Reboot – These 7 online games wanted a second chance – How did it turn out?

The Secret World – After 5 years, we do it the way we always wanted

What is the situation?

The Secret World was released back in June 2012, relatively unsuccessful from the start, as it drowned between Diablo 3 and Guild Wars 2, two blockbusters.

The MMORPG is considered a “gem” or “the best MMORPG you’ve never played,” especially praised for its story, dialogues, and world. However, the gameplay is considered rather dull, and the skill system is off-putting.

What is happening?

After 5 years, there’s a reboot. A “new free-to-play action RPG” will run parallel to The Secret World. It’s called “The Secret World Legends,” aiming to make the storyline more straightforward and guiding players more effectively.

Officially, Funcom states: This will be the game we wanted to make from the beginning.

Unofficially, it feels like: Either we do this now, because we recently have some money from Conan Exiles and want to try again. Or we shut down The Secret World.

How does it turn out?

We do not know yet. The Secret World Legends is the latest case of a “complete relaunch.” The closed beta is currently taking place – the official launch is expected in spring.

One thing is clear: The “old” The Secret World is still running, but further development has ceased.

Which games still need a relaunch?

This concludes our list. It could have been extended further. There have been significant course changes over the years in other online games as well. Almost all games that once had a subscription model had to transition to free-to-play. Even the most successful games like WoW have repeatedly undergone course corrections.

But those are topics for another day.

What experiences have you had with “reboots, relaunches, course corrections”? Do you wish for such measures for your online game?

• WoW with a new engine?
• The Division with a fresh approach?
• Or are you glad how everything is going right now?

We present new online games to keep an eye on. Maybe some of them will soon need a second chance:

The 7 most promising MMOs and MMORPGs in 2017