Last week, you may have picked up on the rumor that Blade & Soul NEO had scored a new English website. Well, it was true, and there was a good reason for it: The “iconic fantasy MMORPG remaster” is now finally en route to the west following its debut in Korea last fall and a year of teasing.
“NC America announced today Blade & Soul NEO, the modern reinterpretation of Blade & Soul’s signature fantasy universe, is coming soon to PC in North America and Europe,” the company says. “Featuring a beautiful visually enhanced experience, the original, well-crafted storyline, Infinite Windwalk (the glide ability), and a handful of enticing gameplay features, Blade & Soul NEO fulfills players’ desire to re-live that pure MMO action fantasy experience they once knew.”
We don’t have a hard date beyond “soon,” and I expect all of you to cringe internally at the idea that a 2012/2013 MMO that didn’t even launch in the west until nine years ago is a “classic” MMO (our bones are currently turning into dust right now). But there is a pre-registration page set up along with a preorder package that includes cosmetics and currency.
The presser promises not just a graphical remaster but new combat customization and infinite windwalking, which basically means gliding for exploration without limitations.
“Players can reconnect with the original spirit of the free-to-play, open-world MMORPG in a richer, visually enhanced experience set in a world of Asian mythology where fast-paced combat collides with the stunning visual beauty. Gamers will re-live the original storyline as a hero determined to restore honor to their clan that’s been wiped out by enemy forces. Players can pick one of four playable races based on animal lore, including the Dragon, Qilin, Phoenix and Turtle, and amongst seven classes, including Assassin, Blade Dancer, Blade Master, Destroyer, Force Master, Kung Fu Master, and Summoner.”
Worth noting is that last fall when the remaster launched in Korea, the company renamed it to BNS NEO, a trim-down from BNS Classic or B&S NEO Classic, but today’s western documents (and the western site) are definitely calling it Blade & Soul NEO, so we can blessedly stop typing all of those. Stay tuned for more!
