For the future, there are numerous MMORPG announcements. Some of them showcase wonderful trailers that make the wait for release almost unbearable. MeinMMO author Anny Bader presents to you the most promising ones.
For this list, we looked at trailers of upcoming MMORPGs and compared them with existing information about the games to assess their relevance. We do not include Play2Earn games, for example, even though they sometimes show beautiful trailers. Additionally, we only present games that have not yet been released.
ArcheAge 2
What kind of game is this? ArcheAge 2 is the sequel to a sandbox MMORPG of the same name that was a shattered dream for many. The second part takes place in the same universe and aims to improve upon many aspects. It will be a AAA MMORPG, and the developers XL Games are using Unreal Engine 5.
It features an open world that is twice as large as in the first part. The map is not only supposed to expand but also offer more content and feel denser.
A few days ago, the publisher Kakao Games presented the first trailer for ArcheAge 2.
Why does it look so promising? Right at the beginning of the trailer, one can see how detailed the game world is designed. Waves on the sea, clouds in the sky, a foggy valley, and a sunset fill the first 20 seconds.
The gameplay shown afterwards also appears convincing. One can see enemies that could be bosses. One creates lightning around itself, another is a fire-breathing dragon. There also seem to be many different weapons, and magic is also employed.
All in all, the graphics and gameplay of ArcheAge 2 look wonderful. If it truly improves upon the flaws of its predecessor, it could become a very successful MMORPG.
When does it come out? ArcheAge 2 is set to be released in 2024, but the exact date is still unclear. The developers aim for a simultaneous launch on PC and the current consoles, although it is not specified which consoles they mean.
Ashes of Creation
What kind of game is this? Ashes of Creation is a sandbox MMORPG that offers PvP and PvE content. The combat system is a mixture of action combat and tab-targeting. You can choose from various races and classes, which you can combine. There are a total of 64 different possibilities.
What is particularly special about the MMORPG is the so-called node system. Nodes are locations in the open world that can be conquered, improved, and defended. Each node has an area that it influences. Everything that happens within the zone affects the node. Completing tasks or gathering materials earns you experience points.
Some features bear a strong resemblance to New World, such as the recently introduced gathering system. In the open world of the MMORPG, you can collect and mine almost everything you come across. Professions exist in the types of gathering, processing, and crafting.
Why does it look so promising? The trailer for the first alpha of the MMORPG shows beautiful fantasy creatures that serve as mounts. We see players riding, flying, and swimming on them.
Crafting is also shown and looks like it does in New World, which is a big plus for me personally. The animations also appear fluid, and the environment is lovingly designed.
At the end of the trailer, you can also see many players hitting huge bosses, which also appear detailed and beautiful. It briefly reminds us of Final Fantasy XIV or world bosses in Lost Ark, as numerous players battle a gigantic monster amidst the chaos of effects.
Considering that the trailer comes from the first alpha, expectations for Ashes of Creation rise even more.
When does it come out? The development of Ashes of Creation is somewhat sluggish. Ashes of Creation was originally supposed to be released in 2019, but it hasn’t even managed to have a stable alpha active by the end of 2022. The development team regularly provides waiting fans with updates and holds a livestream every month.
Blue Protocol
What kind of game is this? It is a theme park MMORPG from Bandai Namco with beautiful anime graphics that focuses on PvE. Visually, it strongly resembles Genshin Impact, Noah’s Heart, and Tower of Fantasy.
In Blue Protocol, you choose your character from 5 classes and travel back 1000 years into the past to save the world from a catastrophe.
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The story is supposed to play an important role and will be supported by cutscenes. You will follow various quests that bring you closer to the story and may also complete side quests. There will also be dungeons and raids.
Why does it look so promising? Since it looks graphically very high quality and is close to Genshin Impact and Tower of Fantasy, Blue Protocol could become a large and exciting anime MMORPG. It is also particularly noteworthy that it will only be released for PC. Many anime MMORPGs are mobile-optimized and also published for PC, but then have an inadequate user interface.
The trailer also shows beautiful landscapes and characters, epic boss fights, and at one point you can see a character riding a sort of wolf – so there could be mounts in Blue Protocol.
When does it come out? Blue Protocol is set to be released in spring 2023 in Japan. A worldwide release is planned, but there is still no publisher for the West.
Dune: Awakening
What kind of game is this? Dune: Awakening is an upcoming MMORPG set in the Dune universe. At this year’s gamescom, it was first announced with a trailer. The developers Funcom are also responsible for the popular survival game Conan Exiles.
The MMORPG combines classic survival elements with the social interactions of a large multiplayer game. It offers an open world that you explore and build your own shelter. Through crafting, you create all sorts of items to protect yourself from enemies and sandstorms in the desert. Possible enemies also include other players who can attack you.
The fictional drug “spice” from the Dune universe plays an important role. You farm and consume spice to utilize specific abilities.
Why does it look so promising? The cinematic trailer does not show any gameplay yet, but the voice acting combined with the scenes and the idea that Conan Exiles is turning into an MMORPG builds great anticipation for Dune: Awakening. You can already see the desert, which looks like the starting area in Conan Exiles. Only the graphics here look significantly higher quality.
When does it come out? There is currently no information about the release. You can currently sign up for the beta test on the website with your email address. However, we do not know when the beta will start either.
Throne and Liberty
What kind of game is this? Throne and Liberty was originally announced as Lineage 3 or Lineage Eternal. However, the developers NCSoft decided to revise it to create a true next-gen MMORPG.
It offers a completely open game world where you can find PvP and PvE content such as large world bosses. In PvP, the goal is to conquer certain objects in the world – you can even siege castles.
There are various ways to move around. You can use a grappling hook and transform into a flying or swimming creature. The environment is also important: there is a day/night cycle and various weather situations that affect gameplay.
Why does it look so promising? The graphics of Throne and Liberty are a dream if they look just as good in the real game as in the trailer. You can see the perspective of an eagle flying over a coastal city that looks beautiful. The next scenes showcase different sky situations – clouds, sunsets, and then it rains stars.
Throne and Liberty seems to offer many different maps, all creatively and detail-rich designed. The enemies and fights also look fantastic.
When does it come out? Originally, the MMORPG was supposed to be released in 2022 for PC, but it has been postponed to 2023. A release for consoles is also planned.
What do you think of our list? Which MMORPG are you particularly looking forward to? Which trailers also look promising? Feel free to let us know in the comments here on MeinMMO!
