Summoners War: Chronicles is a new mobile MMORPG set to release in the second quarter of 2021. A trailer was released during the gamescom 2020 event, and we at MeinMMO had the chance to talk with director Jack Lee, who has worked on Lineage 2 (PC).
What makes this game special? Summoners War: Chronicles is based on the successful mobile title Summoners War: Sky Arena, which you can already play on Android and iOS for several years. It is a role-playing game with turn-based battles and many cute monsters.
These cute monsters are also featured in the new mobile MMORPG. Additionally, the game features an open world with boss battles for up to 50 players, a lot of crafting and social content, as well as various PvP modes.
And you should be able to experience all of this without spending real money.
Charming World and Strategic Battles
This is what awaits you in the game: Summoners War: Chronicles continues the story of Sky Arena, which dealt with a rift of worlds. Similar to the predecessor, there are various unique islands for you to explore, filled with monsters and dungeons.
Basically, the game offers the contents that you would expect from a mobile MMORPG:
- You can create a character, level it up, and equip it.
- The game world is completely open in the areas and cities, and you will encounter other players.
- There will be various crafting contents, such as fishing and gathering resources.
- You can fight against world bosses.
- There will be different dungeons and raids that can be entered in groups of three.
- For those seeking challenges, the Tower of Trials will be available, which is said to be reminiscent of Sky Arena. It has 100 levels, and every 10th level features a boss battle.
- Various PvP modes are planned, including a 2v2 arena and guild battles.
In the trailer, you can also see many interesting movement options, such as climbing, elevators, or a gondola.
Why should you play this mobile MMORPG? Even though the contents sound fundamentally interesting, we asked ourselves how Summoners War: Chronicles aims to stand out from other MMORPGs.
Jack Lee, the game director, answered this as follows:
First of all, our monsters are already a unique selling point. We create them in a way that is as charming and unique as possible, without deviating too much from the original Summoners War.
Another important point is the strategic battles, which are intended to be reminiscent of Sky Arena, but this time in real-time instead of turn-based.
Thirdly, you will enter a world that has inherited the original imagery from Sky Arena, plays in the same universe, but delivers a new story.
Jack Lee in an interview with MeinMMO
According to Lee, not only veterans of Sky Arena should feel comfortable in the MMORPG. New players already familiar with the MMO genre should also find enjoyment.
One reason why Summoners War: Chronicles is becoming an MMORPG, according to Lee, is that it allows for dramatic elements and more action-packed battles.
There is Auto-Play, but there is a reason for it
What about auto-play? When talking about mobile MMORPGs, auto-play is often a major topic and one of the most common criticisms of the genre. Summoners War: Chronicles will also utilize this system, but it won’t be sufficient due to the strategic battles, as Jack Lee explains:
Long-term play in a mobile environment inevitably leads to exhaustion at some point. Our game has been designed to naturally require manual input, as some contents cannot be solved automatically.
For example, certain mobs require you to learn about the attributes and abilities of enemies and also a specific type of equipment is necessary. Manual play is therefore inevitably required due to the strategic nature of the game.
Jack Lee in an interview with MeinMMO
Furthermore, Lee explained to us the major differences between PC and mobile players:
PC players generally do not leave their game as quickly. Mobile games, on the other hand, are easy to enter but also easy to leave. Therefore, it is important that we ensure our game is not too tiring, so our fans can play for a long time if they wish.
Personally, I prefer PC and console games. I believe I have invested more time in PC games.
Jack Lee in an interview with MeinMMO
How does monetization look? Summoners War: Chronicles will be free-to-play and is set to have a shop. Although the MMORPG should be usable entirely without purchases, Jack Lee emphasizes that players should feel “stronger” through purchases.
Even in Summoners War: Sky Arena, among over 2 million ratings in the Google Play Store, there is criticism that purchasable content provides too large advantages. You can buy additional energy, which is needed for actions in the game. The same applies to arena invitations. Both regenerate over time but can also be bought for faster progress with real money.
A subscription system with monthly costs is not currently implemented but is still being reviewed by the developers, according to Lee.
Potential: Interesting New Mobile MMORPG
Although I have not yet been able to play the mobile MMORPG myself, the descriptions from Jack Lee and the trailer make me excited for more. The world truly looks very colorful and unique, and I really like the design of the monsters. I am always on the lookout for new mobile games, and Summoners War: Chronicles sounds like one of the higher-quality titles.
I am a bit critical of the points auto-play and real-money shop at this point. While I can certainly understand that playing on a smartphone is more tiring and I agree with auto-run. I simply hope that the endgame is really challenging enough that I cannot complete it in auto-play.
In any case, I will try Summoners War: Chronicles in the second quarter of 2021. Maybe it will truly become a mobile MMORPG that stays on my smartphone permanently.
Alexander Leitsch
MMORPG Expert at Mein-MMO
However, for those hoping for an MMORPG that can be played on both PC and mobile as well as console, The Ragnarök could be the right game. We have already introduced The Ragnarök as part of Find Your Next Game.
