Online epic action RPG ArcheAge Chronicles announced

During PlayStation's State of Play, XLGAMES and Kakao Games revealed ArcheAge Chronicles, an epic online action RPG set to release on consoles and PC in 2025. Previously, ArcheAge Chronicles was known as ArcheAge 2 and was supposed to be the direct sequel to the original ArcheAge, an MMORPG launched in Korea in 2013 and later in Europe and North America in 2014.

ArcheAge Chronicles reflects the evolved vision of the MMORPG ArcheAge while maintaining an online action RPG style. However, it doesn't appear to be a massive online RPG involving thousands of players but a set of them in a private room. ArcheAge Chronicles combines a rich, expansive, and persistent world with thrilling elements and an immersive story packed with grandiose cutscenes, all viewed from the player's perspective.

ArcheAge Chronicles Announcement Trailer

According to the trailer, the world of ArcheAge Chronicles is set in Auroria, The Land of Opportunity, after a period when humans almost ruined the world. However, humanity has been given a second chance and must prove itself. The preview shows a bit of the game's gameplay, which appears to be a more paced action game like God of War Ragnarök rather than the frantic style of a hack-and-slash. If our eyes weren't deceiving us, we could see up to six players fighting a monster, suggesting crowded online battles, though not like a traditional MMORPG.

The main character seems to be exclusively human but with different statures. One resembles a barbarian, wielding an axe and shield to deliver heavy blows. Another is a woman with lighter movements and dual-wielding axes while dodging enemy attacks. The next character looks similar to an Assassin's Creed protagonist as they wield a longsword. Finally, the last preview is a woman using firearms to keep her distance from combat while shooting at a lightning-wielding monster.

Jake Song, CEO of XLGAMES, expressed his excitement about the upcoming title:

"We're incredibly excited to unveil ArcheAge Chronicles to the world," said Jake Song, CEO of XLGAMES. "This new title represents our vision of combining the expansive and immersive elements of an MMO with the dynamic and engaging gameplay of an online action RPG. We can't wait for players to experience the next chapter of the ArcheAge universe."

ArcheAge Chronicles will be released for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC via the Epic Games Store and Steam in 2025, though an exact date has yet to be confirmed.