Tower of Fantasy is a free-to-play multiplatform open world sci-fi fantasy RPG with vibrant graphics and action based combat. Collect a multitude of characters and combine their powers!
Publisher: Level Infinite (Tencent) Playerbase: High Type: Mobile RPG Release Date: August 11, 2022 (Global) Steam Release Date: October 19, 2022 Pros: +Detailed character creation. +Great graphics and music. +Fluid combat, weapon swapping. +Good mix of story and exploration/side content. Cons: -Gatcha system to unlock new characters. -Limited multiplayer content.
Traha Global, a Korean developed fantasy MMORPG, is launching on Steam on November 1, 2022. Built on Unreal Engine 4, Traha Global is a mobile MMORPG built primarily for iOS and Android. The Global version will have auto-combat removed to give it more of a classic MMORPG feel.
Traha Global bills itself as an 'RvR' (Realm vs Realm) MMORPG, with the conflict between two rival factions taking center stage. Players can join either the Naiad or the Vulcan in their ancient conflict. Arm yourself with one of seven weapon types which double as the game's classes: Scythe, Bow, Greatsword, Shield, Staff, Dual Blade, and Knuckles. Players can switch classes at anytime, anywhere.
While Traha places its emphasis on large scale PvP, it also includes a variety of raids and dungeons for cooperative experiences and a means of gathering powerful new gear.
The original version of Traha was released back in 2019 in its home market of South Korea as a mobile exclusive. The game is developed by Moai Games, a relatively new studio made up of veterans who worked on classic titles including Lineage 2.
The sequel to 2013's ArcheAge is scheduled for a 2024 release according to the latest press release issued jointly by the game's developer and publisher.
ArcheAge 2 has been under development since at least 2020 with XLGames studio founder Jake Song again at the helm. The latest update states that over 100 developers are working on the game. The studio promises both "spectacular action" and "AAA-standard storytelling" in the upcoming MMORPG.
Kakao Games will be publishing ArcheAge 2 globally. The two companies already have a partnership with Kakao publishing the original ArcheAche.
While the original ArcheAge was built on CryEngine 3, the sequel will be powered by the industry standard Unreal Engine 5. The press release revealed little else, more details regarding monetization and gameplay are promised at a later date.
Kakao CEO Kyehyun Chao noted that expectations for the game are high:
"The expectations for ArcheAge 2 are high, as it is a big title in which the years of development knowledge and experience of XLGAMES has been poured into. Together we will work hard to ensure that it becomes a success, and as we have obtained the global service rights through this contract, we aim to strengthen our MMORPG lineup.”
The original ArcheAge was initially well received with its sandbox gameplay that allowed for a variety of gameplay styles. Land ownership, trading routes, sea battles, and many other features helped make the game world feel alive. Hopefully the sequel builds on that foundation while avoiding some of the pitfalls the original fell victim to over the years.
Dune: Awakening is an open world survival MMO where players must struggle for survival on the arid world of Arrakis. Combining elements of survival games with a persistent shared world, Dune Awakening takes the genre to a new level.
Publisher: Funcom Playerbase: High Type: Open World Survival MMO Release Date: June 10, 2025 Pros: +Combines survival & MMO gameplay. +Iconic setting and lore. +PC and console support. Cons: -Console centric UI/Menus. -Limited & repetitive PvE content/enemies.
Funcom has announced a new open world survival MMO titled Dune: Awakening during the first day of this year's Gamescom event.
Dune: Awakening sounds like an ambitious project, combining survival game elements from their previous title Conan Exiles with a massive world shared by thousands of players.
Set in the barely habitable desert planet of Arrakis, players will find survival to be their first challenge. Build shelters against unrelenting sandstorms, maintain your stillsuit which conserves water, and avoid being eaten by giant sandworms that slither beneath the sands.
Given the sandbox survival focus, expect an extensive resource gathering and crafting system combined with open world PvP battles for control over key resource nodes.
Funcom was one of the first major MMORPG developers, releasing the sci-fi MMORPG Anarchy Online in 2001. Its great to see the studio return to a persistent world title with the added depth and PvP opportunities offered by the survival genre. Limited information is currently available for Dune: Awakening with no release date given. We're excited to see how this one progresses!
The game will be available on Steam. If the Dune setting and survival/MMO elements sound interesting to you, be sure to add it to your Steam wishlist. Players wishing to participate in the first beta can sign up on the official site.
Dune: Awakening should not be confused with Dune: Spice Wars, a 4x strategy game published by Funcom back in April 2022.
Hi-Rez Studios, best known for Smite and Paladins, has relaunched their quirky battle royale game with the refreshed title Realm Royale Reforged.
While the original Realm Royale never shut down, development had been stalled since 2020. Today's update has led to a surge in concurrent players on Steam, with today's peak surpassing 3,600. In contrast, the game had an average of 600 concurrent players last month.
The Reforged update brings back many of the popular features from the game's earlier versions. Notably, the armor system is back and the rune system has been removed. Class abilities and weapons are once again unique and locked to each class.
Prospective players can read the full patch notes on the official Steam post and check the free to play battle royale out for themselves!
Bloxmith, a crypto gaming company formed earlier this year, has begun Playtest 2 registrations for their first mobile game title, codenamed Project R.
Project R is described as a mobile e-sports game with fast paced gameplay. Players build unique groups of fighters who then auto-battle on dynamic battlefields. Bloxmith promises Project R and future titles will not require an upfront investment to start playing, a steep hurdle in many first generation crypto games. Tradable assets earned in-game will be a prominent feature, but the company promises these assets will primarily provide in-game utility rather than simply being a means of cashing out to other players.
If that sounds interesting to you, be sure to sign up for the second round of playtests which will be starting soon. Their website also contains a link to their social media, including official discord server and twitter page where concept art for several fighters are on display.
Bloxmith promises to be "a new kind of gaming company synergized with blockchain technology." The studio's listed co-founders include Wayne Lee, a former General Manager at Riot Games (Taiwan/SEA) & Blizzard (Taiwan/Macau/Hong Kong), Deon Moh with former work at Facebook Gaming, and Peter Liao and Terry Chen, founders of Pumpkin VR.
Lost Ark is a 3D fantasy MMORPG with action RPG style combat and a huge world to explore. Set sail on your own ship to discover new regions and battle powerful bosses with a raid party. Lost Ark offers a feature-rich gaming experience combined with stunning visuals and skill effects.
Publisher: Amazon Playerbase: High Type: MMORPG Korean Release Date: November 07, 2018 Global Release Date: February 11, 2022 PvP: Arenas Pros: +Satisfying action oriented combat. +Huge variety of collectibles. +Solid PvP design. +Excellent late game content (raids). Cons: -Moderate learning curve. -Poor leveling experience. -Generic story. -RNG upgrade system can be frustrating.
ARC Raiders, a free to play co-op shooter, has been delayed to 2023. The official notice posted on twitter states the the extra time will be used "to expand the experience, and allow it to reach its fullest potential."
Originally scheduled for a 2022 release, the game was positioned as Nexon's big Western release for the year. Nexon is the majority owner of the Sweden based Embark Studios, the developer behind ARC Raiders. Formed in 2018, ARC Raider will be the studio's first title.
With a third-person view and a sci-fi setting, the cooperative shooter pits players against a mechanized alien threat from space known as the ARC.
On July 8, 2022 Pearl Abyss announced that their fantasy themed Battle Royale title Shadow Arena was shutting down.
The Black Desert Online spinoff was first revealed at G-Star in November 2019 and was released into Early Access in May 2020. Now, about two years since launch the game is scheduled to shut down. Game download and in-game currency purchases have already been disabled with the final termination date set to August 10, 2022.
Shadow Arena never found its footing in the highly competitive Battle Royale genre. The game's all-time peak concurrent player count stands at 4,958 on Steam with more recent playercount numbers barely breaking into the double digits.
Despite a strong start with Black Desert and Black Desert Mobile, Pearl Abyss has thus far failed to follow up with another hit. The studio has several titles under development including Crimson Desert, DokeV, and Play 8, but all have seen extensive delays. They have also had their scope and ambition reduced. Crimson Desert is scheduled for a release later this year.
