Throne and Liberty Game Review
The global release of Throne and Liberty has become one of the most anticipated releases in 2024. You bet - it is the largest MMORPG in the world from the largest Korean publisher NCSoft. In addition, it has long been considered the heir to the famous Lineage series. Were expectations justified?
About the world and the plot
Indeed, originally Throne and Liberty was developed as a sequel to the first Lineage (or "Lineage", as it was affectionately called in Russia) and was called Lineage Eternal. It was developed on such an advanced engine for those times that some former employees of NCSoft, leaving the company, stole it and used it to create another MMORPG - there was a scandal and a trial. The project was officially announced back in 2011, but then the release was postponed many times, and the concept itself was thoroughly overhauled. The first closed beta test was held in 2016 in South Korea. But a year later NCSoft renamed the game to Project TL, and in 2022 it became known that the game changed its name to Throne and Liberty and ceased to be part of the Lineage universe.
As a result, we got a game in a completely new setting, namely the action of Throne and Liberty is set in the world of Solisium (this is such a planet), where live a variety of races, including humans, orcs and elves. Naturally, there are periodic large-scale wars and an ancient evil known as Kazar, the Ghost of Conquest, who threatens the entire world. At the time of the War of the Old Gods, attempts were made to seal this evil with the Star of Silaves magical stone. But they failed - moreover, the stone was destroyed and its shards scattered all over the planet. The game directly tells about the battles for these very shards because they have great power and can stop the ruthless armies of Kazar.
As a result, we got a game in a completely new setting, namely the action of Throne and Liberty is set in the world of Solisium (this is such a planet), where live a variety of races, including humans, orcs and elves. Naturally, there are periodic large-scale wars and an ancient evil known as Kazar, the Ghost of Conquest, who threatens the entire world. At the time of the War of the Old Gods, attempts were made to seal this evil with the Star of Silaves magical stone. But they failed - moreover, the stone was destroyed and its shards scattered all over the planet. The game directly tells about the battles for these very shards because they have great power and can stop the ruthless armies of Kazar.
Numerous story quests sequentially lead the player through the main events, showing the connection between the past, present and future and accompanying it all with epic cut-scenes and clips. And even in such quests you can see echoes of the central story. That said, the quests don't focus only on battles. We see how humans, having thrown away their long-standing enmity with elves, learn magic from them, while orcs continue to wage aggressive wars. We join the guild "Order of the Swan" and together with allies from it develop a strategy to defeat the competitors.
And, of course, we get acquainted with colorful characters, learning their complicated and dramatic stories. Among them we can highlight Gerad Burnell, a skilled dragon hunter, who after losing all his comrades joined the "Order of the Swan", Roen Aron, who founded the guild after her father was killed by Revil - the illegitimate son of the Lupius family, hungry for power. And she is opposed by Kalanthia, who suffered a lot from her adoptive parents, and then met Revil - he became like a father to her. It should be said that the authors seriously approached to work out the lore, the history of this world. They published a novel about it, and also launched a single-player game known as Project E - its action unfolds in the same universe.
And, of course, we get acquainted with colorful characters, learning their complicated and dramatic stories. Among them we can highlight Gerad Burnell, a skilled dragon hunter, who after losing all his comrades joined the "Order of the Swan", Roen Aron, who founded the guild after her father was killed by Revil - the illegitimate son of the Lupius family, hungry for power. And she is opposed by Kalanthia, who suffered a lot from her adoptive parents, and then met Revil - he became like a father to her. It should be said that the authors seriously approached to work out the lore, the history of this world. They published a novel about it, and also launched a single-player game known as Project E - its action unfolds in the same universe.
About modes and activities
Naturally, as in any big MMORPG, Throne and Liberty is full of other quests, classes and activities besides the story ones. There are numerous side quests mainly for collecting/finding things or killing mobs - some of which are burdened with special conditions, when, for example, we need to kill mandrakes during rain. There are collectible quests to collect notes and books. From the 20th level, a system of daily contracts is opened, focused exclusively on the destruction of various enemies - by killing a certain number of mobs, they can be completed at once and get the main reward and a random item from the list of additional rewards.
There are all sorts of PvE events and events - for example, wolf hunting, which is characterized by the fact that you need to manage to pass wolf tails in the allotted time in the available camps, which gradually close one after another. In general, there are a lot of events tied to the collection and delivery of certain resources - for example, stardust, moon scales and so on. But at the same time they are often played in an interesting way - some need to be given to certain merchants, others need to be laid at monuments at the right time, and we do not know at which monuments it should be done next time and guess by various hints. Another important event, Taedal's Tower, is a sequential battle with different bosses in single-player mode.
There are all sorts of PvE events and events - for example, wolf hunting, which is characterized by the fact that you need to manage to pass wolf tails in the allotted time in the available camps, which gradually close one after another. In general, there are a lot of events tied to the collection and delivery of certain resources - for example, stardust, moon scales and so on. But at the same time they are often played in an interesting way - some need to be given to certain merchants, others need to be laid at monuments at the right time, and we do not know at which monuments it should be done next time and guess by various hints. Another important event, Taedal's Tower, is a sequential battle with different bosses in single-player mode.
Well, and, of course, in Throne and Liberty there are world bosses and dungeons. The latter are divided into regular dungeons and those designed for endgame, i.e. they are more difficult. In addition, some dungeons are in the open world - while exploring it, you can come across such a dungeon and go down there to complete a number of quests and at the end kill a boss or several of them at once. Others only open up at certain times or as the story progresses. And there are also hidden dungeons, designed for solo playthrough - mostly towers, where on each floor you need to defeat a certain boss. Naturally, the higher you climb, the better reward you get.
However, most of the dungeons are designed to be played in a group. And if it will be a random, poorly coordinated group, the bosses will not be easy. Well, and in principle in Throne and Liberty it is better to make friends as soon as possible, join a clan or some guild. All the more so because it gives tangible bonuses, including clan abilities, special tasks and rewards. Each guild on the second level gets its own base with useful non-player characters, where there is also an exit to guild bosses - from them you can regularly get valuable rewards.
However, most of the dungeons are designed to be played in a group. And if it will be a random, poorly coordinated group, the bosses will not be easy. Well, and in principle in Throne and Liberty it is better to make friends as soon as possible, join a clan or some guild. All the more so because it gives tangible bonuses, including clan abilities, special tasks and rewards. Each guild on the second level gets its own base with useful non-player characters, where there is also an exit to guild bosses - from them you can regularly get valuable rewards.
But the main plus is, of course, the opportunity to participate in large-scale battles between players. In the game there are battles for territories between guilds to get taxes and other bonuses from captured locations. There are extremely epic sieges of the castle, in which thousands of players participate at the same time - in them often fight not guilds, but entire alliances. In addition, guilds can participate in a local version of the "capture the flag" mode, but instead of a flag you need to capture and hold special points called Riftsone and Boonstone - each gives the guild bonuses to characteristics, resources and experience.
There are also some fun events - for example, during the "Tax Delivery" event, the guild or alliance that owns the castle chooses one unfortunate player who turns into a tax-delivery golem and is sent from the village to Stoneguard Castle. The castle's alliance tries to protect the golem from the rest of the players on the server, which can be thousands. In general, PvP battles in the game are given a lot of attention. At the same time, in some locations and events you will not get penalties for killing other players. In addition to large-scale PvP-activities, there are also arenas for duels - both urban, located in the open world, and guild arenas.
There are also some fun events - for example, during the "Tax Delivery" event, the guild or alliance that owns the castle chooses one unfortunate player who turns into a tax-delivery golem and is sent from the village to Stoneguard Castle. The castle's alliance tries to protect the golem from the rest of the players on the server, which can be thousands. In general, PvP battles in the game are given a lot of attention. At the same time, in some locations and events you will not get penalties for killing other players. In addition to large-scale PvP-activities, there are also arenas for duels - both urban, located in the open world, and guild arenas.
How does it play?
In addition to vivid story events, plenty of modes and all sorts of activities, Throne and Liberty attracts with its gorgeous graphics - it is definitely the most beautiful MMORPG in the world right now. And the largest - in the Korean version there were cases when almost 3 thousand people participated in sieges at the same time. Moreover, the game did not slow down - with all the scale and beauty it is perfectly optimized.
In general, sieges are one of the brightest impressions of Throne and Liberty. In such battles you can use huge golems or even fly on a giant whale to bypass the castle defense from above. Or, on the contrary, you can quietly sneak through the sewers - the main thing is that it doesn't flood because of rain.
Yes, in this large and insanely beautiful open world, where such large-scale events take place, the terrain and weather can change dynamically. And it directly affects gameplay. So, archers get a bonus to damage if they shoot into the wind, and, on the contrary, when they attack against the wind, they are penalized. In sunny weather magical lightning strikes only one enemy, but during rain they jump to several wet targets. Well, and as you have already realized, rain can flood one of the passages during a siege or open a new one.
In general, sieges are one of the brightest impressions of Throne and Liberty. In such battles you can use huge golems or even fly on a giant whale to bypass the castle defense from above. Or, on the contrary, you can quietly sneak through the sewers - the main thing is that it doesn't flood because of rain.
Yes, in this large and insanely beautiful open world, where such large-scale events take place, the terrain and weather can change dynamically. And it directly affects gameplay. So, archers get a bonus to damage if they shoot into the wind, and, on the contrary, when they attack against the wind, they are penalized. In sunny weather magical lightning strikes only one enemy, but during rain they jump to several wet targets. Well, and as you have already realized, rain can flood one of the passages during a siege or open a new one.
The targeting combat system is a bit frustrating, of course - now static fights, in which you have to choose a target, and the character attacks only when standing, are considered outdated. But this is partially compensated by the spectacular fights, rather high dynamics and the ability to use two types of weapons at once. The thing is that in Throne and Liberty there is a classless system - and your specific role, as well as your combat technique depends on the weapon you use. There are paired daggers, a one-handed sword that can be used with a shield, a two-handed sword, a bow, paired crossbows, a staff and a wand, and soon there will be a spear. So, the character can simultaneously use two weapons, switching between them right during the battle. And even a conventional warrior is free to take a staff or a bow, and vice versa.
Accordingly, in the role-playing system a lot is tied to the pumping of weapons, each of which is tied to three skill trees. Fighting with a certain weapon, we gradually increase the level of skill in handling it. Also weapons, as well as all equipment (and it consists of 12 elements) can be crafted, and also improved with the help of advanced sharpening system, in which it is almost impossible to break the object - all these are also unconditional pluses of the game.
Accordingly, in the role-playing system a lot is tied to the pumping of weapons, each of which is tied to three skill trees. Fighting with a certain weapon, we gradually increase the level of skill in handling it. Also weapons, as well as all equipment (and it consists of 12 elements) can be crafted, and also improved with the help of advanced sharpening system, in which it is almost impossible to break the object - all these are also unconditional pluses of the game.
Another important feature of Throne and Liberty is the ability to transform into an animal at any time to move around the world faster. In essence - it's an analog of maunts, but more versatile and interesting. On land we transform into a wolf, in water - into an otter, and in the air into a bird. Each form is pumpable, and, in addition, you can change skins that affect only the type of animal.
Another thing is that almost all activities here are strictly scheduled, which is why it's important to keep track of them. This has both advantages (if you come on time, you won't accidentally miss anything) and disadvantages - the strict schedule and the impossibility to get access to one or another content at any time, of course, slow down and complicate grind and farming. But on the third hand, it has a better effect on balance.
Another thing is that almost all activities here are strictly scheduled, which is why it's important to keep track of them. This has both advantages (if you come on time, you won't accidentally miss anything) and disadvantages - the strict schedule and the impossibility to get access to one or another content at any time, of course, slow down and complicate grind and farming. But on the third hand, it has a better effect on balance.
Speaking of balance. Unlike the Korean version, the global version doesn't have such a donation and the possibility to buy some frankly cheater ulta-weapons or equipment for real money. Of course, microtransactions haven't gone anywhere, you can, for example, buy various combat passes for money, but they don't affect the balance so much anymore.
Conclusion
Perhaps Throne and Liberty did not live up to the expectations of some critics and journalists, who expected some kind of revolution in the genre. But in the end we got simply the most beautiful and large-scale MMORPG for today with a lot of modes, dynamic open world and a number of unique features. And it looks quite enough reason to get acquainted with the game.
Zarium. February 2025
Zarium. February 2025