In May 2018, several promising multiplayer titles will be released for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Four upcoming releases appear particularly attractive and are worth taking a closer look at.
In April 2018, only a few new online titles captivated multiplayer enthusiasts to their screens, such as Tera (PS4, Xbox One) from developer Bluehole.
May has a lot to offer for multiplayer fans and can boast high-profile releases. With
- Bless Online from Neowiz Games in May 2018 (PC on Steam),
- Conan Exiles from Funcom on May 8 (PS4, Xbox One, PC),
- State of Decay 2 from Undead Labs on May 22 (Xbox One, PC)
- and Dark Souls Remastered from Bandai Namco on May 25 (PS4, Xbox One)
four promising games with multiplayer elements will be released.
What kind of games are they? And who might find them worthwhile?
Bless Online
What is Bless Online? Bless Online is one of the last truly big AAA MMORPGs. The story takes place in a fantasy world, with a strong Asian influence that cannot be overlooked.
What is it about? The story focuses on a lengthy war between two factions – the imperial Hieron in the north and the freedom-loving Union in the south. The Hieron seek to unite the entire nation under their banner. The Union strives for power and wants to usher in a new era.
Release: Early Access in May 2018
Publisher: Neowiz Games
Business Model: Buy2Play
Genre: MMORPG
Comparable to: Black Desert
What’s included? The game world is divided into different zones. Players can choose the race and the class of their character. The race determines which faction they belong to. Players can participate in extensive PvP battles to improve their faction’s strength. Winning battles grants new quests and resources.
PvE fans will also have plenty to enjoy: besides the usual quests and the main story, Bless offers many dungeons, raids, and bosses. An extraordinary companion system rounds off the package.
Interesting: In May, Bless will start its Early Access phase on Steam. The interesting part: The developers do not view it as a test but more as a soft launch. Bless starts as Early Access on Steam and will then seamlessly transition into the release version. There will be no wipe.
What makes Bless Online special
- A huge, open, and diverse world
- Extensive PvP
- A unique taming and companion system – almost every monster can be tamed and used as a companion or mount
- Sandbox-like skill system that allows for various playstyles per class
- For players who prefer to play alone, there are also solo dungeons available in PvE
Bless offers the following multiplayer elements
PvP: PvP plays a significant role in Bless. Players can compete in arenas, fight in various group sizes, or engage in massive 100 vs. 100 battles for their guild, where they can conquer zones and even entire castles.
The PvP battles represent one of the most important aspects of Bless and play out fairly balanced and tactically, due to the classic role distribution consisting of healer, tank, and damage dealer. By the way, Bless relies on open PvP between the two opposing factions – the servers are not separated by PvE and PvP.
PvE: In PvE, multiplayer fans will also find satisfaction. There will be raids for 10 players. After the launch, Bless will also have world bosses for 20 players and furthermore 40-player raids. Dungeons will be available for both the leveling phase and especially for the endgame.
How is the atmosphere around Bless?
The mood among fans is currently divided.
Pro: On one hand, many are excited for the release of the game on Steam. MMO veterans have been waiting for four years for a traditional AAA MMORPG. Bless comes just in time for many. Additionally, the Steam version of Bless will differ significantly from the Korean version.
The developers have done a great job and revised many aspects of the game compared to the original version. For instance, the gameplay flow and the combat and skill system have been significantly improved. The in-game shop has also been user-friendly redesigned.
Contra: On the other hand, the recent announcement from the developers that there will be no separate servers for PvE and PvP has shocked many PvE fans. When it became public that Bless will offer open PvP between the members of the opposing factions, criticism poured in.
Many players were disappointed that such a strong focus is placed on PvP. Many fans believe that PvP and PvE simply do not belong together. Many feel forced into something they do not actually want – even though there should be a (somewhat elaborate) way to avoid PvP.
Bless is ideal for…
Fans of classic MMORPGs and for all PvP enthusiasts who enjoy player combat in MMOs. If you like games like WoW, Black Desert, or Aion, desire a gigantic, diverse world, and are not deterred by open PvP, Bless will offer you plenty and you’ll likely be happy with the game.
More about it: Bless Online – Everything you need to know about the new AAA MMORPG
https://youtu.be/yKJMIWi3F78
Conan Exiles
What is Conan Exiles? Conan Exiles is a survival MMO for adults set in the desert Sword & Sorcery world of Conan the Barbarian.
What is it about? Your character is nailed to a cross for their crimes and left to die in the desert. There, you will be rescued by Conan himself and are then left to fend for yourself.
As a convicted outlaw, you find yourself in the desert and must fight for survival – whether alone or with friends. Along the way, you discover more of the world, enslave NPCs, and slaughter your way through dungeons.
Release: May 8, 2018
Publisher: Funcom
Business Model: Buy2Play
Genre: Open World Survival MMO
Comparable to: Ark: Survival Evolved
What’s included? In Conan Exiles, the primary focus is on survival. You will traverse through deserts, snow, and swamps, build shelters and even entire cities, craft clothing and weapons, and fight against animals, monsters, or other players.
Interesting: Conan Exiles has already been in Early Access for over a year and is now officially released on May 8 for PC, Xbox, and PS4, shortly after its originally planned release date.
What makes Conan Exiles special
- Exploring a huge, diverse world – wander through various landscapes and discover deep cave complexes, dark temples, and sunken cities.
- A sophisticated building system – create castles, cities, and fortresses.
- Professions and crafting – become a warrior, blacksmith, cook, or armorer.
- Invasions – once you have settled permanently, the local population will see you as a threat and will want to take you down.
- Religion – build temples and make sacrifices to your god to obtain unique advantages and even summon their avatars for battles.
Conan Exiles offers the following multiplayer elements
In the multiplayer of Conan Exiles, PvP and PvE are separated. In the game, you have the choice between:
- PvP: If you opt for a PvP server, you can fight against up to 40 other players, completely destroy their shelters, cities, and fortresses, and even loot them. However, this depends on the established rules of the respective server. However, be careful – everything you build can also be destroyed by other players.
- PvE: In the PvE mode, things are calmer. Here, players have to deal with adverse natural forces, hostile NPCs, and dangerous creatures that can be faced together without needing to fight one another.
How is the atmosphere around Conan Exiles?
The mood among Conan fans is currently quite positive. Since the beginning of the Early Access phase, a lot has changed. With updates, Conan Exiles has been consistently improved and generously expanded. It now gives a nearly complete and finished impression. Especially PS4 players are excited about the game, as there is no Early Access program there, and the official release presents them with their first chance to get involved.
Conan Exiles is ideal for …
an especially mature audience that does not settle for standard fantasy fare. Conan Exiles is rough and gritty, the game is bloody and does not shy away from nudity.
If you enjoy survival elements combined with a substantial dose of exploration and story, you won’t go wrong with Conan Exiles. Fans of Conan and dark Sword & Sorcery worlds will also find plenty to enjoy here.
However, the game primarily focuses on group and team players. If you are exploring the harsh world of Hyboria alone, you will quickly reach your limits and progress will be slow.
More about it: New MMO Conan Exiles: Everything about the release on PC, Xbox One, PS4
State of Decay 2
What is State of Decay 2? In State of Decay 2, players are presented with the sequel to the popular survival game State of Decay from 2013.
What is it about? Like in its predecessor, State of Decay 2 is about survival. The setting is set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. The few remaining humans are trying to survive and stay alive.
Release: May 22, 2018
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Business Model: Buy2Play
Genre: Zombie Survival with Coop Multiplayer
Comparable to: DayZ, 7 Days to Die
What’s included? Here, survival is clearly in focus – but not just your own. In State of Decay 2, the continuation of a community of survivors is placed in the hands of the players.
So players must take care not only of themselves but also of a group of computer-controlled characters. The survivors cluster together in a base. Players build and fortify this shared home.
Furthermore, players must keep an eye on resources, medicine, food, and water. The emotional state of the survivors also plays a vital role and must not be overlooked. Especially when it comes to important decisions, the balance in the group can tip quickly.
What makes State of Decay 2 special
- Exciting group dynamics and management
- Extensive task palette
- Consequential decisions
- Crafting and mod system for weapons
- Permadeath as an additional incentive
- Coop mode
State of Decay 2 offers the following multiplayer elements
State of Decay 2 brings a much-anticipated feature missing in the first part: the game will have a multiplayer mode for up to 4 players. However, this is limited to drop-in coop.
This means: if you or a friend need help, you can invite a friend or even random players into the ongoing session. However, State of Decay 2 does not offer a permanent shared experience, such as a coop campaign.
At least the helper can take any items they find back to their own game and should also receive additional bonuses. However, if you die in a coop session, your player character will also be lost in your own game.
How is the atmosphere around State of Decay 2?
The atmosphere surrounding the game is predominantly positive. The predecessor was very popular with players. Accordingly, many are looking forward to the second part of State of Decay.
However, opinions are currently divided over the coop mode. A large part of the fanbase can hardly wait to go zombie hunting with their friends. However, there are also critical voices criticizing that State of Decay 2 only offers a drop-in mode in coop and thus provides only limited coop experience.
State of Decay 2 is ideal for …
all players who enjoy sophisticated survival games and zombies. If you enjoy not only managing your own character but also the lives and needs of an entire group and making consequential decisions for them, then you will be well received in State of Decay 2.
If you also want to go on dangerous zombie hunts with your friends, you will also be well served.
Dark Souls Remastered
What is Dark Souls Remastered? Dark Souls Remastered is a remake of one of the most influential role-playing games of recent years, which even established its own genre – the “Souls-Likes”.
However, Dark Souls Remastered remains Dark Souls. Most of the changes are purely cosmetic or practical and, in terms of gameplay experience, hardly make a difference.
What is it about? Dark Souls Remastered takes place like the original in the kingdom of Lordran, which is haunted by the curse of the undead. You start as an undead and must learn more about the curse as the story progresses.
Subsequently, you fight against powerful bosses to ultimately face Lord Gwyn in the finale. After his demise, you can crown yourself as the Lord of the Undead and usher in the Age of Darkness, or light the last bonfire and halt the curse of the undead.
Release: May 25, 2018 (Nintendo Switch in Summer 2018)
Publisher: Bandai Namco Games
Business Model: Buy2Play
Genre: Fantasy Hardcore RPG
Comparable to: Bloodborne
What’s included? You fight through complex labyrinth levels and against challenging enemies, any of which could mean your death. Along the way, you collect various items in the classic manner or die trying.
Death often visits you and is a fundamental part of Souls games. What may deter others in different titles, many see as encouragement to work on their skills and improve.
What makes Dark Souls Remastered special
- Original, unique Dark Souls experience including the DLC Artorias of the Abyss
- Bone-crushing battles
- Polished graphics
- Improved PvP
- Many quality of life changes
Dark Souls Remastered offers the following multiplayer elements
The multiplayer in Dark Souls Remastered features both PvP and coop elements.
PvP: The PvP in Dark Souls Remastered offers various modes. Among other things, you have the opportunity to infiltrate another player’s game in what is called an invasion, with the goal of killing them. The hunted person then receives a corresponding warning and can prepare for the battle, which ends with the death of one of the two warriors.
Additionally, there is an arena where you can now fight against up to 6 players. There is also the option to challenge players to a direct duel.
Coop: In the multiplayer of Dark Souls Remastered, you can play together with like-minded individuals using a special stone. This stone serves as a kind of signal in the ongoing sessions of other players when used.
You can either seek help for yourself or help others when they need support. However, this type of cooperation is not permanent and is basically intended to assist those seeking help in specific designated areas like boss fights.
You play together until either you defeat the boss of the respective section, or you or the partner dies.
How is the atmosphere around Dark Souls Remastered?
The atmosphere around the Remastered version is mixed. Many players are looking forward to this remake, as the first Dark Souls can finally be played on current platforms. Many are also pleased with the technical improvements and quality of life changes – even some longstanding players.
However, especially veterans lament some of the changes. They feel these ruin the original look and feel of the game. For some, the graphical changes simply went too far. Additionally, some fans’ words claim changes were introduced that were entirely unnecessary and that no one asked for.
Dark Souls Remastered is ideal for …
Fans of the Souls games and anyone looking for a brutal and unforgiving gaming experience in the RPG realm. If you are also stress-resistant and don’t let setbacks immediately take away your enjoyment, you will not only find it challenging to get through Dark Souls Remastered, but you will also have a lot of fun.
All those who have not played the title due to its age or current console hardware can now enjoy the unique Dark Souls experience in an improved look, including many meaningful upgrades on current platforms. But even veterans of the first hour will find the game in its remastered form well worth a second look.
https://youtu.be/G1jpzRsLYG0
What do you think of our selection? Is there something for you?
If you enjoy multiplayer but did not find anything new here, try a classic:
