Keeping this really short; this game is going to be bad (western market wise since what exists is currently more aligned with the player demographics in Asian countries [*]). Outside of the character creator, the prologue/tutorial is supposed to be your initial impression of the basics, and this one reminds me of how bad Elyon’s tutorial was (which was a really bad hack job of the original Ascent: Infinite Realm version that was way more engaging/fun despite it also being a bit long in the tooth). As for this early game play, it’s not as bad as Bless Online (which had underlying technical issues resulting in really bad client FPS lag) or Swords of Legends Online, but it comes close.
The graphics are gorgeous, but none of that is going to make up for what is literally garbage game play and combat (probably one of the worst tab-targeting systems mixed with a heavy dose of auto-pathing/combat) where you cannot move while in combat, along with one of the worst UI’s in a modern KMMO (and it’s not because of the mobile influences). AGS is going to need a lot of luck publishing this dreck in the west (unless it gets delayed again from less than favorable feedback that this CBT will likely receive; after the prior selective limited “final” test, the feedback was already not favorable and forced NC’s hand with doing this wider closed beta test).
The offline play (which is part of the paid battle pass) also isn’t an issue to me since a lot of other games have this sort of system where you can have characters earn XP while you are logged out. Elyon had a system (part of housing) where characters could earn experience while Lost Ark has a more tedious setup that requires a leveled up stronghold where you can then have one or two (once you unlocked the second slot) characters “training” over a 7 day period to earn XP (and you don’t have to be logged out; you can earn this additional XP while still playing it).
The “but it’s a beta” line also doesn’t fly because NC planned to launch this version really soon in both Korea and globally (the prior incarnations with Lineage Eternal and then Project TL were also supposed to be close to launching before they were all trashed in favor of this reboot). Maybe they can fix and salvage this before they officially launch in the west, but I have my doubts at this juncture.
===========================================================================
UPDATE 1: I previously wondered if this was taking place in the Lineage universe; it is since you have things like Soulshots, mob types, skills like Burning Field, etc.
[*] – while is it very true that NC knows their Asian player demographic well (especially given the success they’ve had with Lineage in the mobile series in those specific regions), the problem is there is even less than favorable feedback coming in from the Korean PC player demographic (and this demographic has long had it in since the Lineage Eternal CBT which led to the entire leadership team being dismissed, resulting in the Project TL rebranding). The “Final Test” was also supposed to be it before launch but less than favorable feedback resulted in this relenting to doing this CBT. The problem is the designed combat which feels like garbage from the get go. The Astral Hunting (auto combat) system is designed to work in conjunction (streaming the PC game play) with an eventual companion mobile application (since Lineage Eternal, NC always wanted to be able to have the game playable on mobile; but instead of having a specific mobile version, they eventually chose to use a streaming setup).
UPDATE 2: there’s some really “interesting” takes regarding the design; that NC is going for a specific “old school” demographic. Here’s the “problem” though. NC is a publicly traded company in South Korea (KOSPI: 036570) so it’s long been in their best interest to have their games reach as broad a demographic as possible. Their mobile titles in the Lineage series has long minted them money (especially in Asia and early on in the west). However, they’ve run into challenges on PC (across multiple titles) where limiting their demographic focus to a subset of players, makes little sense from a revenue generation point of view (for what is a newly released game that has been in development hell for over 12 years).
While it is true that NC may be trying to get the PC demographic used to systems that are prevalent in their mobile titles, you would think they would try to attempt this under the guise of a game that has game play that appeals to a broader demographic versus Throne and Liberty, where it seems to be focusing on larger scale end-game PvP sieges and GVG ala older Lineage games). Elyon had a similar mob grinding component to leveling, and look how that fared over time. This would’ve made sense if this was the objective for Lineage Eternal and then Project TL versus reaching this point over a decade later after multiple scrappings of game designs. Yes, AGS’ version may end up having some changes made (that NC will agree to), but I just don’t see this sort of game appealing to the sort of broad demographic that can generate recurring revenues after the initial front loading is over (depending on the business model).
