ArcheAge was a sandbox MMORPG that many players had high hopes for. However, technical issues, later design decisions, and a terrible payment model dampened the hype. Now, the successor ArcheAge 2 is supposed to do many things better. We at MeinMMO reveal what is known so far.
What kind of game is it? ArcheAge 2 will be a new MMORPG that focuses on sandbox elements. In addition, the game world is said to be about twice the size of its predecessor and also more beautiful – thanks to Unreal Engine 5. Basic mechanics are expected to be retained, including:
- Loads of quests that you can complete once or daily
- Large battles between guilds
- Dungeons and raids
- Ships and naval combat
- Housing in the open world
- Trading as an important gameplay element
- The known six playable races
Overall, ArcheAge 2 is supposed to offer fewer features than its predecessor, but they will be better thought out and deeper. The combat system is also expected to be more action-oriented. It will be a non-target action system, where you have to actively dodge and parry.
Below, we reveal all the details known so far.
Here you can watch the only gameplay trailer so far for the MMORPG:
ArcheAge 2 – Everything about Release and Platforms
Originally, ArcheAge 2 was supposed to be released in 2022. Meanwhile, the release date has officially been set for 2024.
The new MMORPG is to be released for both PC and current consoles. This primarily means Xbox Series X/S and PS5. There will be no mobile version.
ArcheAge 2 is intended to be Free2Play. However, there are no specific details about an optional subscription or the shop yet.
Housing and building are set to improve in ArcheAge 2
What makes ArcheAge 2 special? The predecessor was already praised for its strong housing and many good sandbox ideas. This will continue with ArcheAge 2. However, housing is expected to become even more significant and integrated into trade and crafting.
There should be the possibility to band together into cities and work on houses together. The focus on guilds is expected to grow as well. You might even be able to build and escort caravans and trading ships together.
Moreover, the developers want the systems to be deeper and better thought out in the future. They want to learn from the mistakes of the predecessor. In ArcheAge 2, every single item is expected to be tradable.
What do we know about classes and races? At launch, there will be the six previously playable races: Elves, Nuian, Dwarves, Firran, Harani, and Warborn. Additionally, other races are planned that did not exist in the predecessor.
No information has been provided about the class system, but the trailer already suggests rough archetypes, such as a melee fighter with a sword, an archer, a mage, and a warrior with an axe and shield. It is currently unclear whether the MMORPG will again focus on specializations that can be mixed.
How is the game world structured? The new game world is said to be twice the size, but also to offer more content for you to experience and discover. Everything is expected to feel more compact and populated than in the first part.
The trailer shows larger settlements of humans, huge forests, deserts, and mountains. The landscape will be very diverse.
Story and graphics are set to be better than in ArcheAge 1
What do we know about the story? ArcheAge 2 takes place on the continent of Auroria – but some time after the events of ArcheAge 1 and also in a parallel universe. There is expected to be a story that can be played in several branches and different orders. This is expected to increase replayability with new characters.
However, there will not be a grand story with heroes and gods, but rather smaller, individual stories. The author Minhee Chung, who also developed the story for the first part, is behind the story.
What do we know about the graphics? Visually, ArcheAge 2 is expected to be more realistic. Thanks to Unreal Engine 5, this is quite simple. In the trailer, the game even looks better than Black Desert, which raises many hopes.
Interestingly, there is a slight change in perspective for the player. In ArcheAge 1, the camera position was slightly higher, and you were further away from your character. In the new trailer, you are much closer, which the developers intended for the sequel.
Development has been ongoing for several years, and new employees are continuously joining
What do we know about the developers? ArcheAge 2 was first presented in 2020. Back then, it was said that about 50 employees were developing the MMORPG. Now, over 100 people are supposed to be assigned to the development.
The studio XL Games, which also developed the predecessor, is working on the game. The chief designer of the game is Jake Song, the former developer of Lineage and later founder of XL Games. The publishing in the West is expected to be handled by Kakao Games.
How is the development progressing so far? As is customary for games from Asia, there was initially silence after the announcement. Only with G-Star 2022, a gaming fair in Korea, were new information and the trailer shared.
In the coming months, further details about gameplay and the shop are expected.
ArcheAge 1 will not be shut down immediately
What will happen to ArcheAge 1 after the release? The developers of XL Games emphasize that ArcheAge 1 will continue for the time being. New and large updates will also be implemented. They want to continue developing the MMORPG “as long as possible.”
What do you think about ArcheAge 2? Does the game appeal to you? Or are you concerned that it will make the same mistakes as its predecessor?
By the way, those looking for new MMORPGs that will be released next year will find them here:
