Undeniably, the introduction of browser-based MMORPGs has dramatically transformed the gaming landscape. It has enabled games that were once known for their depth and inherent complexity to be distilled into simplified versions. These simplified variants are readily accessible and less intimidating, particularly for individuals new to the world of Role-Playing Games (RPGs).
The game Sao’s Legend perfectly encapsulates this new simplified approach, seamlessly bridging the gap between hardcore gamers and casual players alike. Its design aims to cater to an extensive and diverse audience, retreating from the conventional MMORPG model of overwhelming screens littered with complex stats and equipment details.
The Game World of Sao’s Legend
Sao’s Legend is drawn from a popular Japanese anime and successfully captivates the essence of certain situations and settings from its source material. The original anime’s plot juggled between the real and the virtual world of the MMORPG, an interesting concept in itself. However, in Sao’s Legend, this intriguing narrative takes a backseat. The game’s story is limited to a few lines of dialogue, often overlooked by the players.
As soon as the game starts, players can dive right into the action. After making the obligatory choice of class, you are immediately thrust into the game world.
Characters and Customization
Sao’s Legend offers a choice between four character classes: The Swordsman, The Ranger, The Priest, and The Knight. However, each class is tied to a specific gender and denies any room for player-led customization. Once a player selects a character, they are stuck with the default look.
This lack of customization may lead to instances where players find themselves in a game world full of identical characters.
Gameplay Mechanism and Combat
Once immersed in the world of Sao’s Legend, players quickly notice the game’s high degree of automation, a characteristic common to most browser-based MMORPGs. The game employs auto-pathfinding, where the character autonomously navigates to the next point of interest to progress in the main questline. This can lead players to hope for more control during combat scenarios, similar to what is offered in games like League of Angels 2.
However, Sao’s Legend developers had different ideas. The automation extends to the combat phases as well, turning them into a sort of on-rails safari. Unlike in other games, encountering an enemy in Sao’s Legend doesn’t teleport one to a special field for a battle, rather the combat takes place within the game map itself.
This non-disruptive action could potentially keep players engaged, offering smooth and fluid progression. On the downside, it could make players feel their role is more supervisory than hands-on, reducing their significance in the game’s economy.
Moreover, the absence of a dedicated battleground results in a crowded game map, as all monsters that need to be dealt with are visible at once, overlapping each other. This could lead to a visually cluttered and chaotic battlefield.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Sao’s Legend ushers in a new era of browser-based MMORPGs with its simplified gameplay, striking aesthetics, and user-friendly interface. Despite its shortcomings in customization and high automation, it beautifully caters to an audience looking for a fast-paced, casual gaming experience. Although it may not satisfy players seeking complexity and strategic depth, it undoubtedly stands as an entertaining pastime for those desiring quick, easily accessible gaming sessions. This game indeed represents how MMORPGs have evolved to broaden their accessibility, without sacrificing the essential elements that make these games enjoyable.