Some time ago, I told you about Fractured Online, which left me with a good impression. Today, I'm going to tell you about this game because, since then, it has gained some features!
Note: the game is currently in closed beta, accessible via founders packs. It is available in French, but with translation problems: texts not or poorly translated, unsuitable boxes. We can hope that this will be resolved when the game is released, or during its future updates.
History
A series of videos (mainly audio) will allow you to learn more about the universe of this sandbox that is Fractured Online. Here are the links for those who would like to learn a little more.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Graphics
Far from being a graphic revolution, the game is however pleasing to the eye, detailed enough to satisfy any player, and makes it recognizable at first glance what to harvest or fight. I have a crush on the particularly successful rivers which make me (like during my first glimpse) want to have a house nearby.
At the sound level, we are on classic, not really striking, but which does the job. We know we're fighting, we know we're casting a skill, and we hear music in the background that's more than adequate. But beyond that... nothing special to say.
Gameplay
After character creation which leaves us the choice of our class with a certain story extract and each with a different basic difficulty... we quickly find ourselves with a simple but effective tutorial explaining the basics of combat, tree of talent, skills and crafting. After which, we get into the real game.
Many players may be surprised at the moment by the absence of a quest that tells us what to do, how to do it, and the total freedom that comes from all that. We can do what we want, go where we want. Personally, I went to the bottom of the map, to Myr's, where we come across all kinds of creatures that are not necessarily nice, especially since they often want our skin, but also other players who, although mostly English speakers, can welcome us in their hamlet or simply help us.
I opted for a solo discovery since my previous preview. So I find myself doing a fundraiser with local Goblins to collect 4000 gold coins to buy me a piece of land to build my house. The natives will laboriously leave me 20/30 coins, but as the skills learned, we understood each other better and better, and we agreed on a quick and smooth death! As a warrior (the simplest basic class) I crafted myself a sword, shield, fur armor, and learned skills that deal damage, bleed, retaliate, and stun from area that these fellows were kind enough to teach me when they passed away.
Because yes, to learn a skill, you will have to fight a creature (wolf, rabbit, goblin, giant spider, bandit) which, depending on its class, will give you useful blows to reuse as you wish to become stronger and unlockable by accessing knowledge points that are obtained by discovering new enemies, new areas, new resources, or simply by exterminating local tribes and fauna. But don't forget to make bandages... usable every 6 seconds, they are vital during fights so as not to die, I make them in batches of 10 with plant fibers as resources, especially flax that we then weave. I believe that my use is quite violent given the chain fights and the fact that we sometimes find ourselves doing 3 against 1 in the camps which sometimes contain a treasure accessible with hooks of our manufacture.
In battles, it happens that we are defeated. We are then faced with three choices: wait and get up after a few seconds to try to leave, return to the last town, or else...a last option which I have not tried, because its translation into French does not is not very clear (remember, the game is still in beta, all this is largely forgivable). You will be able to fall several times, as long as your life bar is not covered with gray, which means the penalty which will be fatal after a while. Knowing that if you decide to return to town after falling in battle, you will lose your inventory (except weapon and equipped armor).
To remove this malus? It is enough simply to go to rest in town near a fire to restore all its bar. Tip: Tame a horse to go faster and stick to roads which are generally safer and give you a speed boost. In town, you can deposit your belongings at the bank, buy or sell via a table that hangs around and which groups together player requests or everyone's sales, or even simply make food and/or equipment that will be vital, and offer more possibilities than simply with your minions in nature. But there is a small problem: on the huge map, you can clearly see the nations founded by others, you can see the points of interest, but as long as you don't have a home, you have to go to town. .. but it is so badly indicated that you will really have to be careful to remember its location.
Class what!
We can make any class and change its attribute points to take one of a different orientation depending on what we want, even after the starting choice. Of course, it will depend, I suppose, on the equipment you have and the spells you find... but it will allow you to branch out and find the path that will satisfy you and allow you to move forward.
This will help you above all to fight creatures, also to defend yourself against bellicose players or on the contrary, to go and fight and loot other souls who have not asked anything from anyone, at the risk of finding yourself in prison and hunted by your peers. You can also save several sets of different skills and talents that can be activated (memorize) by going to a corner fire to attack a particular enemy, or to deal with a given situation. Very practical, I find this feature really nice.
Summary
Fractured Online is still in development and has quite a few things that may appeal to players who don't feel like doing FedEx or Extended Quests, but who may currently not really be hooked, especially those who like MMOs a little more "classic". With a roadmap that will introduce new races, demons, PVP events (which will remain the vein of the game in my opinion), new regions and religion, I think we will redo an overview to take stock on this game which will be released on schedule next winter. Personally, I can't wait to see what it will give, even if the beginning is frankly complicated to find your way around and is not necessarily to be put in everyone's hands.
I leave you a link HERE for the founders packs ranging from €25,99 to €129,99. Or for those who want to wait, the Steam page above.
