Much as it did for the launch of New World back in 2021, Amazon Games will be hoping to make waves again in the MMORPG scene with its upcoming title, Throne & Liberty, developed by NCSOFT. During this year’s Summer Games Fest, I had the opportunity to dive into a short play session and experience its gameplay first-hand. Having already seen glimpses of its robust character creation system, guild vs. guild combat, and polished aesthetic, I was keen to get an idea as to whether the newly announced open beta was worth recommending.
My hands-on experience with Throne & Liberty started with that aforementioned impressive character creation menu, which certainly does allow for extensive customization. There are a plethora of presets, but you can get super nerdy with fleshing out your character’s appearance — something I can see many players spending an unhealthy amount of time finicking with! After settling on a look, I was given a little time to play about with a huge number of different spells in a tutorial area amid a very grandiose fantasy city before heading out on a quest.
I joined a group of media representatives and content creators to tackle a dungeon, guided by a member of the development team. Right off the bat, it’s fair to say combat does feel pretty staple for the MMORPG genre; it’s a somewhat static affair with auto-attacking in the same fashion as many of its contemporaries. That said, it absolutely does feel fluid and looks plenty flashy. Throne & Liberty is a visual feast, with polished graphics that convey a sense of quality and modernity that catch the eye.
One thing I’ll note is that the overpowered characters we were given for this particular play session left me a little uncertain about the game’s true difficulty. What I can say is that there is at least some innovation beyond the usual spell-slinging fare. Again, the combat is fairly similar to other MMORPGs, but many of the mini-bosses we encountered had gimmicks that forced us into strategic movement and timing. Running into water to douse flames, for example, and using our grappling hooks to avoid AoE attacks.
One particularly cool feature of the game is that players have the unique ability to transform into various creatures. This morphing mechanic allows for rapid travel by air or sea and can even turn the tide in battle by transforming into defeated bosses. We used our animal forms to traverse areas of the dungeons, gliding between ledges and avoiding plumes of fire.
The combat system in Throne & Liberty has actually evolved significantly from its initial conception. Originally announced in 2011 as “Lineage Eternal,” the game was rebranded multiple times before settling on its current form. Persistent player feedback has driven these changes, which explains the iteration from static, stand-and-attack style to a more dynamic, reactive system reminiscent of modern action RPGs.
Again, I can’t honestly say the combat experience feels majorly different from established MMORPGs of years gone by, but Throne & Liberty does have that aforementioned fluidity and polish that makes it appear “next-gen.” It strikes me as having a fresh appearance in the same vein as New World did back in 2021 by comparison to longstanding titles of the genre.
Notably, unlike other MMORPGs where you lock in your specialization early on, here your abilities are tied to weapon choices. My magic build wielded a Wand and Staff, casting a variety of spells from targeted attacks to linear blasts, AoE strikes, and healing spells. But I wasn’t technically limited to this; I could have swapped for all manner of different weapons, which means there’s a lot of flexibility on offer.
Even beyond what I’d experienced from the gameplay itself, I learned that Throne & Liberty promises more than just traditional MMORPG mechanics. It features a robust social experience where players are encouraged to join guilds and participate in epic PvE and PvP battles, such as Castle Sieges that can involve thousands of players simultaneously. The game’s world, Solisium, is designed to be a living, breathing entity with dynamic environments that influence gameplay. Weather cycles can affect weapon performance and reveal new paths, adding layers of strategy and immersion.
Again similarly to New World, Throne and Liberty puts a focus on interfaction rivalry. This guild versus guild combat isn’t something we saw during the preview, but it’s designed as a cornerstone of the full-fat Throne & Liberty experience, manifesting in various forms, including Conquest Battles and world bosses. Daniel Lafuente, Globalization Design Manager at Amazon Games, explained in a recent interview that these encounters are not instanced, meaning guilds will openly compete for dominance. This aspect of the game echoes the intense coordination required in classic MMORPGs like Lineage II, where massive siege battles could involve thousands of players.
More than just combat, the game encourages political drama and alliance-building. “This is upwards of a thousand players, with their guilds, all participating in the siege to take over the castle and claim the throne,” Lafuente said. This structure fosters deep geopolitical strategies, creating a dynamic social landscape within the game.
While guild activities are a significant focus, solo players will also find plenty to enjoy. Lafuente highlighted that solo dungeons, time trials, and extensive world exploration are available, ensuring that Throne & Liberty caters to various playstyles. However, he encouraged players to engage in large-scale sieges for a more enriched experience.
“Guilds are at the core of strategic competitive battles,” said Moonseop Lee. The game features guild rankings, Conquest Battles, and Castle Sieges, all of which offer unique rewards and a strong sense of community. These elements are designed to foster collaboration and camaraderie among players, creating a vibrant social ecosystem within Solisium.
As any good fantasy MMORPG should, the game’s narrative is also set to captivate players. Throne & Liberty is steeped in lore, with the world of Solisium shaped by the shards of the Star of Sylaveth. These shards grant immense power and attract malevolent forces, setting the stage for a grand conflict between light and shadow.
The storyline promises to be an epic journey. As light prepares to wage war against shadow, the fate of Solisium hangs in the balance. This grand conflict is reflected in the game’s dynamic world, where geography and environment change during play, presenting unique challenges and opportunities on the fly.
Based on my brief experience at Summer Games Fest, Throne & Liberty shows plenty of promise. I think it will feel familiar to fans of the genre, but its pretty graphics and generally polished appearance should prove a big draw. The question is whether the world-building and strong focus on community-driven gameplay see them stick around for the long haul.
Thankfully, you don’t have to wait to experience the action yourself. Amazon Games has announced an Open Beta for Throne & Liberty, set to run from July 18 to July 23, available on all platforms. This beta offers a chance for players to experience the game early and provide feedback that will shape its future.
For fans of the genre, Throne & Liberty is certainly worth checking out. Its rich lore, strategic depth, and comfy but robust gameplay mechanics have the potential to make it a standout title. Keep an eye on this one—it could very well be the next big thing in MMORPGs.
