Tag: Sword of Justice

  • Free-to-Play MMO with Memory NPCs Tops Steam Before Launch

    Free-to-Play MMO with Memory NPCs Tops Steam Before Launch

    Key Takeaways

    1. Dynamic NPC System: Characters remember player actions, influencing future interactions, such as discounts or bans based on reputation.

    2. Player Freedom in Combat: Players can customize their combat styles with hundreds of skills, promoting unique builds and quick, tactical gameplay.

    3. Cross-Platform Availability: The game is accessible on PC, Android, and iOS, featuring cross-play, ray tracing support, and synchronized saves.

    4. Mobile Influence on UI: The user interface, particularly in the PC version, shows signs of its mobile origins, leading to some awkwardness in design.

    5. No Pay-to-Win Elements: Developers emphasize a fair play experience without pay-to-win mechanics, though long-term player engagement remains uncertain.


    Sword of Justice was made by the Chinese team ZhuRong and is inspired by the book of the same name from author Wen Ruian. Initially created by NetEase Games, the goal of this project is to recreate the classic MMO experience without any pay-to-win elements – at least that’s what the developers say.

    A World of Conflict

    In this MMO, players find themselves in a realm filled with battles and secrets, heavily influenced by Chinese myths. One of its remarkable aspects is the dynamic NPC system, where characters remember players’ actions and react in response. If you aid a merchant during an attack, he may later recognize you by name and offer you a discount. Entire communities react similarly: if you misbehave often, you might be banned from certain houses or even get attacked by guards, while building a good reputation can open up new storylines. This memory-based interaction system is a defining quality of the game and a significant reason for its increasing popularity, especially in China.

    Emphasizing Player Freedom

    Sword of Justice focuses heavily on giving players freedom in how they fight. Instead of sticking to traditional MMO classes or set roles, players can fully tailor their combat style. With hundreds of skills available, the game promotes tactical and unique builds. Combat is quick, emphasizing parries and precise timing. Rather than using a tab-targeting system, the developers chose a more dynamic style, reminiscent of what gamers may find in New World or Black Desert Online.

    Cross-Platform Availability

    Besides being on PC, Sword of Justice will also be available on Android and iOS. On the technical front, this MMORPG shines with its cross-play capabilities, ray tracing support, and synchronized saves across different platforms. However, its mobile origins are particularly evident in the user interface. Players have mentioned that the UI in the PC version can feel a bit awkward and seems specifically designed for touchscreen interaction – an area that still needs some work.

    Even though Sword of Justice will officially release on November 7, players can already start preloading the game and create their characters. This early access has propelled it to the top of Steam’s “Free and Trending” section, earning an impressive average rating of 86% from over 150 reviews. The developers keep stressing that there are no pay-to-win mechanics – but whether the MMO can keep players engaged over time is yet to be determined. The servers are set to launch on November 7 at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.

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