Pax Dei is a new MMORPG for PC (Steam) developed by former developers of CCP Games (EVE Online). It promises a lot of freedom, a high degree of detail, and action-packed battles. In some communities, it is celebrated as the new “sandbox hope”.
What kind of game is it? In Pax Dei, you create a character and explore the beautiful game world. However, you do not just follow quests mindlessly, but can basically do whatever you want. The developers emphasize this repeatedly in their previews.
The focus is on collaboration with other players, as even the battles against PvE creatures are tough. For special points of interest, you will need to form a group with other players and can rely on a Holy Trinity.
The further you move away from the “Heartlands” – something like the safe zone – the more difficult the content is supposed to become. However, there are also supposed to be rarer rewards. PvP is possible as well. However, all player types should find their place, including solo players.
- Pax Dei does away with fixed classes. Instead, armors and weapons determine your playstyle.
- You start by gathering resources and crafting things. Crafting is supposed to play an important role, as monsters do not drop equipment. Everything is crafted by players.
- There is an interesting building and housing system.
- The game uses a zoom function that allows you to focus on decorations, equipment, but also elements in the open world. This makes even small engravings on worn equipment visible, which is supposed to play a role in the lore.
- It is being developed in Unreal Engine 5, leading to really beautiful graphics.
It is supposed to be released first on Steam for PC. However, a Cloud MMORPG is planned for later. This should allow it to be played on consoles or smartphones as well.
Here you can watch the official presentation along with the first gameplay:
A medieval world full of dangers, mystique, and freedom
Why do so many place high hopes in Pax Dei? After the first presentation, the new MMORPG sounds like a kind of Albion Online in third-person and, thanks to Unreal Engine 5, with beautiful graphics. Additionally, elements of New World have been mixed in with the mystique, the medieval world, and the combat system.
Especially the richness of detail and the developers’ love for the project excites many. In the video, it shows that the chest and leg pieces have several “layers” of armor. You wear a chain shirt or leather armor under the plate armor. This is not found in many other MMORPGs but is actually very realistic.
Furthermore, the equipment can be customized very individually, such as its shape or even the small rivets on plate armor. This way, every player should be able to create their individual armor.
However, the details go much deeper. There is a zoom function that allows you to look closely at an element in the game. In a preview that we participated in from MeinMMO, a mushroom was shown, simply growing on the ground and can be collected. With the zoom function, the mushroom suddenly took up almost the entire screen.
It is depicted in great detail and also reveals some information about itself. It said, “Insects avoid this mushroom, does that mean anything?” The game communicates that you should avoid consuming this mushroom.
This zooming in allows story details to be placed on walls, in books, or even in small engravings on rings. This is meant to invite exploration.
What about housing? You can simply claim an area in the open world for yourself and then build your house on it. You have the option to build completely alone in your area or to open it up and let friends help you. You can construct floors and walls, typical decorations, and also crafting stations.
Anyone who wants can also connect their housing area with other players. This way, settlements and cities can be established. In our preview, several developers teamed up, built houses, and built a fence around it. This created a cozy medieval settlement.
What do we know about the combat system? The fights remind a bit of New World. You have different weapons that you can switch between, need to actively target enemies and can dodge attacks. So far, no abilities have been seen in the game, but those are supposed to come later.
What else do we know about gameplay? As a solo player, you should be able to contribute resources and participate in building cities, but especially the tough areas will likely be group content.
There should be a lot of “drama” in the game world, which could relate both to the tough PvE mobs and possible PvP battles. EVE Online is particularly known for players writing the best stories in the MMORPG.
It is currently unclear whether there are penalties for death in PvP, such as the loss of equipment like in Albion Online.
Former developers of EVE Online bring hope
Who is behind the game? The game director of the game is Reynir Hardarson. He co-founded the studio CCP Games, known for EVE Online and thus one of the most successful sandbox MMORPGs. That is why many have high hopes for this new MMORPG.
CEO is Thor Gunnarsson, who temporarily headed the management of CCP. With Pétur Örn Þórarinsson, there is another member of EVE Online on the team. He was the game design director and takes on the role of lead game designer at Mainframe.
Currently, over 70 developers are working for Mainframe, all focusing on Pax Dei. The studio was founded in April 2019 and received a financial boost of 30 million dollars from various investors, including Riot Games.
When will Pax Dei be released? There is still no official release date. However, you can register on the official website for an alpha. It is also said that Pax Dei will be released “soon” – initially only on Steam. The cloud version is supposed to be tackled after the release.
What do you think about Pax Dei? Does the concept of the game appeal to you, or do you prefer to place your hopes in another MMORPG? Feel free to write it in the comments.
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