Indie MMORPG Slay Together, developed by the solo developer studio, Owl Tribe Entertainment, has returned to try to capture the hearts of old school MMO fans. The game has been in intermittent development since 2019. Drawing inspiration from classic titles such as Metin 2 and Flyff, Slay Together brings its own unique take on the genre with its challenging gameplay, deep crafting systems, and various customization options.
After going dark for nearly a year in 2022, Slay Together has once again emerged with exciting updates that promise to keep players invested, as well as Jannick’s renewed assurance that more is on the way. The recent bow overhaul and crafting update have added some welcome changes like significantly reduced equipment drop rates, which hints that crafting may soon become the primary way to obtain gear. Players can collect materials from enemies and obtain various resources like ore and plants, to craft weapons, jewelry, and armor.
The heart of Slay Together lies in its robust crafting system, where players must gather materials and process them at the smithy, workbench, or tailoring station. With a myriad of crafting options at their disposal, players can create unique items that not only suit their playstyles but also set them apart from others, ensuring that the crafting system will be front and center to the game’s core loop.
In addition to crafting, upgrading equipment plays a vital role in staying ahead of the curve. Items can be awakened to receive randomly generated stats, allowing for further personalization and experimentation with various playstyles. Players must invest their materials and in-game currency wisely to upgrade their weapons, showcasing their prowess on the battlefield.
For those unfamiliary with Slay Together's combat system, the game requires more action-focused combat, and demands active blocking, dodging, and attacking. Slay Together promises a challenging and engaging system that requires players to think on their feet and execute precise movements to best their foes. Currently players will primarly spend their time battling out in the world and gathering materials, as there is a severe lack of dungeons and no competitive play at this time.
Available on Steam, Slay Together is currently free to play and has plans to remain so when the game eventually launches. Jannick believes that the community will decide when the game is ready for its full release. This monetization approach is a significant departure from the Pay 2 Play model Jannick attempted to introduce back in 2020. After a brief time as a Pay to Play game, Jannick polled the community regarding cash shop items to further development in January of 2022, firmly falling back on the community’s insistence that the game continue as free to play.
Slay Together is a testament to the passion and dedication of a single developer, continually working to improve and expand this indie MMORPG. Its unique combination of crafting, customization, and a challenging combat system certainly makes Slay Together a unique indie experience. We hope to see the game finally make its way to release in the future.
