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Anarchy Online

Anarchy Online is a buggy work in progress that is as likely to crash as it is to suck you in. But when it works, it's a heck of a lot of fun. Imagine Everquest with a sci-fi theme, better graphics, and a compelling story that divides players into two warring factions.
Anarchy Online Game Cover
82%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
graphics, grinding
83% User Score Based on 224 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 1 reviews

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PCWindows
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Anarchy Online Game Cover

About

Anarchy Online is a single player and multiplayer role playing game with fantasy and science fiction themes. It was developed by Funcom and was released on February 22, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"Anarchy Online is a massively multiplayer fantasy role-playing game set in a science fiction world 30,000 years in the future. Choose from 14 character classes, customize your skills and abilities, and explore a vast, alien world with diverse landscapes. Battle other players, complete missions for rewards, and join organizations to claim territory and resources."

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Anarchy Online screenshot
Anarchy Online screenshot
Anarchy Online screenshot
Anarchy Online screenshot
Anarchy Online screenshot
Anarchy Online screenshot
Anarchy Online screenshot
Anarchy Online screenshot
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83%
Audience ScoreBased on 224 reviews
story8 positive mentions
graphics13 negative mentions
  • Anarchy Online offers a deep and complex character customization system, allowing players to create unique builds and playstyles.
  • The game has a rich lore and immersive world, with a dedicated community that is generally helpful and welcoming to new players.
  • Despite its age, the game still provides a vast amount of content, including daily missions and events, making it engaging for both new and returning players.
  • The graphics and user interface are outdated, which may deter new players accustomed to modern game aesthetics.
  • The game suffers from a declining player base, leading to difficulties in finding groups for missions and events.
  • Many players report issues with bugs, exploits, and a lack of developer support, which can negatively impact the overall experience.
  • story
    74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story aspect of the game is often overshadowed by its gameplay mechanics, with many players acknowledging the existence of a complex backstory but feeling disconnected from it due to the focus on grinding missions and leveling. While the lore, particularly surrounding the corporation Omni-Tek and the planet Rubi-Ka, is rich and intriguing, players frequently encounter issues with mission functionality and a lack of guidance, leading to frustration. Overall, the narrative is seen as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a driving force, with some appreciating the depth it offers while others find it difficult to engage with.

    • “The original RK backstory is pretty legit, with like a 150+ novel around it.”
    • “I was drawn in by the atmosphere: the fascinating science-fantasy story and the sheer uniqueness of the game, the bizarre, interesting creatures (hi leets) and the outrageously complicated character building system.”
    • “And this game brought me a story that no other game could provide.”
    • “Gonna be honest, I know a story exists, but this is going to be an area I have zero idea of.”
    • “Despite having played it for some time, I know little about the actual story or questlines as I generally just find myself running along, leveling, and finding loot.”
    • “Relevant missions are few and far between, poorly narrated, and most of the time make no sense at all.”
  • graphics
    61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated, reflecting its origins from 2001, with many players noting that while they show their age, they still possess a certain nostalgic charm. Despite the presence of a new graphics engine, many feel it has not significantly improved the visual experience, leading to mixed feelings about the overall aesthetic. However, players often emphasize that the game's depth and content can outweigh the graphical shortcomings, making it enjoyable for those willing to overlook the visuals.

    • “Twenty-four years is a long time for any game, but for an MMORPG, it calls for a significant remake that incorporates modern gaming features, updated graphics, expanded lore, and new quests.”
    • “Yes, the graphics show their age, but they are also surprisingly good for the age of the engine.”
    • “The game's visuals aged quite well; it's easy to get used to them, and some of the environments are really well crafted to look appealing even with dated graphics.”
    • “In terms of graphics, unfortunately you can feel the age of the game.”
    • “Very dated graphics, and what I saw of Rubi-Ka was very drab.”
    • “The graphics are outdated at best, butt-ugly at worst.”
  • gameplay
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Anarchy Online is characterized by a steep learning curve and a complex character creation system that lacks clear guidance, offering diverse gameplay styles. While the game features a wealth of content and depth, it suffers from outdated mechanics and clunky controls, which may deter some players. However, those who appreciate its unique sci-fi atmosphere and intricate systems often find it rewarding, despite its age and the need for patience and dedication.

    • “If you are looking for a deep game world and different gameplay options, Anarchy Online might be for you.”
    • “Fantastic game... a complex MMO that has lots of depth and fun action gameplay.”
    • “The organizations are amazing, and so is the gameplay itself.”
    • “And if you somehow manage to get past all these layers of inconvenience, you’re greeted by a character creation system that expects you to blindly choose between four races, each offering drastically different gameplay styles, without any real explanation.”
    • “The gameplay and controls were clunky in the beginning and didn't feel as precise as I am used to from most other, more modern MMOs.”
    • “In my opinion, it hasn't aged well; a lot of controls and mechanics are very complicated.”
  • atmosphere
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of Anarchy Online is widely praised for its unique sci-fi and cyberpunk aesthetic, complemented by an immersive soundtrack and rich world-building. Players appreciate the game's original concepts and the engaging community, which enhance the overall experience despite some dated graphics. The combination of fascinating lore, intricate character development, and ambient music creates a captivating environment that continues to resonate with players over the years.

    • “However, it has a very unique sci-fi, cyberpunk atmosphere, and wonderful music.”
    • “Anarchy is such a rich game and I still find the atmosphere, ambient music, and landscape so amazing even now.”
    • “I was drawn in by the atmosphere: the fascinating science-fantasy story and the sheer uniqueness of the game, the bizarre, interesting creatures and the outrageously complicated character building system.”
    • “The visuals definitely didn't lower the atmosphere or immersion for me.”
    • “I was drawn in by the atmosphere: the fascinating science-fantasy story and the sheer uniqueness of the game, the bizarre, interesting creatures, and the outrageously complicated character building system.”
  • music
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its grandeur and ability to create an immersive sci-fi atmosphere, while others find it nostalgic yet lacking in quality. Overall, it contributes significantly to the game's unique atmosphere, though opinions on its execution vary widely.

    • “How the dated graphics can still at times be beautiful, the music full of grandeur and suspense, the mission fun and rewarding.”
    • “However, it has a very unique sci-fi, cyberpunkesque atmosphere, and wonderful music.”
    • “The soundtrack of the game is really well done and creates a very immersive sci-fi atmosphere, and I generally have to praise the technical status of the game.”
    • “Lol, I turned the music back on after a number of years and, while it was nostalgic, it was still awful music.”
    • “The soundtrack of the game is really well done and creates a very immersive sci-fi atmosphere and I generally have to praise the technical status of the game.”
    • “Music is captivating.”
  • grinding
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players note that grinding is a significant aspect of Anarchy Online, typical of MMORPGs, requiring patience and dedication to level up and acquire resources. While the game offers opportunities for farming and character optimization, it can be time-consuming, especially for free players. However, some grinding elements have been streamlined or replaced with more accessible options, making the experience less tedious for newcomers.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Anarchy Online can be a very grindy game.”
    • “The trickle-down from the paid players definitely stimulates the froob economy, but regardless of whether you're a froob or a paid player, if you're not spending real-life money on credits, then prepare for a lot of long hours camping and farming.”
    • “Now it's all about grinding the most XP-rich places or missions, and doing dailies.”
  • humor
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky and often absurd elements, providing a comedic twist to the otherwise grind-heavy gameplay. Players appreciate the amusing corporate banter and the unique, sometimes bizarre features, despite the game's technical shortcomings and frustrating crashes. Overall, the humor adds a layer of enjoyment that helps offset the game's flaws.

    • “It's a grind, but it's a very funny grind.”
    • “PvP is very optional, woefully behind in terms of combat 'action' and hilariously fun to delve into at times.”
    • “But it also contains many unique, sometimes humorous, sometimes quirky, and sometimes outright weird aspects.”
  • monetization
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's monetization model is generally well-received, as it avoids aggressive microtransactions and does not implement pay-to-win mechanics. Most players report being able to enjoy the game without spending money on microtransactions, DLCs, or expansions.

    • “This game doesn't shove microtransactions, DLCs, or expansions down your throat.”
    • “Microtransactions are not pay-to-win.”
    • “Most players get by without ever spending money on microtransactions.”
  • stability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is characterized by a mix of charm and frustration, with users noting its quirky and sometimes buggy nature. While it features impressively fast load times and only a few minor glitches, players also report that crashes can occur, making it feel like a work in progress.

    • “Anarchy Online is a buggy work in progress that is as likely to crash as it is to suck you in.”
    • “It's quirky, fiddly, and sometimes a bit buggy, but that is part of its charm.”
    • “What is there might be dated, but the load times, for example, are lightspeed fast (usually less than 5 seconds), and I only experienced a handful of minor glitches during my playtime.”
  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game features long and intricate character development, offering players a high degree of freedom to shape their characters' journeys. Reviewers highlight the complexity of the character arcs, allowing for a rich and personalized gameplay experience.

    • “Has long, intricate character development.”
    • “Extremely complex character development; you are, for the most part, free to do whatever you want as a player.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression.”
    • “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired.”
    • “There are too many characters, and none of them receive the depth they deserve.”
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80%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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Frequently Asked Questions

Anarchy Online is a role playing game with fantasy and science fiction themes.

Anarchy Online is available on PC and Windows.

Anarchy Online was released on February 22, 2017.

Anarchy Online was developed by Funcom.

Anarchy Online has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its graphics.

Anarchy Online is a single player game with multiplayer support.

Similar games include EverQuest II, RIFT, Age of Conan: Unchained, Dungeons & Dragons Online, Shroud of the Avatar: Forsaken Virtues and others.