Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen

About

"Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen" is a high fantasy MMO that challenges players with social interactions and rewards effort. Set in the world of Terminus, 500 years after the Deicide War, the game tasks players with uncovering their past and unlocking the power of their gods as war looms. The game features a vast open world across three continents with a focus on exploration and social dynamics. Please note that early access may include wipes and certain restrictions.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,475 reviews

gameplay143 positive mentions

graphics85 negative mentions

Captures the essence of classic MMORPGs, especially reminiscent of EverQuest.
Strong emphasis on community and group play, fostering social interaction.
Challenging gameplay that rewards exploration and teamwork.

Game is still in early access and feels unfinished, with many features and content missing.
Lack of quality-of-life features such as maps, quest markers, and a streamlined UI.
Death penalties are harsh, including loss of inventory and experience, which can be frustrating.

graphics
598 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
75%
14%
The graphics of "Pantheon" have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they feel dated and reminiscent of early 2000s titles like "EverQuest." While some appreciate the nostalgic art style and atmospheric environments, others criticize the overall quality, animations, and lack of polish, suggesting that the game is not up to modern standards. As it is still in early access, there is hope for improvements, but many players feel that the current graphics may deter new players seeking a more contemporary experience.
- “Graphics are beautiful and the world is fun to explore.”
- “The unique art style, though still unfinished and featuring placeholders, hints at something truly special.”
- “The graphics, while not final, serve the game's atmosphere perfectly at this stage.”
- “The graphics are downright laughable - I'm not sure that they are even better than Everquest; in fact, EQ2 probably has better graphics.”
- “For a game that's just hit early access, the game has absolutely terrible graphics.”
- “The graphics are ps2 era and will actively drive new players away.”
gameplay
581 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
71%
5%
The gameplay of "Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen" is heavily inspired by classic MMORPGs like EverQuest, emphasizing challenging, group-oriented mechanics and a slower-paced experience that rewards strategic play. While the core gameplay loop shows potential and nostalgia for veteran players, many aspects remain unpolished, with limited classes, bugs, and outdated mechanics that may deter newcomers. Overall, it offers a mix of addictive gameplay and community engagement, but significant improvements are needed before it can be fully recommended.
- “Overall though, it's very addictive, very punishing, and very close to channeling that nostalgic gameplay many of us miss.”
- “The gameplay is slow, methodical and without cheap hand-holds, and really helps you to sink into the world that has been created, along with encouraging some incredibly meaningful and fun group play.”
- “Pantheon: rise of the fallen is a bold and ambitious project that dares to prioritize depth, community, and meaningful gameplay over instant gratification.”
- “Limited races, limited classes, some gameplay elements are bugged out, and others not yet implemented.”
- “The classes might balance out eventually, but I shouldn’t be getting 3 different versions of cure in my first 5 levels of gameplay, all of which are largely useless until level 10+. I have to rely on 2 buttons for my entire leveling experience, and once I run out of mana, I have to sit down to rest. Even the rest mechanic is designed badly because it takes 3 seconds to start resting while in combat, and even once you start resting, you regenerate every 5 seconds, and it’s a pitiful amount.”
- “Gameplay issues: from what has been shown, the combat and exploration mechanics seem uninspired and sluggish.”
story
404 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
88%
3%
The game's story and quest system are currently underdeveloped, with many players noting a lack of engaging narrative and minimal lore. There are no quest markers or maps, requiring players to explore and interact with NPCs to discover quests, which some find refreshing while others see it as frustrating. Overall, the quests tend to be simplistic and often feel like fetch tasks, lacking meaningful rewards or depth, leading to a sense of blandness in the game's world.
- “It's hard, yet fun; you feel that sense of accomplishment when you complete something, no quest trail telling you where to go, no map showing you your destination, just read, think, and solve.”
- “For veterans of classic games, it provides that much-missed challenge and community-centric gameplay, making every quest feel like an epic journey.”
- “I love that there aren’t traditional quest markers everywhere; it encourages you to interact with NPCs and truly explore the surroundings.”
- “It drops you into a starting area where there's no story whatsoever, with a bunch of random NPCs that hardly function or do anything.”
- “No, there is not much lore or backstory yet.”
- “The quests are hollow fetch quests and lack any sort of reward that make them worthwhile.”
grinding
190 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
99%
The grinding aspect of the game is heavily emphasized, with players noting that it is both a core mechanic and a significant time investment. While many appreciate the nostalgic, old-school MMO feel and the social aspects of group grinding, others find the experience tedious and frustrating, particularly when playing solo. Overall, the game offers a challenging grind that can be rewarding for those who enjoy this style of gameplay, but it may not appeal to everyone due to its slow pacing and lack of engaging quests.
- “Grinding feels unforgiving (in a good way), not too tedious, and while combat can feel sluggish at times, it adds an element of unpredictability that keeps it interesting.”
- “The grinding experience strikes a balance; it feels challenging without becoming overly tedious, making each encounter feel significant.”
- “I appreciate how the grinding mechanics keep the game engaging, offering a sense of progression while still maintaining a level of difficulty that feels rewarding.”
- “When you die past level 5 you lose everything in your inventory including bags and money - can be tedious if you don't have a good group or don't actually pay attention and just run and gun.”
- “There's no map, leveling is a tedious grind, and the graphics, from armor to spells, are underwhelming.”
- “This game does not challenge its players in any way other than to challenge their patience, and it doesn't reward effort, it rewards tolerance for tedious mechanics.”
music
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
48%
6%
The music in the game is widely praised for its immersive and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience and contributing to a vibrant game world. Many players describe the soundtrack as beautiful, magical, and reminiscent of classic MMORPGs, although some note inconsistencies in quality and a lack of familiarity across different zones. Overall, the sound design and music are considered standout features, elevating the game's appeal despite criticisms of its graphics and other elements.
- “The music is magical and makes you just get immersed into the game.”
- “The environments, music, ambience, and feel are all showing the care and love they have put into this project.”
- “The soundtrack is simple yet atmospheric, enhancing the overall experience without being intrusive.”
- “Many NPCs lack animations—some don't even have an idle pose and are stuck in the default 'T-pose.' The music and sound effects are either lackluster or completely absent.”
- “The sound is the same; it has its moments, but there is also some pretty bad music here.”
- “Music tracks play randomly and create no sense of familiarity for each zone.”
optimization
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
59%
31%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly on high-end hardware and laptops. While some updates have improved stability and performance, others describe the game as poorly optimized, with frequent frame rate drops and graphical bugs. Overall, there is a sense of cautious optimism that future updates may address these issues, but current performance remains a major concern for many players.
- “It’s clear the developers have made optimization a priority.”
- “Performance is solid even on mid-range hardware.”
- “The last patch fixed most performance issues and the game runs really great now.”
- “Mechanics, worldbuilding and level design are interesting, but optimization is terrible.”
- “The game is poorly optimized, running terribly even on high-end hardware despite its low-poly graphics.”
- “Despite a decade of development, the game feels woefully unpolished and unoptimized, as if it has been hastily cobbled together in under a year.”
stability
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
88%
The game's stability is a significant concern, as it is currently in alpha and plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, affecting gameplay and user experience. While some players find it surprisingly smooth for an early access title, many report severe issues with the UI, character movement, and overall polish. Despite these challenges, a portion of the community appreciates the foundational elements and potential for future development, suggesting that patience may be required as the game evolves.
- “Surprisingly bug free and smooth for an alpha.”
- “Movement - 9/10 (climbing, sprinting, jumping, and general travel speed feels good, not buggy).”
- “Has a lot of content and runs great for an EA title.”
- “Very buggy, 10+ years of development and this is the result...needs a good bit of refinement still.”
- “The current state of the game is buggy, unpolished, and unbalanced.”
- “The sheer number of glitches, poor coding, and the overall vibe of this game is laughable at best.”
atmosphere
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
40%
7%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive qualities, with many players appreciating the combination of atmospheric graphics, music, and sound effects that enhance the overall experience. While some visuals may not be final or graphically impressive, they effectively support the game's vibe, evoking a sense of adventure reminiscent of classic MMORPGs. Overall, the atmosphere fosters a cozy, engaging environment that encourages exploration and social interaction among players.
- “Pantheon’s world is beautifully crafted, with an atmosphere that rekindles the sense of adventure and mystery I’ve missed since EverQuest’s early days.”
- “Game has something special about it; I like the music, the atmosphere, and I feel immersed in the world. It sure needs improvements, but it has great potential and a solid base.”
- “It has that cozy and chill old school MMORPG vibe that I loved so much in EQ. I'm really pleased with the atmosphere VR created in the game because sonically, everything is really pleasing to the ear and well balanced; the music and sound effects blend together really well.”
- “The atmosphere of the two areas I tried - the evil hovel is such a vibe, and after that being out and about in the human area which has beautiful vistas that you can admire (until you get stepped on by an aggro mob lol).”
- “It has that cozy and chill old school MMORPG vibe that I loved so much in EQ. I'm really pleased with the atmosphere VR created in the game because sonically, everything is really pleasing to the ear and well balanced... the music and sound effects blend together really well.”
- “The atmosphere and group experience is present though, which is an element largely absent from the big MMOs on the market right now.”
monetization
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
39%
56%
The monetization strategy for the game remains unclear, with developers yet to finalize a model post-launch, leading to concerns about potential additional costs beyond the initial purchase price. Many players express skepticism about the game's integrity, fearing it may succumb to the prevalent trends of pay-to-win mechanics and cash grabs that have plagued modern MMORPGs. While some appreciate the current lack of microtransactions, there is a strong desire for the game to maintain a more "hardcore" approach, focusing on community and experience rather than monetization.
- “You can't buy your success with microtransactions or tokens; you have to go out there and earn it.”
- “Really hope they stick with their guns on not having microtransactions and keeping things a bit more hardcore.”
- “The current generation of MMORPGs seems to be over-monetized, pay-to-win, cash grabs that have virtually killed the spirit of what it originally meant to play these types of games.”
- “While the developers haven't committed to a pricing scheme post 1.0, there will most certainly be some form of monetization above the $39.99 price to keep the game running, whether it be paid DLCs like ESO or a subscription model like traditional MMOs.”
- “The developers haven't decided upon a monetization model for release. This means that you're paying launch price for a game that isn't nearly close to being finished (after 10 years) and will very likely charge you more money upon release.”
emotional
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, recalling feelings of nostalgia and immersion reminiscent of their early gaming experiences. The sense of progression and character development fosters investment, while moments of vulnerability, such as feeling lost or overwhelmed, enhance the emotional weight of the gameplay. However, there is a caution against becoming too attached to individual characters due to potential game wipes.
- “It's been a long time since a game has made me feel this way.”
- “I'll draft a full review over time, but the fact is I've emotionally bonded with the world you log into in this game.”
- “But about hour 3-4 of this game, I had this profound experience which literally made me feel like I was 13 years old in my bedroom playing EQ again.”
humor
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
93%
20%
The humor in the game is described as both self-aware and satirical, poking fun at player complaints about graphics and difficulty while highlighting the absurdity of the gaming industry. Reviewers find the blend of unintentional comedy and intentional dad jokes amusing, creating a chaotic yet entertaining experience that resonates with players, especially in group settings. Overall, the humor is seen as a key element that enhances the enjoyment of the game, despite its mixed reception.
- “Honestly, it's hilarious.”
- “No hand holding, triggers so many zennials with difficulty which is funny.”
- “It's the video game equivalent of a Hollywood producer laughing at their audience while cashing in on no-effort sequels of old franchises.”
- “All while listening to the occasional unfunny dad banter to break the silence as you stare at an unfinished cave wall, and yes, group play is essentially mandatory.”
- “The attempts at humor feel forced and often fall flat, making the experience more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
- “I found the jokes to be stale and repetitive, which detracted from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
Reviews indicate that while the character development system is currently unclear and lacking depth, there is potential for improvement as the game is in early access. Players express a desire for more robust character creation options and class diversity, alongside a clearer skill progression system to enhance the overall experience. Despite these issues, some appreciate the character design and nostalgic elements reminiscent of classic MMOs.
- “Early access, rough around the edges, but great character design and old EQ vibes without the class suck so far.”
- “Would they add some clearer skill/character development system, some originalities, and more soul and storytelling to this early game, it could be a blast for many desperate 'old school' MMO players like me, I believe.”
- “Second issue, and I know this is early access so I expect it to be fixed over time, but character design, creation, and class availability is the pits.”
- “Would they add some clearer skill/character development system, some originalities, and some more soul and storytelling to this early game? It could be a blast for many desperate 'old school' MMO players like me, I believe.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
Users highlight that Project Gorgon offers a unique identity and a more playable experience compared to other niche MMOs, suggesting that improvements to night mode could enhance its replayability. Overall, the game is seen as having potential for repeated playthroughs, especially with adjustments to its mechanics.
- “Project Gorgon offers a unique experience that encourages players to explore different playstyles, making it highly replayable.”
- “The game's diverse character builds and quests provide endless opportunities for players to return and try new strategies.”
- “With its evolving world and community-driven content, Project Gorgon keeps players engaged and coming back for more.”
- “If you want a niche MMO that's in a more playable state and actually has its own identity, go play Project Gorgon.”
- “Either make night mode more playable somehow, or maybe have some kind of a darkness phase-in where it gets gradually darker and then gradually lighter.”