So this launches free to play this week on X1 (I would only recommend x1x tbh due to performance). I caved on the 7 day early access because I wanted to escape into a semi sociable fantasy world for hours on end. Over the weekend I got about 14 hours done and honestly have had a hoot with it.

It’s the first mmo I’ve played that really feels properly designed for console since DCUO. As opposed to having a well thought through but still clunky experience that most other console mmos have had imo.

Combat is kind of combo based and it all feels very much like an action adventure rather than a hot bar based click em up. If it weren’t for the staple kill x bugs quests, it could feel quite untraditional.

As it stands, it still feels like a fresh take on the genre and I am really enjoying it. Combat is interesting. Strategic even. You have to think fast and on your feet and when other people get involved in the bigger roaming boss fights it can really become quite fun and exciting and quite the light show.

I’ve seen people say it’s soulsy but I disagree strongly, at least with the two classes I’ve tried. They do feel very different to one another though, and maybe the sword and board class feels more souls based. It is a Bandai Namco game, so there are little references around. Like resting and healing ( and cooking and salvaging) at “soul pyres”.

As far as the F2P mechanics go. I’m really not seeing anything egregious. You can feel a little pressure on storage space I guess, but there are tons of treasure chests randomly distributed around the world which are very easy to see on the mini map. These more often than not have bag pieces in. You’ll see that at the start of one of the vids below. You can exchange 4 of these for one extra space at a bag merchant. I’ve frequently found enough for two slots by the time I get back to him.

Honestly, after the disappointment of Black Desert, I was expecting this to be the same. It’s not though. I’m thoroughly impressed.

First. My Berserker doggy, Muttley.

https://gameclips.io/BraveArse/ce26c0c5-84db-4faf-9015-d4138a2f472c/embed

And then my human mage, ArsoBravo (I think). Battle starts at 1:15 in if you’re not interested in getting a feel for quest getting.

https://gameclips.io/BraveArse/d4105105-dd25-44cf-a409-5c4a8dc6c92f/embed

I’ve set up a guild called The Claw in case anyone fancies it. I do think we could have a fair bit of fun. /hint 😉