Chrono Odyssey
Chrono Odyssey discards the typical, endless trash mob grind
of Asian MMOs and instead offers a heavily PvE-focused action RPG loop, mechanically leaning more towards single-player hits like Elden Ring or Monster Hunter.
In everyday PvE, players spend most of their time exploring the dark world and tackling challenging, instanced dungeons and open-world bosses. For this, two points are extremely crucial:
Point 1: Preparation
Chrono Odyssey hardly holds players’ hands ‒ and this is very intentional. Early on, players are faced with a boss that is very difficult for the current level, with the mission to prepare them for what’s to come. After inevitably failing, the game bluntly states: You are probably too weak, come back when you are ready.
This is the point where the title truly shines, and players start undertaking side quests or exploring the world. Particularly cool is that the map does not simply reveal where anything is.
In the beta test, there was a dungeon that could only be found through exploration, but every completion awarded a currency with which a strong equipment set could be purchased. Perhaps only 5% of players found it, but that’s exactly what makes it exciting ‒ an MMORPG that brings secrets and invites exploration.
Point 2: Combat System
Chrono Odyssey is somewhat like the Dark Souls of MMORPGs. Not only do the bosses pose a challenge, but you must also dodge, parry, and memorize the attack patterns. This is not only essential for survival but a prerequisite to progress through the game. However, the developers plan to tweak certain mechanics based on feedback from the beta to make challenges a bit easier.
Don’t expect a gentle entry. The leveling phase of Chrono Odyssey is a true challenge, which is again just the preparation for the even more difficult endgame. It is unlikely that you will reach the maximum level in just one day. The leveling process is as much a part of the game as the endgame, as every victory here should truly be earned.
The endgame, in turn, revolves heavily around the economy, which must provide materials for upgrading and crafting equipment. Players need these items to face even greater foes, which then of course yield better loot.
A Dream for Real MMORPG Fans
At first glance, Chrono Odyssey repels many players. This is a significant problem for the developers, as the recent beta was simply too difficult for many who tried the title blindly. No wonder. If you’re looking forward to WoW and get Dark Souls instead, you’ll initially be puzzled when stopping by the spirit healer.
The target audience of the MMORPG consists of exactly those players who long for the good old days of MMORPGs and seek a challenge. You must explore the world and independently find the puzzles of the world, bosses, and important locations.
This stands in contrast to today’s comfortable MMORPG market but is exactly right for all who miss “the good old times” and for whom character progression is paramount.
In line with the target audience of discerning genre fans, no features like dailies or other FOMO designs are known so far. At the same time, your character only progresses if you do something yourself. This could be an appeal that hasn’t been around for a while. Because unlike in Aion 2, a powerful character here truly means experience and skill.
Not for Quitters
Despite the truly interesting approach, the closed beta showed clear edges. Chrono Odyssey is truly not for everyone. The title is somewhat like the antithesis of Throne and Liberty. Instead of guild wars over castles, open-world PvP, and the like, Chrono Odyssey focuses on cooperative PvE gameplay where one hand washes the other.
Additionally, those with a low frustration tolerance who would be fine watching their character destroy enemies in autoplay would not feel at home with Chrono Odyssey. The beta also revealed weaknesses in performance, which may not be present at release, though a decent PC could still be a prerequisite for reasonable playability.
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