As promised, Astellia Online’s initial closed beta test has begun as of this morning.
“Closed beta testers will be providing the studio with invaluable data across a number of features and mechanics including progression speed and updated combat systems. Players will also assist the team in creating a baseline for how the various game systems are being used as they journey through normal content and dungeons, trying out acquired gear and more. Saturday will offer players a chance to try out high-end gameplay in Astellia with a level boost and suitable equipment. While there will be separate North American and European servers at launch, CBT players will be working to break the server during the technical stress test when everyone, regardless of location, will be stuffed into a single server to put it through its paces. This is being done to apply as much pressure to the system as possible.”
Specifically, the first test will end at 11:00 a.m. EDT on July 1st, so you’ll have plenty of time to find out how early player progression feels as you start out fresh in the game. There are also plans to have a special Legendary Dungeon event later in the week, so keep your eyes peeled for when the NPCs arrive to just level you up to the cap and let you get geared up for the endgame content. Or just wait for the reports to roll in from the people who have played the game, if you’d prefer. Ask your doctor if Astellia is right for you. Side effects of installing this beta may include enjoyment, disappointment, confusion at the money you spent getting in, satisfaction at same, happiness for getting a key, and extended play sessions.
We’ll be streaming our first look at the game at 2 p.m. EDT today on OPTV, so join us for the fun!
Closed Beta Start time has been announced! Are you ready? https://t.co/MwuDjks7Nh#Astellia #Classic #MMORPG #Beta pic.twitter.com/8r6U12BfJV
— Astellia Online (@AstelliaOnline) June 25, 2019
Is it just me or does this look like all the other Eastern ports we get over here? I’m not saying that it can’t be enjoyable, I’m just saying that it looks like everything else I’ve seen come over in the last 5 years. I’ll probably give it a try, because I like to form my own opinion, but am very skeptical on this one.
One thing I’ll definitely be looking for is how optimized it is. After how unbelievably crappy Bless ran on most machines, and all the in house tweeks you had to make to the .ini just to make it playable, that is something that I’ll have zero patience for with Astellia.
Gender-locking?
Hard pass.
CBT only. They have committed to removing gender locks for the actual Western release.
As he stated, gender locks will not be present at launch.
I read (somewhere, can’t find it now) that they didn’t think they were going to have all the animations done by time of launch. So they were shifting to a plan where they could provide a free gender swap after the gender is released for the class. Based on that and a few other things, I’m going to pass on launch and wait for reviews at least 30 days after launch.
If you have not already get onto one of the beta sessions and play the game. You will know if the game is for you and if you will even be interested come launch.
Still have a spare key for closed beta, someone who want to test things out can contact me
I would please
dugfromtheearth@gmail.com
I tried it last night with the CBT1 key from Massively here. Thanks again!
Anyway, I didn’t get far enough to see the meat of the game or any group content, but:
the graphics are good (maybe too detailed – everything looks kind of “jagged” even with anti-aliasing and it hurt my eyes a bit)
didn’t experience pop-in for terrain or background, which is nice
combat is like everyone has Warlock pets, up to 3 at a time
combat was not challenging, but this was the tutorial/intro
voice acting is passable, not too painful
character designs are generic, but the customization options are in-depth, so I was able to make an interesting looking character (think Revelation Online level of customization)
classes are still gender-locked at this point, e.g., no female Warrior yet
character bodies/features are tied to their class (e.g., warrior is a moderately beefy guy, magic-user is a small girl, etc.)
no Item Shop to access and evaluate
game ran smoothly enough, not high framerate but not as poorly as many were saying in global chat. they probably have some kind of diagnostics running, because it was a consistent lower framerate, probably 30-45, without hiccuping/stutters though; did not seem to slow down based on number of players around (for me)
keybinds can all be customized, like other MMOs (which is nice, because some like Riders of Icarus, to which this game is similar in look and feel, wouldn’t let you keybind everything)
there is auto-run to quest objective
you get a mount in the intro and it is instant-cast (like Tera)
logging in was easy, quick, no long loading screens like ESO or BnS, beta started on time when specified
character made was a scholar on the “A” server, i7 something processor, I think 1060 GPU (can’t check – not at home now)
I’ll let you all know more thoughts if I get a chance.
My 2 cents here:
1) very traditional questing style I.e. : 3 quests in main hub go kill x amt of mobs etc.
2) combat feels fluid. I.E. if it is an instant cast, you can move while casting. Tab targeting with aoe dodging.
3) Different Astels “pets” can enhance or add extra effects on your own skill which is kinda cool. Also, you can switch your Astels in mid combat which can become tactical in pvp
Going to try pvp out today so far, if you like traditional old style mmorpg, you can try this out. However there are Eastern elements such as dungeon tix etc..
Good overview. I agree with most of your observations. Especially that classes are locked to a body type (not gender). I hate that.
I averaged 60+ FPS with an occasional dip never lower than 45FPS. I am lvl 12 and have done content in groups and I’ve seen none of the frame rate issues that plagued the Korean build.
So far so good. Nothing groundbreaking but fun.
Hope it’s good, I’ll be keeping an eye on it.
Oh mighty magic 8 ball: Will it take MJ at least 15 minutes to create a character on the stream? 🤣
Founder packs with early access and regrading, pet stats, card packs. This game was also F2P in Korea but cost 30 bucks here. Do not invest money into this game and will be F2P a few months after release.
I just looked up the packs and they give you 20 beeswax token to unlock soulbound items to be sold on the market
Scroll of exploration that auto loots for you
Nordens favor 30 days that will be the 15 a month value pack sub that gives you more of everything up to 30% and more dungeon tickets
A auto loot ring
F2P in Korea with a Cash Shop that required you use it to play the game. So not so free.
Hmm. Is this the game that includes a card mechanic to enhance combat? Meh, can’t remember. I’ll keep an eye on this via Twitch. I’m spending more and more time there these days.
Oh, and I’ll tune into MOP today. Always love the MOP streams.
Are you thinking of Shroud of the Avatar? I’ve got a full day in this game and not seen any type of card system.
Meh, it’s probably just my aging memory. I could have sworn those Astels that follow you around buffed and protected you based on a deck of cards.
I’ve watched a bit of gameplay and if it goes f2p I’ll give it a shot.
The mounts alone are enough to nudge me toward buying the title at the next game draught I feel! The graphics are pretty, too.
Even better, you have a mount from lvl 1.
I’m watching someone play this on Twitch. Seriously? This is the quality of a game to be released in 2019? It looks so dull and middle of the road.