Ashfall
The biggest misconception up front: Ashfall is not a classic MMORPG with a huge, seamless world, but at its core a hub-based third-person looter-shooter with MMO elements. The setting is extremely fresh: an Asian post-apocalypse where traditional East Asian architecture meets rusty scrap, mutants, and destroyed robots.
From safe hub cities, you venture into instantiated levels and dungeons called Secret Realms in the game. The gameplay loop is supposed to consist of clearing these instances, defeating bosses, collecting loot, and upgrading your character.
Combat primarily takes place with firearms from a third-person perspective, with Ashfall resembling a classic cover shooter. In addition to weapons, drones and automated turrets are also employed.
Where it leans more towards MMO is the deep sandbox elements. Players can, for example, scout and tame mutated mounts in the world. At the same time, you can build your own little base in the wasteland, which provides crafting stations in addition to decoration.
More Shooter than MMO
Ashfall is primarily aimed at fans of shooter MMOs who do not need a classic MMORPG world. You have grind, loot, crafting, but indeed few players to bond with. The genre hybrid is more reminiscent of The Division, Outriders, and Fallout 76.
You can have fun in Ashfall especially if you want to experience a shooter together with some friends and dive fully into a post-apocalypse. Moreover, the setting is said to be accompanied by music from Hans Zimmer, which makes the mix of Mad Max and Chinese culture even crazier.
MMO Fans Are Left Wanting
Ashfall is not for fans of classic MMORPGs. The game is simply too strongly instantiated, the areas are separated by loading screens, and you play more alone and in a coop group rather than with deep guild structures and social competition.
At the same time, the monetization is still a big black box, and there is a risk that the title might follow the Asia trend towards loot boxes, aggressive monetization, and gacha.
The communication from the developers with their community also appears completely chaotic. After months of silence, short-term beta announcements follow before the developers disappear again. This indicates restructuring or problems. The release window is unclear.
Ashfall could indeed develop more towards MMO from the MMO shooter, but it could also completely veer towards a coop shooter at any moment. Or it could suddenly be discontinued. Everything is conceivable due to the lack of reasonable information at this time.
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