ArcheAge Chronicles is one of the most exciting new MMORPGs of 2026. Now, the developers have shown combat gameplay for the first time. The clip has split the community into two camps.
What does the new clip show? The developers of ArcheAge Chronicles continue to be surprisingly tight-lipped, considering that the ambitious MMORPG is set to release in the fourth quarter of 2026. Nevertheless, the team has now begun to release some material from the game on social platforms.
Following the screenshot from the first week of June, a short clip that shows combat gameplay for the first time was released on X. We see a female fighter armed with a one-handed axe taking on multiple opponents. She rolls, dodges, jumps back, and repeatedly hurls throwing axes at her targets. The strikes seem to carry a significant weight.
Also notable is the unobtrusive user interface. In the upper section, we only see information about the currently active quest and a compass marker for orientation, reminiscent of the equivalent from The Elder Scrolls Online. In the bottom left, we find the directional pad functions, through which players can use potions and items.
Next to them are the health and stamina bars, which also display the currently active buffs and debuffs. In the bottom right, there are alternative functions for the action buttons, activated in combination with a shoulder button. There, we see a map icon, a mount, and an item that resembles a glider. But see for yourself:
“The combat looks fantastic!” vs. “Wow, that looks terrible”
How does the community react to the clip? Very mixed. One group of players celebrates the scene and looks forward to the release.
- Zenfar writes on X: “I can’t wait to play. The combat looks fantastic! Are you announcing the glider soon?”
- Oreo is looking forward to X: “The combat looks very smooth.”
- 54H30H celebrates on X the weapon choice: “Looks good. Throwing axes are my favorite weapons in games.”
Various other players, however, are less impressed and lump the perceived poor quality of the scene together with the departure of ArcheAge founder Jake Song in January 2025.
- Hli V scoffs on X: “Wow, that looks terrible, just like Chrono Odyssey. ArcheAge fans, do you seriously claim that this looks okay? Apparently, Jake Song realized how bad it was and left the project for that reason.”
- MidexHealed hits a similar note on X: “Dude, that looks totally bad, HAHAHA. No wonder Jake bailed. You ruined the best PvP MMO series instead of just making AA2.”
- Scherwin criticizes on X: “For a mobile game, that would be okay, I think. For a PC game, that just looks bad, especially for a game with an IP like ArcheAge.”
What about you: Do you like the shown gameplay, or does the clip rather repel you? Feel free to tell us in the comments!
How does MeinMMO editor Karsten Scholz evaluate the criticism? Why Jake Song left XL Games at the time remains unclear. However, it is clear that ArcheAge Chronicles has likely undergone noticeable changes since his departure in January 2025. Almost a year and a half ago, there was certainly no combat system that was playable in the shown form.
Furthermore, from my perspective, one should not derive the fundamental quality of the combats from a 24-second clip. This can only be hinted at when you have the controller in hand and play the game.
The clip itself shows exactly what the developers named as features of the combats last year. Here is a small part of the excerpt from our interview:
The combat in ArcheAge Chronicles is designed to feel responsive, fluid, and expressive – we have designed it as a full-fledged action combat system, not as tab-targeting or automated. This means that movement, timing, and positioning are important – as are your decisions regarding weapons, skills, and tactics. […]
Mechanically, actions like dodging, blocking, and parrying play a central role in the combat experience. You must actively dodge attacks, time your blocks correctly, and learn the enemy’s attack patterns – especially in boss fights or dungeon encounters. It’s not just about stats, but also about skill.
Combos are also an essential part of the design. Some skills can be chained for bonus effects, and others can interact differently depending on timing, the enemy’s condition, or synergy with group members. […]
XL Games to MeinMMO
The complete response and the full interview from August 2025 can be found below:
When can I play it myself? Maybe already in a few days! In May, a Chinese website reported that XL Games plans to offer a playable demo for the Steam Next Fest in June 2026. The event runs from June 15 to 22. So that would be in the coming week.
However, we are skeptical because there has been no official announcement from the developers for the western communities yet. It is thus unclear whether all interested parties will be allowed to play, or whether the playtest will be conducted in a limited form – and in what manner players can register for this playtest. You can find more information here: ArcheAge Chronicles announces beta for the MMORPG and a new competitor for Albion Online
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