesy. If they actually achieve the prophesy, they won't be needed any more and will no longer have the power they have now.]]

* TheFaceless: Marrec isn't seen without his helmet, even as a ''child''.
** [[spoiler: Also Shakarr who has an imposing helmet in all his appearances.]]
* FieryRedhead: Marrec apparently had red hair, though you never see his face.
** Subverted with Marrec's fellow mercenary Ceara and the redhaired merchant [[TechnicalPacifist Kirstie]], who is overtly compassionate and later turns out to be [[spoiler: an ally of the Gnolls.]]

* GoddamnedBats: Due to rampant EasyLevelsHardBosses, nearly every mob in the game is this, but one of the first notable examples are Windgun Kobolds found in Hoarfrost Depths. While they're weak and slow, their attacks (while weak in and of themselves) carry a powerful debuff that will cause ''400'' points of damage before it finally wears off, regardless of your armor or defense.