Scoping out the landscape of upcoming MMOrpgs
World of Warcraft is one of the rare games that fundamentally changes a genre, but it didn’t stop at videogames. WoW exploded into the public consciousness, even finding success in Hollywood flying in the face of all the historical precedence that spelled disaster for the MMOrpgs’ foray into the world of film. Topping this kind of success is a tall order, but there are 5 fives making a go of it and we’ll explore all they have to offer right here, right now.
1) Lineage Eternal
Lineage Eternal Trailer
Be the hero of your story. Lineage Eternal drops players into a medieval inspired world to hack and slash their way through enemies, and you can’t do it all on your own.
The newest installment of the Lineage series by NCSOFT has experienced its fair share of delays since its initial announcement back in 2011, and that’s putting it lightly. Good things come to those who wait, however, and Lineage Eternal looks to be no exception.
Squaring off against a man and his dragon
What makes Lineage Eternal a hot topic amongst fans of the MMOrpg is the combat system. In contrast to games that have you mashing buttons, Lineage Eternal will require just a little bit more finesse. The “drag action” input system requires players to use elaborate mouse gestures to activate abilities. Not only will controls have more substance than past iterations of the game, but successful players will have to tactically use objects in the terrain to their advantage, and that means players looking for a challenging gameplay experience have come to the right place.
Teamwork makes the dream work
The long wait is almost over. Look for Lineage Eternal to release some time in 2017, but in the meantime expect a Beta to hit sometime soon, so you can at least get a taste of what’s to come next year.
2) Lost Ark
Lost Ark Trailer
The fantastic world of Lost Ark is both massive and rich. Players sail their ship across massive expanses either alone or with a party, in the hopes of conquering new lands and destroying powerful enemies.
A glimpse at a beautiful world that is as deep as it is wide
What sets Lost Ark apart from many other MMOrpgs hitting the market is the pace. Gameplay is quick and plays like an RPG. With that being said, Lost Ark puts the “Massive” in “Massively Multiplayer Online”, and puts at your feet a large interactive world that you won’t be able to explore fast enough.
Many MMOrpgs offer similarly massive worlds, but what makes Lost Ark a compelling addition to the market is the sheer amount of features. Perhaps the most exciting would the inclusion of land ownership, so you can truly rule the lands you discover as you see fit. The Colosseum promises to add a competitive element to Lost Ark, allowing players to lock in 1v1 or 3v3 matches against other online players.
Alliances forged and destroyed as your story unfolds across a world that’s your to explore
Final release is yet to be determined, but keep your eyes peeled for Lost Ark because it promises to make a splash when it lands.
3) Bless Online
Bless Online Trailer
Bless Online has conquered much of Asia, and now set its sights on the Western market. Set in a beautifully crafted fantasy world, Bless Online drops players into an ongoing war between the Hieron and Union kingdoms. A complicated feud is made all the more compelling by the magic, dragons, and diverse races that inhabit the Bless universe.
Like the best MMOrpgs, Bless allows players a huge amount of choice when customizing their players. Take great care in creating the perfect avatar that will help shape the world of Bless for you and other players. Best of all, Bless is hugely open world. Players can take to mountain tops, and explore stunning cities that will truly take your breath away in their scope and beauty.
Fluid combat animation make cutting through enemies more satisfying than ever
One of the most beautiful MMOrpgs in terms of graphical fidelity, Bless Online pushes Unreal Engine 3 to its max. The Beta has been received well, and fans should expect the Korean MMOrpg to find a loyal fan base in the West.
Don’t take on the world alone: all beasts small to large require strategy and oftentimes teamwork
4) Sea of Thieves
Sea of Thieves Gameplay Trailer
Few MMOrpgs if any have ever produced a game like Sea of Thieved, which exudes a sense cheery wonder. Sea of Thieves has players tightening their boot straps, and walking the plank into an unparalleled pirate adventure that unfolds on both land and at sea.
Rare Ltd is on rare form in their latest adventure, which teams players up and emphasis the importance of teamwork like nothing before. A tightknit crew is a must if you want to explore the seas, and absolutely essential if you want to send opposing crew’s ships down to Davies Locker.
A crew of pirates is just a group of treasure enthusiasts without a good ship
Easily the most compelling aspect of Sea of Thieves gameplay is the user-generated content. The first-person gameplay is made all the more immersive by the fact that players use in-game tools to craft environments and create their own thrilling stories.
Beautiful environments make every venture an adventure
Set for release in 2017, PC gamers should get ready to hit the high seas to craft their own adventures.
5) Kingdom Under Fire 2
Kingdom Under Fire 2 Trailer
Kingdom Under Fire 2 explores the struggle of three factions to dominate Bersia. The Human Alliance, Dark Legion, and Encablossians all rely on cold calculated strategy, and brute force to crush their enemies’ will and skulls alike.
The follow-up to Circle of Doom, Kingdom Under Fire 2 is a unique standout in this list for its gameplay, or rather its daring meshing of traditional action RPG elements, real-time strategy, and of course MMOrpg. That being said, leave your preconceptions at the door. Unlike traditional MMOrpgs, players will at once lead their troops and command other units as they see fit. Success will come to those that master that keep a level head amidst the chaos of battle.
Pictured above: chaos
Originally announced in 2008 and set to release in 2009, some fans may be wondering if Kingdom Under Fire 2 will ever arrive. While you can be assured that, yes, it will be released, the question of when is a bit more ambiguous. Keep your fingers crossed for a 2017 release because Kingdom Under Fire 2 promises to be worth the wait.
Adjust troop behavior to be more offensive or defensive as needed
Wrapping Up
You didn’t get into MMOrpgs for the consistent release of franchise favorites, and that’s good because many of these games have been a long time in the making. The good news is the wait is almost over, and there’s a good chance we’re looking at a revolution to the MMOrpg that hasn’t been seen since the likes of Wow. In fact, you could say there’s about five good chances…
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