Throne and Liberty Review (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S & PC)

Throne and Liberty is a rare big-name joining the MMORPG world, something we don’t often see these days. With its ambitious world-building and innovative mechanics, it’s already turning heads as one of 2024’s most intriguing new releases. But beyond the buzz, does it actually deliver a fresh experience in a genre dominated by long-standing favorites? Or is it just another MMO trying to stand out? Let’s jump right into the Throne and Liberty review to see if it truly deserves a spot on your must-play list.

A Hero’s Journey With a Twist

The game’s story feels familiar, though not groundbreaking. It’s your typical fantasy narrative of heroes battling an evil force. However, where many MMOs fail to keep players engaged with endless dialogue, Throne and Liberty keeps it interesting. The story is fully voiced and accompanied by impressive cutscenes. Before you know it, you’re hooked, invested in the fate of the world you’re playing in.

Throne and Liberty begins in a familiar setup: where you are a hero on a quest to defeat an ancient evil. While this may seem like a standard fantasy adventure, the game introduces some unique twists. Instead of choosing from various races or classes, you start as a human. Sounds odd for a fantasy game full of mythical creatures, right? Conversely, the game perfectly blends it into the story’s focus on the human perspective, making you a central figure in a larger conflict.

Another twist is it’s classless system. You won’t be limited to a specific role, which in turn gives you freedom to build your character in any way you discern. As you progress, the game’s story unfolds through the fully voiced cutscenes and dramatic battles.

What sets Throne and Liberty apart is its combination of single-player storytelling with multiplayer events. Even while following a single hero’s path, the game’s events evolve in a manner to involve more players. Ultimately, this balance between personal and shared experiences offers a unique vibe.

Additionally, there are side quests and moral decisions that further immerse you in the game world. These elements ensure the story feels dynamic and interactive, making it more than just another generic hero’s journey. Throne and Liberty offers a fresh take on the traditional fantasy quest with its blend of narrative freedom and large-scale world events.

The Power of Beauty

Designing your character is a rewarding experience. It offers a variety of customization options that really stand out in the game’s cutscenes. Now, here is the coolest part. Your hair color in the game influences the fur color of your mount of wolf companion. This feature goes beyond just cosmetics, subtly affecting gameplay in a fun and engaging way. 

Here’s how it works: your character’s hair color will determine specific traits or abilities of your mount or wolf companion. For example, players with darker hair shades might find that their wolf has enhanced strength or endurance. On the other hand, lighter hair colors might grant the companion improved speed or agility. This creates an interesting dynamic where players can experiment with different looks to find a mount that complements their play style.

In addition to the stat changes, this feature enhances the connection between the player and their companion. It’s not just a standard mount; you can influence its abilities through your character’s appearance. Notably, it makes your wolf or mounts feel like a true extension of your character. It’s a fantastic way of blending aesthetics with functionality, allowing players to express themselves both visually and through gameplay.

Do It Your Way

One of the best features in Throne and Liberty is the combat and progression freedom it gives players . Unlike most MMORPGs, you aren’t stuck in a fixed class or role. The game offers a  classless system that lets you mix and match weapons and skills. This opens the door to endless customization, allowing you to create a play style that’s truly your own.

Want to swing a massive greatsword while healing with a staff? Go ahead. Do you prefer combining a bow with dagger abilities? Nothing’s stopping you. The game encourages you to experiment. You can try different weapon combos and skill builds. Each weapon comes with its own unique set of skills, which you can upgrade as you level up. 

Additionally, your class isn’t fixed. Instead, it depends on the weapon you equip. This means you can switch up your playstyle without needing to create multiple characters. Want to try out different roles? Just swap your weapon. Each character can equip two weapons. One main and one offhand. You can swap between them during combat. This flexibility lets you experiment with different builds and find a playstyle that suits you. 

Flying Whales

A sprawling open world needs equally grand events, and Throne and Liberty delivers. Every hour, new zone events spring up, offering players opportunities to team up and earn big rewards. From gathering challenges to resource-collecting competitions, these events keep the game’s world super engaging.

One of the most memorable events features a gigantic flying whale. Yes, you read that right. Players can leap onto its back, mining rare resources as it soars across the sky. It’s a fun addition that adds some flair to the game’s world. These dynamic events are a refreshing break from the usual grind, making the game satisfying.

That said, the game leans heavily toward PvP content. This is a huge selling point for those who enjoy large-scale battles and guild warfare. However, if massive PvP battles aren’t your cup of tea, the endgame may feel a bit lacking. There’s a noticeable gap in smaller, more focused endgame activities that cater to solo players or small groups.

The Price of Power

No modern MMO escapes the question: is it pay-to-win? In Throne and Liberty, the answer is, unfortunately, yes. The game features a cash shop and a premium currency system that gives paying players an edge, especially in the late game.

While cosmetic items and battle passes are common in most free-to-play games, Throne and Liberty goes a step further. It allows players to buy crafting materials and gear upgrades. This can be concerning in a game that emphasizes PvP. 

If a player spends money to purchase better gear or materials, they can easily gain an advantage over those who choose not to spend. It’s one thing to spend on cosmetics, but when endgame progression becomes dependent on premium currency, the balance starts to tip.

Additionally, the auction house operates with real money as currency. That means powerful items can be bought directly, further deepening the pay-to-win concerns. Though there are ways to earn premium currency through gameplay, the grind is slow. Players who spend real money will undoubtedly progress faster, especially in a competitive PvP environment.

For those who are competitive or focused on PvP, the pay-to-win aspect may feel frustrating. However, if you’re a casual player who’s more interested in the story, it’s possible to enjoy Throne and Liberty without spending. But, if you’re aiming to be at the top, prepare your wallet.

Traveling with Style

One of the most exciting features of Throne and Liberty is its unique travel system, where players can transform into animals to navigate the world. This isn’t your standard mount system. It’s a morph mechanic that lets you adapt to the environment, making travel both functional and fun.

On land, you can morph into a fast-moving creature like a wolf or a cat, speeding through the landscape with ease. Need to scale a mountain or jump from a cliff? No problem; transform into a bird and glide gracefully through the skies. And if you find yourself in water, you can morph into a swimming creature, like an otter or a turtle, to traverse rivers and oceans quickly.

The best thing about this system is the seamless transition. You can switch forms instantly depending on where you are, making exploration feel fluid. There’s no waiting for a mount or teleport; just morph and go. In addition to morphing, instant teleportation is also available, allowing you to click anywhere on the map and transport there in seconds. 

Verdict

Now, should you play Throne and Liberty? It depends on what you’re looking for in an MMO. If you’re after a gorgeous, vast world filled with adventure, this game is absolutely worth your time. It’s free-to-play, visually stunning, and offers hours of fun, especially for those who enjoy mixing and matching weapon skills.

But if the idea of a classless system or the pay-to-win aspects turns you off, you might want to tread carefully. This isn’t a perfect game, and the endgame, in particular, lacks the depth and variety found in more polished MMOs. For those with a competitive streak, the PvP events and large-scale battles might be enough to keep you hooked. On the contrary, the cash shop might sour the experience for others.

All things considered, Throne and Liberty is a solid addition to the MMO world but with room to grow. It’s the type of game that will appeal to certain players while leaving others scratching their heads. But hey, that’s the MMO world for you. There’s something for everyone, right?