On Monday, the Early Access of the MMORPG Bless begins. We have compiled 5 things that users should know before deciding to purchase.
The launch of Bless: In recent months, the MMORPG “Bless” has been controversially discussed by the community – also on our site. On Monday at 7:00 PM, Early Access starts on PC. There is no preload. The regular launch for players without founder pack is on Wednesday, May 30th. However, even then one will have to purchase access, as Bless is a Buy2Play title. We summarize 5 things that one should know before launch.
1. Bless is an AAA MMORPG and perhaps the last of its kind
High production costs: Bless was announced by the Korean MMO specialist Neowiz in 2011. It is said to have been in development since 2009 and employed more than 150 developers. Bless runs on Unreal Engine 3. The production costs of Bless are estimated at around 61 million US dollars (via mmos). This makes it an AAA MMORPG. MMORPGs with such investment are now almost exclusively developed in South Korea.
Looks good, sounds good: From the beginning, Bless focused on its high production values – the music comes from Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer. The first trailers made waves in 2014. They were well made and showed a fascinating fantasy world. Here is the current Steam trailer.
Bless is the last MMORPG of this generation: New MMORPGs from Korea are currently said to offer more survival elements (Justice) or focus on an isometric view (Lost Ark). In A:IR players should be able to steer an airship. There is currently not much in the pipeline that could still be seen as a “classic MMORPG” since the mobile MMOs have taken over South Korea.
2. Bless is quite old for a “new game”
Bless did not succeed in South Korea: The original launch of Bless in South Korea was not successful. That was in January 2016. Over the following months and years, more and more servers were merged until Bless was ultimately taken off the market in mid-2017 for a fundamental overhaul. Critics mainly criticized the lack of good performance in the original Bless. Unique selling points were apparently in short supply: a Mein-MMO reader who could test Bless in 2016 described it as an “old-school MMO.“
Fuss over port to Europe: Actually, Bless was supposed to be released here in Europe in 2017. The German publisher Aeria Games was on board. However, after Neowiz announced that it would be overhauling Bless, Aeria Games withdrew. Therefore, developer Neowiz is now releasing the game themselves in Europe and North America.
Steam version without free trial: Neowiz has revised Bless for the global version. However, only a few influencers were allowed to play the newly revised Steam version beforehand. Bless launches on Steam without a free trial period directly with a paid Early Access version.
3. Bless offers faction PvP for everyone
No PvE servers: Bless will not offer PvE servers. The developers emphasize how important the constant war between the two factions Union and Hieron is for the game. There is an item that grants protection against PvP, but it only lasts for 10 minutes. Until the maximum level, it can be purchased with gold, after that with the real money currency Lumenia.
Unsure how exactly it will be:
- It is unlikely that one can afford to maintain this PvP protection permanently. Even if you can earn the premium currency, the amount that can be exchanged per week is limited.
- However, it is equally unclear whether Bless will become the gank festival that critics fear. If you have doubts and want to avoid PvP at all costs, it makes sense to wait for the release and check out initial reports. It is difficult to infer what the actual PvP behavior in the Steam version will be based on the gameplay systems.
4. Bless has a cash shop but swears it will not be Pay2Win
Not a Free2Play game: Unlike many Asian MMORPGs, Bless is not a free-to-play title. The entry price will be around €27. In addition, Bless has announced that it will introduce a cash shop to the game. It will not be purely cosmetic but will contain “convenience” items.
Cash shop with boosters: In the shop, there will be items that make it easier for players to progress. A premium membership can also be purchased, which grants moderate bonuses and is intended to enable faster progression. The previously known percentage values are in the range of 10% or 20%.
Mainly cosmetic: The developers of Bless have repeatedly emphasized that Bless is not meant to be a Pay2Win title. This is important to them. Neowiz primarily wants to earn money for future development by creating cool skins for pets, weapons, and characters and selling them through the cash shop.
5. The community is divided, but many are excited about Bless
Bless discussed controversially: In recent months, discussions about Bless have repeatedly flared up among players interested in MMORPGs. Negative points about the game mainly include the open PvP, the lack of special “features,” and the cash shop. However, there is also an enthusiastic community eagerly waiting to venture into a new MMORPG.
Every beginning holds a magic: For many, the first days in an MMORPG are considered the most beautiful and intense time, when everyone is still a beginner and friendships and experiences are formed.
Should one buy Bless now?
Bless is at best a solid MMORPG that gives players the opportunity to have a new MMORPG experience that will be quite similar to other MMORPG experiences before. But in a new way. MMORPG fans love the launch of a new MMORPG. It has been dry in this regard in recent years and will remain dry over the next few years. Therefore, one can expect that Bless will make quite a splash in the engaged community at launch. Fans of collection activities and pets could be happy with Bless.
Bless will in the worst case die down relatively quickly. At the moment it still seems quiet around the MMORPG. A mainstream success is not to be expected. This is a game for the niche. Bless is a big unknown after the overhaul for Steam. A variety of difficulties could arise regarding content supply, the cash shop, or individual gameplay aspects. The fact that Bless starts with only 5 classes and likely retains a lot of content for the time being could also become a problem.
What does Mein MMO recommend? We definitely recommend caution with the large founder packs until you really have a good picture of the MMORPG. There is a lack of a closed or open beta to get an accurate impression. Currently, one is buying a pig in a poke. One should not expect miracles from Bless – it is certainly not a “next-gen MMORPG.” If in doubt, it is advisable to wait at least until Wednesday and the official release date; one can endure the 48 hours – and even then Bless is still “new” and one can take the launch experience with them.
Have you decided to purchase or will you wait for initial reports?
