Throne and Liberty is a fantasy MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) from developer NCSoft. Though the game is available in NCSoft's native South Korea, Throne and Liberty has yet to release in the West.
Amazon Games has stepped up to facilitate Throne and Liberty's Western launch, much as it has for Bandai Namco's MMORPG Blue Protocol. Though we still don't have a Western release date for the medical fantasy game, there's plenty of information out there as to what we might expect once it does reach our shores.
Contrary to MMORPG tradition Throne and Liberty dispenses with traditional classes, allowing you to gain access to varying skills and abilities with different weapon types. The medieval fantasy MMO also places a strong emphasis on travel and exploration, allowing you to transform into animals so you can roam the world at speed. On top of all this, Throne and Liberty offers large-scale player vs. environment (PvE) and player vs. player (PvP) experiences both designed to make the most out of the MMORPG's gorgeous graphics. While it's unclear if Throne and Liberty earn a place on our best MMORPGs list or our list of best co-op games, we certainly think it's one to watch. Read on to learn more about this upcoming game.
Throne and Liberty: cut to the chase
- What is it? A new MMO with PvE and PvP elements
- When does it come out? TBC in the West, but released in Korea December 7, 2023
- What can I play it on? PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC
- Who is making it? NCSoft
Throne and Liberty platforms
While there's no specific Throne and Liberty release date yet, we do know that the game will release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
However, it looks as though the game's public Confidential Technical Test provided plenty of "feedback and data" for NCSoft to use in development. This suggests that we may be on track to see details on a specific release window soon.
We also know that the game was released in Korea back in December 2023, suggesting that Throne and Liberty's Western release is now only contingent on localization rather than any more fundamental game development hurdles.
Throne and Liberty game trailer
As part of Summer Games Fest 2023, Throne and Liberty received a brand new reveal trailer, showing off a wide range of fantastical environments, character creation options, and even some combat. Perhaps most intriguing, however, is the trailer's emphasis on animal transformation. In one captivating moment, an adventurer leaps off of a cliff, only to transform into an eagle and soar into the distance.
Though this was the first substantial trailer we've seen so far; an earlier trailer emerged back in January 2023, showing off a foreboding dungeon as well as some of the game's wide-scale combat.
The game's Korean release in December 2023 also saw the reveal of a cinematic trailer showing off the game's story. Though the trailer is in Korean, there are still plenty of exciting visuals that you can still enjoy despite the language barrier.
Throne and Liberty game story and setting
Throne and Liberty takes place in the world of Solistium, under threat from Kazar, a Sauron-esque ultra-baddie. The people of Solistium vie for control of fragments of the Star of Sylaveth so they might gain the power to prevent Kazar's conquest. It's classic high fantasy, good vs. evil stuff.
The Arkeum Legion, Kazar's personal army, scours the land in search of star fragments with the help of the nefarious witch Calanthia. However, a group has formed to oppose the machinations of the legion, calling itself the Resistance. It seems likely that players will ally with the latter faction in an attempt to stop Kazar from taking over.
A handful of locations have already been revealed for Throne and Liberty including Kastleton, a "vibrant city" and hub of Resistance activity. Players will also be able to explore the bleak expanses of the Monolith Wastelands, the eerie desolation of the Carmine Forest, and the vibrant tropics of Lizard Island.
All of these locations also include shifting weather as well as day/night cycles. These mechanics not only affect combat but can also "reveal content that can only be played during a specific period", according to the Throne and Liberty website.
Throne and Liberty gameplay
Though the official Throne and Liberty website reveals little about the MMO's mechanics, it's likely that the game's Western release will almost completely mirror its Korean counterpart. The Korean version of the game was released on December 7, 2023, meaning that plenty of information about the MMO's mechanics is now freely available.
Rather than using a traditional class-based setup like World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy 14, Throne and Liberty uses weapon types to determine what its player characters can do in battle. The Sword and Shield, Greatsword, Daggers, Crossbows, Wand and Tome, Longbow, and Staff will likely all be available when the game makes its Western debut. Players in Throne and Liberty can also have two weapon sets equipped, allowing them to easily switch between different fighting styles. Fans of The Elder Scrolls Online will find this mechanic particularly familiar in how it allows players to mix and match different elements from the traditional DPS-tank-healer MMO class triangle.
Combat takes place in the third person, with a strong emphasis on mobility and dodging. This is especially true for ranged combatants, such as those using Crossbows or the Wand and Tome. It won't be enough for you to click on a target and press a button - you'll have to aim.
We also know that weather will play a key role, altering the effects of certain combat skills. Archers will need to pay special attention to wind speed and heading, too, to get the most out of their arrows.
Throne and Liberty also includes plenty of PvE dungeons and bosses, offering loot and rewards. World bosses also have the ability to turn areas of the world into PvP zones, meaning that you'll need to be on the lookout for enemy players while you try to take down your main target.
Animal transformations also heavily feature, helping players to get around the world more quickly. This is essential given how quests in the game are structured. Given the wide variety of quests on offer, you'll be travelling about a lot.
On top of main story quests and repeatable daily contract quests, you can also undertake exploration contracts and guild contracts - the last of which are extremely tough and require a well-organized group of players.
Throne and Liberty game news
Throne and Liberty releases in Korea
Fantasy MMORPG Throne and Liberty released in Korea on December 7 2023 (via MMORPG.com). The release also came with a brand-new story trailer to mark the occasion. Though the trailer is in Korean, there isn't much dialogue involved so the language barrier isn't too much of an issue.
Throne and Liberty thanks players for help with Tech Test
On October 3, 2023, NCSoft announced an end to Throne and Liberty's Tech Test, taking time to thank players for their contributions. Merv Lee Kwai, the game's franchise lead at Amazon Games, took the time to "extend a huge thank you to players who participated." The blog post also included some interesting stats detailing milestones crossed by players during the test period which we've included below.
Throne and Liberty announces Tech Test
The Throne and Liberty Technical Test began in June. In addition to testing network infrastructure, the test will also be an opportunity for players to provide feedback, allowing NCSoft to fine-tune the game ahead of its eventual release.
Should Throne and Liberty live up to expectations, it may well earn a place on our list of the best MMOs. In the meantime, why not check out our list of the best RPGs?
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