Three years. This is the time that any fan of the hack'slash genre will have had to wait before taking full advantage of this MMO UFO in the West. free-to-play what is Lost Ark. After a very convincing first contact during the closed beta, we had the opportunity to return to Arkesia on a special server to see if the trial is definitely transformed. Was the search for the Lost Ark really worth the long wait? Join us on this unique isometric view adventure to find out!
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See PriceRead ConclusionLost Ark
- Fun and spectacular hack'n slash gameplay
- Interesting story with epic flashes
- Many and varied activities
- Superb art direction...
- ... but which technically shows its age
- Sometimes redundant leveling phase
- Definitely very time consuming
- To be competitive, you have to take out the credit card
The most impatient had already been able to try out the game on the Korean or Russian servers, provided of course that they tolerate uncomfortable latency and know these two languages. On February 11, these problems will be a thing of the past thanks to a version specially dedicated to Western audiences. It also has the good taste to integrate all the elements already present since the release of the MMO for hours and hours of play in perspective. Welcome to Arkesia!
Test carried out on a specially dedicated private test server. The European version of Lost Ark will include nine servers at launch. To help you see more clearly, we have prepared in advance a mini-guide to choose the right server. You will be ready to embark on the adventure on February 11 on PC (via Steam)
Lost Arkesia'n slash
Lost Ark therefore places its story in Arkesia, a land as beautiful as it is enchanting, but within which a dark threat lurks. The demons have indeed found a way to pierce the veil between dimensions, threatening this peaceful world with destruction. To prevent this, our character who has distinguished himself by his martial prowess must rebuild the Ark, the only bulwark against the demonic invasion. The pawns for an epic adventure are thus placed on the chessboard.
Once the server has been chosen, the first step in any self-respecting MMO is to choose a class. Lost Ark is particularly generous in this area, with five classes, some of which vary depending on whether the character is male or female. You will have the choice between Warrior, Mage, Martialist, Sniper or Assassin. Like any Korean MMO worthy of the name, the character creator is very comprehensive in order to create divinely beautiful avatars (especially for female characters… you know what it's like with Asian MMOs…).
Note that each class offers two to three specializations when reaching level 10, which radically change the gameplay. Whether it's skills or even its "Signature", each specialization is unique, so much so that we want to try them all, even if it means creating a "reroll" to do so.
Smilegate has also thought about this perspective: when one of our characters reaches the maximum level, it will be possible to raise another character to his level with adequate equipment. A great way to avoid a sometimes quite redundant leveling phase, which we will come back to.
Without going overboard, the hack'n slash gameplay of Lost Ark is in itself an element that quite simply seduced us. The fights are among the most nervous and dynamic of the genre, with dantesque visual effects to complete the picture.
In addition to the fights, the skill table is a jewel of theorycrafting allowing you to really build your character according to your desires, thanks to a system of points to be awarded. You can also redistribute the points invested at any time to try different combinations, making the exercise particularly rewarding and complete.
Speaking of visual effects, we can't help but notice that Lost Ark is showing its age, technically speaking. The title was indeed released in Alpha version in Korea five years ago, and we notice it on textures from another time. Fortunately, the artistic direction largely overcomes this pitfall, with superb sets accompanied by a soundtrack that is certainly not to be outdone.
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The Raiders of the Lost Ark
All this is well and good you will tell us, but what about the progression in Lost Ark? Before tackling the endgame, you must of course go through a long leveling phase. On this point, the title of Smilegate blows hot and cold. Basically, you will have to advance in different areas and complete quests typical of Korean MMOs in a row. Kill X wolves, pick up such an object to drop it further and so on, constitute the heart of the progression. The first levels will also be extremely interventionist, asking us to move stupidly in a straight line from zone to zone. Fortunately, we can count on a faithful mount to accelerate our journey.
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Fortunately, the main quest allows several flashes at certain key moments. In particular, there are no light puzzle phases, moral choices that will have a more or less pronounced impact in the future, or even truly epic passages conducive to a final that we did not necessarily expect, in particular thanks to bosses who know provide the show. Just for these elements, the sometimes quite redundant leveling phase is well worth the detour.
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As we progress, we will also be confronted with different activities intrinsic to MMOs, and more specifically Korean ones. We can for example cite the collection of objects scattered in each part of the world, an affinity system with certain key characters allowing you to obtain rewards, and many others.
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As for crafts, Lost Ark offers a rather nice system that allows us to do any job without having to choose a specialization. Each profession even allows itself to have its own mini-game in order to make the activity as interactive as possible. To progress in each profession, however, it will take (a lot) of time. An activity that is therefore not for everyone.
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Lost Ark also introduces a sort of gacha-inspired system in the form of trading cards. These bring us bonuses depending on the combinations used in a deck. But getting them naturally will be extremely tedious and random. A move to the in-game store is possible, but unfortunately that will only remove the tedious aspect of this card collection. We will come back to this later.
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To finish on the progression, each pivotal and truly epic passage of the story will introduce us to new activities rather well thought out bringing a welcome variety to the leveling phase. The housing that has become a norm in most MMOs will thus be unlocked around level 30, allowing us to create our own haven of peace and commerce. Again, we will have to spend a lot of time so that our island is as stylishly decorated as it is beneficial for the development of our character.
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Around level 40, we will have the opportunity to deviate a little from the command trajectory of the first levels by unlocking the functionality to lead a fleet. Composed of a single boat at the start allowing us to sail through the vast world of Arkesia, this part of the game will eventually evolve greatly. As with housing, however, it will take a lot of time before you have an efficient and profitable fleet. Still, this breath of fresh air is very welcome and really allows us to enjoy the wonders that Lost Ark contains.
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Arkesia : Endgame
Once past the somewhat soporific leveling phase, but fortunately animated by spectacular fights and passages which are just as spectacular, we finally arrive at the maximum level, set at 50. It is then that the heart of any MMO and hack 'n slash crystallizes. And again, Smilegate has a lot to offer us.
Starting with the famous raids inherent in any self-respecting MMO. These fall into several categories. First we have daily raids for a group of four, with different difficulty modes, always promising more rewards. Then we have the weekly raids with groups of four, eight or sixteen players. These also offer several difficulty modes and will require coordination that you will logically only find in a guild. As you will have understood, raids are the ultimate test that will put your talent, your build and your group to the test in a truly epic way.
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There's also Chaotic Dungeons, asking you to hold out with your party of three heroes for as long as possible against endless waves of enemies. These dungeons really allow you to take full advantage of the hack'n slash gameplay of Lost Ark. If this game mode is necessarily quite repetitive, the dynamism of the fights largely saves the deal.
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As for classic PvP, this will be unlocked at level 30 and will put you in three-on-three arena battles. If you swear by this activity, know that it is not necessary to have the best equipment in the world, since all participants are placed on equal terms. The only difference will therefore be your mastery of your class and your skills. These will also see their operation differ slightly in PvP. This activity is thus intended to be particularly refreshing in a hack'n slash genre which has not had it for a few years and will be able to fill you up for hours.
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Aura Cristalline: does it really flow naturally?
You are probably aware that many Korean free-to-play MMOs adopt a fairly predatory economic model. The question therefore arises as to the quality of that of Lost Ark. On this point, Smilegate has done its best to offer a relatively correct system for the Western audience to which this version is addressed, even if everything is not perfect.
First, we have the Crystalline Aura, which more or less serves as a subscription system. This basically saves time for many activities. However, those looking to be competitive in Lost Ark will inevitably have to go through this stage.
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Another element that the Crystalline Aura unlocks: abilities otherwise inaccessible to our pet. In its free version, it still offers some advantages such as passive health regeneration or automatic pick-up of objects. To take full advantage of it, however, you will have to go through the subscription box.
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As for the in-game store, it mainly offers cosmetic items, but also some slightly pay-to-win items such as packs of trading cards whose obtaining is purely random, or even mounts with abilities specials. In short, the economic model of Lost Ark is therefore what one could call a pay-to-fast. However, if you plan to play the game at your own pace and the competition does not interest you, it is quite possible to do without it.
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Lost Ark : l'avis de JVFR
If Lost Ark remains at its heart a fairly classic Korean MMO, it stands out from the competition thanks to a superbly well transcribed hack'n slash gameplay which offers dantesque fights which we will especially enjoy in the endgame. The leveling phase is indeed not the most thrilling, even if it allows for very significant epic flashes.
Anyway, there is no risk of getting bored in Arkesia thanks to activities as numerous as they are varied, both for PvE and for PvP. The economic model is also intended to be fairly fair, even if it will be necessary to draw the bank card if one wishes to remain competitive.
In the end, the only real major flaw of Lost Ark is to be released in February. A month particularly loaded with highly anticipated releases, which inevitably risk overshadowing it. Luckily, Smilegate's smashing hack'n slash MMO will be waiting for you in the weeks and months to come if you have the time and demons to slay, thanks to its truly godlike gameplay.
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We had to be patient, but Lost Ark has finally arrived in the West, and the free-to-play experience is generally living up to expectations! The marriage between MMO and hack'n slash is a brilliant success that will keep you busy for hours with endlessly renewed pleasure and epic inspiration. Provided, of course, that you have plenty of time, or that you are ready to draw the bank card to remain competitive if not.Most
- Fun and spectacular hack'n slash gameplay
- Interesting story with epic flashes
- Many and varied activities
- Superb art direction...
The lessers
- ... but which technically shows its age
- Sometimes redundant leveling phase
- Definitely very time consuming
- To be competitive, you have to take out the credit card
