MMO Launch Spotlight: A Trio of New Adventures to Dive Into This Week

Last week we saw the launch of the long awaited western release of NC's next big budget MMORPG. Whether you're seeking a grand open world or more intimate co-op gameplay, this week's spotlight will give you a glimpse of what's new to peruse. Let’s dive into the details of this week’s highlights!

Throne and Liberty

Release Date: October 1, 2024

Throne and Liberty finally made its long-awaited debut, releasing on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation this week. The MMO, developed by NCSOFT and published by Amazon Games, has hit the ground running with impressive numbers, peaking at over 326,000 players on Steam alone. The game boasts dynamic weather systems, massive PvP battles, a range of group-based challenges, and a blend of PvE and PvP experiences, encouraging players to fight for control of the world.

The initial reception has been positive, though not without some growing pains. According to a recent letter to the community, the developers are already addressing concerns ranging from server stability to charcter creation issues. In other cases, such as in some Steam reviews, players voiced frustrations over the balance between pay-to-win elements from the Auction House. With a decidedly mixed rating of over 21K player reviews, theres a broad consensus that the game seems well done, it just has some hurdles to overcome. Still, as one of the biggest MMO launches we'll see this year, fans of the genre won't want to miss this.

Zector 7

Demo Release Date: October 4, 2024

Though it doesn’t quite fit the traditional MMO mold (it's more of a survival MOG), Zector 7 has released a multiplayer demo that might entice a few of you looking for an indie open-world to goof around in. Set in a zombie infested future, this online survival shooter puts players in a massive world where futuristic tools will help you build bases and prepare for the horde of zombies that attack every night. The game's strategic depth comes from its range of options, with an array of weapons, gadgets, and gear to tailor each player's approach to combat.

What stands out about Zector 7 is that, while not a full-fledged MMO, its focus on teamwork, combined with its sci-fi roots, might just scratch the itch for survival players that don't mind some rough cartoonny polygons. The game is meant to go live on October 25th, 2024, so hop in now if you'd like to see what it's all about.

Reconquer Online

Early Access Release Date: October 1, 2024

The third game on our list is Reconquer Online, a retro-styled (very "retro" styled) MMORPG that blends elements of exploration with some puzzles, alongside more common gameplay elements like character progression and battles. With its old-school graphical style and a no pay-to-win philosophy, Reconquer Online is designed to appeal to fans of the genre looking for something familiar yet different enough to coax a little play time out of you.

While not as high-profile as Throne and Liberty, it offers a more relaxed, nostalgic experience for those seeking something that harks back to the early days of online strategy RPGs. Dubbed as more of a RuneScape clone, Reconquer aims to be in Early Access for another two years before they reach an official launch. Luckily the game is free-to-play so all you need is a little time if you want to give this one a shot.