In the coming weeks, two new MMORPGs will be released with Astellia and ArcheAge Unchained. Both originally come from Asia and both have the same payment model. But which one fits your play style better?
What kind of MMORPGs are they? Astellia and ArcheAge Unchained are both Buy2Play MMORPGs. You only need to buy them once and can then play endlessly:
- Astellia focuses on traditional theme park players
- ArcheAge Unchained, on the other hand, is aimed at sandbox fans who love their freedom and are not afraid of PvP
When will the two MMORPGs be released? Astellia had its head start this past weekend and the official release is on September 28.
ArcheAge Unchained was supposed to be released on September 30, but was postponed by two weeks to October 15.
How much do the games cost? Astellia is available for pre-order for 40 euros and is expected to be reduced to 30 euros after the release.
For ArcheAge Unchained, you pay between 25.99 and 79.99 euros for pre-order depending on the package. However, the packages only offer cosmetic advantages, titles, and real money currency.
Themepark vs. Sandbox
MMORPGs are often categorized into one of the two categories, even if they are not always easy to distinguish. Themepark MMOs usually have linear quests and are more focused on story, while the freedom is at the forefront in sandbox games.
Astellia – The Themepark MMO
How is Astellia structured? Astellia aims to appeal to classic MMORPG fans. It focuses on:
- Five classes.
- Holy Trinity.
- Dungeons.
- A linear questline that guides you from area to area.
Quests guide you through the story in which you want to find your little sister Fey. She was kidnapped by demonic attackers due to her strong powers.
Astellia is thus a classic theme park MMORPG, where you are led through the game world.
ArcheAge Unchained – The Sandbox MMO
How is ArcheAge structured? ArcheAge Unchained, on the other hand, is a sandbox game and gives you a lot of creative freedom:
- At the beginning, you choose a class, but have up to 220 combinations of class specializations in the endgame.
- You can run housing and build your own ships.
- Trade and interactions with players take center stage.
While there is also a story here, it is told more peripherally and does not delve so deeply into the quests. However, the open world is much more dangerous, partly due to other players who can attack you in higher areas.
When creating a character, you automatically join one of two factions that are at war with each other. Additionally, there are also pirates who are hostile to everyone.
What Unique Features Do the Two MMORPGs Have?
Are there features that other MMORPGs don’t have? In ArcheAge, there is a criminal system that punishes players who behave unfairly in PvP.
At the same time, since the Hiram update in autumn 2018, there is also the opportunity to join the pirates without becoming an outlaw. This introduces a third faction that largely causes unrest at sea.
Astellia has fewer unique features compared to other MMORPGs. However, one particular feature is the Astels, small companions that support you in battle.
They can heal, tank, or deal damage but consume their own resource, so you can’t use them continuously.
Big Differences in Endgame
In the endgame, you will clearly notice which of the two MMORPGs suits you. This is where the biggest differences between Astellia and ArcheAge Unchained lie.
What does Astellia value in endgame? Once your character reaches the maximum level of 50 and has completed the story, Astellia’s endgame begins. This focuses on:
- Legendary and therefore very difficult dungeons
- A crafting system
- Upgrading your equipment
- Collecting all 33 Astels
- Arena PvP
- Avalon, an area similar to the WvW in Guild Wars 2
To perfect your equipment, you need to find the highest levels and then upgrade them. The equipment can also be downgraded, so you will be busy for a while.
What does ArcheAge Unchained value in endgame? The endgame of ArcheAge focuses primarily on your creativity. You can:
- Become a trader or collector and earn a lot of money
- Build your own house and invest time and money in it
- Become a pirate and rob people
- Engage in open world PvP and fight for forts as a guild
Your endgame equipment has become significantly easier to obtain since the Hiram update. There are also daily quests waiting for you to keep you occupied.
Differences Beyond Gameplay
What does the graphics look like? In terms of graphics, opinions are divided. Both MMORPGs have an Asian style and are very colorful. However, in ArcheAge, the colors appear a bit more vibrant than in Astellia.
The interfaces of both games differ little and allow for customization like moving elements.
Are both games available in German? The MMORPG ArcheAge supports the German language in text and speech. The cutscenes are also completely available in a German version.
Astellia only has an English voiceover. The written texts are in German, at least some. Both in the quests and in the cutscenes, there are repeatedly English sections in the current version.
Do the MMORPGs have Pay2Win? Both Astellia and ArcheAge Unchained rely on a real-money shop with cosmetic content.
In Astellia, alongside special skins, there are also three time-limited packages that are similar to a subscription. However, they do not provide gameplay advantages in endgame and are also available via in-game currency.
ArcheAge Unchained uses season passes in addition to the shop. These are supposed to cost 10 euros and be released every month. The passes are supposed to provide cosmetic and no gameplay advantages.
This is also the big difference from the classic ArcheAge, which is Free2Play. There, there is a monthly subscription that provides gameplay advantages in housing, labor points, and other content.
Both Games Are Expected to Have a Future
What updates are planned? ArcheAge Unchained will already get a major update upon release that will also improve the graphics in some areas.
Subsequently, the MMORPG is to be further developed as before, just like the Free2Play version.
For Astellia, the developers plan to remove the gender locks on three classes in 2019 as well as the festivals of Christmas and Halloween. Later, major class expansions and possibly raids may follow.
Which Game Should I Play?
What is the conclusion? ArcheAge Unchained and Astellia differ little in price and payment model. However, they focus on completely different areas, especially in the endgame:
- If you prefer to be free to set your own goals and have no problems with open-world PvP, ArcheAge Unchained is a good fit for you.
- If you are looking for a good theme park MMORPG, enjoy going into dungeons, and like rigid class structures, you might find a new home in Astellia.
2019 brought and is still bringing forth several other MMORPGs. In addition to WoW Classic, which is currently very successful in China, Legends of Aria was released in Early Access on Steam one month after. In September, Eternal Magic, another MMORPG, will go into open beta.
You can find more games in our release list:
