Throne and Liberty, published by Amazon Games, is NCSOFT's latest foray into the MMORPG genre. Known for iconic titles like Lineage, Guild Wars, and Blade & Soul, NCSOFT aims to deliver an MMO that combines PvE and PvP elements in a vast open world. With the game now launched in 2024, players have mixed reactions. Some hail it as a return to form, while others doubt that Throne and Liberty has lived up to the hype. Let's dive into the Throne and Liberty reviews to see what players are loving, what's turning them away, and whether Throne and Liberty has the potential to stand tall in a saturated MMO market.
At the heart of Throne and Liberty is its mix of PvE and PvP content, combined with a weapon-based class system that allows flexibility in how players approach combat and customize their playstyle. Players can equip a pair of weapons, allowing them to switch roles on the fly and master different combat styles. The real-time action RPG mechanics and active combat demand precision, as players must dodge, block, and parry enemy attacks, resulting in engaging combat. The game offers a variety of ways to engage in combat, from large-scale PvP battles like castle sieges to solo adventures in the game's open world. But how well do these mechanics hold up?
The story of Throne and Liberty centers around the battle for control of Solisium, a land embroiled in conflict due to the appearance of powerful magical fragments. As various factions vie for control, players are drawn into a larger narrative involving the dark sorceress Kazar and the Wraith of Conquest. While the premise is compelling, some players find the execution lacking, resulting in an uninteresting story, particularly in terms of dialogue and pacing, which can feel uninspired at times. Moreover, the frequent cutscenes and poor localization of NPC dialogues contribute to the narrative's shortcomings. The main quest often feels overshadowed by repetitive side quests and fetch quests, which may hinder the narrative flow.
The player-versus-environment content in Throne and Liberty offers a range of dungeons, exploration areas, and world bosses. Some of the dungeons are instanced, while others exist as open-world zones where PvP can be enabled, creating tension and unpredictability. However, the grind for upgrade materials and gear upgrades in PvE can be time-consuming, and while some players find it rewarding, others feel it detracts from the overall experience. Additionally, the progression systems rely heavily on collecting skill books and books to level up abilities, which adds to the grind. Players often have to push forward through repetitive content, which can make the experience feel less rewarding.
PvP is where Throne and Liberty really shines for many players. The massive PvP battles, including large-scale PvP like castle sieges and guild-vs-guild conflicts, are reminiscent of the epic encounters in games like Lineage II and Lost Ark. These battles involve strategy, coordination, and often alliances between guilds, keeping the player base engaged. The game's emphasis on group content and world events brings a dynamic element to the MMORPG experience. However, the pay-to-win mechanics can give players who spend real money a significant edge in PvP, which has sparked criticism. Published by Amazon Games, Throne and Liberty faces scrutiny over its monetization model, especially regarding pay-to-win concerns.
One of the standout features of Throne and Liberty is its emphasis on community and guild play. Whether you're diving into large-scale PvP sieges or exploring dungeons with friends, guilds are essential to progressing in the game. Being part of a strong, active guild can make all the difference in Throne and Liberty, especially when it comes to PvP content like castle sieges or PvE in high-level dungeons. Guilds provide not just social support but access to better rewards, team strategies, and a deeper level of gameplay.
PvP guilds, in particular, are central to controlling resources and territories. As the game’s economy and endgame content are heavily influenced by player guilds battling for dominance, being in a guild that’s active and coordinated can open up access to better gear, materials, and, of course, bragging rights.
If you’re looking to get in on the action with a focused, gear-grinding PvP community, why not join us at SAVEGAME? Our guild, "Exempt", is dedicated to pushing boundaries in PvP content while helping members gear up and grow stronger. Whether you're grinding for that perfect PvP set or just want to team up with like-minded players, "Exempt" is the place to be. We work together to navigate the grind, coordinate for large-scale battles, and make sure everyone is set for success.
Let’s start with the most obvious aspect: the visuals. Throne and Liberty is a visual stunner. Powered by Unreal Engine 4, the game's world is vibrant and meticulously detailed. From sweeping vistas to dark, brooding forests, the environments look polished, making it easy to get lost in exploration. One player review noted, “It’s the best Unreal Engine 4 MMO I’ve played. The scale of the environmental assets in relation to your character is just perfect, and the far view distance is phenomenal.”
The dynamic weather system adds an extra layer of immersion. Wind rustles the trees, rain soaks the ground, and the day/night cycle doesn’t just alter the look of the world but affects gameplay. For instance, certain mobs behave differently at night, and some quests only trigger in specific weather conditions, giving players a reason to return to areas they’ve already explored. It's a refreshing take on MMO world-building, excelling where many MMORPGs fail right off the bat, making the experience excellent. Moving from one area to the next is seamless, and sometimes you'll even encounter a flying whale, adding to the game's sense of wonder. These elements encourage players to push forward and explore every nook and cranny.
NCSOFT’s decision to do away with traditional classes in favor of a weapon-based system has been widely praised. Instead of choosing a class at the beginning and being locked into that playstyle for the rest of the game, players can switch between different weapons that dictate their abilities. This gives Throne and Liberty a flexibility that appeals to both casual and hardcore players.
One player summed it up perfectly: “Rather than locking you into a role like tank or healer, your choice of chosen weapons defines your role, and you can switch between two weapons mid-combat for even more flexibility. This allows me to change my abilities based on the situation.” This system encourages experimentation and allows for a variety of playstyles, which makes both solo and group content enjoyable. Whether you want to dive into combat with a greatsword or hang back and heal your teammates with a wand and tome, the game gives you the freedom to do both. The weapon mastery system adds depth, allowing players to specialize in their main weapon and develop a special style.
One of the standout features of Throne and Liberty is its open-world exploration. With no loading screens between zones and a variety of ways to travel—including the ability to shapeshift into animals like eagles and wolves—moving through the world feels fluid and enjoyable. Exploration is rewarded, not just in terms of finding cool scenery but also with experience points and rare materials. The game's verticality, with areas that require grappling hooks or transformation abilities to access, keeps things fresh and adds a puzzle-like element to exploration. The character creator allows for unique avatars, enhancing the immersive experience. This seamless world encourages players to stop hearing about the grind and enjoy the journey.
While some players appreciate the impact of each hit in combat, many feel the combat system is clunky. One reviewer stated, “The combat feels a bit sluggish, and the animation locks that occur when using abilities take away the feeling of fluidity in battle.” This is particularly frustrating for players coming from faster-paced action MMOs. Additionally, the game employs a tab-targeting system, which some players find outdated, especially when attacking enemies in fast-paced encounters.
Movement, particularly when grappling or flying, has been a point of contention. Players have expressed frustration with awkward animations and transitions when shifting between different forms of movement. “I can't stop hearing about how clunky the movement feels; my gut feel is that it needs significant improvement,” one player noted. The transitions between forms can disrupt the flow of gameplay, making it less enjoyable.
Pay-to-win mechanics have plagued many Korean MMOs, and unfortunately, Throne and Liberty hasn’t entirely escaped this stigma. While the pay-to-win ceiling isn’t as egregious as some other titles, it’s still present. Players who are willing to spend money can advance faster, especially in PvP-focused content where better gear can make all the difference. One critical player mentioned, “It’s not as bad as other pay-to-win MMOs, but the fact that it exists at all is frustrating.” Some players who purchased early access find that in-game purchases still give others an unfair advantage. This monetization model might put off players who prefer a more balanced, fair experience.
Throne and Liberty can be overwhelming for new players, especially those who aren’t used to Korean MMOs. The game doesn’t hold your hand, and players who haven’t done prior research may find themselves making mistakes that could severely impact their character progression. One experienced player warned, “You need to decide on your weapon combo early on because changing builds later is a huge pain, and leveling up new skills takes forever.”
On top of that, the grind for gear can feel excessive. In true Korean MMO fashion, leveling your weapons, armor, and skills can take a considerable amount of time, especially if you don’t pay to speed up the process. Some players find the grind satisfying, but others feel it’s a barrier to truly enjoying the game. The reliance on skill books and books to level abilities adds to the tediousness. The game's progression systems can make it difficult to catch up with the rest of the player base, especially for newcomers.
Throne and Liberty is a game that has massive potential. Its stunning visuals, open-world exploration, and flexible class system set it apart from many other MMORPGs on the market. However, the clunky combat, pay-to-win concerns, and steep learning curve may turn some players away. For some, it's the game I wanted to love, but it falls short in critical areas. It's a shame because the potential is there. If you’re looking for an MMO that rewards exploration and offers freedom in how you play, Throne and Liberty might be worth trying—just be prepared for some rough edges.
For long-time MMO players, especially those who enjoy Korean MMOs like Black Desert Online, Throne and Liberty may feel like a natural fit. Currently available on PC and consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox, the game aims to reach a wide audience. Ultimately, how much I'm contributing to your decision to play the game depends on what you're looking for. If you've played similar MMORPGs, you'll go into Throne and Liberty with certain expectations. It's honestly a mixed bag at this point. For more casual players or those who prefer a smoother, more polished experience, it might be worth waiting to see how NCSOFT addresses the game's early criticisms in future updates.
In a market crowded with big MMOs like World of Warcraft and Guild Wars, Throne and Liberty has a lot to prove. While it excels in world design and offers incredibly polished gameplay in certain areas, it falls short in others. The game's massively multiplayer aspects are both its strength and weakness, offering exciting massive PvP battles but also exposing issues like pay-to-win mechanics. Whether Throne and Liberty will rise to prominence or fade into obscurity remains to be seen, but it's certainly a title to watch in 2024.
