Albion Online is a free-to-play MMORPG from the German developer Sandbox Interactive, which has been gaining popularity in recent years. For some time, it was already playable on mobile devices in Germany, and now the official release for Android and iOS has taken place.
What kind of MMORPG is this? In Albion Online, PvP and the sandbox concept play an important role. You create a character that is not tied to a fixed class or playstyle and explore the game world from an isometric perspective. This world is divided into various instanced areas and cities.
While in the early levels the focus is on getting used to the combat system and crafting, the endgame introduces the PvP aspect. In the highest areas, there is open PvP and even the possibility of losing your equipment in case of death.
Despite the PvP, Albion Online enjoys great popularity:
- On Steam, it received 1,534 reviews in the last 30 days, 81% of which were positive
- In the last 30 days, there were an average of 8,119 players online on Steam, peaking at 11,790 simultaneously (via Steamcharts)
- Overall, Albion Online had around 125,000 daily players in September 2020, according to the developers
The MMORPG has benefited greatly from a shift to free-to-play, which caused a boom for Albion Online in 2019.
Albion Online can also be played on smartphones
What’s new? Since the release of Albion Online, the developers have been working on a mobile version of the MMORPG. This officially went online on June 9 for Android and iOS.
Previously, there were already some test versions, and players from Germany have been able to play a mobile version that has received good feedback in initial reviews since April.
How do the PC and mobile versions differ? Basically, the two versions are identical. There is also crossplay and cross-progression, allowing you to easily play with your PC account and utilize all content on mobile as well.
However, there are some minor adjustments in the version for Android and iOS:
- There is mobile-specific control with an adapted HUD
- You can choose between two control options
- The UI has been optimized and offers customizable settings
- Additionally, items in the shop cost a bit more due to platform fees
However, you can still shop in the PC store and use the item on mobile nonetheless.
How is the mobile version received?
- Currently, Albion Online has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars in the Google Play Store
- In the App Store, the MMORPG even scores 4.4 out of 5 stars
- Thus, Albion Online has one of the highest star ratings for mobile MMORPGs. Only Oldschool RuneScape is rated slightly better with 4.5 and 4.6 (among games with at least 1,000 reviews).
In both stores, the game is praised for its good mobile implementation, graphics, and overall gameplay. Some reviews describe Albion Online as the best PvP MMORPG on the market.
However, criticism exists regarding the small buttons on smaller displays and the general visibility of the game. Technical issues such as overheating or crashes are also mentioned as points of criticism.
What do you think about Albion Online? Will you play the MMORPG on your smartphone or remain loyal to the PC version? Feel free to write it in the comments.
For more interesting mobile MMORPGs, you can find them here: The 9 best mobile MMORPGs 2021 for iOS and Android.
