Lost Ark – the Hack&Slash MMORPG that looks like a dressed-up version of Diablo 3. Admittedly, when I first delved into the action RPG from South Korea, I initially thought it was just another boring Asia hack’n’slay.
But in this article, I want to show you that there is more to Lost Ark than meets the eye.
When Dragons Emerge from the Ground…
Sentrys, Whirlwind, or Hydras – yes, the Diablo 3 skills can quickly become boring. In contrast, the skills you can see in the first Lost Ark videos are something else. Suddenly, a giant dragon’s head emerges from the ground and lunges at the enemy, or fire chains launch everything in the vicinity into the air. Even the “normal” attacks, for example, the simple strike with the giant sword, are packed with effects.
Other scenes from the trailer are also impressive: A giant mech suit? No problem! Riding a dragon like in Skyrim? Sure … and the enemies are roasted. The diverse skills that come with the 18 classes (oh yes, more on that shortly) are not merely bland fillers during the monster slaughter but impress with slightly exaggerated animations.
Can My PC Handle It?
I hinted at it before: The effects look very good! Lost Ark owes its stunning graphics to the famous Unreal Engine 3. Of course, the western eye finds many typical Asia MMO nuances here, but they are kept within limits. Explosions, burning ground, ice landscapes, oversized weapons, and boss opponents – everything looks epic. Let’s hope it holds up to the final version without unpleasant surprises.
By the way, in Lost Ark, the environment plays an important role not just for the eye but also in gameplay. Enemies destroy the ice we walk on and make the battle more challenging.
Replay Value times 18
The mention of 18 classes was no typo. Not all hero types have been released yet, but with such a sheer number, other games can only surrender. The rumor that the classes are supposed to be gender-locked is of little concern. Fortunately, the classes introduced so far differ significantly in their gameplay. In the style of the LoL champ Twisted Fate, for example, Arcana throws playing cards at enemies, which then trigger a random effect. Meanwhile, the Warlord foregoes magic and brings out a lance armed with a rocket launcher.
As if 18 classes weren’t enough, the developer Smilegate also gives players the Tripod skill system. It works like the Diablo 3 rune system but with an additional layer. This increases the combination options. You can decide, for example, whether a skill should explode in several small bursts or one large explosion. The gameplay can thus be individually tailored to the opponents.
Big World, Big Bosses
Unlike typical action RPGs, the world is supposed to be structured differently. Jumping from bounty to bounty is no longer viable. Instead, you should be able to explore the world and experience adventures. You travel through the open world, for example, on a ship at sea. You should also be able to meet other players along the way. Despite all the anticipation: Smilegate has yet to reveal how big the world and the individual regions ultimately are.
Moreover, Lost Ark is not just a simple RPG, thanks to its crafting system. In the trailer, the warrior suddenly stands with a huge saw at a tree and collects wood. This system resembles more WoW than D3. What can also be seen in the trailer are the massive bosses that we will face in epic battles. Another unique feature is the use of siege weapons. One of the enemies has to be harpooned first, so he doesn’t jump around like a crazed chicken. Pure action RPG? Not at all!
Speaking of MMORPG
The group play of Lost Ark is supposed to go far beyond the previous action RPG experience. From the interviews, it becomes clear that Smilegate places great importance on interactions between players, which should even be interdependent. The open world is just one point that transforms mindless slaughter into an exciting journey. Raids or dynamic events modeled after Guild Wars 2 should also be possible in Lost Ark. However, how many people can participate in such a raid remains to be seen. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Aside from the fact that, for example, 10 classes with different skills are hammering on a boss, causing an effect overflow, the idea is solid.
If the raids are implemented, Lost Ark will distinguish itself not only from the crafting system but also from the genre leader Diablo 3 and bring a new aspect to the ARPG scene with the expanded group gameplay.
One Should Look Forward to It
Am I the only one who is really excited about Lost Ark? Even though the gameplay, skill and class possibilities, graphics, and open world sound like a really great title, one thing could still dampen the mood: the game studio Smilegate. They are, as some may know, responsible for the free-to-play shooter Crossfire. Sorry, when I say free-to-play, in this context I mean pay-to-win. If you want the good weapons in Crossfire, you have to dig deep into your pockets. Let’s hope that Smilegate won’t apply this model at least to the western market. Initially, Lost Ark is set to be released in South Korea before making its way to Europe and the U.S.
Lost Ark – Will It Be Great?
Enthusiastically, I would say: Yes, the Hack&Slash MMORPG will be great! As long as the promises made in the trailer are kept and the depicted scenes aren’t complete fakes. My only concern is Smilegate, who have shown no scruples in charging horrendous amounts for their pay-to-win model in Crossfire. If Smilegate holds back, Diablo 3, Path of Exile, and others could soon face serious competition that elevates the action RPG genre to a new level.
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