Ragnarok Online Review: A Sandbox MMORPG Masterpiece

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Ragnarok Online is an MMORPG that is truly a sandbox-style game, allowing players to create their own fantasy characters and fully immerse themselves in a virtual world. Created by Gravity based on the manhwa Ragnarok by Lee Myung-Jin, the game was released in South Korea on August 31st, 2002. As a player, you can role-play your character within the virtual world, shaping your own story and experiences.

One of the standout features of Ragnarok Online is its gameplay mechanics, which are based on Norse mythology and the stories surrounding Ragnarok. In a 3D environment, players interact with each other using 2D character sprites for front, back, side, and diagonal facings. The game offers various modes of play, including player vs. player (PVP), player vs. environment (PVE), and guild vs. guild (GVG).

The game mechanics in Ragnarok Online are unique and not found in many other games. Unlike the majority of MMORPGs that use cooldowns, Ragnarok Online utilizes casting time and cast delay. The game also features a leveling system that is primarily done through PVE rather than questing. Leveling up becomes exponentially more difficult as you progress through the game, requiring more time and effort to reach higher levels. There are 13 classes that players can choose from, and each one can be changed to a higher-tier job. To do so, players must reach level 40 to change to the second class and level 99 and job base 50 to transcend, which brings you back to level 1 and job base 1 as a novice with 100 more stats than a regular novice.

One of the great features of Ragnarok Online is its sense of community and social interaction. Players can form guilds by obtaining a stone called Emperium. Guild members are easily identifiable by a pink triangle on the top right corner of the mini-map. Parties can consist of up to 12 members, and each member is represented by a colored box on the mini-map. Interacting with other players is essential for players to succeed in the game, although players can still play solo at their own pace.

The economy within Ragnarok Online is also noteworthy, with players trading regularly and a good balance of zeny and item sinks to maintain the economy. The sound and music of Ragnarok Online are also highly praised, as the Korean team of video game music composers known as SoundTeMP created soundtracks that perfectly fit the game world.

Overall, Ragnarok Online has an extremely high replay value and longevity, with endless opportunities for players to shape their own stories and experiences. However, the renewal patch has changed the game somewhat, making it more linear and theme park-like, taking away from the sense of freedom and creativity that made Ragnarok Online so special. Despite this, the game remains a masterpiece, and a true testament to what MMORPGs can achieve. With a score of 10/10, Ragnarok Online is a must-play for any fan of the genre who craves a sense of freedom and creativity within their virtual worlds.