ArcheAge 2 Rebranded as ArcheAge Chronicles—But Is It Still an MMO?

ArcheAge Chronicles is officially the new face of ArcheAge 2, and with the rebranding comes a bold shift in focus for the highly anticipated sequel. Unveiled during Sony’s recent State of Play, developer XLGames surprised fans by announcing that the game would no longer be known as ArcheAge 2, but rather ArcheAge Chronicles, and it will be stepping into the spotlight as an “online action RPG” rather than a traditional MMORPG.

If you’re scratching your head over that, you’re not alone. The genre tag confusion has been a hot topic among fans, especially since ArcheAge is one of the most beloved MMORPGs of the last decade. But XLGames seems determined to lean into the “action RPG” angle, with Executive Producer Yongjin Ham stating, “In ArcheAge Chronicles, we’ve shifted focus away from large-scale competitive PvP battles to create a more approachable, story-driven experience.”

Set to launch in 2025, ArcheAge Chronicles still promises plenty of massively multiplayer goodness, but the game is taking a slightly different path than its predecessor. Fans of the original ArcheAge will be pleased to know that housing, crafting, and life skills are still key features, but gone are the days of sandbox-style chaos and spontaneous PvP battles. Instead, players can expect “epic large-scale raids” and cooperative gameplay that feels more akin to an action-driven experience than the free-for-all vibe of the original. Housing has also undergone a transformation, now featuring dedicated zones where players can customize homes and build town-like communities—a bit more structured than the open-world approach of the first game.

If this all sounds familiar, you may be getting flashbacks to Concord, Sony’s other recent online action game, which flopped hard after pushing a $40 price tag and failing to resonate with players. It’s clear XLGames is trying to distance itself from traditional MMO language, likely to appeal to the console crowd, but fans of the genre are understandably wary of the shift. After all, if you call a game an online action RPG but fill it with MMO staples like raids, crafting, and player-built communities, what’s really changed?

Interestingly, this genre shift mirrors what’s happening with New World. Amazon Games is also ditching the traditional MMORPG label with its upcoming New World: Aeternum reboot, branding it as an “online action RPG” instead. In a similar move, New World: Aeternum is reducing its focus on massive, open-world PvP and pivoting towards smaller-scale cooperative adventures and action-packed combat—clearly a trend for MMOs trying to appeal to a broader, console-friendly audience.

Despite the rebranding, ArcheAge Chronicles still ticks many of the MMO boxes. It may be a streamlined version of the sprawling ArcheAge world we know, but it looks like a worthy continuation of the story. Set 50 years after the events of the original, Chronicles introduces new characters and conflicts, adding more depth to the already rich lore of the ArcheAge universe. Ham emphasizes that “each character will have their own unique arc, offering more narrative complexity than ever before.”

It remains to be seen if ArcheAge Chronicles can walk the fine line between action RPG and MMO, but for now, the new direction has certainly piqued the interest of both new players and veterans. Whether you’re crafting your perfect village or tackling massive raids with friends, ArcheAge Chronicles is shaping up to be a fresh—but familiar—take on a fan-favorite series.

We’d love to hear what you think about this new direction for ArcheAge Chronicles and the genre as a whole! Hit us up in the comments section below.