In the Korean MMORPG Bless Online, the last closed beta phase is currently running. What are the first impressions?
Asia specialist Steparu has taken a look at the third closed beta phase of the Korean fantasy MMORPG Bless Online. This is an upcoming MMORPG with a focus on PvP. Bless was considered by us at Mein MMO to be one of the interesting AAA-MMORPGs in 2015 and 2016.
Steparu is not really thrilled. This is probably mainly due to the “combat system”. Here, players have recently been given the option to choose between a tab-target system (like in World of Warcraft) and an action combat system (like in Tera).
The action combat system currently shows weaknesses in Steparu’s eyes. Especially the evasion mechanic is not appealing. The combat system of Bless feels like that of Blade and Soul, only with significantly fewer options to react. The monsters can lock players, even if they are behind them, they turn around in an instant.
The three races currently available in the game and how the characters are portrayed, how the armor looks, and so on, receive praise.
We have already introduced the races from Blade and Soul: Here are the Bless races of the North, there the races of the South.
Also, the design of the world impresses the Asia specialist, it is similarly detailed as Black Desert. Only the abrupt day-night cycle, which lasts 10 seconds and is very noticeable, bothers Steparu there.
Skill system and quests are probably typical Asia-standard fare. Skills are obtained from a trainer and then need to be dragged into the hotbar. The hotbar has relatively little space, and from level 15, players must decide on the suitable skills. The quests are divided into main, story, and kill quests. Kill quests are automatically triggered: when you kill a type of enemy for the first time, the quest appears, asking you to show the big Manitu to x others.
The instances in Bless Online remind Steparu of early MMORPGs: the boss enemies need to be kited, it is pretty difficult. But this could also simply be because no one has a clue yet.
Bless is designed as a PvP and RvR game and this is probably the most interesting approach right now. In a MOBA-like PvP mode, you have to capture strategically important points, then monsters spawn that are led against the opponents.
In the rich pet system, players can “catch” monsters from the world by first beating them and then taming them. The pets do not intervene in the battle itself, but grant a bonus.
Overall, Steparu is rather reserved about the current version of Bless. The spark has not ignited. More time needs to be invested in the game.
One must also not forget that Bless is still in a closed beta phase at the moment, and much can change before release.
