ArcheAge Chronicles: The Massive New Action Combat MMO Dropping in 2025

ArcheAge Chronicles is on its way, and if you’re into action combat MMOs, this needs to be on your radar. Originally slated as ArcheAge 2, the game has now undergone a rebrand, marking a major shift in its identity—one that’s more fitting for the direction the game is heading in. Now set to release in 2025, this could change the MMO scene with its fresh approach to combat, story, and gameplay. But before it arrives, let’s dig into what we know so far.

A Necessary Rebranding: ArcheAge Chronicles

Initially announced as ArcheAge 2, the game had a lot of fans expecting a direct continuation of the first title. But what we’re getting is something significantly different. Under the new name ArcheAge Chronicles, this is not just a sequel or a spiritual follow-up. The vision XL Games and Kakao are chasing means Chronicles gets to stand on its own. Forget the expectations; this is a totally new type of game.

The name change makes perfect sense once you understand that ArcheAge Chronicles is an action combat game, unlike the tab-targeting system the original ArcheAge used. Plus, we’re looking at mostly PvE content, with PvP playing a reduced role compared to the first game. If you’re coming into this expecting the old ArcheAge, you would’ve been surprised. Now with the rebrand? Expectations are reset.

Console and PC: A Broader Reach

The PlayStation 5 stole the spotlight for the ArcheAge Chronicles trailer at the most recent Sony event, but don’t think this game is console-exclusive. It’s confirmed for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. Although PS5 footage is what we’ve seen so far, the game is shaping up to look fantastic, and the visual fidelity on PC will likely be stunning. The graphics showcased on the PS5 are promising—so that’s something to look forward to across all platforms.

Action Combat: A Shift That Makes Sense

For MMO fans, the move to action combat is probably the biggest departure from the original ArcheAge. In fact, gamers coming from New World might want to keep an eye on this one because it shares some DNA with Amazon’s MMO. But what makes Chronicles different?

Action combat allows you to block, parry, roll, dodge, and more, adding layers of strategy and making it more engaging than traditional point-and-click combat. From the looks of it, the combat system reminds me a little of BDO (Black Desert Online). Visually, it gives similar vibes. While both games use fast, cinematic action, Chronicles may bring its own fresh touch to the genre.

One factor to consider is how PvP plays out in this new format. Massive PvP battles often come with issues in action combat games; New World highlighted problems like desync when scaling these battles to a larger scope. It looks like Chronicles is shifting toward a more PvE-focused experience, though, with some light guild-based PvP still mixed in. That just makes sense.

PvE Features: Raids, Professions, and More

So, what else can you expect from ArcheAge Chronicles? For PvE players, there’s a lot to like. The game promises large-scale raids, bringing cooperative gameplay front and center. In fact, they’ve mentioned up to 10 players or more working together in these epic encounters. Whether that means scalable raids or just a few different settings isn’t yet clear, but group-centric content is on the horizon.

Beyond combat, the game is also planning on adding professions. You’re looking at classic MMO features like hunting, gathering, crafting, and even farming. Think of it as a broader scope of what ArcheAge 1 offered. And when they mention an open world with unparalleled freedom, it suggests we may see a return of one of ArcheAge’s more popular features: trading runs. Are you going to experience PvP during these runs? While it’s still unclear, the word “thrilling” in their description hints at some PvP involvement.

Release Date and the 2025 MMO Landscape

The trailer gave us a clear date: 2025. The timing is interesting, though, when you consider Chrono Odyssey, another action combat MMO coming from Kakao. Financial reports suggested Chrono Odyssey might be coming before ArcheAge Chronicles, also in 2025. Whether that ends up being the case or not, the 2025 MMO landscape seems packed with heavy hitters.

Though the exact release window isn’t concrete, 2025 seems like a reasonable target given the marketing push starting now. Add in Chrono Odyssey to the mix, and 2025 is looking like a massive year for MMO launches.

Pay-to-Win Concerns: A Reasonable Worry?

One big elephant in the room: Will ArcheAge Chronicles be pay-to-win? Given its Korean MMO roots and Kakao’s past, it’s a reasonable concern. ArcheAge 1 had its share of criticism for exactly that. So far, though, there’s no concrete answer on how monetization will work in Chronicles.

It’s too early to say for sure. The best we can do is wait for more details and hope for a balanced system. Pay-to-win elements can quickly sour even the most exciting games, so fingers crossed that Chronicles avoids those traps.

In Conclusion

With ArcheAge Chronicles slated for 2025, this new action combat MMO could make waves in the genre. The name change sets the stage for a fresh experience that stands apart from the original ArcheAge. Catering to an audience hungry for fast-paced PvE, streamlined cooperative raids, and large-scale, freedom-based gameplay, its potential is undeniable.

Keep an eye on this one. Whether you’re a New World player looking for the next big thing, or a veteran MMO fan excited by action combat, ArcheAge Chronicles is shaping up to be a title worth watching.

What do you think? Are you excited for ArcheAge Chronicles? Do the pay-to-win concerns give you pause? Drop a comment below and don’t forget to like and subscribe to stay in the loop on MMO news!