- Fluid combat, best in genre experience.
- Visually appealing with beautiful graphics.
- Free-to-play friendly, accessible progression.
- Repetitive grinding and simplification of mechanics.
- Excessive RNG and Pay-to-Win elements.
- Frequent disconnects and game instability.
Verdict
Mostly negative
Summary
Positive 29% · Negative 71%. Score: 71 / 100
Positives:
- The combat system is frequently praised as fluid, engaging, and a highlight of the game, often compared favorably to other action MMOs. Many reviewers consider it among the best in the genre, citing its fast-paced, satisfying feel and unique style.
- Many reviewers highlight the game's beautiful and visually appealing graphics, immersive environments, and stylish character designs. Some note improvements to the graphics over time, enhancing the overall experience.
- Reviewers appreciate the engaging story, memorable characters, and cool environments within the game. The revenge story and overall storytelling are frequently mentioned as positive aspects.
- The game is noted for being free-to-play friendly, allowing players to earn premium currency and progress without spending money. This accessibility is a significant positive for many reviewers.
- The game boasts a friendly and helpful community, especially in comparison to other MMOs. Players are willing to assist each other with dungeons and advice, creating a positive social environment.
Negatives:
- The game is heavily reliant on RNG and pay-to-win mechanics, especially concerning skill acquisition and gear progression. Players express frustration over low drop rates, expensive marketplace items, and the necessity of spending money to remain competitive or even progress through the game. This creates a significant disadvantage for free-to-play players and diminishes the overall gaming experience.
- Many reviewers report frequent server disconnects, lag, and crashes, often attributing these issues to DDoS attacks or poor optimization. These technical problems render the game unplayable for extended periods, disrupting gameplay and causing significant frustration. Some reviewers were unable to even complete the tutorial due to these issues.
- The game features repetitive grinding, a stamina system that limits playtime, and simplified dungeon mechanics that rely on DPS checks rather than engaging gameplay. This combination makes progression feel tedious and unrewarding, especially for free-to-play players who struggle to meet the required gear score for endgame content.
- Reviewers feel the game is a worse version than the original, with outdated graphics, a clunky feel, and anti-consumer changes. Some consider the re-release lazy and express disappointment that the game's potential was not realized.
- Players report a lack of communication from the developers, with infrequent and unrewarding events. Some reviewers feel that the developers ignore user feedback and implement changes that negatively impact the player base.
Gameplay:
- An energy system limits the number of daily activities players can engage in. Different activities consume varying amounts of energy, such as field bosses, dungeon minibosses, and dungeon endbosses. This energy restriction can limit player progression and playtime.
- The combat system requires precise targeting within a reticle and specific range, restricting free-form attacks. This limitation may feel restrictive to some players, as it doesn't allow for attacking in any direction freely. This can impact the fluidity and responsiveness of combat.
- The game features a fast-paced combat system that rewards flexible playstyles and quick reaction times. This is especially true for melee classes like Blade Dancer, where skillful execution and timing are crucial for success. This creates a more engaging and dynamic combat experience.
- The game is an MMO, allowing players to form groups and play with friends. This is a standard feature for the genre, and allows for cooperative gameplay.
- The game shares similarities with Black Desert Online (BDO). This is a high-level comparison without specific details.
Performance:
- Some players find the game well-optimized and visually appealing, especially with UE5, while others report that performance depends on having a capable computer. This suggests that the game's optimization may be inconsistent across different hardware configurations.
- Players report increased ping and low frame rates, even with capable hardware. Additionally, some reviewers mention that the Steam servers have a low player population, which may affect the overall experience.
- The reviewer questions the effectiveness of the 'remaster,' implying that the visual or technical improvements are not noticeable or significant. This suggests that the game may not have received substantial upgrades compared to the original version.
Recommendations:
- Many reviewers suggest trying the game, especially since it's free. Some recommend it for the combat, story, or as a quick MMO experience. Others suggest it's a good entry point for new players or a worthwhile experience for returning fans, while some suggest to try it once for the experience.
- Numerous reviewers report technical issues, particularly frequent disconnections, that significantly impact the gameplay experience. Some reviewers explicitly advise against playing the game until these issues are resolved. The game is considered unoptimized.
- The game is criticized for aggressive monetization and RNG mechanics, with some calling it a 'cash grab'. Reviewers warn against spending money and highlight that the game heavily favors 'whales' (players who spend a lot of money), while free-to-play players may struggle. Some reviewers express concern that the developers are alienating the community in pursuit of profit.
- Several reviewers feel the game hasn't improved much from the original and may even be worse. Some recommend sticking with the classic version instead. Nostalgia alone isn't a good reason to play.
- The game suffers from a low player population, making it difficult to find parties and potentially hindering the overall experience. Some reviewers express concern about the game's ability to attract and retain a significant player base. Players are advised to join full servers.
Miscellaneous:
- The game has official servers located in North America, Europe and China. There are also popular private servers available, which may offer different experiences or content.
- The game's availability on Steam increases accessibility and provides more options for players to engage with the game.
- This point expresses confusion about the game's quality relative to the perceived intelligence of its Korean developers. This point is highly subjective and lacks constructive feedback.
