ArcheAge: Unchained

50%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,194 reviews
  • story
  • grinding
  • gameplay
ArcheAge: Unchained Game Cover
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ArcheAge: Unchained is a sandpark MMORPG that offers a fresh start in a vast, open world with new economical and political systems. Players can engage in various activities such as farming, trade, and PvP combat while exploring continents and sailing the seas. This version of the game is a buy-to-play model, differing from the original ArcheAge's free-to-play model with optional patron subscriptions.

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Reviews

50%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,194 reviews
story36 positive mentions
grinding159 negative mentions
  • ArcheAge: Unchained offers a vast open world with a unique class system, allowing for a variety of playstyles and character builds.
  • The game has removed the pay-to-win elements that plagued the original version, making it more accessible and enjoyable for all players.
  • There are numerous activities to engage in, including crafting, farming, trading, and naval combat, providing a rich sandbox experience.
  • The game suffers from a steep learning curve, with little guidance for new players, leading to confusion and frustration.
  • The labor system limits gameplay by restricting how much players can craft or engage in activities each day, making it feel grindy and tedious.
  • The community can be toxic, with high-level players often ganking lower-level players, creating an unwelcoming environment for newcomers.
  • story247 mentions

    The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the initial narrative and character development, particularly in the early levels, while others find it shallow and repetitive as they progress. Many reviews highlight the overwhelming number of daily quests that detract from the storytelling experience, leading to a grind-focused gameplay that can feel tedious and unengaging. Overall, while there are moments of interesting lore and quest variety, the story often gets overshadowed by the need to complete mundane tasks for progression.

    • “The lore and storytelling is brilliant, with each race having their own different climb to level 30.”
    • “The attention to NPC interaction detail, varied quest types in the main story, and the narrative cutscenes detailing what the character feels really does for me.”
    • “The graphics and story are the best.”
    • “The story is forgettable.”
    • “Story line is boring, with bad graphics only highlighting what remains left of something that was once a game at some time.”
    • “The story isn't super engaging.”
  • grinding160 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is a significant point of contention among players, with many describing it as excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly in the endgame where daily quests and gear upgrades dominate gameplay. While some players appreciate the variety of activities available, such as farming, crafting, and trading, they often feel that these enjoyable elements are overshadowed by the relentless grind required to progress. Overall, the game appeals to those who enjoy grinding, but it may deter players seeking a more casual or balanced experience.

    • “A bonus is you can level up fast, so you are not grinding excessively in the game.”
    • “The grinding in this game feels rewarding, as each session brings you closer to your goals.”
    • “I appreciate how the grinding mechanics are balanced, making it enjoyable rather than tedious.”
    • “Every single aspect of the game is behind a huge grinding wall.”
    • “The only way to get good gear is a tedious, agonizingly boring daily grind that takes months to upgrade to max tier; you can't craft or trade upgrade items.”
    • “Hit the beginning of endgame and realized the sheer amount of daily grinding I would need to do to reach some of the 'basic' long-term goals was something only masochists would enjoy.”
  • gameplay151 mentions

    The gameplay of Archeage Unchained is a mixed bag, with many players praising its innovative mechanics, fluid combat, and engaging sandbox elements, while others criticize the heavy reliance on grind, repetitive tasks, and lingering pay-to-win mechanics. Despite its potential and unique features like farming and housing systems, the game suffers from bugs, server issues, and a lack of player support, leading to a frustrating experience for many. Overall, while some find the gameplay enjoyable and rewarding, others feel it is marred by exploitative practices and poor developer communication.

    • “The gameplay is enjoyable, combat is fluid once you get a few skills, and the economy system has me really excited to get into it.”
    • “Great game, got me really hooked on, super nice gameplay, housing and trading system, friendly community and great graphics especially for characters and environment!”
    • “I've often burned out on MMORPGs in less than a month, but Archeage is still stuck as one of my all-time favorite games, almost solely because of this mix of mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is simply alright, there's not much to it.”
    • “Between the insane amounts of grind, time gating, and over simplification of game mechanics, this game just isn't worth playing anymore.”
    • “The game is amazing, but if you're looking to buy, I would highly recommend you do your research on the game mechanics, leveling process, gearing process, etc. Archeage isn't a game that holds your hand in any regards.”
  • graphics134 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful environments, textures, and artistic style, particularly in character creation and scenery. However, several players criticize the graphics as outdated or inconsistent, citing performance issues and graphical glitches that detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the enhancements made since the game's original release, others feel that it still falls short compared to more modern titles in the genre.

    • “The game itself is really nice, with amazing graphics and many things to do... there is no end to the game and that's amazing.”
    • “Has beautiful graphics, especially for an MMO.”
    • “Graphics have been remastered and look amazing, combat is fluid, questing is well done, it's a blessing to finally play this great game without pay to win.”
    • “I have had enough of this game; its graphics are graphically dated. Last I checked, it's riddled with bots and alt bots everywhere spamming game coins for real cash or a leveling service for real money, and don't get me started on the devs and now Kakao (cash cow) games.”
    • “The graphics are poor for a game that launched back in 2014.”
    • “Horrible, way outdated graphics.”
  • stability43 mentions

    The game's stability is heavily criticized, with players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. Many users express frustration over characters getting stuck in animations and the overall buggy experience, leading to a recommendation to avoid purchasing the game. Despite its fun mechanics and potential, the overwhelming technical issues have resulted in a negative reception regarding stability.

    • “PvP is amazing, ocean mechanics are fun, and the game is not buggy.”
    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it allows for an immersive experience.”
    • “I resets every login, constant freezes and stutters. My character gets stuck in animation a lot (when done attacking my foe, my character would stay stuck in the attack position no matter if I got on a mount, ran, or anything. The only way I found to fix it was to log out and back in, which means waiting the 10 minutes for the game to load back up again). So all in all, I'd say save your cash and don't buy this game. I really wish I hadn't.”
    • “However, the publisher plagued the game from day one with glitches, exploits, bugs, and promises they can't keep, which caused a mass exodus from players since launch.”
    • “This game is a buggy, terrible mess.”
  • monetization28 mentions

    The monetization model of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, shifting from a one-time purchase to a monthly subscription with numerous microtransactions. Players feel misled by initial promises of a buy-to-play model without ongoing costs, leading to accusations of pay-to-win mechanics and neglectful development. Overall, the community expresses frustration over perceived greed and broken promises, deeming the monetization practices exploitative and detrimental to the game's integrity.

    • “A game without a subscription, that offered everything for a one-time fee, with no microtransactions.”
    • “The idea that you could buy the game once and keep playing it free with cosmetic microtransactions was great, in my opinion.”
    • “Better monetization on an excellent MMO.”
    • “I don't mind a subscription style service, as I believe it is needed to maintain a solid MMO experience and stave off pay-to-win mechanics, but this has clearly been shifted to a cash grab pile of neglect and user abuse.”
    • “This game was sold to me as a buy upfront price and play it forever - this was clearly mentioned in their advertising.”
    • “Greedy monetization practices, broken promises, this game has it all.”
  • optimization26 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is widely criticized, with many players reporting significant performance issues, especially during large-scale events, leading to crashes and lag even on high-end systems. While there is an optimization mode available, it often fails to deliver a smooth experience, particularly in crowded areas, and the integration of anti-cheat software has exacerbated loading times and performance drops. Many users feel that the game is not fully optimized for modern hardware or graphics standards, resulting in a frustrating experience marred by bugs and glitches.

    • “There is an optimization mode which reduces the graphical stress.”
    • “Even then, most people I knew with powerful PCs still used optimization mode in large scale PvP.”
    • “The performance issues really are put into focus when there are large amounts of players in one area - which happens often but I will elaborate later.”
    • “However, because of performance issues in some areas and events, only a very powerful gaming computer will be able to run on high graphics settings all the time.”
    • “Optimization is pretty bad here.”
  • music22 mentions

    The music in the game elicits mixed feelings among players; while some appreciate the powerful orchestral soundtrack and find it nostalgic, others criticize the in-game music for being low quality, repetitive, and lacking the same depth. The contrast between the menu's grand compositions and the more mundane background tracks during gameplay is notable, with many players expressing frustration over the limited variety and annoying loops, particularly from player-created music. Overall, while the orchestral elements are praised, the in-game audio experience leaves much to be desired.

    • “Hearing soundtracks still takes me back to 2014-15, wandering around in Auroria, doing trades with friends.”
    • “Backed up by an amazing orchestral soundtrack, you venture forth into some stunning, colorful zones and ocean.”
    • “Sitting in the lobby for 25 minutes due to a bug causing me to reset, patience only grows more relaxing with the help of dabs and Archeage's beautifully crafted lobby soundtrack.”
    • “The in-game music is low quality and repetitive.”
    • “Every time you speak to an NPC, the same annoying background music is played, and every time you reach a new area, new background music is played but without the power or orchestral feel.”
    • “The worst part of the sound for longer players is the flute/lute music played by anyone using the songcraft tree, which repeats the same songs over and over.”
  • humor11 mentions

    The humor in the game is derived from a mix of player interactions and technical mishaps, with players finding amusement in the chaotic and toxic environment created by others, reminiscent of comedic gaming moments from popular culture. The game's quirky crime system and the absurdity of in-game communication, such as character name glitches, add to the comedic experience, making it a source of both frustration and laughter for players. Overall, while the game has its flaws, the humor found in its community and mechanics provides a unique, if chaotic, entertainment value.

    • “What is even more hilarious is that when my character is being addressed, they say '@pc0name' or something like that from the code.”
    • “Plus, reading trial chat is hilarious.”
    • “The crime system is hilarious, especially when you are taken to court for your crimes and everything is broadcast to your faction.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players express a mix of emotions regarding the game, with some feeling frustration and disappointment due to bugs and perceived value for money. However, others find a sense of nostalgia and warmth in the game's new business model, particularly for long-time fans who appreciate the shift towards cosmetic purchases. Overall, the emotional responses range from anger and doubt to affection and fondness for the game's legacy.

    • “As for ArcheAge Unchained, the game is heartwarming. I've loved it for years, and the new business model, where you only pay for cosmetics, makes it even more special.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere in Archeage is praised for its dynamic evolution, transforming from vast open land at launch to a vibrant, populated environment filled with homes and farms over time. The game's visuals contribute significantly to this immersive experience, enhancing the overall ambiance even before the recent visual updates.

    • “It's awesome to see vast open land at launch and then, several weeks after launch and after the housing rush, that land is full of homes, farms, tall trees, and people farming. This creates a unique setting and atmosphere.”
    • “ArcheAge has very nice visuals; I loved the atmosphere even before the visual update of Unchained.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Players appreciate the supportive community that aids in character development, helping newcomers navigate complex systems and improve their leveling experience.

    • “The game's community of players is incredibly supportive, helping you navigate character development, understand complex systems, and level up effectively.”
    • “Character development is deeply engaging, allowing players to shape their characters in meaningful ways that impact gameplay.”
    • “The progression system is well-designed, offering a variety of paths for character development that keeps the experience fresh and exciting.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful choices that impact the story.”
    • “I found the progression system to be tedious, making it hard to feel any real growth in my character.”
    • “The lack of depth in character backstories makes it difficult to connect with them on an emotional level.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

9hMedian play time
136hAverage play time
3-60hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 26 analyzed playthroughs

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