Classic MMO Vindictus is coming back as an action RPG, and you can try it now

If you're on the lookout for a new action RPG, you'll want to give Vindictus: Defying Fate's new alpha test a go. A single-player combat-focused experience from The First Descendant developer Nexon, it's already the top demo on Valve's platform during Steam Next Fest. While the player numbers are high, the overall reception to the demo has been mixed so far, largely due to the pace of combat and the game's overall stability. That said, with no launch date in sight just yet, you've only got a limited time to get involved.

Vindictus: Defying Fate actually has quite the storied history. It takes place in the same universe as a Nexon-published MMORPG from 2010, but instead focuses on delivering a single-player experience. Fights are much flashier than in the source material, as Nexon ramps up the challenge and the stakes.

With a bit of Elden Ring and even Stellar Blade to its combat, Vindictus: Defying Fate is all about skill. You've got to balance dodges, counters, and heavy-hitting strikes to take out all of the monsters, each inspired by Celtic mythology. Each of the playable characters has their own unique abilities, giving you the choice of how to approach each battle.

Since Nexon launched the alpha test, it's been doing incredibly well. In just a few hours, it's amassed a staggering 40,911 concurrent player peak on Steam (according to SteamDB), as players get to grips with its fast-paced fights.

That said, after more than 2,100 user reviews, the demo's reception officially sits at 'mixed' on Valve's platform. Vindictus: Defying Fate's combat is proving somewhat divisive, as some players love the shift to soulslike gameplay while others prefer how fights worked in the original MMO. The graphics and visuals, on the other hand, have been receiving near-universal praise, as Nexon's Celtic-inspired setting is proving a hit.

Nexon says the Vindictus: Defying Fate alpha test is running from now until Monday June 16. You can get involved here.

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