This is probably the only MMO I've played in my years that has managed to keep me coming back from time to time and hold my attention enough to keep me in its charm.
But it really is a bad game. Doesn't mean I don't love it any less- but to say whether or not I'd recommend this game to anyone... I probably wouldn't. The graphics are bad. The controls are janky- optimization is horrendous. It plays like an old MMO and no amount of quality of life improvements will ever change that. While it's less grindy than it used to be that doesn't mean it doesn't come with its fair share of grind. Quests are a slog and boring to do. The only charm out of them is if the characters endear you enough that you want to listen to them and while they do endear me I can't say they would for anyone else. Most NPCs are one dimensional save the important ones tied to the Generational quests and overall narrative and even then they can be rather tropey. (Still love them though and that probably definitely is pure nostalgia talking.)
Who would I recommend this to then? Probably... someone that has a lot of time on their hands to sink into an MMO. Someone who doesn't mind whale-ing and being pay to win. (You can play free to play but you'll be at a disadvantage. Stupid, I know.) And someone who really likes lore and world building and design. (Because, really, the world is where this MMO shines. Unlike most MMOs where the setting is generic fantasy- this game takes a lot of inspiration from Celtic mythology and it makes for a refreshing setting. The story also has its charm if you bother to pay attention to it.)
This game also has something that most MMOs at least from what I've seen don't have and that's slice of life elements. It's... honestly really cozy! I love just running around collecting wheat in a field with my sickle and standing by a campfire to cook some food. You can even play music in this game. (Yes, I'm looking at you all of you Megalovania freaks. You can play that in this game to your heart's content)
All in all this game is a breath of fresh air in the oversaturated market that's MMOs and it definitely stands as something that is different and unique. But whether or not you'll like it may depend on what you're hoping to get out of it. As someone who enjoys the world, the story, the cozy vibes- it's great! But the way it plays can be a bit frustrating.
With the new Mabinogi Mobile coming out I can only hope more people can fall in love with this world with that new fresh coat of paint on its shoulders. It'll be mobile gamey I'm sure- and mobile games aren't for everyone- but I think it'll have its charm and place in the Mabinogi IP and it'll be good for the franchise as a whole. I can't wait.
But it really is a bad game. Doesn't mean I don't love it any less- but to say whether or not I'd recommend this game to anyone... I probably wouldn't. The graphics are bad. The controls are janky- optimization is horrendous. It plays like an old MMO and no amount of quality of life improvements will ever change that. While it's less grindy than it used to be that doesn't mean it doesn't come with its fair share of grind. Quests are a slog and boring to do. The only charm out of them is if the characters endear you enough that you want to listen to them and while they do endear me I can't say they would for anyone else. Most NPCs are one dimensional save the important ones tied to the Generational quests and overall narrative and even then they can be rather tropey. (Still love them though and that probably definitely is pure nostalgia talking.)
Who would I recommend this to then? Probably... someone that has a lot of time on their hands to sink into an MMO. Someone who doesn't mind whale-ing and being pay to win. (You can play free to play but you'll be at a disadvantage. Stupid, I know.) And someone who really likes lore and world building and design. (Because, really, the world is where this MMO shines. Unlike most MMOs where the setting is generic fantasy- this game takes a lot of inspiration from Celtic mythology and it makes for a refreshing setting. The story also has its charm if you bother to pay attention to it.)
This game also has something that most MMOs at least from what I've seen don't have and that's slice of life elements. It's... honestly really cozy! I love just running around collecting wheat in a field with my sickle and standing by a campfire to cook some food. You can even play music in this game. (Yes, I'm looking at you all of you Megalovania freaks. You can play that in this game to your heart's content)
All in all this game is a breath of fresh air in the oversaturated market that's MMOs and it definitely stands as something that is different and unique. But whether or not you'll like it may depend on what you're hoping to get out of it. As someone who enjoys the world, the story, the cozy vibes- it's great! But the way it plays can be a bit frustrating.
With the new Mabinogi Mobile coming out I can only hope more people can fall in love with this world with that new fresh coat of paint on its shoulders. It'll be mobile gamey I'm sure- and mobile games aren't for everyone- but I think it'll have its charm and place in the Mabinogi IP and it'll be good for the franchise as a whole. I can't wait.