At the GStar 2017 event, the upcoming PC MMORPG A:IR, Ascent: Infinite Realm, was presented in more detail. We have information about the classes, the PvP system, and a possible release date.
A:IR is being developed by Bluehole, who are also responsible for the MMORPG TERA and the battle royale shooter PUBG. What was shown at GStar seems to be a mix of both games.
The Realm-vs-Realm battles, that is, the PvP fights, were the focus of the presentation at the event. These take place somewhat like a shooter battle, consisting of three phases.
This is how the battles unfold
The gameplay – at least what has been shown so far – can be described as follows:
- You participate in an RvR battle with your hero
- You decide whether to side with the attackers or the defenders
- Attackers must try to destroy the core of the enemy base within 20 minutes
- Defenders should protect this core
- If the core is destroyed within the 20 minutes, the attackers win; otherwise, the defenders claim victory
At GStar, such a battle was playable. How representative this is of all the battles in the MMO is currently unknown. Presumably, there will be different types of skirmishes. But the shown battle went as follows:
Phase 1:
- The battle begins in the air and is fought with airships and other flying vehicles.
- Here, there is quite a chaos, and it is not easy to steer the ship and attack the enemies.
- Teams must work well together.
- The goal of the attackers is to destroy the gate of the enemy base to break in. The defenders must prevent this.
- At this current time, Phase 1 always leads to the attackers breaching the gate.
Phase 2:
- After the gate has been breached, the attackers flood into the base on foot.
- The various classes offer advantages and disadvantages and must be used tactically in the team.
- The tight corridors of the base provide many defense options, making it difficult for the attackers to reach the core.
Phase 3:
- Attackers attack the core and defenders try to protect it.
- If the core is destroyed within the given time, the attackers win and the match starts over with swapped roles.
The 5 Hero Classes of A:IR
In Phase 1, the aircraft plays an important role. Depending on which one you use and what attributes it has, it flies differently and is more effective in combat. In Phases 2 and 3, however, your hero comes into play, which you create from several classes. Each character has different abilities that you must use tactically:
Sorceress
- Main Attack: Staff
- Secondary Attack: Athame
The Sorceress has powerful magical abilities but has little stamina.
Mystic
- Main Attack: Wand
- Secondary Attack: Totem
A Mystic may look like a child but can use powers that heal allies and deal significant damage to enemies from a distance.
Warlord
- Main Attack: Warhammer
- Secondary Attack: Shield
The Warlord is the typical tank. He throws himself into the battle to draw the damage to himself.
Assassin
- Main Attack: Dagger
- Secondary Attack: Dagger
The Assassin can deal a lot of damage, is very fast, and has a high chance of critical hits. However, he has to attack from close range and has only a few hit points.
Gunslinger
- Main Attack: Pistols
- Secondary Attack: Rifle
The Gunslinger attacks from a distance with quick and deadly strikes.
Many questions remain unanswered about A:IR, including the release date
Because A:IR is currently only in Korean and the GStar event was also held in Korean, many questions about the game remain open. Is it only about RvR battles? Will you simply dive into these skirmishes from a hub, or are there other things to do in parallel?
It is also unclear what effects the individual skills have due to the Korean descriptions. Therefore, testers also found it chaotic to act in battles because they simply did not understand the instructions and tips.
A closed beta for A:IR is planned for early 2018. More information should also be available then, so we will know more about how the MMO plays – also outside of RvR battles. An official release date for A:IR has not yet been announced; some are hoping for “late in 2018.”
A release for the west is definitely planned – Kakao will act as the west publisher. They also distribute Black Desert in the west.
Do you want to be part of the beta of A:IR? Then you can already sign up for it.
