If you're a fan of martial arts and MMORPGs, Blade and Soul NEO might seem like the dream come true. After all, it's a remaster of a popular MMO set in a world inspired by classic wuxia films, complete with epic sword fights and mystical abilities. But, unfortunately, this new version doesn’t live up to expectations, feeling more like a throwback to the early 2000s, with a lot of the issues you'd expect from older, grind-heavy MMOs.
Free-to-Play, but at What Cost?
One of the first things you'll notice about Blade and Soul NEO is that it’s free-to-play—well, sort of. While there’s no upfront cost, the game quickly reveals its heavy reliance on microtransactions. Currencies, crafting materials, and the in-game economy are all designed to hook you into spending more time (and money) than you'd probably like. Sure, you can grind your way through the game without spending a cent, but prepare for a long and repetitive grind if you choose that route.
The Gameplay: Good at First, But Repetitive Fast
When you first jump into the game, the tutorial does a decent job of introducing the basics. It’s fun at first—dodging, weaving, and striking your enemies in a combat system that’s far more action-oriented than the typical tab-targeting MMO. But once you’re past the initial stages, the gameplay quickly becomes stale. The combat stays mostly the same, even as you level up and unlock new abilities. Sure, there are a few new moves here and there, but nothing that really shakes things up enough to keep it interesting.
Classes and Combat: Similar, Yet Different?
Blade and Soul NEO offers 14 different classes, each with their own unique playstyles, but don’t expect too much variety. For example, the Blade Master relies heavily on blocking attacks, while the Assassin thrives on stealth and critical hits. But at the end of the day, all the classes boil down to the same basic mechanics—dodge, block, and strike—and after a while, it’s hard to shake the feeling that they’re more alike than different. And while enemies can be tough, most encounters feel a bit too easy. It’s usually just a matter of dodging a few attacks and then dealing a few combos—nothing that really pushes you to think or strategize too much.
Questing and Pacing: A Grind with Little Reward
Now, if you’re expecting a groundbreaking story or fresh quest design, you’re in for a disappointment. Most of the quests are your typical MMO fare—kill a bunch of monsters or fetch some items. As you get deeper into the game, it feels more like you’re checking off boxes on a to-do list than actually enjoying a compelling journey. The game does offer some dungeon experiences that are a little more interesting, especially when you're in a group, but the pacing of these quests can leave you wondering if you’re really making any progress at all.
Graphics: A Mixed Bag
On the visual front, the Unreal Engine 4 upgrade doesn’t do much to make the game feel modern. Sure, the environments look decent, and the player models are definitely a step up, but the NPCs? They look like they’ve been pulled straight out of a PlayStation 2 game, complete with awkward animations and annoying aliasing issues. It’s not a huge deal, but it’s a bit jarring when the game’s visuals don’t live up to the potential of its engine.
The Bottom Line: A Missed Opportunity
In the end, Blade and Soul NEO doesn’t quite deliver the experience it promises. The free-to-play model is bogged down by excessive monetization, and while there’s some fun to be had in the early hours, the game quickly devolves into a repetitive grind. The combat lacks the depth to keep you engaged for the long haul, and the lack of a compelling story makes it hard to stay invested. If you’re looking for an MMO with deep gameplay, epic boss fights, or a captivating narrative, you’ll likely find Blade and Soul NEO underwhelming. There are better free-to-play options out there, and unfortunately, this one just doesn’t measure up.
