Overview: Korean action MMORPG.
Important: once a character is created, the appearance cannot be changed again without paying a fee
20170824:
I tried to play Blade & Soul once before but the game wouldn't run after I installed it. Today, however, I realized I might be able to play it on my current desktop computer. Luckily it worked for me this time. After choosing a race/class (5 minute) and customizing a character (32 minutes), I played the Prologue (eight chapters) and the first four chapters of Act 1 (81 minutes).
Game Time: approximately 2 hours (session), 2 hours (total)
20170827 Midnight:
Today I resumed the game, played for an hour, finished Act 1 Chapter 5, and played the very start of Act 1 Chapter 6.
Game Time: approximately 1 hour (session), 3 hours (total)
20170827 Noon:
At noon, I picked up from where I left off and played for about two hours. I had completed Act 1 Chapter 10 when I stopped playing.
Game Time: approximately 2 hours (session), 5 hours (total)
Thoughts:
Pros:
+ Strong character customization
+ Attractive female character models
+ Decently aesthetic environments / enemies.
+ Cool attack animations.
Neutral:
~ Anime style
~ Free to play
Minor Cons:
- Terrible quest: I was supposed to read some letter and I did what it said but the game didn't seem to register the action.
- Bug: I got stuck after using fly. WTF. If i wasn't allowed to be there why were borders set the way they were.
- Not the best interface
- Loading screens are annoying. Can't that stuff be cached based on proximity?
- Running should be unlimited when out of combat.
Summary:
While the game was rough around the edges, I enjoyed playing it. However, since I've only played a couple of MMORPGs,* I find myself unable to make any meaningful recommendations. Actually, if a short clip of gameplay or the game's graphics look appealing, then it wouldn't hurt to give the game a try because it's free-to-play.
*Besides Blade & Soul, I've played WildStar (2014), Realm of the Mad God (2011), Spiral Knights (2009). Apparently I also played an MMORPG called Darkfall Unholy Wars (2013).
Blade & Soul (PC) (2016)
Relevant Links:
Blade & Soul (Wikipedia.org)
Blade & Soul (PC) (MetaCritic.com)
Blade & Soul Website
Important: once a character is created, the appearance cannot be changed again without paying a fee
20170824:
I tried to play Blade & Soul once before but the game wouldn't run after I installed it. Today, however, I realized I might be able to play it on my current desktop computer. Luckily it worked for me this time. After choosing a race/class (5 minute) and customizing a character (32 minutes), I played the Prologue (eight chapters) and the first four chapters of Act 1 (81 minutes).
 |
| Standing around. |
Game Time: approximately 2 hours (session), 2 hours (total)
20170827 Midnight:
Today I resumed the game, played for an hour, finished Act 1 Chapter 5, and played the very start of Act 1 Chapter 6.
Game Time: approximately 1 hour (session), 3 hours (total)
20170827 Noon:
At noon, I picked up from where I left off and played for about two hours. I had completed Act 1 Chapter 10 when I stopped playing.
 |
| Casting a spell. |
Game Time: approximately 2 hours (session), 5 hours (total)
Thoughts:
Pros:
+ Strong character customization
+ Attractive female character models
+ Decently aesthetic environments / enemies.
+ Cool attack animations.
 |
| Talking with an NPC (non-player character) |
Neutral:
~ Anime style
~ Free to play
Minor Cons:
- Terrible quest: I was supposed to read some letter and I did what it said but the game didn't seem to register the action.
- Bug: I got stuck after using fly. WTF. If i wasn't allowed to be there why were borders set the way they were.
- Not the best interface
 |
| About to throw a bomb at the enemy (Blackram) |
- Loading screens are annoying. Can't that stuff be cached based on proximity?
- Running should be unlimited when out of combat.
Summary:
While the game was rough around the edges, I enjoyed playing it. However, since I've only played a couple of MMORPGs,* I find myself unable to make any meaningful recommendations. Actually, if a short clip of gameplay or the game's graphics look appealing, then it wouldn't hurt to give the game a try because it's free-to-play.
 |
| Selection of races and classes. |
 |
| The availability of classes and gender depends on the race. |
Blade & Soul (PC) (2016)
Relevant Links:
Blade & Soul (Wikipedia.org)
Blade & Soul (PC) (MetaCritic.com)
Blade & Soul Website
No comments :