Fantasy MMORPG Blade and Soul gets a remaster, immediately torn apart on Steam

Martial arts seem like a perfect fit for the RPG genre. Still, aside from classics like Shenmue and Jade Empire or newer games like Wandering Sword, there aren't as many projects that fit this description as might be expected. Blade and Soul, an MMORPG from 2012, looked to fill this gap with an online kung-fu role-playing game presented in the style of wuxia books, TV, and film. Unfortunately, players looking to check it out in the form of its newly launched remaster, Blade and Soul Neo, seem massively disappointed so far, if Steam's user ratings are any indication.

Blade and Soul Neo looks, on its surface, like a solid update of the 2012 MMORPG. Its visuals are lush and colorful, its world design is unique and varied, and its combat appears like a brisk alternative to the sometimes slower-paced style of other MMOs. None of this is enough to have convinced a number of players on Steam that the experience is worthwhile, though.

At the time of writing, the game holds a 30% or 'Mostly Negative' user rating on Valve's platform. Players cite a variety of issues, ranging from performance problems to enemy and combat changes that make fights more frustrating or overly simplified — to the point that, per a user with the handle Chunky Milk, bosses resemble "glorified training dummies." The biggest issue, mentioned in almost every review, is Blade and Soul Neo's monetization systems, though.

"Cash grab remake of a classic game with extremely predatory [pay to win] shop," a user called Szera writes, with others going on to mention that the game's systems appear to have been redesigned in some instances purely to encourage real-money spending. Without paying, some users note, it seems impossible for players to stay current with others.

If you want to check out Blade and Soul Neo to form your own opinion, you can get it for free on Steam right here.

Otherwise, you can find other options to dig into with our picks for the best free MMOs and best fantasy games also out now on PC.

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