This entry is going to be very short (short by what I normally write). There were two main things I wanted to check out in CBT2; the Slayer class and the Ruby Shop (the in-game marketplace).
With regards to the Slayer, it does borrow from the same named class in TERA (but is not an exact copy). It plays far faster from the start unlike in TERA where a few skills do have a longer windup (even at max level). Disabling screen shake in the settings is a must because with it on, combat and gameplay turns into an annoying blur from the over the top shaking that is used. It’s fun, but isn’t enough to overcome the issues I have with the game (more on that later).
The Ruby Shop is what is expected to be released at launch and includes a mix of cosmetic items, convenience and QoL items, and the “optional” premium subscription (Star’s Blessing). The following video shows what is in the cash shop. Kakao is providing some Ruby giveaways for the beta test including the ability to use in-game gold to purchase additional for testing.
It’s unclear yet what the actual cost per Ruby will be when the game launches, but if we use a $1 per Ruby ratio, it gives a general idea of the pricing in the shop. All of the convenience and QoL items (like expansion slot tickets) aren’t surprising since that is pretty much the norm. Star’s Blessing while optional, is pretty much required because of the benefits it provides (especially experience and drop rate since mob grinding is one of the main ways to level). There are also cash shop pets and mounts; while the game eventually rewards you with a decent quality one, that only comes somewhere in the level 40 range (which takes some grinding to get there). This isn’t surprising; it’s a Kakao specialty when it comes to how they monetize things.
The cosmetic system is similar to TERA’s (weapon skin, body, head, back slot, and face slot) and borrows heavily from TERA. To be more brutally frank, it’s like a lot of things in Elyon; a lot of copy/paste. Which leads to me to the main issue I have with Elyon. Once they revamped the original steampunk and aerial design out from the game into what exists now, the design that exists today is lacking in imagination.
The CBT2 build is based on the Korean build from June. Generally speaking, only a few things related to cash shop mechanics embedded in the game systems were what changed between CBT1 and CBT2. It’s why I didn’t spend a lot of time playing (once I saw what the cash shop looked like). The base pricing for the game is effectively overpriced for what is now a pretty generic unmemorable MMO that isn’t much better than the poor state that TERA currently is in (given the low priority Bluehole is giving it; they no longer bother even bother with new cosmetic items). What I wrote regarding CBT1 still stands.
What I see with Elyon is a contractual obligation to finally launch. Bluehole themselves have changed since this game was originally envisioned (and the ensuing investment and partnership in 2014 that came to be with Kakao Games in order to get exclusive publishings rights in Korea and NA/EU). With Krafton’s (the main corporate structure that Bluehole resides under) IPO now out of the way, we can see what the company is focusing on; and it’s primarily PUBG related along with some type of new MMO project (that likely will not appeal to the Elyon and TERA demographic). The company’s future public filings will be interesting as well as since we will finally get to see what ratio of their revenues is coming from PUBG.
I just don’t see this game having any long term appeal or longevity. It’s no longer even in the Korean top 50 PC Bang rankings (whereas PUBG is still in the top 5). I just see this getting neglected the way TERA has become neglected (and being driven by ridiculous gear changes for the sake of selling new enchanting material boxes in the cash shop). I also don’t expect Kakao to be an effective partner lobbying Bluehole to make the game better since they just want to get a return on that original investment. It’s why I already decided that I’m not going to bother purchasing Elyon.
