Myth of Empires Review

[Michael {United Critics}]

🎮Gameplay	7.5	Modernized old-school RPG vibes with grind-intensive mechanics; engaging but slow progression and repetitive tasks can be challenging for solo players.
📷Graphics	7	Decent graphics with detailed environments, though not groundbreaking but could benefit from further optimisation.
🎧Narration/Audio	5.5	Functional audio elements with a generic soundtrack; minimal narrative depth detracts from immersion.
😮Variety	6.5	Diverse gameplay options, but the slow pace and limited content updates might lead to monotony over time.
🎰Re-playability	6	Limited due to repetitive tasks and lack of compelling narrative; additional modes or content updates could enhance re-playability.
💲Price	7	Fairly priced for the content offered; waiting for a sale might provide better value due to extensive grind.

📝Story/Plot Without Spoilers

Myth of Empires is set in a vast, open-world environment that requires players to engage deeply with its survival and crafting mechanics. The narrative is somewhat secondary, serving more as a backdrop to the gameplay. The focus is on building, exploring, and conquering the world, reminiscent of classic MMORPGs like Ultima Online, Everquest, and RuneScape.

🎮Gameplay

First Impressions
The moment I launched Myth of Empires, I was met with a blend of excitement and curiosity. There was an in-depth character customisation where my girlfriend and I spent at least 45 minutes! Customisation ranges from cheekbones, lower jaw, neck, body type, and skin colour to randomising skin or importing a template. Then, you have the option to join an official game server, a custom server, or a solo/hosted one. The game presents a familiar yet intriguing premise, encouraging me to explore and get creative. The vast array of crafting and survival mechanics promised an immersive experience, but I quickly realised that patience was essential, as the progression can be dishearteningly slow.

Tutorial Experience
The tutorial experience in Myth of Empires was lacking. Instead of providing clear, step-by-step instructions, it presented a series of missions that guided me through various mechanics with insufficient detail. For instance, the initial tutorial mission aimed to introduce me to skill allocation and expertise but ended up needing to be more specific. I was told to "press the X button and follow the flashing tabs" without adequately explaining what each tab represented or how it impacted gameplay. This lack of clarity led to some frustration as I tried to navigate the game's complexities. Plus, it was too gosh darn long.

Survival Mechanics
One of the standout features for me was the intricate survival mechanics. Gathering resources required me to be strategic; it wasn't just about mindlessly clicking on trees or rocks. I had to assess my environment for valuable materials like wood, stone, grass and food, which were crucial for crafting tools, building structures, and creating armour. Keeping my Toxicity (interactions and statuses in the game will affect a player’s health), Protection (Weather conditions), Stamina, HP and Fullness in control. This system pushed me to understand my surroundings better, ensuring I had enough supplies to survive and thrive. Crafting became a pivotal part of my gameplay experience. Thanks to an extensive crafting system with many recipes, I could create everything from essential tools to elaborate structures. However, the complexity was sometimes overwhelming, especially as a newcomer. I appreciated the encouragement to experiment and discover new crafting techniques, but I occasionally felt frustrated when I lacked essential resources or struggled with the many options available.

Combat Experience
I found that combat in Myth of Empires had potential but often felt clunky. The game features both 4-direction and 8-direction combat modes, with the latter providing better hitbox functionality. However, I experienced issues with ineffective shields and found parrying challenging but rewarding if mastered. Combat encounters sometimes felt imprecise, with unresponsive hits and erratic enemy behaviours. In PvP combat, I observed that mounted polearms dominated, leaving other weapon types trailing in end-game scenarios. The combat system reminded me of Mount & Blade, but it lacked polish in certain areas. At times, I found myself falling into repetitive patterns, relying on the same strategies to succeed, especially when you go for monster sieges, war rhinos, or war elephants.

Progression System
The progression system showcased both strengths and weaknesses. While it featured an expansive tree of skills and crafting options, the slow pace of progression could be frustrating. I often spent hours grinding, only to make minimal progress. This grind sometimes felt tedious, mainly because I was used to faster-paced games. Treasure maps proved to be fun for me, but I sometimes felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks and resources needed to advance. Crafting recipes and talent trees felt never-ending. Taming animals and training warriors have a lot of potential but need more work. There is definitely that itch of “Hey, look how much I have grinded”. I also fell into that hole by trying to build the most extensive base possible. Wrong choices were made. Sigh

Community and Multiplayer Experience
The multiplayer aspect of Myth of Empires truly shines. I appreciated the dedicated servers for both PvE and PvP content, allowing me to join established communities or create custom servers with friends. Building a thriving base and participating in guild activities were crucial for advancement. This freedom added an exciting dimension to the game. Playing with friends enhanced my experience; cooperative gameplay alleviated some of the burdens associated with grinding and resource gathering. However, convincing friends to join the journey proved challenging due to the steep learning curve. It was essential to ensure everyone was on board for the long haul. I also noticed that the lack of regional server locking led to dominance by certain guilds, particularly Chinese players. This created challenges, such as having prime building spots claimed on PvE servers or facing formidable opponents on PvP servers.

Modernised Old-School RPG Vibes
Myth of Empires offers a distinct blend of old-school RPG elements with a modern twist. The grind-intensive mechanics and open-world design appealed to my love for classic MMORPGs. You'd likely find Myth of Empires engaging if you enjoyed games like Ultima Online, Everquest, or RuneScape. The thing I don’t like is the server-side rendering. Like Ark Survival, your graphics render live, which was burning my PC up.

Music and Audio
The audio design in Myth of Empires felt too stock-sounding, with a stale soundtrack throughout my gameplay. While I appreciated the quieter experience, it could become monotonous over extended sessions. A dynamic audio experience may be necessary for overall immersion.

📷Graphics

The game doesn’t necessarily stand out in a crowded genre. Players may find that the visuals mirror those of other open-world survival titles, complete with the expected wooden structures and lush environments. While it performs well, the graphics don’t break new ground; they fulfil their purpose of creating an engaging world without pushing the boundaries of graphical fidelity.

📝Main Pros and Cons

Pros

• In-depth crafting and building mechanics.
  
• Large, open world with extensive exploration opportunities.
  
• Varied combat options.
  
• Complex progression system.
  
• Dedicated and custom servers for multiplayer.

Cons

• Excessive grind and slow progression.
  
• Predictable enemy AI.
  
• Generic audio elements and volume control issues.
  
• Repetitive tasks can lead to monotony.
  
• Limited re-playability due to lack of narrative depth.

🏷️Tips for new players

Play with friends: The game is designed for cooperative gameplay, making it much more enjoyable when you have others to share the experience with. Fast travel doesn't let you take your inventory with you; it acts like a fresh point, so choose wisely. Forest and Northern Mountains are two solid choices if you are spawning newly. They have easier enemies and higher XP.

✉️Miscellaneous Information

Difficulty Levels
Novice Mode is a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Revive on the spot after death. Normal Mode: A moderately tricky experience. Hard Mode: Play the game as originally intended.

In-game shop
The game also has a microtransaction in-game store that offers Skins, Execution actions, Emotes, Lamp oils and lots.

😇Honest Rating

Myth of Empires is a compelling game for fans of grind-heavy, old-school RPGs, offering a rich but challenging experience. While it fills a niche for hardcore MMO enthusiasts, its slow progression, clunky combat, and other issues may not appeal to everyone. The game has significant potential if the developers focus on optimising the experience and addressing the current shortcomings. Ultimately, Myth of Empires is a work in progress. While it may not live up to the mythical expectations its name suggests, it has the foundation to evolve into a truly engaging experience.

Rating: 7/10

Reviewer: Guri
Editor: Michael

Grinding my years away for decent-looking skin.