What is Avakin?
Avakin is the new social platform by Lockwood where users control their own avatars, design it's looks using a range of items and visit a range of areas which are consistently going to be expanded.
Is Avakin free?
Avakin is completely free to join and play immediately. Users however can purchase coins called 'Avacoins' to buy additional content, however Avacoins can also be earned by completing milestones throughout the world which range from trying on an item from your wardrobe to completing your profile page.
My thoughts before playing Avakin
I was expecting Avakin to be miniature version of Playstation Home and this made me think of it as being inferior, as how could something so new match up to a massive social network such as Playstation Home.
I was wrong to think of this as a Playstation Home imitation as it should be considered in its own right.
I had heard that Avakin contained some of Lockwood's clothing ranges from Playstation Home and this really gave me an incentive to try it, as it would be like having an alternative to PS Home when I was away from home. The clothing items will provide a nostalgic feeling to those who move on from Home when the PS4 is released.
Registering an Avakin Account
Urrg registering what a nightmare... Actually completely the opposite, in order to sign up only basic information is needed and updating your profile is completely optional when in game. Registering took less than 30 seconds!
Then after registering you are left thinking there must be some catch to stop you jumping right in. Then it happens!, you hit a white screen and are asked to download 'Unity' this left me thinking I should come back in a few hours to find out that there is yet something else to install, but upon clicking install I was pleasantly surprised to be done within about 60 seconds.
The Actual Gameplay- The Wardrobe
The first screen you are confronted with is the Avakin wardrobe, this instantly made me think.. OMG they want me to buy virtual clothing already even though I have just started playing, but this isn't forced upon you, As you are shown which clothing items are free to start using immediately as well as some of the items that can be purchased with coins.
I instantly wanted some of the purchasable content as I hate walking around games and have other people view me as a newbie due to my default items, but I did not want to spend money on a platform that I had no idea about.
However while creating my basic avatar I picked up enough coins to buy a purchasable item using my free avacoins from completing milestones, this instantly meant that it is impossible for established users to identify me as new.
My Profile
As with any profile this allows other users to find out more about you, such as your country of residence, Age and Interests. This information is optional to complete but gives a very good overview of a user.
If you scroll along to the further tabs you can see your friends which you have met, messages you have received as well as your progression.
Milestones
Milestones are like mini achievements for completing specific tasks within Avakin and are separated into three sub-catogories of Avakin, Dashboard and Avakin Poker.
Each sub-catogory has three levels which increase in difficulty to complete, you can advance to unlocking the next level of milestones after complete the current level.
Each tasks unlocks a specified number of Avacoins ranging from 50-120.
Avakin Poker
This is currently the only game on Avakin with many more expected in future updates, however it brings a lot of entertainment as it is incredibly user friendly and even helps those who have never played poker to understand how to play. The interface allows you to see other users avatars who are playing, their user ID, profile and even add them as friends.
My favourite feature is that it tells you your current hand, such as whether you currently have a two/three/four of a kind, full house or a straight ect. Due to not knowing all the hands in poker myself this is incredibly useful.
Avakin Poker-Social Lounge
I like this area of Avakin as it simply is there just to socialise without any distractions. In order to navigate around the lounge you have to press the directional buttons on screen which show each corner of the space. If you see a user that you would like to talk to simply press the diamond next to their location. To type a message simply click on the talkbox in the corner and you will be able to begin typing.
My favourite elements of Avakin
-Quick installation/ registration times
-Fast loading
-The ability to try clothing item on before purchase
-Sensible interface and layout
-The ability to change the colour of clothing items
-Ability to send gifts to friends
-Hosted get togethers
-Lockwood have clearly listened to users of Playstation Home and incorporated things we have wanted to see on Home into Avakin.
What I would like to see in Avakin
Understandably Avakin is still in early release so we can expect new areas, clothing and games in the future.
-Correction of a few 'missing text' issues
-Early user benefits (Exclusive items for joining early)
-The possibility to share purchases from Home to Avakin (Although difficult to implement)
-Avakin getting a Playstation Home presence.
-More default hairstyles for male, assume everyone has long hair or a buzz cut.
-An improvement in the space navigation using the left and right arrows takes a while to scroll. (Including the possibility of free-walking)
Overall thoughts/Recommendation
I'd recommend Avakin to Playstation Home users in a heartbeat, if you like Home you will certainly enjoy Avakin and be excited to see how it expands.
Lockwood are know for their expertise with social games due to their number of years producing content for Playstation Home. These expertise are clearly visible throughout this creation and love is coded into every part.
Currently you may only spend a short time playing, but with introduction of more games and content I can see myself spending hours online.
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