ArcheAge – multiplayer role-playing game from the South Korean studio XL Games. It was in development since 2006 and was based on the CryEngine 2 engine, but was later ported to CryEngine 3. Thus, by its release (which took place in South Korea in January 2013), ArcheAge transformed not only into an interesting but also into a very beautiful MMORPG. The game world seems so alive and realistic that one feels the urge to start exploring it right away, even without having grasped the gameplay.
Although ArcheAge is considered a multiplayer "role-playing game", it can also be attributed to the "sandbox" genre – there are plenty of opportunities for interesting activities. Of course, such attributes of the South Korean conveyor as "grind" and tedious level-up progression haven’t disappeared, but players are not forced to endlessly slay monsters. After all, one can engage in farming, construction, and many other activities that can immerse players completely. As an option, no one forbids embarking on a dangerous journey across the vast game world, using riding mounts, mechanized carts, and other "walking" means of travel across the terrestrial surface. But that’s not all. ArcheAge also allows flying – on public airships or one’s own gliders – and sailing the seas on various types of ships.
Yes, every player in ArcheAge can build their personal ship and equip it with cannons, after which they can start sailing the seas in the company of their friends. This is certainly exciting, but also extremely dangerous – the waters are patrolled by pirates, who are often other players. When meeting them, an intense battle with artillery fire and even boarding can commence. But pirates are one thing, and meeting fleets from two opposing sides is quite another. Dozens of ships engage in such adrenaline-pumping naval battles that each of them could go down in the history of the game server.
Sea battles, house building, farming – what else can ArcheAge offer its potential players? First of all, thrilling battles for castles and fortresses. Capturing fortifications is not a new concept, but the castle siege process in ArcheAge has been significantly redesigned and modernized. Secondly, large-scale PvP battles – players can kill each other virtually without restrictions. However, if someone becomes too engrossed in the massacre, they could become an outcast or, simply put, a PK (Player Killer). Thirdly, the "Non-target" system. No target locking, no mandatory target selection – these outdated elements of the combat system are no longer used in high-status MMORPGs, including ArcheAge.