ArcheAge Review

ArcheAge is a free-to-play fantasy, sandbox MMORPG developed by XLGames and published by Trion Worlds. Some users, myself included, have had issues launching it on Steam, however. Instead, I suggest that you download it from the ArcheAge website itself.

Characters

You start on either the Nuia or Harihara continent, depending on your faction choice. You are given free reign in ArcheAge to play your way and be the character you want to be. ArcheAge has a robust enough character creation suite for you to look however you want. While the game was released in 2013, you would be hard pressed to find a character creation suite that offers nearly as much depth as the one found in ArcheAge.

Creating your character is only the first of many steps you must take. From there you will play through an introductory sequence. This helps you get used to the world and some of the later game options, such as flying on a glider and naval battles.

This is where my problems with ArcheAge began. Creating a new character to play through the introductory sequence, I ran into multiple freezes and crashes. Even upon changing settings and adjusting options I would run into the same crash on multiple occasions.

Gameplay

Dejected, I went back to my other character to play a little more to refamiliarize myself with the combat systems of ArcheAge, which is probably one of the best parts of the game. The combat feels fast and fluid even though for the most part it is the typical MMORPG combat fare found in many other games in the genre: hit a button and hit more buttons.

ArcheAge is a sandbox MMORPG, letting players live what basically amounts to a second life. You can build massive castles and claim the land’s riches for yourself in a deep player-driven economy. You can band together with other like-minded players to protect the fortune you have amassed in grand siege battles and naval combat. Or if you really wanted to, you could become an outlaw, prying gold and glory from slain foes.

ArcheAge requires all types of players to drive the economy: gatherers, crafters and traders . You can master a diverse skill set to craft trade-goods, houses, ships and even castles. You can then transport these goods to trade, all across the world. This won’t be easy to do, however with the aforementioned outlaws and pirates to contend with. So, you had better bring some friends along for the ride. Unless you are feeling confident.